Ontario Landlord-Tenant Laws: Complete Guide for Property Owners

Ontario's rental housing market is governed by the Residential Tenancies Act, 2006 (RTA), one of Canada's most comprehensive landlord-tenant frameworks. Whether you own a single rental unit or manage a large portfolio, understanding these regulations is critical to operating a compliant and profitable rental business.

Disclaimer: This guide provides general legal information for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Landlord-tenant laws change frequently. Always consult a licensed paralegal or attorney in Ontario for guidance specific to your situation. Information last verified: March 2026.

Key Ontario Rental Laws at a Glance

Rent Deposits

Ontario takes a unique approach to security deposits. Landlords can only collect a last month's rent deposit equal to one month's rent. This deposit can only be applied to the tenant's final month of rent — it cannot be used for damages, cleaning, or any other purpose.

Landlords must pay annual interest on the deposit at the rate equal to the rent increase guideline for that year. Damage deposits, pet deposits, and any other upfront fees (beyond a refundable key deposit at actual replacement cost) are illegal under the RTA.

For more detail, see our Security Deposits deep dive.

Rent Increases

For 2026, the Ontario rent increase guideline is 2.1%, the lowest in four years. Key rules include:

• Rent can only increase once every 12 months
• Landlords must provide 90 days' written notice using Form N1
• Units first occupied after November 15, 2018 are exempt from the guideline
• Above Guideline Increases (AGIs) may be approved by the LTB for capital expenditures, capped at an additional 3% per year

For more detail, see our Rent Increases guide.

Eviction Procedures

All evictions in Ontario must go through the Landlord and Tenant Board (LTB). Landlords cannot simply change locks or remove a tenant — self-help evictions are illegal.

Common Eviction Grounds

• Non-payment of rent — N4 notice with 14 days to pay (changing to 7 days under Bill 60)
• Persistent late payment — N8 notice
• Illegal activity or safety concerns — N6 notice with 10 days
• Landlord's own use — N12 notice with 60 days and one month's rent compensation
• Demolition or major renovations — N13 notice with 120 days

Tenants are never required to leave based on a notice alone — only an LTB order can enforce an eviction.

For more detail, see our Eviction Process guide.

Required Disclosures

Ontario landlords must provide:

1. Ontario Standard Lease — mandatory for most private residential tenancies since April 30, 2018
2. Signed copy of lease — must be provided within 21 days of tenant signing
3. Landlord's legal name and address — required even for oral tenancy agreements within 21 days
4. Prior no-fault eviction history — must disclose when applying for similar evictions
5. Suite metering information — if applicable

For more detail, see our Required Disclosures guide.

Maintenance and Habitability

Under the RTA (§20), landlords must maintain rental units and the residential complex in a good state of repair, fit for habitation, and compliant with health, safety, housing, and maintenance standards. This includes:

• Heating to at least 20°C in habitable spaces
• Hot and cold running water
• Working electrical, plumbing, and heating systems
• All landlord-supplied appliances in working order
• Pest control and clean common areas
• Structural integrity of walls, roofs, ceilings, windows, and doors

Ontario Regulation 517/06 sets out detailed maintenance standards that apply to all residential rental properties.

For more detail, see our Maintenance Obligations guide.

Late Fees

Ontario is notably strict on this topic: landlords cannot charge any fees or penalties for late rent payments. This includes NSF cheque charges beyond the actual bank fee incurred. Charging illegal fees can result in a tenant filing a T1 application with the LTB to recover the money.

For more detail, see our Late Fees guide.

Recent Legislative Changes — Bill 60

Bill 60 (Protecting Tenants and Strengthening Community Housing Act) was passed on November 24, 2025 but is not yet fully in effect. Key changes include:

• N4 notice grace period reduced from 14 days to 7 days for non-payment
• Tenants must pay 50% of claimed arrears before raising maintenance issues at hearings
• Landlord's own-use evictions (N12) with 120+ days notice no longer require one month's rent compensation

For more detail, see our Lease Requirements guide.

Getting Started with Compliance

Managing compliance across Ontario's detailed regulatory landscape requires careful attention to the RTA and LTB procedures. Landager helps landlords track lease terms, manage rent deposit interest calculations, and stay updated when regulations change.

Explore more Ontario compliance topics:

• Security Deposits
• Eviction Process
• Required Disclosures
• Rent Increases
• Lease Requirements
• Maintenance Obligations
• Late Fees