A lot of people have been asking me information in regards to their renting situation.  Here is the answer to a few of those questions. Everything below is a quote from the Residential Tenancies Act.

For further information contact the Tenants Hotline (416-921-9494)

 You Have a Right to Privacy

A landlord must give you 24 hours’ notice to enter your residence unless there is an emergency.

Your Deposit

A landlord may ask for rent deposit. A landlord is not allowed to ask for deposit on things like damage security, or if you have children or pets. Neither a landlord nor a tenancy agreement requires a tenant to provide post-dated cheques or set up automatic pay.  It is up to the renter to decide how he/she wants to pay rent each month.

Rent Increases

• Allowed only once every 12 months
• Must give 90 days’ written notice
• Increase guideline is currently 3.1%
• If the rent increase is above the guideline, it may be acceptable if a lot of money was spent on building (windows, new balcony, better security, ect.)  But then the landlord needs to make a report to Tenancy Act.
• Landlord may ask for rent increase because of “air-conditioning” But if it’s not in the lease, you do not have to pay.

Much Needed Maintenance

• To get maintenance, write a letter and take a picture of problem.
• Collect proof, keep a log (date, time, what happened)
• If the landlord doesn’t do it, call the city at 311. It could be in regards to property standards, such as heat or broken fridge or may be a public issue, such as bed bugs, mold.
• If the city is called, the city will issue work order to landlord
• When the city comes, they will be expensive plus they will be taking notes on other things to be fixed in the property
• If landlord is not doing anything about bedbugs, he can be fined up to $50,000.  Tenants may be fined up to $5,000 if they don’t do anything about their bedbugs
• If a tenant breaks something, you legally have to pay for it.
• From Sept.15 to May 31^st, temperature must be a minimum 21 degrees.  If not, call 311

Rules of Eviction

• Pay rent on time
• Do not damage the apartment
• Do not bother neighbors
• Do not commit an illegal act

Process of Eviction (there is a lot of help and support with The Tenant Hotline)

• Notice of eviction is a warning letter, written in an official format (E.g. Pay rent 7 to 14 days if you want to avoid action)
• Hearing at the Landlord Tenancy Board.  Client must show up.  Takes 2 weeks to a month.  If eviction order is given, tenant has to vacate in 11 days. Costs the tenant $170.
• Sherif is appointed by a judge and is allowed to change locks.  This may cost tenant $350.00.  Has 72 hours to vacate.

Terminating Your Tenancy

• 1 year lease.  60 days in writing before the lease ends
• Month to month. 60 days before you leave

This is a short synopsis of my understanding of the Residential Tenancies Act in relation to the questions asked to me by participants in the FAPS program.

For further information contact the Tenants Hotline (416-921-9494).