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Standard Residential Lease Forms Easier to Understand
Monday, February 12, 2018
Beginning April 30, Ontario will introduce a standard lease form written in plain, easy-to-understand language for private residential rentals.
The lease will include basic information like names and addresses, the total amount of rent and when it's due, and any rules or terms about the rental unit or building.
The standard form was introduced because there were many cases of abuse between landlords and tenants.
It will apply to:
It also outlines your rights and responsibilities as the renter and those of the landlord. Things like banning guests or pets will no longer be allowed.
If you are currently under an older lease, it is still effective as long as it complies with the Residential Tenancy Act. But you can send a request in writing to your landlord for a standard form. If your landlord fails to provide one within 21 days, you have the right to withhold up to one month’s rent.
The standard lease form guide is available in 23 languages.
You can learn more about this topic on What are my Rights as a Tenant or What is a Lease?