• Housing
• Rent a Home
• Basics

Renting a Place to Live

This information sheet has basic details about your legal rights when renting your home.

It is available in 8 languages and covers the topics:

• How much rent can a landlord charge?
• What else do I have to pay for before I move in?
• Do I need to get a lease in writing?
• What if a landlord discriminates against me?
• What other rules must my landlord follow?
• What if my landlord breaks the rules?
• What if I want to move out?

As a tenant in Ontario, you have legal rights. These rights are explained in the Human Rights Code and the Residential Tenancies Act.

The Human Rights Code applies to every person in Ontario, and the Residential Tenancies Act applies to most people who rent their housing.

Many settlement agencies can help you with housing questions, especially if you think your landlord is not following the rules. You can also contact a legal clinic in your area for questions about your rights as a tenant.

For More Information

• Landlord and Tenant Board - Provides information about the RTA and resolves disputes between most residential landlords and tenants.
• CLEO - Landlord & Tenant Law - Find clear language publications on the rights of tenants in rental housing.
• Human Rights for Tenants - Information for tenants about their human rights in relation to housing. This brochure is from the Ontario Human Rights Commission (OHRC).
• Housing Law - The Steps to Justice website offers legal information on many topics in plain language.