• Housing
• Rent a Home
• Tenant Rights and Responsibilities

Who does the Residential Tenancies Act (RTA) apply to?

The Residential Tenancies Act (RTA) protects most people who rent their home in Ontario.

There are situations where the Residential Tenancies Act (RTA) does not apply. The RTA does not protect people living in:

• Emergency shelters;
• Hospitals or nursing homes (also called long-term care facilities);
• Prison;
• Student residence or dormitories;
• Temporary or seasonal use units; or
• Units that sharing a kitchen or bathroom with the landlord or a member of their immediate family.

If you need help or information about your rights under the RTA you can contact a legal clinic or housing help centre for more information. To find help in your area, go to Services Near Me.

For More Information

• Web tool for renters with roommates: Sharing rental housing? - An interactive web tool that will help renters find out which laws apply to their situation and what their rights and responsibilities are.
• Navigate Tribunals Ontario- With this online tool from the Landlord and Tenant Board you can customize your search to access resources on your rights and responsibilities. The tool is designated to help you navigate the rules set out by the Landlord and Tenant Board.
  
• Landlord and Tenant Board - Provides information about the RTA and to resolve disputes between most residential landlords and tenants.
• Steps to Justice - Landlord & Tenant Law - Find clear language publications on the rights of tenants in rental housing.
• What Tenants Need to Know About the Law - Topics covered include rent increases, deposits and other charges, repairs and maintenance, privacy, moving out, and eviction.