With lots of students looking to sign their first leases for the upcoming year, here are a few frequently asked questions we鈥檝e seen come across our desks:
What is the Ontario Standard Lease?
Landlords of most private residential rental units 鈥 from individuals to property management companies 鈥 must use the standard lease template, for all new leases.
The standard lease does not apply to care homes, sites in mobile home parks and land lease communities, most social and supportive housing, certain other special tenancies and co-operative housing.
It is written in easy-to-understand language and includes information such as:
- the rent amount and when it鈥檚 due
- what鈥檚 included in the rent (for example, air conditioning or parking)
- rules or terms about the rental unit or building (for example, no smoking)
It also has a section on renter and landlord rights and responsibilities, and explains what can (and cannot) be included in a lease. For example:
- who鈥檚 responsible for maintenance and repairs
- when your landlord can enter your unit
- that landlords can鈥檛 ban guests or pets
Can my landlord charge me a deposit?
Yes, in Ontario residential landlords鈥can only鈥request a deposit equal to鈥one month鈥檚 rent, to cover the last month鈥檚 rent鈥攏ever more鈥攁nd are not allowed to collect security or damage deposits. Landlords can also request a refundable key deposit to cover the replacement of a key if it gets lost.
Does my lease expire?
Just because your lease term ends doesn鈥檛 mean you have to leave. In Ontario, your tenancy automatically continues month-to-month unless you choose to move out and provide valid legal notice with a N9 form at least 60 days before the lease term end-date.
Some landlords might ask you to 鈥渞enew or leave鈥, but you don鈥檛 have to pick either. Month-to-month gives you flexibility, especially if you're unsure about staying another full year.
Know your rights, you can stay without signing a new lease.
What鈥檚 a Joint and Several Lease?
In Ontario, if you and your roommates sign the same lease, you鈥檙e likely on a joint and several lease. This means:
- Everyone is equally responsible for the full rent鈥攅ven if one person can鈥檛 or doesn鈥檛 pay.
- If one roommate moves out, the others must still cover the full rent or everybody must find a replacement to replace the one moving out.
- Landlords can choose to collect the full amount from any one tenant鈥攏ot just the one who didn鈥檛 pay.
So, even if your share is $600, you could be on the hook for $2,400 if others don鈥檛 pay. That鈥檚 why it鈥檚 important to live with people you trust and whom you communicate with well.
Where can I find more information?
You can review our Housing Resources page for more information on housing resources.