r/OntarioLandlord

We signed a 12-month lease months ago for a purpose-built rental in Toronto. Our cat is explicitly named and approved on the lease itself.

We haven't moved in yet (no keys), movers already booked, and our current lease ends in 2 weeks.

The landlord is now telling us that a different tenant (who I believe signed after us but moved in a few weeks ago) has an anaphylactic cat allergy, and obtained a doctor's note saying cats can't be in the building after learning we have one. Apparently they are refusing to relocate even though the landlord has offered to cover moving/accommodation costs.

The landlord wants us to just agree to end our lease and take our deposit back as they do not want to cause a human rights violation. So far this has all been phone calls and emails… nothing formal in writing/documents.

Is all this legal? Do they still need to issue an n7 or am I simply not protected as I don’t have keys yet? I was really looking forward to moving in and took months to find the perfect place.

I apologize in advance if this seems like a stupid post.

I am trying to keep it to TL;DR length but am open to answering questions for clarification.

2 year tenancy. 4mo in, discovered Landlord charging utilities illegally, that much is cut and dry and is already a pending case with LTB. We have paid lawful rent on time and have even paid the LL $50.00mo "good faith" money per month while we wait for ruling on the utility situation. (This has already been clearly outline and respectfully we are comfortable with and not seeking advice about that part of the situation -- only including for background)

In the last* 16 months we have been served 3 separate n5 notices, starting only after we began asking questions about the utility bills (and after the landlord was served with t2 requesting transparency/receipts). These N5s have been incomplete and improperly filled out(wrong dates, no check boxes filled out). Yes I am serious.

After 3 N5s (with no filing) I have just received an N12. I really don't know how to respond to this diplomatically. Do I respond at all?

*edited this sentence for clarity

Landlord didn't return prepaid rent when I moved out. On T1, would it fall under "Reason 1: My landlord charged me an illegal rent, which I have paid."?

So for reference 4 of us have been house hunting since June. We eventually got to the point where we were getting denied every few days seemingly because we're not a family and rather 4 adults. We ended up spam applying to places just to get our foot in the door.

Anyway, we eventually found a place, after the 8th or 9th try. They approved our app, said we can come view it and if we like it, submit a formal offer. We did just that on Sunday night - signed off and sent it over. They unfortunately came back yesterday night and said last minute they found one of our tenants has a court order for non payment of rent from awhile ago (we were all ignorant to it besides him).

Now we're kinda stuck as you can imagine. Our realtor told us that fracture will be reviewed 9 times out of 10 and will hurt us moving forward. He's a good friend of ours so we don't want to ditch him but in the same token I have no clue what to do at this point. Split off in to 2 and apply for apartments? Leave him off the app if we decide to apply for houses? (Not even sure this is allowed).

Apologies if this isn't the right space for this.

I started renting (in Kitchener) 2 years ago. As per rent agreement, water is responsibility of the landlord. it worked fine for 2 years and I never saw a water charge.

This year the condo board changed rules and instead of water being included in maintenance, each unit now pay their water bill and they put the bill on the same person who is paying for Hydro, that is me. I contacted my landlord property management company via email multiple times but I have not gotten any response. Meanwhile, I am paying for water... I am month to month now but I believe as per rules, the original rental agreement is still in effect.
What should I do? can I withhold rent? should I pay reduced rent. Can I send them any legal notice for reimbursement.. how long is the processing time?

Any advise is appreciated... The water bill is also very high I think.. we are just a couple living here and water bill is ~$200

OK, I know this is super silly, but I’m legitimately confused and I just don’t know why I’m so confused. I have a lot going on in my life so please excuse me lmao. I gave my notice to end my tenancy on July 30 for September 30 so I gave my 60 days notice when I moved in I paid first and last, the last rent payment I just made was on August 1. Do I have to make another rent payment? Or does my last month rent cover September 1 and onwards? For context, I always pay my rent on the first of each month. I know this sounds super silly, but I am so confused lol 😂

I am renting a property owned by a corporation. I am a tenant.

Edit

I have complained to the landlord and others have as well. I am looking for answers here that don’t involve having to deal with the tenant themselves. They are uncooperative. I don’t know how to complain to anyone else. I have read other answers to similar questions all over the internet. The reason I say my circumstances may be different is because the neighbors is home with the dog all day. Not working. If any of this doesn’t make sense, I’m sorry.

I don’t know what to do.

I know this must be an issue for so many people but my circumstances might be a little different.
I have a new neighbor with older puppies that bark constantly when let outside. What’s worse is that the neighbor is home full-time and when it happens, he yells at the dogs and generally makes more noise than the dogs do.
I have never seen them go for a walk. Our backyards are a good size so I guess they believe it’s not necessary, I’m not sure.
I am retired and love to sit in my hammock in the morning with coffee. I can’t do that anymore without wearing headphones. I don’t want to complain, because I know it won’t help. But headphones are hot in the summer. Is this something I just have to accept.
Oh and they have family in the area that bring their dogs over when visiting. Which is a lot.
Do dogs grow out of this barking stage?

TLDR: How many months worth of late utility bills can my landlord drop on me, and can I avoid paying high utility bills that are high because the equipment isn't working properly?

So my landlord has a habit of sending me 3 months of utility bills at once. I don't like it, but I've been gritting my teeth and paying.

In early July, my AC started acting up. It seems to have a refrigerant leak and is only cooling air about 10 degrees F, and my landlords were informed that it needs replacing. They refuse to get a qualified person to do the job, and want their handyman hack to do it cheap. He got sick and hasn't been able to do the job yet.

I live in the basement of a 4 bedroom duplexed house (4 bedrooms upstairs, 1 downstairs) with no control of the AC. Since the AC still does cool somewhat, it's been running all the time trying to cool the house, and I was worried my electricity bill would be real high. Well, I got my bill for July and it's $260.

7 people recently moved in upstairs, so I'm sure that contributes to the number somewhat, but my HVAC buddy is confident that that number is seriously increased by the broken AC.

I've heard that a landlord can't withhold bills long enough that dropping them on you all at once would create an unreasonable financial burden. Does the fact that my landlord has refused to fix my AC, running up the utility bill, plus 3 bills being dropped on me at once justify refusing to pay all but my most recent bill?

If there are any relevant pieces of legislation that y'all could cite, that'd be so so appreciated. Thanks everybody 🙏🙏🙏

I’m on a group lease with two other individuals that is month-to-month, requiring two months notice to leave.

Past practice has always been that if somebody wants to move out, they give the required 2 months notice and then find someone to take over their portion of the lease. The lease is then amended to remove the old co-tenant’s name and add their replacement.

I found out recently that one tenant has notified the landlord that she will be moving out end of September and she has yet to start looking for a replacement. As it was I’m annoyed because had she told me earlier, I would have also given my notice to leave end of September - I had already been planning to move out but was waiting for the right opportunity and this is it as I really don’t care to go through someone new moving into the house when I’m on my way out myself. That aside, landlord and I are both concerned that my roommate may not find somebody to replace her on the lease. While she told me she would do her best to try, the fact that she still hasn’t started is worrisome, as well as the fact that she is adamant that it isn’t her responsibility to find someone new, nor can my landlord expect myself and the other co-tenant to cover her portion of the rent come October should she move out without finding a replacement.

What are my options here? At this rate I think I should really give my 2 months to move out end of October, but is there anything I can do to avoid liability of her portion of the rent should she move out end of September without finding a replacement? I’m also worried about the logistics of trying to find someone to replace my portion of the lease if it comes down to her leaving without finding a replacement.

We’ve just received an email from our property management company that there will be someone coming to our unit in two days to install a dryer vent hood, and that we must be home to allow the technician entry to the unit during the window of 9 AM to 4 PM. Personally, I do not work from home nor do I have the ability or want to take a full vacation day for this.

Are tenants actually required to be home to let in technicians for a repair/replacement? I don’t care if the install takes place without us present, but I thought the landlord was supposed to accompany someone?

I am a bit confused. My former landlord sent a L10 form to the LTB. It was supposed to be scheduled for Aug 20. I just got an email stating the status of the form was closed. Does this mean I don’t have to worry about it anymore? Or should I still do the video hearing on Thursday?
The landlord filed a L10 because she believed I damaged her awning. I have copy of a text message stating I tried to close her awning and she did nothing about it. I sent all my evidence to the LTB. The landlord sent no evidence of how I damaged it.
I just want to make sure I dont have to do it. The email is a bit confusing

I’ll start by saying that I apologize if I’m jumping the gun! This is my first time renting so I’m new to a lot of this.

I recently went and saw an apartment, liked it, and applied for it. During the application process I was prompted to pay the last month of rent and if my application was denied, it would be returned to me. My application was accepted the next day and I was emailed the lease to sign. I signed the lease that same day and I’m currently waiting for it to be countersigned.

It’s been 3 business days since I signed the lease and it hasn’t been countersigned yet. Is this a normal amount of time to take? What’s the timeline for these sort of things? Should I reach out to someone?

My move in date is in less than 3 weeks so I’m just a little antsy (if you couldn’t tell lol)!

Thank you in advance :-)

Edit: for those of you that saw my accidental post, I have returned for the second half! Lol

When I served and filed the L9, the tenant was still in possession of the unit, but tenant has now abandoned the unit. Do I now have to track him down and file an L10 to get the arrears? If so do I have to pay the $186 fee again? Or is there some way to convert the L9 to an L10 in the circumstances? She asks, hopefully...

I'm a uni student in Ontario and I'm the tenant on the lease. I sublet my room to someone during the summer break from May 1 to August 31 under a signed sublease agreement (not through my apartment tho).

The rent is $800/month.
Here's what's happened:
May rent was paid in full.
June wasn't paid.
July wasn't paid.
August wasn't paid.

They later made a $320 partial payment, leaving $2,080 still outstanding.

They have repeatedly acknowledged in writing (text messages) that they owe me the money and have promised to pay it back through future paycheques, but they have continued missing the payment dates they gave me.

The sublease clearly ends on August 31, and I need the room vacated by then because my lease is ending as well.

I have:
the signed agreement,
text messages with the subtenant,
proof of occupancy,
proof of the May payment,
proof of the $320 payment,
and multiple written acknowledgements that they owe the remaining balance.

I'm trying to figure out the best path forward.
My questions are:
Should I serve an N4 now, or is there a better process since this is a true sublet?
If they're still in the room after August 31, should I file an A2 immediately?
Does a drafting error in the agreement create a significant problem if all of the surrounding evidence clearly identifies the actual subtenant?
Is there anything else I should be doing now to protect myself?

I'm trying to handle everything through the proper legal process and avoid making any procedural mistakes. Any advice from people who've dealt with Ontario sublets or the LTB would be greatly appreciated.

My apartment has flooded from the upstairs neighbours toilet directly above me. (I did not cause anything or am I liable) water has come into my living room and my second bedroom, and also affected 3 other units including the 1 above. (over 100 gallons they estimate) my unit is owned by the building owners and managed by property company. I moved in 2 months ago and I was never told i had to provide proof of tenant insurance to get keys but I was given the keys anyways.(It is in my lease on page 5 that I need to have it and I did sign it) I was never told I had to provide before moving in. yes I know I should’ve got insurance right away I know.) none of my property has been damaged, but they now have torn all baseboards down and all the walls in the second bedroom and placed big dehumidifiers and fans all in the apartment and I’ve been told by the workers here that work will take almost 2 months and that they’re going to have to tear down all walls in living room and all the flooring in laundry room, bathroom, bedroom, living room. I was then told by the owners that they were gonna put me into another unit the same night while this happens In the meantime. the building is 4 years old and they have over 300 units in 3 buildings here and atleast 100 of them are empty. (which I thought they’re just going to move me and I continue paying my rent and nothing changes) they then asked for my insurance later that night (I suppose they’re hoping that the insurance would cover the expense of the other unit while I continue to pay for my unit while getting fixed) theyre now saying that since I don’t have insurance (someone was suppose to make sure I have it before I was given the keys) I have to stay in the unit while they continue to do the work and that even if I went to the LTB they would side against me because I signed the lease. (I truly feel the management company feels like they messed up and now they’re trying to hide the fact from the owners they didn’t confirm I had insurance before they moved me in because it seems like they’re desperate to get people in here and also everyone else in this community has been saying shady things about this company and that they are known to commit suspicious behaviour when it comes to insurance claims, idk or have proof of anything other then this just what I’ve heard and seen), i was not looking for a payout or free rent but I have a mini size dog who is a bully breed I rescued when he was a puppy that was abandoned because someone thought he was dead and I don’t want to keep him in this environment, as it is now a job site and is unlivable, if I were to have to move to another location that Is fine and pay for out of pocket because I made a mistake by not having insurance I will have to do that but I don’t want to be stuck paying for this place while I’m away or stuck in this lease for a year after going elsewhere. I would just like to know what are some options as I’ve had a lot of opinions from realtors I am close with and im suppose to talk to lawyer tomorrow but Im looking for some clarity I’m wondering do I request my lease to end and I leave or do I request something else idk any help would be greatly appreciated and thank you if you read this far.

No snarky comments pls- those are not helpful. If you don’t feel like being nice, please move along. Thanks.
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I bought a bungalow in midtown Toronto just last year, and live on the main floor alone (solo home owner). Never thought I would be a real estate investor or professional landlord, but I got laid off recently, and now I need cash, so thinking of renting out my basement… This whole situation is new and frankly i am nervous.

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The basement is a self contained unit, separate kitchen, laundry, bathroom. And has 2 large bedrooms + 1 junior bedroom and 1 bath. This was meant to be an “in-law suite” for my parents in the future…

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Anyhow, so far i have 2 groups asking if they can lease the whole unit and live 4 people. I know it is within code, but the tenant-to-landlord ratio of 4:1 is pretty intimidating to me 🙂‍↕️ Plus i think 4 people for 1 bathroom is too much (maybe it’s just me who is spoiled idk)

Ultimately I want some level of control of who and how many people live in the basement… because I am freaking nervous about sharing proximity with strangers. I know some of it is wishful thinking giving the situation… but IS THERE ANY PRACTICAL TIPS?

>> Is it better to lease room by room, or to lease the whole unit?

Any advice please. Thank you.

I have been learning how to be a landlord in Ontario from GenAI… but wanted to double check with you here

So I cannot reject a prospect based on the number of people they want to live in my property? My basement has 3 bed and 1 bath. They want to rent for 4 adults (1 couple and 2 other individuals). I think that is too much especially since i live upstairs alone. I don’t think I can manage 4 adults.

What is a legal message to send to not schedule a viewing? The place is still active on the market and I’m looking to lower the price to have 3 people max instead of 4+…

Applying for a place and the landlord requested a pet deposit for our dog. We have been communicating through our real estate agent to their real estate agent (very annoying) and have not spoken to the landlords themselves at all. We had agreed and signed an OREA form that includes the deposit. But now, having received the OSL, it has come to our attention that any kind of damage deposit is illegal in Ontario. Our real estate agent keeps insisting that the deposit is legal because it was on the OREA and not paying it would be a breach of contract. Is that true, or does the OSL trump the OREA forms?

EDIT: now she's saying that as we signed legal forms declaring we would pay the deposit and that it stands up according to the Real Estate Council of Ontario rules and is saying to contact our lawyer if we have legal questions. I don't see how that would trump actual legislation??

My partner and I put in our N9 to move out Sept 30, the landlord has hired a real estate agent to show the property. Landlord informed us of showings Aug 15 and 16 at 730pm last week, that was no problem. I stayed in the apartment during the showing and on his way out the door the realtor mentioned another showing today, August 17th at 630 (less than 24h but didn't care enough to push it,) I then didn't receive anything from him so emailed the landlord this morning because I don't have a contact for the realtor asking for written notice of showings and to please give at least 24h notice, the landlord then added the realtor into the email chain who said he was planning on having showings every second day until a tenant is found. Are they allowed to just do it indefinitely like this?

I'm especially worried because I found the ad for the apartment online. It's $200 a month more than what we're paying now and it was already pretty expensive for what it is. (just took it because we were in a rush to get out of a bad roommate situation and it's walking distance to my partner's work) Aswell as they are advertising it as larger than it is (850 sqft vs 630, I measured) and have clearly used ai to upscale the same images from the ad listing when we moved in, making it look much nicer than it is. All of this doesn't seem like it's a recipe for a quick turn around

Edit: n9 not n12

Edit: just to be clear I am not asking about reasonable enjoyment due to the volume of showings, I'm asking if him just saying "showings every other day between 6 and 8" counts as reasonable notice as he seems to think, or if he is required to notify us for each one if it's actually happening or not