“Your future is created by what you do today, not tomorrow.”
Serving Hundreds of Satisfied Clients Across Ottawa
A comprehensive lease agreement protects both landlord and tenant by clearly outlining expectations and legal obligations. In Ontario, landlords must use the Residential Tenancy Agreement (Standard Form of Lease) for new rental agreements, effective for leases signed on or after April 30, 2018. If the landlord fails to provide this standard form within 21 days of a written request, the tenant may withhold a month’s rent as a remedy.
At a minimum, a lease should identify the parties involved (landlord and tenant), specify the property address, and state the lease term—whether fixed term (e.g., one year) or month to month—and renewal or termination conditions.
It must also include the monthly rent amount, due date, accepted payment methods, and any applicable late fees.
Ontario law allows for a rent deposit equivalent to up to one month’s rent, which must be applied to the last month of tenancy and cannot be used for damages. Key deposits are permitted so long as they are reasonable and refundable. Damage or cleaning deposits beyond that are not allowed.
The agreement must clearly state who is responsible for maintenance and repairs. Landlords must ensure the unit meets health and safety standards and promptly address major repairs. Tenants may be responsible for minor upkeep like changing light bulbs.
Additional clauses worth including are rules around noise, smoking, pets, occupancy limits, and renter’s insurance requirements—provided they do not conflict with the Residential Tenancies Act. Any terms that are inconsistent with the Act are unenforceable. For example, blanket bans on pets in units covered by the Act usually cannot be enforced.
Finally, include legal clauses such as compliance with the Residential Tenancies Act, a statement about notice requirements for entry and termination, and a dispute resolution protocol referencing the Landlord and Tenant Board. A signed condition report at move in and a signed lease with full identification and dates help reinforce clarity and fairness.
“Your future is created by what you do today, not tomorrow.”
