Tenants and landlords

Your “landlord” is the person who owns the house or building you live in. For larger buildings, the landlord may hire a “property manager” or “superintendent” to collect rent and manage the building. Each province or territory has different laws for: renting

what landlords and tenants are responsible for The Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) Provincial and Territorial Fact Sheets: tell you how to rent

explain the laws for each province and territory

give you contact information for provincial and territorial rental authorities In general, your landlord: collects the rent

keeps your building safe and in good condition

provides everything that is included in your rent, such as: stove heating refrigerator

As a tenant, you must: pay your full rent on time

keep your home clean and maintain it well

contact the landlord when anything needs to be fixed

let the landlord or manager enter your home to: do repairs show the apartment to other people (if you’re moving out)

Your landlord must let you know if they’ll be coming into your apartment. If you have a problem with your landlord, contact the rental authority in the province or territory where you live.

Finding a place to rent

There are many ways to find houses or apartments to rent. You can: ask your friends

check the classified ads in: newspapers community centres bulletin boards in shops

check online classified ads

visit rental agency websites

ask for help at an immigrant-serving organization

pay a rental agency to help you find a rental home

visit neighbourhoods and look for “For Rent” signs on houses or buildings Before you visit a place you might want to rent, make a checklist of questions you may want to ask the landlord or superintendent. In Canada, landlords can ask you for references (such as a past landlord or an employer) who can confirm that you’ll be a good tenant. They can also: ask you where you work

check your credit history

ask you what your income is You can get help from an immigrant-serving organization if you don’t have: a job

references

a credit history in Canada For more information on credit history, see Money.

Moving in and signing a lease

When you agree to rent a place, you and your landlord should sign a lease. A lease is a written rental agreement that outlines everything you and your landlord have agreed to. It’s a legal document, so make sure you read and understand every word. You may choose to ask someone to go over it with you, such as a: friend

relative

lawyer

staff member at an immigrant-serving organization Ask your landlord or the superintendent to go over the rules and instructions for: laundry

getting your mail

garbage and recycling

how the appliances work

tenant and visitor parking

using the intercom (in an apartment building) A landlord may ask you for a rental deposit when you sign the lease. If you don’t pay the rent or you damage the home, the landlord will use the deposit to cover the costs. When you move out, the landlord will either return the deposit to you or use it to pay for your last month of rent.

Paying the rent

You usually have to pay the rent to your landlord, superintendent or property manager on the first day of every month. You can pay your rent: in cash

by post-dated cheques many landlords ask for 12 cheques dated the first day of each month for the next 12 months

by certified cheques (cheques guaranteed by a bank) many landlords ask for a certified cheque for the first and last month

Make sure you ask your landlord for a receipt and keep it as proof of payment. In some places, your rent may include some or all of your utilities, such as: heat

water

electricity If they’re not included in your rent, you must pay these bills yourself.

Rent increases

In most areas, your landlord must give you a 90-day notice before they increase your rent. Usually, landlords can increase your rent only once each year.

Moving out

Before moving out, you must give written notice to your landlord that you’ll be leaving. You must give one, two or three months’ notice. This depends on the province or territory you live in. If you have a lease, the law may not let you end the lease early. If you need to end it early, you must arrange this with the landlord or pay an amount set by law in your province or territory.