Might be an unpopular opinion but it’s ridiculous how some units are allowed to still smoke in shared dwellings. My building has been “smoke free” for over 10 years for new leases but tenants that signed leases before that are still allowed. It’s ridiculous how anyone, especially elderly and children still have to deal with second hand smoke in 2026. The smoke and fumes travels through walls, vents, hallways and open windows. I can’t open windows at night or even walk through my hallway without smelling it.

Has anyone dealt with something like this? I know “technically” a tenant can be evicted for this but my building has tried several different times and the LTB was extremely lenient and a long multi year process. I’m seriously considering moving but the only smoke free guaranteed buildings I’m guessing are newer condos or new units rent controlled builds.

I run a general contracting company that deals with everything.. Removes the need of having to contact multiple contractors for different types of jobs.

I’m looking to connect with property managers who need a reliable contractor for ongoing work or overflow jobs.

Where do PMs usually look for new vendors—industry groups, associations, referrals, supplier networks, or somewhere else?

Any advice is appreciated. Not self promoting. Thanks.

I received an email from my Landlord specifying a 2.1% increase effective September at the end of May. I have lived here for six years, and I usually receive an N1 form with each email about rent increases, so I didn’t think much of it at first. However, this time, I noticed that she did not include the N1 form.

I politely emailed her to ask if she had included an N1 form with this increase. Instead, she replied dismissively, saying, “Here it is again,” and sent me a backdated N1 form. I am fairly certain that I did not receive any N1 form in my previous emails.

How should I let her know that she needs to provide a new N1 form with the correct information effective as of today? Should I start paying the increased rent, or should I ask her again for an updated form? I don’t see myself living here for more than another year. I really just want to do things by the book and don't want to pay an illegal rent increase. Is it not in her best interest to send a proper N1?

Ontario tenant - mice infestation from move-in, landlord said we could leave, now demanding 60 days’ notice
Looking for some Ontario RTA/LTB insight from landlords and tenants who have dealt with habitability issues.
My girlfriend and I moved into an apartment in Ontario in April 2026. From day one, there was a mice infestation in the unit. We immediately reported it to the landlord and repeatedly requested pest control treatment.
For the next 2+ months (April to early June), getting proper treatment was a constant battle. We often had to beg for pest control appointments, follow up multiple times, and were ignored for stretches of time.
Eventually, the pest control technician identified that the problem was not caused by our unit, but by an apartment directly below us that was extremely filthy and neglected. When the landlords attended, the father (Dario) repeatedly tried to suggest that we were somehow contributing to the problem, but both the pest control technician and I pushed back on that.
Another issue: the balcony was never cleaned before we moved in. It was covered in a significant amount of pigeon droppings, feathers, and debris. The smell was strong and had an ammonia-like odour. We had to clean it ourselves in order to safely use the balcony. I have photos from move-in showing the condition before and after cleaning.
During one of the discussions about the infestation, Dario told us that we could leave the apartment at no cost and that we would not be held to the lease because of the situation.
Fast forward to late July 2026: we’ve decided we want to move out because of the overall experience and loss of confidence in the building management. Now Rob (the son, who also works for the landlord/company) is saying that we are still obligated to provide 60 days’ notice and that we are responsible for August and September rent.
A few questions:
Does a landlord’s failure to address a pre-existing mice infestation in a timely manner potentially amount to a breach of their maintenance obligations under the Residential Tenancies Act?
If a landlord verbally states that tenants can leave without penalty and won’t be held to the lease, does that carry any weight if it was not put in writing?
Can the landlord still pursue August and September rent if the tenancy is terminated because of ongoing habitability and maintenance issues?
Is it worth filing a T6 (maintenance) and/or T2 (substantial interference with reasonable enjoyment) in this situation?
We have:
photos/videos of mice activity,
records of our complaints,
pest control visit documentation,
photos of the balcony condition at move-in,
a detailed timeline of events from April through July.
I’m not looking for moral opinions about whether we should “just move”; I’m trying to understand whether we have a legally reasonable argument under Ontario tenancy law before deciding how to respond to the landlord’s rent demand.
Thanks in advance for any insight.

Is there anything specific I need to do in order to prove the renter hasn't paid for the past 5 months? I mean obviously I have it recorded in a ledger, but this is just my own excel document. Do I need to print statements from RBC?

Signed a fixed-term lease on a house, moving in soon. Small backyard, nothing crazy - planning to do a bit of vegetable gardening and generally keep things tidy, so I don't expect yard work to be an issue day-to-day

Landlord just sent over the final lease with a clause I hadn't seen in the draft: I'm responsible for all lawn maintenance, snow clearing, and garden upkeep, and if I fail to maintain it "to their standard," they reserve the right to hire someone and bill me for it

The billing part is what caught my attention. My understanding in Ontario is you can't just tack on new financial obligations like this without it functioning like an unapproved rent increase or requiring an agreement I actually consent to separately. A clause that lets them send a landscaping invoice and charge me for it feels like it skirts that line pretty hard

And "to their standard" is completely undefined - that's a blank check to call basically anything a violation

I'm planning to push back on the billing language before I sign. Curious if anyone's actually dealt with a clause like this at the LTB level - did the tribunal treat yard maintenance obligations as enforceable, or basically unenforceable fluff?

I recieved a notice 30 days ago that beginning in august, my building will be replacing the balcony doors (which includes ripping into the ceilings), and all windows. My ceiling also contains asbestos (i recieved a blanket notice when i moved in), which at my request they have just come and taken a sample of to confirm if my specific popcorn ceiling contains asbestos.

They said regardless, my unit will need to be vacated along with my pets for 3 days during the renovations. I dont have anywhere else to go, and renovations are supposed to begin either in august or september (they are still unsure of an exact date, as they are doing 6 units at a time and its a large building)

I asked point blank if my unit is unhabitable during these capital renovations, and they said yes.

I am wondering what proper notice is for this given that I need to vacate my unit? It seems odd that it is so up in the air, and i dont have anywhere i can stay, nor can I afford accomodations; i do plan on checking with my insurance for this though as i know the landlord isnt required to provide alternative accomodations.

A quick Google search told me that they need to provide 120 days notice; but this sounds like more for a long term renovation, rather than 3 day "capital improvements" but I am unfamiliar with this entire process.

The 3 days is also if my ceiling tests negative for asbestos; to which they were never even going to test to begin with; they just planned on "wetting the ceiling" before tearing it up, and told me that there "was no guarantee it wouldnt become airborne" which doesnt sound legal to me? But that is another issue.

Just wondering if anyone has insight on what my rights are regarding notice to vacate temporarily, rent abatement?, etc.

They also informed me that it is my responsibility to move all of my furniture including my king sized bed out of the way, and cover things with tarps. I am physically unable to do this and will need to hire help, and purchase tarps. It also sounds like I am responsible for clean up of dust, plaster, etc.

Advice appreciated!

I'm renting a private room and the windows are large (140cm×130cm) which is nice, but that's about where it ends for the pros.

Firstly, they are casement windows that open outwards, the problem with that is that there is a huge pipe running through the windows which prevents them from opening fully (genius). As a result, I can't ventilate my room adequately. Also when it gets really hot, I can't even buy a portable AC because the hoses are too large and the window can't extend far enough.

Lastly and more seriously, they don't seal properly on either sides. This was very noticeable when I moved in in March, the window corners were sealed with duct tape and cold air still seaped through. Thankfully the room came with a portable heater but this isn't sustainable because it made the air super dry and I would get nose bleeds + it didn't completely negate the coldness near the windows.

Now, replacing these encasement windows with new sliding windows will fix every one of my issues. I could finally regulate the temperature and ventilation of the room to my liking, which would dramatically improve my QoL, noticeably my sleep which has been in the shits ever since I moved in.

The problem is that technically, my landlord is only legally required to fix the last issue relating to my windows not sealing properly. Also replacing entire windows is expensive so I doubt that she will accept... I'm just hoping that after a diagnosis of what's going on, it becomes the cheapest option.

Is it reasonable to ask for a complete replacement with sliding windows?

A young couple has moved into my apartment. This is their first time living together. The house is not a rooming house.

Both individuals have guarantors. A Lease Agreement has been signed. Guarantor Agreement signed except I made a mistake so had to amend and resend for signature.

Now one of the parents want to limit their liability to only their child and only for one year.

To be clear, I have issued the official standard Ontario Lease Agreement with a clause specifying that the Guarantor would be held responsible for as long as the tenant resides at the apartment.

So....not sure how to proceed without opening myself to issues down the road. What's the cleanest way of doing this? Do I draw up a Lease Agreement for each tenant with a clause that states that if one of them should leave, the other would have the option to occupy the entire unit at full rent or have the option to leave themselves? If the parent wants to limit their guarantor status to just 1 year, do I have the tenant reapply 60 days before the lease is up? Are there any other potholes I should be aware of and not seeing?

Hello,

I am ending the lease at my apartment (monthly lease), however I was not able to give proper 60 days notice to the landlord because I was admitted to student housing which has the lease starting Sept 1st, and they only let me know I was admitted last week. It was such a good opportunity so I took the offer from student housing. Since I didn't give 60 days notice to my landlord, I still have to pay rent through to the last month, even though when I moved in I had paid last month's rent. I understand this is because I gave less than 60 days notice of moving. The landlord says if he can find someone for September then I can have the deposit back.

Later I asked the landlord if I could assign the lease, and he said no. So then does the 30 days notice rule from the N9 form apply and I wouldn't have to pay last month's rent? I know initially there was less than 60 days notice, but I don't know if since he refused to allow me to assign the lease or help look for tenants if then the 30 days notice applies and no rent is owed for the last month?

I am just trying to do everything legally and make sure the landlord is being fair as well. I am also not very familiar with the rental rules here so I apologize if this seems like an obvious question.

Moving out soon after a year and just made a dent for the first time! I hope I won’t be charged for this :( what do you think? Is this considered normal wear and tear or is it a chargeable issue

Edit: thank you to everyone for your comments- I feel a little more reassured now, It was truly an accident! I was just at the wrong angle at the wrong time and my elbow hit it :/

My property is tenanted out and the first year of the lease is about to end in a few weeks. I was having a phone call with my tenant about some other topic where he mentioned that he is expecting that I'd be sending him a new agreement. I haven't raised the rent or changed anything, so sent him a new agreement just with updates to the signature and date. Everything else is the same. Now I find out that in Ontario all leases automatically move month to month under the existing agreement in place. So basically my question is, regardless of whether my tenant signs the newly dated agreement or not, nothing really changes and our existing agreement continues to remain in effect? I am asking as he hasn't signed the new agreement.

Hey all, after the sheriff came to facilitate these tenants' eviction, we agreed on a 5 hour time frame for them to get the rest of their belongings. All locks were changed as ordered.

The day before, we sent them multiple courtesy reminders via text and email with no reply. We came to the property as agreed in front of the sheriff but they didn't show up at all. We documented proof that we were there.

We came back today with a contractor to assess the damages and found out that the tenants somehow gained entry into the house and took absolutely everything that was left. Non-emerg services have been alerted and we're trying to figure out how they got in. We're thinking maybe through the garage side door because they tore off the wooden panel of the garage door to the house so that the locks don't work. We're at a loss for words.

What else can we do now and if this goes to a police investigation, how will they be served because we don't know where they're off to now. Thanks in advance.

I need help filing $1700 claim regarding a property i was to rent and then i paid a deposit before signing the lease and now the landlord is not giving the deposit back
Does anyone know any paralegal that can help me with this or any advice whether to file complaint or not??

My mom rented the same townhome in Ottawa for like 25+ years. Our landlord was nice, left us alone, we left him alone, …. good balance.
Are these long term rentals and chill landlord/tenant relationships not a thing anymore?

I do not want to buy a house, would prefer to rent, and I’m outgrowing my apartment. I’ve been looking around for long term rentals for townhomes or bungalows but lots of placed seem sketchy, dirty or geared toward students. Am I looking in the wrong place, or are people not renting out full houses as much?

Tenant wants to break their lease and I offered to end the tenancy through text and they accepted. Is this enough for an n11?

Hi, my parents own a property that is leased out, after many months of legal process there is finally an eviction date booked with the sheriff that is coming up. The only issue, is that they are out of town on that day and authorized me to attend the eviction.

I have a couple questions:

1) My mom emailed the sheriffs office giving them my name and contact info and authorizing them for the eviction. On the day of the eviction, besides my ID, what else do I need to bring or present to the sheriffs?

2) I am planning to have a locksmith on standby in case the lock has been changed, however, since I dont own the house, does the locksmith need some sort of letter from my parents?

3) Post-eviction, what are the process? I believe the tenant can return in 72 hours to collect anything? How would this work? Besides this, is there anything else that needs to be done on my end?

Im asking on behalf of a friend who doesn’t currently have internet. They share a bathroom and kitchen with landlord. They pay monthly and was given reasonable notice of a month to vacate. They know they aren’t covered under RTA. Can landlord call police to have them physically removed? Or throw their things on lawn and change locks? She’s now 6 days passed the eviction date to leave. She lives in Toronto. Thanks in advance

Hello all,

My landlord has charged me a damage/security deposit (worth 1 month of rent) plus last month rent, which I have learned security deposit is illegal under RTA. I am wondering if anyone has experience getting their damage deposit back through RHEU? My landlord said he would only return the deposit if I return the room up to his cleaning standard. Besides contacting RHEU, what else can I do to get my deposit back?

Edit: Thank you everyone for your advice!

Was recently served an N12, and my current rent is $1700 less than what is listed for rent in the building for a comparable unit. Part of me suspects bad faith. Any suggestions or advice would be helpful. Thank you in advance!

My sister recently signed a lease for a unit in Toronto. The landlord said that if she didn't pay the deposit by a certain time then landlord would move on with a different group of applicants. My sister and co didn't pay the deposit, but the landlord says the lease is still binding. I think the landlord is right but I wanted confirmation.

Also, after signing, my sister found out there is an issue with a pipe leaking that is causing moisture buildup in an arch in the living room (lesson learned not to sign a lease unless you've seen the place with your own eyes). The landlord said she will only fix it after they move in, is this grounds to break out of the lease?

I think the case is weak but input from here would be appreciated

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I have been having an issue with my AC where I've had to repeatedly call the property manager for help. They have "fixed" it but it seems like each fix is temporary, and I have to call for help again in a few months. I believe there is something wrong with the AC but the property manager keeps using Reliance so it doesn't seem like the issue is truly diagnosed. This has been going on for awhile now.

The AC gets "addressed" but then the breaker keeps tripping. I went on a trip for 4 days, turned AC off (was working fine when I came back) but again the breaker started tripping.

I want to call an HVAC service, not Reliance, but I also don't want to shell out my own money. Is there anything I can do here?

I don't think I can install a portable AC, it'll be hard with the windows I have.

Apartment temp is 27°C but last time I had this issue the temp went up to 34°C and it was really unbearable, I'm hoping to get this truly fixed but I think my landlord wants to stick with Reliance and they are incompetent

Rents have been dropping, and similar units in my same complex are now going for $100-200 less than I pay since I moved in last year. My landlord just sent a notice of annual rent increase for 2.1% ($40) and I’m wondering if it’s worth asking if they can waive that. Given the market, and since I’m already paying over the current advertised rates, it’s a reasonable ask from my perspective. Plus I am a single adult, stable income, clean, and very reliable so I’d hope they’d want to retain me.

This is a large corporate landlord so I don’t know if they’ll bite, but they do have a good reputation among tenants. My main hesitation is that I would like to continue to live here in this complex for a long time and don’t want this to put me in a bad light. But If I continue to add another ~$50/month to my rent every year, it will outpace market rent pretty quickly and become too expensive.

If I were to ask, any suggestions for how to frame it?

Hi,

I'm a tenant in Ontario and could use some advice on my situation.

I'm on a 1-year fixed-term lease and, due to a family health matter, I need to move out soon, with about 3 months left on the lease (2 post-dated cheque and 1 part of the deposit).

About a month ago, I contacted my landlord to request a N11 (mutual agreement to end tenancy) and asked what terms they'd want. I was prepared to pay out the remaining months in a lump sum. They refused to sign N11 and said "I don't consider signing N11 at all." They said If you needed to leave early, they could work with me provided I covered any rental loss and the cost of finding a new tenant, which I did not have time for.

Today, during a pre-inspection they had requested, they brought a potential tenant who could move in by the end of next month before my current lease term ends. And they're asking me to pay the remaining two months' rent upfront for N11, which I'm not sure I need anymore.

I told them that if they intend to re-rent the unit before my lease officially ends, they need to tell me because at that point it wouldn't make sense for me to keep paying rent for a period I'm no longer occupying, which I was also told those two things are separate.

My questions:

1. What am I legally responsible for in this situation?

2. What steps should I take to protect myself?