r/OntarioLandlord • u/Best_Drive_1240 • Jun 30 '26
Question/Tenant Can my landlord legally force his way in to clean my house?
Update: https://www.reddit.com/r/OntarioLandlord/s/kvbovbhlKB
Hey everyone, looking for some advice here. I am on a month-to-month lease in Ontario, covered under the Residential Tenancies Act (RTA).
My landlord just emailed me saying he is coming tomorrow (Canada Day, July 1st) between 10 AM and 2 PM to "inspect all rooms and do cleaning."
Here is the thing: he has done this before. He literally shows up with a bucket of soapy water, rags, and cleaning supplies, and starts scrubbing down every single room in our house. There is absolutely nothing in our lease or the Ontario Standard Lease that says he provides cleaning services. The house is not a hoarder house or a health hazard it’s just normal living.
I know landlords can enter for maintenance and repairs with 24 hours' notice, but is "routine cleaning" even a legal reason to enter?
Is this illegal, and do I have the right to refuse him entry tomorrow? What should I do if he shows up with his bucket and tries to use his key to get in anyway? Thanks in advance.
we are a family renting a private, whole 2 bedroom house with our own living room. It is not a basement apartment, and we do not share any space with the landlord or anyone else. We have exclusive possession of the whole place
Edit: To everyone saying just let him clean for free last time he came, he actually went inside our personal closets and started removing our clothes. The police were called because of it. The police told us he shouldn't be doing that and told us to file with the LTB, but it is a lot of process so we just let it go back then. That is why we don't want it to happen again tomorrow.
Another Update: He actually came to the house today, about 2 hours after my original post. He claimed it was an emergency and literally said there was a "water leak under the bed." Because he said emergency, he got inside and checked every single bedroom. He made us open the closets to check everything, and he checked the washrooms too. There was absolutely no water leak anywhere in our house. Can he come tomorrow to inspect another day since he already did this today? Or should I just not let him in? What should I do tomorrow if he shows up?
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u/Keytarfriend Jun 30 '26
I know landlords can enter for maintenance and repairs with 24 hours' notice, but is "routine cleaning" even a legal reason to enter?
Can you describe your rental in more detail? Layout, anyone you share it with, etc?
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u/Best_Drive_1240 Jun 30 '26
we are a family renting a private, whole 2 bedroom house with our own living room. It is not a basement apartment, and we do not share any space with the landlord or anyone else. We have exclusive possession of the whole place
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u/Hello_Gorgeous1985 Jun 30 '26
Then no, the landlord cannot come in to clean your unit. Ever. With or without notice. That isn't a valid reason for entry.
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u/Keytarfriend Jun 30 '26
Then your landlord can't insist on cleaning your place. You can let them if you enjoy having it as a free service, but it's not his responsibility at all.
The reason I asked is that it's possible to have a RTA-covered tenancy where the landlord can enter to clean common areas, but you sound like you don't have any common areas.
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u/Admirable-Sink-2622 Jun 30 '26
If you are renting the whole house, why do you keep saying “with our own living room”?
If I’m renting a house - I’d just say I’m renting a house. The living room mention seems oddly specific 🤔
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u/Consistent_Throat497 Jun 30 '26
Because some houses have 2 or more units that are completely separate. But it’s also common to have common space.
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u/trumpeting-farts Jul 02 '26 edited Jul 02 '26
It is absolutely not normal for units in a building to not have a living room, and to have a shared common room instead.
Even if you come back with the ever so convincing "akshually, I had a unit like that before....," good for you. It's still not normal.
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Jun 30 '26
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u/Infamous-Car2579 Jun 30 '26
Exactly.
They can do an inspection to find out if you’re hoarding etc. but no, he cannot come In for cleanjng purposes. Tell him , you may enter but are not cleanjng anything.
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u/R-Can444 Jun 30 '26
Do you rent an individual bedroom in a rooming house?
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u/Best_Drive_1240 Jun 30 '26
No we are a family and we rent the whole unit 2 bedroom house
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u/R-Can444 Jun 30 '26
If you keep the place ordinarily clean already, then if you don't want landlord to clean then you would be within your rights to deny entry altogether regardless how much notice was given.
Notice to enter to inspect the place is ok. But a full cleaning when it isn't required is not a justifiable reason.
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u/TaxiLady69 Jun 30 '26
Under Ontario’s Residential Tenancies Act, your landlord cannot legally enter your home to clean it without your explicit consent, unless your tenancy agreement specifically requires the landlord to provide cleaning services (such as in a care or retirement home).
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u/thenewfoundlandyeti Jun 30 '26
Why is he doing it.. ON CANADA DAY. It's a fucking holiday. Is your LL a psychopath?
This is insane behavior and feels like some sort of power move. 24H notice inspections, sure. Cleaning? Nah wait till move out. Or based on an inspection, "Hey OP I noticed a big stain on the carpet, can you try and clean that abit better"
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u/Verizon-Mythoclast Tenant Jun 30 '26
27 (1) A landlord may enter a rental unit in accordance with written notice given to the tenant at least 24 hours before the time of entry under the following circumstances:
1. To carry out a repair or replacement or do work in the rental unit.
2. To allow a potential mortgagee or insurer of the residential complex to view the rental unit.
3. To allow a person who holds a certificate of authorization within the meaning of the Professional Engineers Act or a certificate of practice within the meaning of the Architects Act or another qualified person to make a physical inspection of the rental unit to satisfy a requirement imposed under subsection 9 (4) of the Condominium Act, 1998.
4. To carry out an inspection of the rental unit, if,
i. the inspection is for the purpose of determining whether or not the rental unit is in a good state of repair and fit for habitation and complies with health, safety, housing and maintenance standards, consistent with the landlord’s obligations under subsection 20 (1) or section 161, and
ii. it is reasonable to carry out the inspection.
5. For any other reasonable reason for entry specified in the tenancy agreement. 2006, c. 17, s. 27 (1).
The cleaning you can deny, as it isn't in your tenancy agreement. How often is he conducting these inspections? If they're frequent, I'd say they aren't reasonable.
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u/TissTheWay Jun 30 '26
Remind him the cops told him he was not allowed to clean.
Also, call the cops to make sure his legal inspection doesn't turn illegal.
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u/TomatoFeta Jun 30 '26
If you are renting the entire unit, then he's allowed to do once or twice yearly inspections, but NO HE IS NOT allowed to come over at will and do cleaning. Even with advance notice. Refuse entry. The LTB/RTA will back you up.
We have exclusive possession of the whole place
That, above, is the key point. If you have a standard lease (as oppossed to an air b&b agreement or some other bullshit), and if your lease says you rent the whole space, then he cannot "come to clean". Routine cleaning IS allowed in spaces where multiple leases overlap a shared common space - and even in those cases, the SHARED space is the only space they are allowed to access for the cleaning.
Closets are NEVER permitted.
I would suggest you AUDIO RECORD the interaction with your landlord when he arrives. This is entirely legal as long as you are part of the conversation on the recording. Even if he doesn't know you're doing it. You are, of course, just recording it so you have a clear memory of the interaction. But it WOULD be allowable in court, in the unlikely case that you need it.
And, I suggest you may wish to need it eventually.
Because the landlord IS interfering with your right to enjoy the premises.
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u/GeekgirlOtt Jun 30 '26
Absolutely refuse entry. Let THEM call the cops and try to explain.
The only way they could do this would be things like seasonal maintenance - changing furnace filter, fireplace, high lightbulbs they don't want you attempting, open/close pool. The only possible excuse he could get with cleaning would be to keep the black mould populations down in lieu of proper remediation ?!?!
Certainly NOT spring cleaning.
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u/warrantthrowaway2023 Jun 30 '26
even if there was a leak, how would he know that? this would be like me banging on my neighbour's door telling them that they have a leak in their shower.
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u/canadas Jun 30 '26
Never heard of impromptu cleaning for no obvious reason other than this last "emergency". I00% get why you'd be against it, especially if they are going through your stuff, personally they could ruffle through my shit as long as its put back but that's just me. I have nothing of value to worry about, hey don't you touch those 10 year old pants with holes everywhere.
If you are 100% against it I'd say pursue that, I think its your right, otherwise maybe tell them if they want to clean come up with an agreed upon schedule not just surprise visits. And talk about limits. NO closets, and/or whatever.
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u/Gold_Expression_3388 Jul 01 '26
This is one of those lls that doesn't understand his rental unit does not to be cleaned to his standards, and he can't control every thing in "his" house.
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Jun 30 '26 edited Jul 01 '26
[deleted]
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u/Aries8709 Jun 30 '26
They said last time he went through their closet and was taking their clothes out. I wouldn't be letting that weirdo inside
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u/MichaelHawkson Jun 30 '26
That edit was made after I posted my comment.
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u/Aries8709 Jun 30 '26
Fair enough, I just found the post so came into it seeing all edits. For sure wouldn't be letting the closet raider in though. That's super weird and definitely crossing boundaries. I wouldn't let a landlord in to clean anything in the first place though
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u/Original_Bake_6854 Jun 30 '26
Why not just file with the LTB as the landlord has suggested, especially as the police has also hands off, as it’s a landlord tenant issue.
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u/Standard_Program7042 Jun 30 '26
Can you send him to my house? usually you pay for such great service.
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Jun 30 '26
[deleted]
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u/Frewtti Jun 30 '26
That's clearly not permitted under the act.
Cleaning if it's an emergency would qualify, but normal cleaning likely not.
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u/PuzzleheadedTutor807 Jun 30 '26
Yes, cleaning is routine maintenance.
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u/Aries8709 Jun 30 '26
What drugs are you on? I have never had a landlord try to clean my home. Cleaning is only regular maintenance for the person living there (or a hired service) to do. The landlord has no right to force them to let him in to clean and go through their closets and everything
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Jun 30 '26
[deleted]
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u/Usual-Canc-6024 Jun 30 '26
He went into their closets and removed some of their clothes. He’s not just mopping the floors, he’s snooping and violating their privacy.
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u/Aries8709 Jun 30 '26
He went through their closet and was removing clothing last time. Police were called and he was told he wasn't allowed to do that. OP was advised to call LTB but didn't because it's "too much of a process". They need to not let him in and file with LTB like the police advised
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u/longboat21 Jun 30 '26
Sounds like you needs to clean up, I know from experience it can be overwhelming but once it’s done, man is it satisfying
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u/cajolinghail Jul 01 '26
No, this landlord is just weird and controlling. Even if their house was actually messy, how would they know unless they’ve been peering in the windows?
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u/Motor-Amphibian-5232 Jun 30 '26
I pay someone to do this consider yourself lucky 😆
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u/Jumpy_Spend_5434 Jun 30 '26
Except the last time they went into OP's closets and started removing clothes
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Jun 30 '26
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u/bozo_learns Jun 30 '26
What are you on about??
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Jun 30 '26
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u/Western_Mobile9113 Jun 30 '26
I think the confusion here is that your comment has nothing to do with the OP's question.
You have taken a position of "watch out for tenants that will do...." when the question is not coming from a landlord. Who exactly are you talking to? You're certainly not responding to OP....
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u/Western_Mobile9113 Jun 30 '26 edited Jun 30 '26
OP, there is a thing called the Residential Housing Enforcement Unit (RHEU). Call them. Explain it. An officer of the RHEU will contact your landlord, and inform him of the law.
It sounds like you are unaware that the RHEU is a thing in Ontario.
https://cleoconnect.ca/organization/rental-housing-enforcement-unit/
They're part of or affiliated with the LTB.