Landlord and Tenants What You Need To Know

The Georgian Triangle boasts the perfect playground for families who want to partake in the lifestyle offered in a four season resort area. Not everyone who "plays" here chooses to invest here. Some prefer to rent seasonally or annually and not have the responsibilities of a home owner. But rental properties can have their challenges.

Ontario is fortunate to have the Landlord and Tenant Board which provides information about the Residential Tenancies Act (RTA) and resolves disputes between residential Landlords and Tenants. The RTA came into effect in 2007 and replaces the Tenant Protection Act, which no longer exists.

The mission of the Landlord and Tenant Board is to "inform landlords and tenants about their rights and responsibilities under the Residential Tenancies Act and provide balanced and timely dispute resolution in accordance with the law."

Although short term leases do not fall under the purview of the Act, long term residential leases do. Should you have questions about your rights as either a Landlord or a Tenant, you can visit www.ltb.gov.on.ca for everything you need to know.

If you are purchasing a home or condo with the intent of using it as a rental property, be sure to educate yourself about your role as a Landlord. What happens when the tenant doesn't pay the rent, or the rent is consistently late, or your property has been damaged by the tenant or his guests, or an illegal act is committed on the premises or a family member decides they want to move in to your property while a lease is in place? These, and hundreds of other questions, should be taken into consideration when you decide you want to become a Landlord.

On the other hand, let's say you don't want to invest in purchasing a property, so you become the Tenant. What happens when your landlord doesn't give you credit for your last month's rent, or they enter your unit without notice, or do not properly maintain or repair the unit, or tells you "no pets allowed". Can they really get away with these things?

The Landlord and Tenant Board is there for you, regardless of your position. As taxpayers, we pay for these services, so as consumers, you have the right to take advantage of them. Sometimes, a quick inquiry on the website can save you time and money in the courts.