Ontario’s standard lease form has been updated and will become effective as of March 1, 2021. You must use the new form for all residential tenancies entered on March 1, 2021 or later. You can download the new standard lease form here.
Here are the main changes/updates
The requirement to provide tenants with information about electricity usage in the rental unit has been removed
The following information ‘Note’ has been removed from section 6. Services and Utilities.
If the tenant will be responsible for paying for electricity measured by a meter or suite meter, the landlord must give the prospective tenant available information about the electricity usage in the rental unit over the last twelve months using the appropriate Landlord and Tenant Board form.
Some contact information for the Landlord and Tenant Board has been updated
The TTY number and website have been updated in the Appendix. Here is the new contact information.
TTY: Bell Relay Service at 1-800-855-0511
Website: www.tribunalsontario.ca/ltb
Examples provided for when a landlord can end tenancy with a tenant not at fault
The following text has been added to Appendix D. Ending the Tenancy, When the landlord can end the tenancy:
The landlord may also give notice to end a tenancy in certain situations that are not the tenant’s fault, but only at the end of the term or rental period. In these case, landlords must give proper notice, and tenants may be entitled to compensation and/or right to return to the unit: Examples include:
- Landlord or purchaser needs the unit for themselves, an immediate family member, or caregiver, and
- Landlord needs to do extensive repairs or renovations that require building permit and vacant possessions of the unit
The fines for landlords who evict tenants without due process and are convicted have increased
The updated amounts have been added to Appendix D. Ending the Tenancy, When the landlord can end the tenancy.
The fine for individuals increased from $25,000 to $50,000.
The fine for corporations increased from $100,000 to $250,000.
Criteria for some newer units which are exempt from the rent increase guidelines has been provided
The following text has been added under Appendix I. Rent Increases and Decreases, Guideline Rent Increases:
Some newer units are not subject to the rent increase guidelines, including:
- A unit in a new building, if not part of the building was occupied for residential purposes on or before November 15, 2018;
- A unit in a new addition to an existing building, if no part of the addition was occupied for residential purposes on or before November 15, 2018; and,
- A new second unit or existing house, such as a basement apartment, that was created after November 15, 2018 and that meets the requirements set out in the Act.
Requirement on tenants renting “whole” units to guests specified
The following text has been added under Appendix Q. Guests:
If a tenant rents their whole unit to someone else (e.g. short-term rental), this person is not a “guest”. The tenant may have to get the landlord’s permission.
Other minor changes
1. Under section 3. Contact Information, Landlord and Tenant Board’s Rules of Practice changed to Landlord and Tenant Board’s Rules of Procedure.
2. Under Appendix D. Ending the Tenancy, If the Landlord and Tenant Agree to end the tenancy, a clarification has been made:
- Old lease form: Some landlords may ask the tenant to sign this form when signing the agreement.
- New lease form: Some landlords may ask the tenant to sign that form when signing the tenancy agreement (lease).
3. Word change in Appendix K. Vital Services:
- Old lease form: “Vital services” include hot or cold water, fuel, electricity, gas and heat.
- New lease form: “Vital services” are hot or cold water, fuel, electricity, gas and heat.
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