Ontario Landlord-Tenant Laws (2026)
The RTA governs nearly all residential tenancies in Ontario and is administered by the Landlord and Tenant Board. It is tenant-protective: standard lease form is mandatory, entry requires 24 hours' notice, and most terms cannot be contracted out of.
Governing law: Residential Tenancies Act, 2006, S.O. 2006, c. 17
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The mandatory standard lease
For most residential tenancies signed since 2018, the landlord must use the government's Standard Form of Lease. If you don't provide it on request, the tenant can withhold rent and may be released from the lease.
Entry rules
Except in emergencies, a landlord must give 24 hours' written notice to enter, stating the reason and a time between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m.
Maintenance & vital services
The landlord must keep the unit in a good state of repair and fit for habitation, complying with health and safety standards, even if the tenant knew of the problem when they moved in.
Tenant rights you can't waive
Most RTA protections cannot be signed away. A lease clause that contradicts the Act is void, not enforceable.
The tribunal
Disputes go to the Landlord and Tenant Board (LTB), an administrative tribunal — not the regular courts — for both landlord and tenant applications.
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