Frequently Asked Questions About Landlord/Tenant Law

There are three main types of tenancy agreements in Canada:

• Fixed-term tenancy: This type of tenancy has a specific start and end date.
• Periodic tenancy: This tenancy continues month-to-month or year-to-year unless either party terminates it by giving notice.
• Tenancy at will: This is a tenancy with no fixed term. Either party can terminate it at any time with reasonable notice.

Landlords have the right to:

• Collect rent on time
• Inspect the rental unit with reasonable notice
• Make necessary repairs to the rental unit
• Evict a tenant for non-payment of rent or other breaches of the tenancy agreement.

Landlords are responsible for:

• Providing a safe and habitable rental unit
• Maintaining the rental unit in good repair
• Returning the tenant’s security deposit within a specified timeframe.

Tenants have the right to:

• Live in a safe and habitable rental unit
• Make minor repairs and deduct the cost from their rent (with landlord’s approval)
• Quiet enjoyment of the rental unit
• Privacy.

Tenants are responsible for:

• Paying rent on time
• Maintaining the rental unit in good condition
• Complying with the terms of the tenancy agreement.

A security deposit is a sum of money that a tenant pays to the landlord as a guarantee of performance. It is typically used to cover any damage to the rental unit or unpaid rent.

The landlord and tenant tribunal is a specialized court that deals with disputes between landlords and tenants. It provides a more informal and efficient way to resolve disputes than going to court.

Eviction is the process of removing a tenant from a rental unit. It can be carried out for various reasons, such as non-payment of rent, breach of the tenancy agreement, or illegal activity.

Subletting is when a tenant rents out all or part of their rental unit to another person. Landlords may have restrictions on subletting in their tenancy agreements.