This legislation replaces Part IV of the Landlord and Tenant Act, the Rent Control Act, the Rental Housing Protection Act, the Municipal Amendment Act, the Land Lease Statute Law Amendment Act and the Residents' Rights Act. Landlord's Self-Help Centre has developed a series of information sheets to help landlords understand changes to their rights and responsibilities as a result of the Tenant Protection Act. Several significant changes that affect renting and rental agreements have been brought into place by the Tenant Protection Act. While many of the legislative provisions that existed under the previous law have been carried over into the Tenant Protection Act, there have also been new provisions added. It is imperative that anyone thinking about becoming a landlord thoroughly researches and understands the legal obligations and responsibility of a landlord as well as the commitment that must be made when a tenancy agreement is created.
Landlords typically express concern about screening tenants.
However, the first concern of all landlords should be the rental unit itself. Landlords must ensure that the rental unit complies with the numerous rules and regulations that have been established to ensure rental units meet minimum health, safety, housing and maintenance standards. The rental unit must comply with municipal property standards and zoning bylaws, fire safety regulations and many elements of the Ontario Building Code. Landlords should also be aware that it is their responsibility to ensure the rental unit complies with health, safety, housing and maintenance standards regardless of the condition of the unit when rented. Once you have ensured that the rental unit is up to the established standard, turn your attention to finding a tenant to occupy it.