Glossary of Rental Terms

Accessibility modifications: Changes to help tenants with disabilities. Landlords must accommodate up to the point of undue hardship.

Arrears: Rent that is overdue.

Assignment: A permanent transfer of the tenancy to another person, with landlord consent.

Bad faith: Giving a notice without a genuine reason. A T5 application can address it.

Co-signer or guarantor: Someone who agrees to be responsible if the tenant doesn’t pay.

Common areas: Shared spaces, such as lobbies and laundry rooms. Landlords maintain these.

Deposit: In Ontario, a rent deposit of up to one month’s rent, plus a refundable key deposit. Damage deposits are not permitted.

Essential or vital services: Heat, hydro, fuel, and hot and cold water. Landlords cannot withhold them.

Eviction: Ending a tenancy by a Board order, enforced by the Sheriff.

Fixed-term lease: A lease for a set time, usually 12 months. It normally continues month to month afterward.

Human Rights Code: Ontario law that bans discrimination in housing on protected grounds.

Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario: The tribunal that hears discrimination applications.

Illegal unit: A unit that does not meet zoning or safety rules. Tenants still have rights.

Inspection: A record of a unit’s condition at the start or end of a tenancy.

Landlord: The owner or person who rents out the unit.

Landlord and Tenant Board (LTB): The provincial tribunal for rental disputes.

Last month’s rent: A deposit applied to the final month. It cannot be used for damage.

Lease: The rental agreement. Most private leases must use the standard lease.

Mediation: A voluntary way to reach an agreement with Board help.

Month-to-month tenancy: A tenancy with no fixed end date, usually needing 60 days’ notice from the tenant.

N4: A landlord’s notice for unpaid rent, at least 7 days.

N9: A tenant’s notice to end the tenancy.

N11: An agreement to end the tenancy. Be careful before signing.

N12: A notice that the landlord, family or a buyer needs the unit.

N13: A notice for demolition, major repairs or conversion.

Normal wear and tear: Expected aging of a unit. Tenants don’t pay for it.

Occupancy date: The day you can move in.

Quiet enjoyment: Your right to use your home without unreasonable interference.

Rent control: Limits on rent increases under the annual guideline. Most units first occupied after November 15, 2018 are exempt.

Rent receipt: Proof of payment. A landlord must provide one free if you ask.

Right of first refusal: A tenant’s right to return after renovations, if they gave written notice.

Security of tenure: Your right to stay unless a tenancy legally ends.

Sheriff: The officer who enforces Board eviction orders.

Standard lease: Ontario’s required lease for most private tenancies.

Sublet: A temporary arrangement where someone else lives in the unit and the tenant remains responsible.

T1, T2, T5, T6: Common tenant applications. See Chapter 14.

Tenant insurance: Insurance for belongings and liability. A lease can require liability coverage.

Utilities: Hydro, gas, water and similar services. The lease should say who pays.