Chapter 1 : Overview

How did we get here? What does the RTA regulate? Whom does the RTA regulate? Who does the regulation? Possible applications

How did we get here? Rent control has applied to most rental units since 1975 –Various boards applied it Federally appointed judges heard landlord- tenant disputes From June 17, 1998, the Ontario Rental Housing Tribunal heard both kinds of cases From January 31, 2007, the ORHT was renamed the Landlord and Tenant Board (“the board”)

What does the RTA regulate? The Residential Tenancies Act, 2006 (RTA) regulates all aspects of residential tenancies in Ontario: –The tenancy agreement –Eviction claims –Assignments and sublets –Rent determination –Lawful rent increases, etc.

Whom does the RTA regulate? Landlords and tenants of all residential rental accommodation in Ontario, e.g.: –High rise apartments –Rented single family homes –Everything in between Special rules for special types of rental units –Care homes –Mobile home parks/land lease communities Partial exemptions for some government housing

Who does the regulation? The Landlord and Tenant Board (“the board”) Members are appointed by the Provincial government under the RTA The board has offices in most major cities across Ontario (including three in Toronto) The board does not have jurisdiction to hear a landlord’s claim against a former tenant

Possible applications (examples) Termination –for non-payment of rent –for disturbing other tenants Orders –to collect rent arrears –for rent abatements for inadequate maintenance –for above-guideline rent increases –for rent reductions