• Types of Rental Housing in Canada

• Tenants and Landlords responsibilities

A common initial inquiry among newcomers is: "What are my rights and duties as a tenant, and what falls under my landlord's obligations?"

It's important to note that landlord and tenant responsibilities can vary across provinces and territories.

The landlord is the individual who owns the property in which you reside. In the case of larger buildings, the landlord might engage a property manager or superintendent to oversee rent collection and building maintenance.

Broadly speaking, your landlord holds the responsibility for:

• Rent collection.
• Ensuring the safety and proper maintenance of the building.
• Supplying all items that are part of the apartment and covered by your rent (e.g., refrigerator, stove, heating system).
• Addressing and covering the costs of repairs whenever something within your residence malfunctions or breaks down.

The tenant refers to an individual or a group of individuals who have entered into a rental agreement or lease with a landlord to occupy and use a property, such as an apartment, house, or commercial space.

As a tenant, your obligations encompass:

• Ensuring punctual and complete payment of rent.
• Sustaining cleanliness and proper maintenance of your dwelling.
• Promptly notifying the landlord about any service or repair requirements.
• Granting the landlord or manager access to your residence for repair purposes or apartment viewings for other prospective tenants if you intend to vacate. It's important to note that your landlord is obligated to provide you with appropriate notice prior to entering your apartment.

• Questions to ask

Before embarking on property viewings for potential rentals, it's advantageous to prepare a list of inquiries to bring along when meeting with the landlord or superintendent. Jotting down the responses can facilitate a comparative analysis of the various homes or apartments visited, highlighting their respective merits and drawbacks.

Some of the questions you should ask are:

• Does the rent cover utilities, or are they separate expenses? If separate, what is the average monthly cost?
• Are modifications to the dwelling permitted, such as painting or decoration?
• In case of pets or smoking, what are the policies? Be aware that regulations pertaining to pets differ across provinces. For detailed information, consult the provincial/territorial fact sheets available online at www.cmhc.ca
• Is parking available for residents with vehicles, and is there an associated fee?
• What characterizes the neighborhood? How would you describe its safety?
• What is the composition of other tenants? Are families and single individuals the predominant residents?
• Who is responsible for property maintenance?
• In the case of considering an apartment, is there provision for a storage locker or separate bicycle storage? Is this included in the rent, and how secure is it?
• What security measures are implemented? What type of locks are utilized, and have they been updated recently?

• Signing lease tips

For more information related to signing a lease please visit our other guide Tips for signing a Lease Agreement.

• Moving in & moving out

When moving in and depending on your location, a majority of landlords will request a rental or security deposit to serve as a safeguard against potential damages during your tenancy. Typically, this security deposit equals one month's rent. The regulations governing these deposits vary by province, so it's advisable to consult your provincial/territorial rental authority for comprehensive information.

Upon moving in, conduct a thorough inspection of the house or apartment. Document any identified damage, whether through written notes or photographs, such as water stains or carpet or door imperfections. It's important to have the landlord acknowledge and sign this list of damages; keeping a copy for your records is a prudent step.

Prior to or upon moving in, inquire with your landlord or superintendent about the guidelines and procedures for handling mail, utilizing the intercom system (in apartment buildings), managing garbage and recycling, using laundry facilities, understanding tenant and visitor parking regulations, and familiarizing yourself with appliance operations.

At some point, you will inevitably consider moving out of your rental residence, whether due to the desire to purchase your own home or the need for change. When the time comes to depart, there are specific tasks to address prior to your departure.

Foremost, it's imperative to provide your landlord with written notice of your intention to vacate, at least one month in advance of the first day of the month in which you plan to leave. (Certain provinces or territories may necessitate two to three months' notice, or even none at all; thus, consulting your provincial/territorial rental authority is recommended.)

Ahead of your departure, meticulously clean the apartment and rectify any damages. Subsequently, conduct a joint inspection of the property with your landlord. The outcomes of this assessment should be recorded, and both parties must sign and retain a duplicate of the final inspection checklist. Upon successful completion of your landlord's inspection, you are entitled to the reimbursement of any damage deposit.

• Maintenance and repairs

Typically, your landlord bears the responsibility for addressing emergency repairs and upkeeping, as well as repairing any appliances (e.g., refrigerator or stove) that were provided alongside your apartment. If an issue arises within your living space, promptly contact your landlord or superintendent via phone or in writing, detailing the problem and requesting remediation.

Should your landlord fail to respond or neglect to initiate the necessary repairs, you possess the option to seek assistance from the rental authority in your province or territory to compel the landlord to address the issue. The contact information for your provincial/territorial rental authority can often be found in the Blue Pages section of your telephone directory.

It's crucial to recognize that deducting repair expenses from your rent without the consent of your landlord or a court is deemed unlawful. Withholding rent to cover non-emergency repairs could result in your landlord pursuing eviction proceedings.

• Rent increase & renewing your lease

Regrettably, rent increases are an inescapable reality. However, the frequency and extent of rent hikes vary across provinces and territories. In the majority of regions, landlords are obligated to give you a 90-day advance notice for any impending rent increase. In select areas of Canada, rent adjustments can solely occur on the anniversary of your initial move-in date.

Ordinarily, landlords have the authority to raise your rent just once per year, and the hike must adhere to a specific maximum limit as stipulated by your provincial or territorial government. Should you not receive the requisite notification, you might have the option to withhold payment of the increased rent until the landlord furnishes you with the proper notice.

Upon your initial occupancy of a residence, such as a house or apartment, it's likely that you entered into a fixed-term lease, often spanning a year. At the culmination of this stipulated period, contingent upon the province or territory of residence, the terms of your lease may transition from a yearly arrangement to a 'month-to-month' basis.

Under a month-to-month lease, the tenancy renewal transpires monthly subsequent to the first year. While a month-to-month lease ensures your safeguard against unlawful eviction, it also introduces an increased flexibility for either you or your landlord to conclude the tenancy, provided that the stipulated written notice period is honored and the requisite procedures are adhered to.

• Search resources

• Kijiji
• Facebook Marketplace property rentals
• Padmapper
• CraigsList
• Viewit

More information

For more detailed information please visit the official CMHC website.