Student Housing – Living in Perth

 Can my landlord ask for a rental deposit? 

Yes! In Ontario, your landlord can ask you for a rent deposit equal to one months rent. Landlords can ask for this once your application has been approved. Typically, it is provided when you complete the lease signing. The last month’s rent deposit is to be applied to the final month you live in your unit.  

Some landlords ask for first and last months rent upon the date of move in. This is allowed as long as one month goes towards that current month of move in and the other half goes to your last months rent payment.  

Your landlord must pay interest on your last months rent deposit every year. For example, if you sign a lease January 2021 and decide to move out of your unit January 31, 2023, your landlord will need to have paid 2 years interest on your deposit. The amount of interest required to pay is equal to the yearly approved rental increase percentage.  

Can my landlord ask for a damage deposit?  

No. In Ontario, landlords cannot ask for a damage deposit.  

Can my landlord ask for a key deposit?  

Yes! In Ontario, your landlord can ask for a refundable key deposit. The key deposit needs to be a reasonable price to cut a key. Think of this fund as a key replacement deposit. If you lose or need a new key, your landlord will use your key deposit to print it. If your landlord is asking for a $100 key deposit, you do not need to pay it as that is an unreasonable amount. If you do not return all keys and fobs provided to you, you will not get your deposit back.  

I need an additional key; can my landlord charge me? 

Yes. In Ontario, if you need an additional key made, whether you lost it or just want a second copy, your landlord can charge you. This cost cannot be higher than the actual cost to print the key. This is not considered a key deposit and is not refundable.  

 Can my landlord charge me a pet deposit?  

No. In Ontario, your landlord cannot charge you for a pet deposit of any kind.  

 My landlord charged me something that goes against my rights. What now? 

First you should always connect with your landlord to try to resolve the situation. If that doesn’t work, you can file a T1 with the Landlord Tenant Board. You must file this form within one year.  

1. Look Up the Address Online: Often scammers will post apartment listings for units that don’t exist. Do your research! Look the address up on Google and look at it through Google Maps street view.  
2. Do Not Provide Any Money to the Landlord: Your landlord cannot ask for any deposits until your application has been approved. Typically, this is provided during the lease signing.  
3. Always See the Apartment In Person: It is important that before signing a lease, you look at the apartment in person. This will allow you to make sure the ad is real and see the status of the unit. In situations where you are unable to visit the unit in person, see if someone you trust can go and take photos or ask the landlord to video call a walk through with you. 
4. Be Aware of Duplicate Ads: Often scammers will post multiple fake ads with multiple different landlord names and contacts. If you see the same apartment being listed multiple times with different information, it is likely fake.
5. Know Your Rights as a Tenant: Before viewing a unit or connecting with landlords, research what your rights are as a tenant. This will allow you to naturally notice red flags through conversations with the landlord. 
6. Read Reviews: Keep in mind people are more likely to post negative reviews than positive ones. Everyone has a different experience! But if you find a property with multiple reviews from different users, that can help you verify the listing.
7. Ask Questions About the Application Process: Keep in mind renting is a business to a landlord. Landlords will require basic information from you before allowing you to rent one of their units such, as photo identification and proof of income. Many landlords even ask for criminal record checks and credit checks. If you are meeting with a landlord and they aren’t requiring any of that information, it is likely a scam.  
8. Ask Questions! If you have any questions about the posting, during the viewing, or during the application process, ask them! It is better to make a fully informed decision.  

My lease is coming to an end and I want to move out. What do I do?

If your lease is coming to an end and you want to move out of your unit, there is a few steps you need to take. First, you want to ensure you have housing secured before providing any notices to your landlord. Often once you have provided your notice, it is hard to cancel it. If you are fully sure you are ready to move out, here are the steps you need to take:

1. Select a move out date. When selecting a move out date remember move out date cannot be before the termination date of your lease. In addition, you need to provide your landlord 60 days notice.
2. Complete the N9 Notice to End Tenancy form and have all members of the lease agreement sign.
3. Provide a copy of the N9 to your landlord.

Before moving out of your unit it is important you pack all your belongings and take everything with you. Anything left behind after your move out date is now the landlord’s possession. In addition, you want to ensure the unit is left in the same condition it was when you moved in. If you made any changes to your unit, you need to return it to its regular state. This can include patching holes, removing artwork, painting walls back to a neutral colour and a general tidy.

I want to break my lease early. What do I do?

A lease is a legal agreement between you and your landlord. To end your lease early, you and your landlord need to come to a mutual agreement. There are a few avenues you could pursue to end your lease early.

1. Use the N11 Agreement to End Tenancy form. This form allows you and your landlord to come to a mutual agreement to end the tenancy on a desired upon date. Your landlord is not required to agree to your terms and can ask you to change your move out date and/or decline your offer.
2. Ask your landlord to complete an “Assignment” or “Lease Take Over.” This means you will find another suitable tenant to move into your unit and take over your lease agreement. The interested future tenant will have to go through the same application process you did and be approved by the landlord.
3. Sublet your unit. Subletting means you are moving out of your unit for a period of time and someone else moves in until you return. Subletting is a good option for those looking to leave their unit for an extended period but are planning to return. Keep in mind when you sublet a unit, you are responsible for their actions.

My landlord denied my request for sublet and/or assignment, what now?

If you have requested in writing to your landlord to sublet or assign your unit, your landlord has seven days to provide you an answer. If your landlord rejects your request, you can provide an N9 Notice to End Tenancy to your landlord with 30 days notice. Keep in mind this is only if your landlord does not allow you to pursue sublet or assignment. If your landlord has agreed to allow you sublet and/or assign your unit, he can deny applicants for good reasons such as lack of income and/or no photo ID. If you have issues beyond providing the N9 notice, you can contact the Landlord Tenant Board.