Understanding Your Rights as a Tenant: A Guide to Renting Your First Home in Canada
Understanding your rights as a tenant is crucial if you want to ensure that renting your new home in Canada will give you a secure atmosphere. There may be distinct laws for tenants and landlords in particular provinces and areas. These laws are enforced by a multitude of government agencies in each province or region. This blog will therefore give you the information you need to make informed selections, whether you’re a newcomer to Canada or a native looking for your first rental property there.
Your Rights and Responsibilities as a Tenant and Landlord
Knowing your rights and responsibilities as a tenant in Canada is crucial to a harmonious tenancy. Here are the key legal obligations of tenants and landlords:
- Paying your rent in full and on time;
- Keeping your home tidy and maintained;
- Notifying the landlord whenever anything needs to be serviced or repaired, and
- Permit the landlord or manager access to your home for the purpose of performing repairs or showing the property to other tenants if you are moving out. Before entering your flat, your landlord must give you notice.
- You must leave the property when the lease expires.
Additionally, tenants typically aren’t allowed to:
- Withhold rent in the event of negligent repairs
- Make renovations to the property without the landlord’s consent
- Modify the home’s locks without the landlord’s consent
- Sublet or assign the lease to another party without the landlord’s consent
Signing the Lease Agreement
One of the crucial stages in the renting process is signing a lease. The method includes all of the essential elements of a lease agreement, including the terms of the lease, the details of rent payments, who is in charge of maintenance, and any other conditions you ought to be aware of.
In order to verify that you can pay your rent, a landlord may lawfully inquire about the following:
- Your income; the number of persons who will reside at the property;
- The presence of pets or smokers; and
- Your permission to run a credit check;
- Requesting testimonials from your job or former landlords;
- A landlord could request some personal information so they can run a credit check before deciding whether or not to rent you a property, however;
You cannot be questioned about:
- Your Social Insurance Number (SIN);
- Information about your sexual preferences, religion, and ethnic heritage; and
- Details about your marital status and if you intend to have further children.
Evictions of Tenants and Complaints
It is important to note that both landlords and tenants are entitled to the right to remain in their residences. Both are so shielded from uncooperative tenants and arbitrary evictions. Your landlord may try to evict you if you’ve broken your lease agreement. Landlords must also follow certain eviction procedures in every province and territory; nonetheless, you cannot be evicted immediately.
Moving Out: Termination and Vacating Procedures
Understanding the termination and leaving procedures in advance can help to ensure a seamless exit from your rental property. The procedure can involve giving your landlord notice, performing a last inspection, returning the keys, and getting your security deposit back. As a tenant, you can protect your rights by complying with the proper procedures when leaving your home.
