What are the new real estate laws for renting or leasing out a property in Ontario?

As a premier property management and leasing company in Ontario, Royal York Property Management is committed to providing unparalleled service and expertise to landlords, investors, and tenants across Canada. With a vast portfolio of over 22,000 properties valued at more than $10.1 billion, we have established ourselves as a trusted partner in the real estate industry.

What are the new real estate laws for renting or leasing out a property in Ontario?

As a leading property management and leasing company in Ontario, we understand the importance of staying up-to-date with the most recent changes to the real estate laws. With the landscape constantly evolving, it's essential for landlords, investors, and property managers to be aware of any changes that may impact their rental or leasing activities. We'll look at a few of the recent real estate laws influencing Ontario's property leasing and rental market in this blog post:

1. Changes to the Residential Tenancies Act (RTA)

The Ontario government has made amendments to the Residential Tenancies Act (RTA) to strengthen tenant protections and address issues with rent control and eviction laws.

Key Provisions: Some of the key provisions of the amended RTA include:

• The extension of rent control laws to cover all rental properties, regardless of the year of construction.
• Putting policies in place to stop "renovictions" and "demovictions," which involve evicting tenants in order to renovate or demolish rental properties.
• Strengthening of tenant rights, such as longer notice periods for evictions and limitations on rent increases.

2. Landlord and Tenant Board (LTB) Reforms

Adjudication Process: The Ontario government has made changes to the Landlord and Tenant Board (LTB) adjudication process to improve efficiency and address backlog issues.

Digitalization: The LTB has made an attempt to digitize its procedures, including online application filing and video conference hearings. 

Enhanced Enforcement: To guarantee adherence to LTB orders and directions, the government has pledged to enhance enforcement measures.

3. Human Rights Code Amendments

Protected Grounds: The Ontario Human Rights Code has been amended to provide additional protections for tenants against discrimination based on factors such as race, gender identity, and sexual orientation.

Accessibility: In order to accommodate tenants with disabilities, landlords are required to provide accessible housing and reasonable adaptations to rental properties.

4. Eviction Restrictions During COVID-19

Temporary Measures: The Ontario government responded to the COVID-19 outbreak by implementing temporary measures that limited evictions and safeguarded tenants who were experiencing financial difficulties.

Moratorium: A temporary moratorium on residential evictions was put in place during certain periods to prevent tenants from losing their homes due to pandemic-related financial difficulties.

Rent Freeze: For a while, there was a temporary ban on residential evictions to protect tenants from losing their houses because of the financial hardships brought on by the pandemic.

Staying informed about the new real estate laws governing the rental and leasing of properties in Ontario is essential for landlords, investors, and property managers.

At Royal York Property Management, we are committed to keeping abreast of these changes and ensuring that our clients remain compliant with applicable regulations. 

Whether you're renting out a residential property or leasing a commercial space, you can trust us to provide expert guidance and support every step of the way. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you navigate the evolving legal landscape of Ontario's real estate market.