Traditionally Ontario is by far the top destination for newcomers in Canada, receiving nearly 40% to over 42% of all newcomers annually. In 2024, nearly 200,000 immigrants settled in Ontario, significantly higher than any other province.
With the increasing population, housing is also required to increase in similar ratio to maintain the equilibrium, however this challenge is balanced with rental market.
There are different types of housing available for the occupancy that may include private rental market student accommodation, subsidized housing, rent geared to income housing.
Private rental market accounts for maximum number of housing residents which is regulated under Residential Tenancies Act 2006 commonly known as RTA. The relationship between a landlord and a tenant is defined under the RTA. All the disputes under RTA are handled by a special Tribunal in Ontario named as Landlord Tenant Board.
As per RTA, a landlord can only collect first month rent and last month as rent deposit. “When we are new to Canada, landlords ask for security amount and collect for 4-5 months rent in advance” a testimony by a newcomer.
This is the piece many people do not emphasize enough: your resume and employability. Finding part-time work or participating in co-op programs is essential. Canadian work experience matters, and employers look for more than just academic performance.
A part-time job can teach you workplace culture, communication styles, and expectations that may be very different from back home. Co-op programs can be one of the most valuable parts of your degree as they help bridge the gap between education and employment and often open doors to future opportunities.
There have been multiple reporting’s like this by the newcomers, in such situation a tenant can approach CICS (Centre for Immigrant and Community Services) that provide resources and assistance to clients in multiple languages and other agencies such as FMTA, CCHR for free legal consultation on such issues.
City of Toronto including GTA, York Region are taking serious steps to safeguard and protect the rights of tenants and newcomers.
In Ontario, tenants have strong legal protections under the Residential Tenancies Act (RTA), including the right to a safe, well-maintained home, privacy (24-hour notice for entry), and security of tenure, meaning leases automatically continue on a month-to-month basis after the initial term. Rent can only be increased once every 12 months, usually by the provincial guideline.
Core Tenant Rights in Ontario
- Privacy and Entry: Landlords must provide 24 hours written notice to enter a unit and can only enter between 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. for specific reasons like repairs or showing the unit.
- Maintenance and Repairs: Landlords are responsible for keeping the unit in a good state of repair, clean, and fit for habitation, including compliance with health and safety standards.
- Automatic Renewal: When a lease expires, the tenant does not have to move or sign a new lease. The tenancy automatically continues on a month-to-month basis with the same terms.
- Eviction Protection: Tenants cannot be forced to move out without an order from the Landlord and Tenant Board (LTB). A signed N11 form is voluntary; tenants do not have to sign it if they do not want to leave.
- Rent Control: For buildings occupied before November 15, 2018, rent can only be increased by the annual provincial guideline.
- Guests: Tenants have the right to have guests over without penalties or needing permission from the landlord.
