Tenant and landlord rights and responsibilities

Learn about tenant and landlord rights, responsibilities and where to get help with rental housing issues.

Download the Tenant and Landlord Rights and Obligations Information Package (PDF).

This information is for general guidance and does not replace legal advice.

On this page:

Renting in Waterloo
Who is responsible for rental housing
Renter rights
Renter responsibilities
Landlord rights and responsibilities
Rent rules
Renovictions
Get help with rental housing issues
Who to contact

Renting in Waterloo

Most landlords who rent units in low-rise residential buildings in Waterloo must have a rental licence, under the Rental Licensing Bylaw.

Rental licensing helps make sure rental units meet safety standards and required inspections are completed.

Additional inspections may happen if a tenant makes a complaint or the city identifies a concern.

High-rise residential buildings, such as apartments and condominiums, are not currently required to have a rental licence.

Who is responsible for rental housing

Different organizations are responsible for different parts of rental housing.

Province of Ontario

sets tenant and landlord rights under the Residential Tenancies Act
sets rent increase rules
regulates eviction rules and compensation requirements.
oversees the Landlord and Tenant Board (LTB)

Landlord and Tenant Board

resolves disputes between tenants and landlords
issues eviction orders
decides on claims related to unpaid rent
orders compensation or rent refunds

Region of Waterloo

housing stability and prevention services
emergency shelter and housing support
affordable housing programs
public health services
mental health and addiction supports

City of Waterloo

What the city does to support safe and livable housing:

enforce property and lot maintenance standards
make sure licensed properties meet fire safety requirements
enforce noise and nuisance bylaws, including limits on noise and activities that disturb others
make sure properties meet safety and inspection requirements through the Rental Licensing Program
support tenants through the Tenant Support Liaison and Tenant Support Fund
require landlords to get a Rental Renovation Licence before issuing an N13 notice to help ensure tenants are properly notified and receive any compensation required by law

Learn more about renovictions, N13 notices and tenant rights on the Renovictions and tenant rights page.

What the city does not do

we do not approve eviction notices
we do not stop landlords from applying for building permits when renovation work meets Ontario Building Code requirements
we do not evict tenants, order rent refunds or cancel tenancies
we do not provide independent legal advice

Renter rights

Your rights as a renter in Waterloo are protected by the Residential Tenancies Act.

Key rights include:

to live in a safe and well-maintained unit – landlords must keep rental units in good repair and meet health, safety, fire safety and property standards
protection from illegal lockouts – landlords cannot change the locks, block access to your unit, shut off utilities or remove your belongings without a legal eviction order from the Landlord and Tenant Board
protection from harassment or intimidation – landlords cannot threaten, pressure or force you to move out
the right to challenge an eviction – you do not have to move out just because you receive a notice. Only the Landlord and Tenant Board can issue an eviction order
the right to privacy – landlords must provide at least 24 hours written notice before entering your unit unless there is an emergency
the right to reasonable enjoyment – you have the right to use your home without unnecessary disturbance from your landlord or others under their control
the right to have guests – landlords cannot restrict visitors or temporary guests unless legal occupancy limits are exceeded or there are legal restrictions in place

Renter responsibilities

As a renter or tenant, you are responsible for maintaining your rental unit and following the rules in the Residential Tenancies Act and municipal bylaws.

Pay rent on time:

pay rent on time as outlined in the lease agreement

Take care of the unit:

keep unit clean, including basic housekeeping and taking out the garbage regularly
report maintenance issues to the landlord as soon as possible, following the landlord's requirements
repair or pay for damage beyond normal wear and tear
keep smoke and carbon monoxide alarms working properly by replacing batteries when needed and not disabling or tampering with them

Follow rules and get approval for changes:

use the unit for lawful purposes only
avoid disturbing others and follow noise and nuisance bylaws
follow building rules, including garbage sorting, parking and occupancy limits
do not change locks and keys without permission
do not make major changes to the unit without approval from the landlord

Landlord rights and responsibilities

Landlords must:

meet all health, safety and property standards
follow fire and building codes, including having working smoke and CO alarms
respond to maintenance requests within a reasonable time
complete required inspections and get the necessary licences, including rental licences and renovation licences

Property standards

Landlords must maintain their rental property and meet property standards, including:

yard maintenance, including grass cutting
keeping the property free of litter and debris
proper garbage, recycling and green bin storage
snow and ice removal

Learn more about property standards and yard maintenance rules.

Landlords have a right to:

collect rent as outlined in the lease agreement
enter a unit for inspections, repairs, maintenance work and showings for prospective tenants
issue notices for unpaid rent, damage, serious behaviour concerns or renovations

These notices must follow the rules and timelines under the Residential Tenancies Act.

Entering a rental unit

Unless there is an emergency, landlords must:

give at least 24 hours notice
provide a reason for entering
enter between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m.

Eviction notices

A notice does not end a tenancy or mean a renter must move out. An eviction can only happen if the Landlord and Tenant Board issues an order.

What landlords cannot do:

harass or interfere with tenant rights
lock out tenants, change locks, remove doors or shut off utilities
require tenants to leave without a legal eviction order
force tenants to sign paperwork ending a tenancy without direction from the Landlord and Tenant Board

Rent rules

The Province of Ontario sets the rules for rent, including how much rent can increase.

Rent can only increase by the amount allowed under provincial rules unless the Landlord and Tenant Board approves a larger increase:

landlords must give at least 90 days written notice using the N1 form before increasing rent
key deposits cannot be more than one month's rent and can only be used for the last month's rent

You can dispute illegal charges or fees through the Landlord and Tenant Board.