Residential Tenancies Act Ontario Guide
The Residential Tenancies Act, 2006 is the foundation of landlord-tenant law in Ontario. Here is a plain-English overview of what it covers, who it applies to, and how it is enforced.
The Law
On this page
What the RTA is
The Residential Tenancies Act, 2006 (RTA) is the provincial statute that generally governs the relationship between residential landlords and tenants in Ontario. It sets out rules covering rent and rent increases, a landlord's maintenance obligations, tenant privacy and landlord entry, how a tenancy can be ended, and the process for resolving disputes. The RTA replaced earlier legislation and is the current law that the Landlord and Tenant Board (LTB) applies when it decides cases.
Because the RTA is a statute passed by the Ontario legislature, it can be amended over time, and regulations made under it can add further detail. This guide describes the RTA's general framework as it is commonly understood, but it is not a substitute for reading the current text of the Act itself or getting advice about a specific situation.
Who the RTA generally applies to
In general, the RTA applies to most residential rental units in Ontario — apartments, houses, basement units, and similar accommodations rented for residential purposes, whether under a written lease or a verbal agreement. It generally applies whether the tenancy is month-to-month or for a fixed term, and it generally continues to apply even after a fixed-term lease expires, converting the tenancy to a month-to-month arrangement on the same terms unless the parties agree otherwise.
Key point
Many of the RTA's protections cannot be waived or contracted out of — a clause in a lease that tries to give a tenant fewer rights than the RTA provides is generally not enforceable, even if the tenant signed it.
Situations the RTA generally does not cover
The RTA sets out specific categories of living arrangements that are generally exempt from some or all of its provisions. Common examples generally include:
- Shared accommodation with the owner — where a tenant shares a bathroom or kitchen with the owner of the unit, and the owner also lives there.
- Certain care, treatment, or rehabilitation facilities — such as some living arrangements tied to a hospital, health facility, or correctional program.
- Some seasonal or vacation properties — such as certain short-term seasonal accommodations that are not a person's primary residence.
- Business and commercial tenancies — the RTA generally governs residential tenancies, not commercial leases for retail, office, or industrial space.
These exceptions are defined specifically in the RTA and its regulations, and whether a particular living arrangement qualifies can depend on detailed facts. Anyone unsure whether their situation is covered by the RTA should confirm directly with the LTB rather than assume either way.
How the LTB administers the RTA
The Landlord and Tenant Board is the tribunal responsible for applying and interpreting the RTA. It generally handles applications from tenants and landlords, holds hearings and mediations, issues binding orders, and provides public information about tenants' and landlords' rights and responsibilities. The LTB does not write the law itself — it applies the RTA and its regulations to the facts of each case — but its published decisions and interpretation guidelines can help illustrate how particular provisions are generally understood in practice.
Where to find the full text of the Act
The complete, official text of the Residential Tenancies Act, 2006, including all current amendments, is published by the Government of Ontario on its e-Laws website. This is generally the most reliable source for the exact wording of any section, since summaries like this guide are written for plain-English understanding rather than as a legal reference. The LTB's own website also publishes plain-language guides, forms, and interpretation materials that can help explain how specific sections are applied.
Key point
When the exact wording of a specific section matters — for example, in preparing for a hearing — go to the official e-Laws text of the RTA rather than relying solely on a summary.
How this guide relates to our other guides
This page is meant as a starting point that ties together the more detailed, topic-specific guides on this site. For example, our guides on rent increases, repairs and maintenance, landlord entry and privacy, and the eviction process each dig into one part of the RTA in more depth, while our tenant rights and landlord rights overviews summarize each side's general position under the Act. If you are trying to understand a specific issue, those focused guides are generally a better next step than this overview alone.
This article provides general information about Ontario landlord and tenant law. It is not legal advice. For advice about a specific situation, consult a licensed paralegal or lawyer, or contact the Landlord and Tenant Board.
Frequently asked questions
No. In general, the RTA covers most residential rentals in Ontario, but it generally does not apply to certain situations such as owner-occupied shared accommodation where the tenant shares a kitchen or bathroom with the owner, some care and rehabilitation facilities, some seasonal properties, and business or commercial tenancies. These exceptions are specific, so it is worth confirming with the LTB if you are unsure whether your situation is covered.
The official, current text of the Residential Tenancies Act, 2006 is published on the Government of Ontario's e-Laws website. This is generally the most reliable source when the exact wording of a section matters, such as when preparing for an LTB hearing.
The RTA is the law — the statute passed by the Ontario legislature that sets out the rules. The LTB is the tribunal that generally applies and interprets that law: it hears applications, holds hearings and mediations, and issues binding orders in individual landlord-tenant disputes.
Related reading
Reviewed by Ryan J. Manilla, BA, JD
Legal Reviewer · Landlord Tenant Ontario