Do I need to sign a lease or tenancy agreement?

No. A tenancy agreement may be written, verbal or implied, though a written tenancy agreement is recommended.  Most landlords use written agreements.

Types of rental periods, which determine how long you can stay in the apartment:

  • Periodic Lease: the rental period can relate to a calendar week, month, or year
  • Fixed Term Lease: lease of predetermined period

Is a signed move in/move out condition report required?

Yes, the landlord and tenant must both sign an inspection report when the tenancy begins (whenever a security deposit is required).

May the landlord request a security deposit?

Yes, however there are regulations:

  • For non-weekly rentals: the amount of the security deposit may not exceed the value of one month’s rent
  • For week-to-week rentals: the maximum of the security deposit may not exceed the value of one week’s rent.
  • If the tenancy is for more than week-to-week, the tenant may pay half the security deposit when the tenant moves in and the remainder within three months.
  • Landlords of subsidized housing may use the true market value of the rent to calculate the security deposit.

The landlord shall, within 10 days after the tenant vacates the rental premises:

  • Return the security deposit to the tenant with interest
  • Interest on the security deposits is calculated at a rate equal to the chartered bank deposit rate on deposit receipts for 30 days, as determined and published by the Bank of Canada in the Bank of Canada Review, in effect on the first day of January in the year that the interest is credited.
  •  The landlord must give the tenant an itemized statement of account for any part of the security deposit that is being retained by the landlord.

A landlord can retain all or part of the security deposit for repairs of damage caused by a tenant to the rental premises and for any debts of the rent

May the landlord request key money?

No, requiring any deposit other than a security deposit is prohibited.

May the landlord request post-dated cheques?

Yes, but tenants are not obliged to comply.

May a landlord refuse to rent to a tenant who has pets or smokes?

Yes