Ontario introduces legislation for rent control and eviction protection

"We can’t stand by and watch as people in Ontario face dramatic rent increases and remain vulnerable to unfair practices. Our bold and comprehensive package of reforms will help make everyday life more predictable and affordable for people as they continue to put down roots in the communities they love," said Chris Ballard, Minister of Housing and Minister Responsible for the Poverty Reduction Strategy.

Proposal of rent control, an important part of Ontario's Fair Housing Plan, if passed, would apply to rent increase notices on or after April 20, 2017.

The legislation also included: the need of a standard lease to preserve the rights of both parties; would give eviction protection to tenants; prevent unauthorized charges from former tenants, preventing landlords to increase rents in buildings lacking elevator maintenance orders; encouraging landlords to make their buildings more energy efficient to lessen the burden of carbon costs on tenants.

With the aim to ending chronic homelessness by 2025, Ontario is making the transitional housing system stronger and is giving them an exempt of four years from Residential Tenancies Act, as long as written tenancy agreements exists to protected the rights of both the landlords and the tenants.

Rental units in residential buildings first occupied on or after November 1, 1991 are exempted, by the Residential Tenancies Act, from the annual rent increase guideline.

(Reporting by Asha Bajaj)