Who is protected by the Residential Tenancies Act?
The Residential Tenancies Act is an Act that establishes rights and responsibilities for tenants and landlords, and it applies to most rental housing arrangements in Ontario, including:
- Homes
- Apartments
- Mobile homes
- Retirement homes
- Some, but not all, rooms
The Residential Tenancies Act does not apply to all living arrangements though. Some exceptions include:
- Those who share kitchen or bathroom facilities with the owner or the owner’s family
- Those who rent and live in a space for both business and living (e.g., a store with an apartment attached)
- Those in seasonal or temporary housing (e.g., hotels, campground, lodge, etc.)
- Some shared living arrangements (e.g., where roommates are not all on the lease)
- Some community/social housing arrangements
Someone living in a type of arrangement that is exempt from the Act will not be protected by it, and they can be evicted without notice and without a hearing.
How You Can Help: If your client isn’t sure whether their living arrangement falls under the scope of the Residential Tenancies Act, refer them to a legal clinic.
