Your Rights as a Tenant

Most of us might have experienced rental situations. In an ideal scenario, tenants and landlords live in harmony. But, sometimes, disagreements crop up. The landlord and tenant regulations vary quite a bit across Canada. It depends on the government department in each province. If you need assistance with talking to your landlord about certain issues, you can get in touch with the government via phone or through their website. You can also call up the consumer affairs office. Let’s discuss the rights of a tenant.

Legal Protection

You will be legally protected when you rent out a property. Tenant right give a clear framework of what is expected from the tenant and the landlord. It is likely that you will be presented with this document when you have finalized a property and want to take the next step. Never sign the tenancy agreement without reading it in detail. Since the rules change from province to province, make sure you are aware of them and that they have been made part of the document.

Discrimination

A landlord cannot discriminate against the tenant because of their ethnicity, race, sex, age, religion, sexual orientation, disability, or marital status. This is illegal and the tenant can file a complaint in case of finding themselves in such a situation. It is not only illegal but also highly disturbing and insulting. These are the things to keep in mind before you move in.

Once you move in, ensure you have a copy of all the paperwork and documents, such as notice of your landlord’s legal name and address, tenancy agreement, and rent receipts. You should be handed a copy within the first few days of you moving in. However, if not, you need to ask your landlord. These are important documents and you, as the tenant, have the right to request a copy from your landlord.

Clean and Safe Home

As the tenant, you also have the right to expect a clean home when you first move in. The landlord is responsible for all maintenance and repairs. You have the right to a safe home. Even if you were aware of any issues within the house before you moved in, it is still the landlord’s responsibility to fix it up. The landlord also needs to provide access to cold and hot water in addition to other basic utilities like fuel and electricity. The payment for these utilities can be made by you, the tenant, or the landlord. Even if you have failed to pay rent, these basic utilities cannot be shut off.

Privacy

Regarding privacy, most landlords are very polite and respect the tenant’s privacy. They cannot enter the house unless invited. The only times when they can enter is when they have good reasons, such as to make repairs. You will also be protected if the owner tries to evict you from the house. The tenant can get a hearing with the Landlord and Tenant Board. It is acceptable if the owner increases the rent once a year. However, the increase should be reasonable. Be aware of your legal rights as a tenant.

If you are interested in finding an investment property OR are tired of renting, get in touch with The Ramahi Real Estate Group and find your dream property!