Renting a dwelling must be accompanied by the execution of relevant documents. In the Province of Ontario, landlords must sign the Ontario Standard Lease with tenants when renting premises. Read about the features of this form and the nuances of filling it out below.
What Is the Ontario Standard Lease Agreement?
The Ontario Standard Lease Agreement is a 13-page document. Of these, seven sheets are the main part, and the rest are appendices containing basic information about the relationship between landlords and tenants. In this paper, the parties obligations and rights, the terms of the premises lease, and the agreement duration are recorded in writing.
Who Must Use the Standard Ontario Lease?
The government requires small and large landlords to use the Standard Ontario Lease template when renting out residential properties, which include condominiums, single and semi-detached houses, apartment buildings, and secondary units. The document must be completed by the premises’ owners and signed by them and all residents who will live there. It fixes the right of tenants to occupy the premises for a specified period, designates the obligations and rights of all parties, and provides protection in the event of litigation.
How to Fill Out the Ontario Standard Lease?
The main part of the Standard Lease Agreement Ontario consists of 17 sections:
Section 1: List all the people involved and enter their personal details.
Section 2: Fill in the details of the property you rent: the exact address and information about parking spaces.
Section 3: Add the lessor’s contact details: full residence address, email, and phone number.
Section 4: Specify the lease duration. You can set an exact date or choose the recurring mode when the Ontario Standard Form Lease should be reviewed weekly, monthly, etc.
Section 5: Enter info about the cost and acceptable payment methods.
Section 6: List all utilities and services included. It can be laundry, gas, guest parking, etc. It should also indicate which of the parties’ representatives should pay for such basic utilities as electricity, heating, and water supply. If there is no one you need among the selected options, write it in a separate field.
Section 7: If you, as a lessor, are ready to give residents a discount, describe the details in this block.
Section 8: You can also ask for an advanced payment; its details should be described in the eighth section. If a rent deposit is not requested, it should also be specified.
Section 9: When keys, remote entry devices, and other accessories are used to enter a territory, the landlord may request a deposit for these items. The amount will not be refunded to the lessee in case of loss or damage to devices after the rental period expires.
Section 10: The Ontario Standard Lease Agreement should specify the landlord’s attitude towards smoking in a separate clause. If it is allowed to do it, specific rules should be prescribed.
Section 11: Although renter’s insurance is not required in Ontario, you can request it when signing the agreement.
Section 12: There are no fields to fill in this paragraph. The lessee should familiarize themselves with and agree to the rule not to make significant changes to the furnishings of the premises without the lessor’s permission.
Section 13: This block also requires only the parties’ consent to maintain order on the premises following established procedures.
Section 14: Subleases must be made only with the landlord’s consent. Details regarding this matter are described in the appendix; you don’t need to fill in anything here.
Section 15: The Standard Lease Form Ontario provides for adjustments in this section. If the lessor has additional requirements or terms (for example, regarding sublease and other issues), they should write them in the attachment.
Section 16: It states that changes to the contract can only be made with the consent of all parties to the agreement.
Section 17: The landlord and all tenants must sign the completed document after reviewing all addenda.
This template also includes the Appendix: General Information, which essentially explains in detail the rights and responsibilities of all participants (nothing needs to be filled out).
What’s Not Allowed on a Lease?
Although the standard form provides certain modifications, some things cannot be specified in the Lease. In particular, the lessor cannot refuse residents to accommodate guests, demand compensation for repairs that, according to the rules, are considered the owner’s responsibility, request additional payment not provided for in the standard agreement, and ban pets (unless it’s specified in the condominium rules).
It is not an exhaustive list of items, and it may vary. Therefore, when drawing up an attachment with additional requirements, it is best to consult with lawyers specializing in this area. Besides, you can’t use this form to rent out space from mobile home parks, care homes, and some other forms of housing accommodation.
Final Words
The Lease Agreement is a mandatory document that must be signed by both parties when renting out premises. Moreover, all participants should have copies of the agreement; landlords have 21 days by law to deliver a copy to recipients after signing the contract. Since this paper has legal weight, it should be filled out with the utmost care.