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Questions and Answers
Which major change occurred in January 2007 regarding landlord-tenant disputes in Ontario?
Which major change occurred in January 2007 regarding landlord-tenant disputes in Ontario?
What is one of the main functions of the Residential Tenancies Act, 2006?
What is one of the main functions of the Residential Tenancies Act, 2006?
Which aspect is NOT governed by the Residential Tenancies Act, 2006?
Which aspect is NOT governed by the Residential Tenancies Act, 2006?
What primary legal framework has been in place since 1975 regarding rent control for most rental units?
What primary legal framework has been in place since 1975 regarding rent control for most rental units?
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Which application type is primarily not addressed in the context of landlord-tenant relationships under the Residential Tenancies Act?
Which application type is primarily not addressed in the context of landlord-tenant relationships under the Residential Tenancies Act?
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What change did various boards accomplish before the establishment of the Landlord and Tenant Board in 2007?
What change did various boards accomplish before the establishment of the Landlord and Tenant Board in 2007?
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How does the Residential Tenancies Act, 2006 address lawful rent determination?
How does the Residential Tenancies Act, 2006 address lawful rent determination?
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Which of the following laws is not a part of the legislative framework governing residential rental housing?
Which of the following laws is not a part of the legislative framework governing residential rental housing?
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Which type of rental accommodation falls under the regulation of the Residential Tenancies Act (RTA)?
Which type of rental accommodation falls under the regulation of the Residential Tenancies Act (RTA)?
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What body is responsible for regulating landlord and tenant disputes under the RTA?
What body is responsible for regulating landlord and tenant disputes under the RTA?
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Which of the following is a possible application for the Landlord and Tenant Board?
Which of the following is a possible application for the Landlord and Tenant Board?
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Which of the following types of properties might have partial exemptions from the RTA's regulations?
Which of the following types of properties might have partial exemptions from the RTA's regulations?
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What type of claim can the Landlord and Tenant Board hear?
What type of claim can the Landlord and Tenant Board hear?
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What might trigger a rent reduction concerning landlord responsibilities?
What might trigger a rent reduction concerning landlord responsibilities?
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Which scenario could possibly lead to an above-guideline rent increase petition?
Which scenario could possibly lead to an above-guideline rent increase petition?
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What is a key feature of the Rules of Procedure and Practice issued by the Board?
What is a key feature of the Rules of Procedure and Practice issued by the Board?
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Which statement accurately describes Interpretation Guidelines issued by the Board?
Which statement accurately describes Interpretation Guidelines issued by the Board?
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How do decisions from other common law jurisdictions influence the Board's decisions?
How do decisions from other common law jurisdictions influence the Board's decisions?
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What is the significance of the published decisions by the Board?
What is the significance of the published decisions by the Board?
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Which body of law can be considered when analyzing sections adopted from the Tenant Protection Act?
Which body of law can be considered when analyzing sections adopted from the Tenant Protection Act?
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What do relevant texts contribute to the interpretation of case law?
What do relevant texts contribute to the interpretation of case law?
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What limitation exists regarding the Board's binding authority on member decisions?
What limitation exists regarding the Board's binding authority on member decisions?
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What must be true for the regulations enacted by the Ontario Cabinet to be considered valid under the Residential Tenancies Act?
What must be true for the regulations enacted by the Ontario Cabinet to be considered valid under the Residential Tenancies Act?
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How is the Residential Tenancies Act structured in terms of its organization?
How is the Residential Tenancies Act structured in terms of its organization?
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Which of the following accurately describes the nature of case law in the context of the Residential Tenancies Act?
Which of the following accurately describes the nature of case law in the context of the Residential Tenancies Act?
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Which entity is responsible for the amendment of the Residential Tenancies Act?
Which entity is responsible for the amendment of the Residential Tenancies Act?
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What is the significance of the LTB Guidelines in relation to landlord-tenant relationships?
What is the significance of the LTB Guidelines in relation to landlord-tenant relationships?
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Which statement about the relevant texts cited under the Residential Tenancies Act is correct?
Which statement about the relevant texts cited under the Residential Tenancies Act is correct?
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In what manner can the Ontario legislature impact the Residential Tenancies Act?
In what manner can the Ontario legislature impact the Residential Tenancies Act?
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What distinguishes the regulations from the rules under the Residential Tenancies Act?
What distinguishes the regulations from the rules under the Residential Tenancies Act?
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What is NOT considered a full exemption under the Residential Tenancies Act?
What is NOT considered a full exemption under the Residential Tenancies Act?
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Which of the following describes a situation where the Residential Tenancies Act might apply partially?
Which of the following describes a situation where the Residential Tenancies Act might apply partially?
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Full exemptions from the Residential Tenancies Act apply in which scenario?
Full exemptions from the Residential Tenancies Act apply in which scenario?
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Which of the following types of properties is granted an exemption under the Residential Tenancies Act?
Which of the following types of properties is granted an exemption under the Residential Tenancies Act?
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Which factor does NOT lead to a full exemption from the Residential Tenancies Act?
Which factor does NOT lead to a full exemption from the Residential Tenancies Act?
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When can partial exemptions apply under the Residential Tenancies Act?
When can partial exemptions apply under the Residential Tenancies Act?
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Which of the following statements about exemptions in the RTA is accurate?
Which of the following statements about exemptions in the RTA is accurate?
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Which situation describes a valid exemption from the Residential Tenancies Act?
Which situation describes a valid exemption from the Residential Tenancies Act?
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What criteria must a new rental unit meet to be exempt from rent control under s 6.1?
What criteria must a new rental unit meet to be exempt from rent control under s 6.1?
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Which type of accommodation is NOT subject to the Residential Tenancies Act as per the listed exemptions?
Which type of accommodation is NOT subject to the Residential Tenancies Act as per the listed exemptions?
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Under which conditions are units in detached houses exempt from rent control?
Under which conditions are units in detached houses exempt from rent control?
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What is one of the criteria for exemption from rent control in mobile home parks?
What is one of the criteria for exemption from rent control in mobile home parks?
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What determines whether an addition to a building is exempt from rent control?
What determines whether an addition to a building is exempt from rent control?
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Which of the following statements about partial exemptions under the Residential Tenancies Act is true?
Which of the following statements about partial exemptions under the Residential Tenancies Act is true?
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To qualify for rent control exemption, which of the following must apply to the owner of a rental unit in a building with two residential units?
To qualify for rent control exemption, which of the following must apply to the owner of a rental unit in a building with two residential units?
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Study Notes
Instructor Information
- Richard Lammers
- [email protected]
- 519-972-2727 x 4580
Course Overview
- Textbook: Working with the Residential Tenancies Act, Fifth Edition by John Dickie & David Lyman
- Syllabus: Will be provided
- Tribunal Hearing Project : Will be discussed in class
Course Content
- Overview of the Residential Tenancies Act (RTA) (Chapter 1)
- Legal Framework (Chapter 2)
- Determining if the RTA applies (Chapter 3)
- Review: Chapters 1, 2, and 3 should be reviewed before the next class
History of Landlord-Tenant Law
- Rent control was applied to most rental units from 1975.
- Federally appointed judges previously heard landlord-tenant disputes.
- In June 1998, the Ontario Rental Housing Tribunal heard landlord and tenant applications and rent control applications.
- In January 2007, the Ontario Rental Housing Tribunal was renamed the Landlord and Tenant Board (the Board).
Aspects Governed by the Residential Tenancies Act, 2006
- The Residential Tenancies Act, 2006 (RTA) governs all aspects of residential tenancies in Ontario.
- The RTA covers the tenancy agreement, eviction proceedings, assignments, sub-lets, lawful rent determination, and rent increases.
Types of Applications in Landlord-Tenant Relationships
- Applications regarding termination: These include non-payment of rent, inappropriate behavior, or failure to leave after notice.
- Applications regarding rent abatement: This can include rent reduction due to inadequate maintenance.
Applications Concerning Rent Amounts
- Applications for above-guideline rent increases.
- Applications for rent reduction due to the landlord removing a service or facility.
The Board
- The Landlord and Tenant Board, known as the Board, is appointed by the Ontario government under the RTA.
- The board has offices across Ontario, including three in Toronto.
- The board can hear a landlord’s claim against a former tenant.
Residential Tenancies Act (RTA)
- The Residential Tenancies Act, 2006 (RTA) outlines the primary regulations for residential tenancies in Ontario
- The RTA was enacted by the Ontario legislature and can only be changed by the Ontario legislature
- It is divided into parts I to XIX, and each part is further divided into sections numbered consecutively
- The RTA can be found in Appendix A of the textbook.
Regulations
- Regulations are enacted by the Ontario Cabinet and do not need legislative approval
- Regulations can only be made if authorized by the RTA.
- For example, Section 241(1) of the RTA provides authorization to create a regulation for services under Section 123(1)
- The relevant regulations are found in Appendix B.
Rules of Procedure and Practice Directions
- The Board (Rules and Guidelines Committee) is responsible for creating Rules of Procedure and Practice Directions
- Such directions are designed to address procedural issues, such as representation by a lawyer or other legal professional
- The Rules of Procedure and Practice Directions are found in Appendix C.
Interpretation Guidelines
- Interpretation Guidelines are "non-binding" and are issued by the Board. These guidelines suggest how regulations, rules, and the RTA should be interpreted and used.
- They cover topics such as awarding costs, rescheduling applications, and issues that arise in eviction applications.
- The Interpretation Guidelines are found in Appendix D.
Case Law
- Case law refers to the decisions made by the Landlord and Tenant Board (LTB) on specific cases
- These decisions are reported in legal databases online.
- The LTB publishes their decisions when they help to clarify the RTA's meaning
- Individual decisions by the LTB are not binding on other LTB members
Case Law (Continued)
- The RTA features sections that were adapted from the Tenant Protection Act
- Case law from the Ontario Courts dealing with tenant protection sections may be relevant
- Decisions from the Divisional Court or Court of Appeal are binding on the LTB
- Decisions from common law jurisdictions (e.g. UK, Australia, New Zealand, US) can be persuasive
Relevant Texts
- Legal texts can be persuasive sources of law
- Legal texts often collect and summarise case law on specific subjects
- Legal text authors often provide opinions on conflicting case law
- Legal texts can address issues that haven't been covered in court decisions yet
Does the RTA Apply?
- Residential Tenancies Act (RTA) applies to all residential units in Ontario unless there is a specific exemption
- Exemptions exist because the particular use of the property does not fall under the definitions of rented residential premises, or a specific exemption is listed under the RTA
- Exemptions can be full, meaning no rules in the RTA apply, or partial, meaning some rules apply
Full Exemptions
- The RTA does not apply to the following types of uses:
- Commercial uses
- Rentals to employees
- Rentals at institutions
- "Tenants" who are actually owners
- Some educational institutions
- Situations of close contact
Partial Exemptions
- The following uses have partial exemptions:
- New construction or new rentals
- Partial institutional exemptions
- Public housing
- Other educational institutions
New Construction or New Rentals
- Until May 30, 2017 buildings first occupied after November 1, 1991 were exempt from rent control
- Current exemptions from rent increases apply to rentals if, according to section 6.1:
- The unit is located in a building, mobile home park, or land lease community, of which no part was occupied for residential purposes on or before November 15, 2018
- It is an addition to a building, mobile home park, or land lease community, and no part of the addition was occupied for residential purposes on or before November 15, 2018
- The unit is not subject to a tenancy agreement that was entered into before November 15, 2018
- Units in detached, semi-detached, and row houses are exempt from rent control regulations under certain conditions:
- The housing contained not more than two residential units before November 15, 2018
- The rental unit met certain facility requirements
- Either the owner(s) lived in another residential unit in the housing, or the rental unit was, immediately prior, an unfinished space
Partial Institutional Exemptions
- Numerous sections of the RTA do not apply to:
- Accommodation that is subject to the Homes for Special Care Act, or the Services and Supports to Promote the Social Inclusion of Persons with Developmental Disabilities Act
- A building owned, operated, or administered by a religious institution for a charitable use on a non-profit basis
Studying That Suits You
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Description
Test your knowledge on the key concepts of the Residential Tenancies Act, focusing on Chapters 1 to 3. This quiz covers the legal framework and the applicability of the Act, providing an essential review before moving forward in your course. Prepare effectively for your Tribunal Hearing Project and enhance your understanding of residential tenancies.