Residential Tenancy Reform Consultation Paper

Introduction
RESIDENTIAL TENANCY REFORM CONSULTATION PAPER
Thank you for participating in the discussion on possible
reform of Ontario’s residential tenancy legislation.
The Ontario government has stated that it wishes to put
forward new legislation that would protect tenants and
encourage landlords to maintain and invest in rental
housing. We want your input on this proposed legislation.
How to share your views with us:
1. Fill out the multiple-choice questionnaire electronically
on our website: www.rentreform.ontario.ca. On this
site, you can also read this consultation paper, download
copies of the questionnaire in English, French or
any of 10 widely spoken languages, and find up-to-date
information about the consultation.
2. Mail or fax the questionnaire and/or written comments to:
Residential Tenancy Reform Consultation
Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing
Market Housing Branch
777 Bay Street, 14th Floor
Toronto ON, M5G 2E5
Phone: 416-645-8082 or toll-free 1-866-751-8082
Fax: 416-585-7607 or toll-free 1-888-846-8832
3. Attend one of the many town-hall meetings that will be
held across the province to express your views in person.
Dates and locations can be found on the website,
or by calling the phone number listed above.
Submissions must be received no later than June 15,
2004.
We want to know what you think. It is our responsibility
to make sure the system works for everyone, and the
Ontario government needs your ideas and visions. Tell us
how to make it work.
Principles for change
The Ontario government has stated its intention to
introduce legislation to repeal the current law, the Tenant
Protection Act, 1997, and introduce a new bill that would
provide real protection for tenants and, at the same time,
ensure an adequate stock of rental housing.
We want to consult with Ontarians about how to develop
proposed legislation to balance the interests of landlords
and tenants. This consultation paper is a starting point for
discussion on creating a fair system to address landlord
and tenant issues in Ontario.
• We intend to introduce legislation that would bring back
real rent control. If passed, this legislation would:
- eliminate vacancy de-control, which allows unlimited
rent increases when a tenant leaves;
- keep rent controls in place whenever vacancy rates are
below the threshold at which tenants have real choice;
- apply rent control measures on a regional basis. The
minimum threshold for lifting rent controls would
include a vacancy rate requirement in excess of three
per cent;
- protect tenants in situations of high vacancy rates
against landlords who attempt economic eviction by
way of selective, excessive increases; and,
- restructure procedural rules so that the process to file
grievances and respond to eviction applications at the
Ontario Rental Housing Tribunal is more fair and equitable
to tenants.
• The proposed legislation would ensure that municipalities
with low vacancy rates have the right to protect existing
rental housing from unreasonable demolition or conversion
to condominiums.
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