Residential Tenancies Act: Briefing Book - Michael Walker

Residential Tenancies Act, 2007
B R I E F I N G B O O K
Frequently Asked Questions
GENERAL – RESIDENTIAL TENANCIES ACT
Q: What is the Residential Tenancies Act (RTA)?
A: The RTA is provincial legislation that regulates rents in residential rental
buildings as well as aspects of the landlord/tenant relationship. It replaces the
Tenant Protection Act (TPA).
The RTA:
� provides protection for residential tenants from unlawful rent increases
and unlawful evictions;
� establishes a framework for rent regulation;
� balances the rights and responsibilities of residential landlords and tenants;
and
� provides for adjudication and other informal processes to resolve disputes.
Q: What are the key differences between the RTA and the TPA?
A: The RTA is mostly based on the TPA. However, some changes have been
introduced to the most controversial provisions of the old law, such as the default
eviction process and applications for above-guideline rent increases. Key changes
are discussed in the “Key Differences” section of this briefing book (page 31).
For more information about the differences between the RTA and TPA, please
contact the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing at 416-585-6511 for a
copy of the Residential Tenancies Act brochure or visit the Ministry’s website at
www.mah.gov.on.ca/userfiles/HTML/nts_1_28468_1.html. The brochure is
available in English, French, and ten other languages.
Q: Under the RTA, the Ontario Rental Housing Tribunal has been replaced by
the Landlord and Tenant Board. What are the key differences?
A: Effective January 31, 2007, the Ontario Rental Housing Tribunal became the
Landlord and Tenant Board. The new Board continues to provide information
about the legislation and to resolve disputes between most residential landlords
and tenants.
The intent of the new legislation was to make the operations of the new Board
fairer and more accessible than the previous system.
For example:
� Now when a tenant is subject to an eviction application, the tenant will
have a hearing without having to file a written dispute.
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