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
� The Federation of Metro Tenants’ Association (FMTA) will be offering
education workshops to tenant groups about tenant rights and obligations
under the RTA throughout 2007. For more information, please contact the
FMTA Outreach Coordinator at 416-413-9442.
� The FMTA runs a Tenant Hotline with trained staff who can explain
tenants’ rights and obligations, while providing advice on matters ranging
from rent increases to maintenance to eviction. Counselling Services are
available in 150 languages through the AT&T telephone interpreting
service. The Tenant Hotline can be reached at 416-921-9494.
� The FMTA produces the “Guide to Tenants’ Rights” booklet available at
www.torontotenants.org/guide.htm. The booklet is currently available in
English but plans are underway to translate it into 12 different languages.
The FMTA also updates the Tenant Survival Manual regularly. The 2007
Manual is being updated to reflect the changes in the RTA and will be
available later this year.
Landlords can contact the Landlord and Tenant Board at 416-645-8080 or visit
the Board’s website at www.ltb.gov.on.ca, or the Landlord’s Self-Help Centre
website at www.landlordselfhelp.com.
FOR TENANTS:
Q: I am about to move to a new rental apartment. Do I need to sign a lease? If
yes, what should I expect to have included?
A: The RTA does not require all landlords and tenants to have a written tenancy
agreement or lease. A tenancy agreement can be oral or written. However, it is
generally better to have it in writing because if there is a dispute later, a written
record of the agreement may help to settle the dispute.
A written lease agreement must set out the legal name and address of the landlord
so that you know where to send any notices or documents that are required under
the Act.
It may also contain information about:
� the date you will move into the rental unit;
� the rent amount;
� the date rent is to be paid;
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