With September and back-to-school season around the corner, here are some useful tips for first-time student renters. Remember that students can either get free legal help from a Community Legal clinic or call our tenant hotline at 416-921-9494!
Never Pay Rent in Cash!
The landlord must provide you their Full Name and Mailing Address
Don’t rent a room where you share the kitchen and/or bathroom with the landlord or the landlord’s children. You will have no protection under the law!
The landlord can’t evict you- just because they feel like it!
Rent is rent. Maintenance is maintenance. Don’t withhold rent if maintenance isn’t done
Damage deposits are illegal!
Write it down! Talking to your landlord is good, but having a paper trail is much better.
The landlord cannot tell you How to pay the rent.
Always pay your rent in full and on time. If you are late by a day or short a dollar, it leaves you open to the risk of an eviction.
Don’t sign a lease with other tenants. You might end up having to pay their share. Instead try and get your own lease.
Assign your lease if you are at the end of your lease term and don’t intend to return. The landlord cannot arbitrarily prevent you from doing this.
Take photos of your apartment before moving in and before moving out to document its condition. Remember to timestamp your pictures!
You can always read the full article that appeared in Now Magazine by visiting:
https://nowtoronto.com/news/legal-tips-for-student-renters-reasonable-doubt/