Knowing your rights as a renter
AFTER LIVING IN an apartment for a few months, you might start to notice cracks in the wall, broken water heaters, or just the fact that your new place is freezing. While some students are lucky enough to get responsible landlords, some people will have to deal with difficult situations. Read on for your rights and responsibilities as a tenant.
Repairs
Any facet of the housing unit that needs repair goes through the landlord or property management, so be sure to have their numbers handy for times of crisis. If your landlord doesn’t come to your rescue in a reasonable amount of time, the City of Ottawa is there for you. The city will protect and enforce the maintenance of the property.
“A landlord has a positive obligation to keep the apartment in a good state of repair,” said Anna Colombo, a review counselor from the University of Ottawa’s Community Legal Clinic.
“The landlord is responsible for making sure the apartment complex complies with health, safety, housing, and maintenance standards.”
The tenant is legally obliged to keep the unit in an “ordinary” standard of cleanness—this means your pigsty cannot develop into a biohazard.
So underneath the name and number of your landlord, add the city’s email address: [email protected] and their telephone number, 3-1-1. Don’t sit and wait for weeks on end in the winter for your hot water to be fixed.
Landlord problems
The Government of Ontario’s Landlord and Tenant Board is an invaluable resource in knowing your rights as a tenant. For example, in most cases, the landlord must provide 24-hours written notice to enter the house. It is not a landlord’s right to show up unannounced and let himself in without the tenant’s knowledge.
“If students come in and say, ‘I’m having a hard time with my landlord,‘ basically I tell [the tenant] you need to communicate with them,” said Michelle Ferland, the off-campus housing manager at the U of O. “If that fails, they have to go to the landlord and tenant board. It’s a long process, so communicating right away [is important].”
The Landlord and Tenant Act for Ontario can be found at http://www.ltb.gov.on.ca/. It includes a list of scenarios and laws that outline the tenant’s rights and those of the landlord.
Evictions
Evictions are scary, whatever the circumstances. Be protected. Another resource that includes the sections of the laws that outline the eviction process can be found at http://www.ontariotenants.ca. These are some of the most important laws for tenants to know before going into a lease agreement. Be aware: It is possible to be evicted in the dead of winter.
It’s important to contact the city immediately to make sure your landlord’s notice is in accordance with the law. You should also find a list of social service agencies and advocacy groups that offer help and advice to find you a temporary housing solution, which can be found at http://ottawa.ontariotenants.ca. Lastly, get legal representation. The site includes a list of Ottawa’s legal services to citizens. The University of Ottawa Community Legal Clinic is also a great resource for those in need.
“The University of Ottawa Community Legal Clinic provides free legal advice to undergraduate students, and to graduate students and the general public who qualify for our services.” explained Colombo.
—Kevin McCormick
