Common Landlord Lease Mistakes (and How to Avoid Them)

Each province has specific landlord-tenant legislation. A generic or outdated lease may include unenforceable clauses — or miss required disclosures. In Ontario, use the current provincially mandated Standard Lease Form.

Any clause that attempts to waive tenant rights protected by law (e.g., the right to assign, the right to maintenance) is automatically void. Including them doesn't give you extra protection — it just makes your lease look unreliable.

Ontario landlords can only collect a rent deposit (equal to the last period's rent). Collecting a separate 'damage deposit' is illegal. Returning it doesn't protect you — you must understand the difference from the start.

Vague language like 'tenant responsible for utilities' can create disputes. Specify exactly which utilities are the tenant's responsibility and which are included in rent.

An oral tenancy is still a legal tenancy, but without a written lease, disputes about terms are nearly impossible to resolve in your favor. Always get everything in writing.

Without a move-in inspection report (signed by both parties), it's difficult to prove pre-existing damage. Do a written inspection with photos before handing over keys.

Ontario landlords must give at least 24 hours' written notice before entering a rental unit (with limited exceptions for emergencies). Shorter notice periods in the lease are unenforceable.

In Ontario, lease clauses that prohibit pets are void under the Residential Tenancies Act. You can include reasonable pet terms, but a blanket ban won't hold up.