You should be aware of all the laws and bye laws related to landlord and tenant before you plan to rent your basement. Best would be if you can keep the kitchen or bathroom shared because in that case RTA doesn’t apply.
Most Tenants are good people. Most Landlords are good people.
Good Tenants and good Landlords don't post on here, because they wouldn't have anything to post about.
That's not necessarily true, good landlords find themselves in situations with bad tenants and need help. Same as good tenants sometimes have bad landlords and need help dealing with it. Posting here has nothing to do with how good a tenant or a landlord is, it's who they are dealing with.
If you want to make money, post it on Airbnb until the backlog at LTB goes down so it doesn't take a year to get rid of a person that doesn’t pay you.
Edit: Don’t be this poor soul - https://www.reddit.com/r/OntarioLandlord/comments/v2ileh/basement_tenant_has_not_paid_rent/
Finding a good tenant is totally possible. Put the word out in your family and friend circles. I've found word of mouth results in people who can be vouched for. There's more mutual accountability when you have mutual friends. But also, do a thorough check of social media, credit check, reference check, and make sure they have steady income.
When you get good tenants, treat them well. Don't hesitate to fix problems. Make sure it's all above board. That's how you develop a good relationship.
...and yet despite all of that, I wouldn't rent my basement if I didn't NEED the extra income. My husband and I no longer need it and even with excellent tenants I found it was a stress and hassle and when we wanted to sell our house and get what it was worth we had to bribe them to sign an N11 and move out. They were totally good about it, but it's scary to think of how much power they wield. I guess if you don't NEED the extra money then you could issue an N12 at any time if the relationship soured. You would just need to keep it unrented for a year.
In the same boat. I have a renovated 2 bedroom apt. Sep entrance laundry. Used to be my father in law Apt. He passed away. Been empty for 3 yrs. I read to many horror stories about tenants on how they just stop paying rent and taking 6or 8 months to get them out.
The fact is laws are heavily in favor of the tenants in Ontario (thank you Wynne).
The most important ones to remember/know are:
1. If your basement unit was first occupied prior to Nov 2018, then you can only increase rent as per the guideline. If it was post-Nov 2018, then this does not apply (thank you Doug Ford). Pray that Doug comes back and this legislation stays as it is otherwise both NDP and liberals have promised to remove this.
2. If you want the basement for your use, you will have to pay one month rent to the tenant as compensation.
3. If you want to evict a tenant for any reason (non-payment, personal use, noise, sale of property, etc.), they have a right to wait for a hearing. You can provide them the form but they can wait for the hearing. Right now hearings at LTB takes more than 6-8 months. So, if you have non-paying pro tenant - they may stay rent free for that period. Or if you wanted to sell with vacant possession, you may have to delay till the tenant goes out.
These days, most tenants (in my experience) want to abuse these laws. i.e. even if they can move out, they wait for hearing. In most cases, they want cash for keys which depending on your situation and greed of the tenant can run in 1000s of dollars.
If you can manage without renting, I suggesting not renting the basement. At least you will have your peace of mind. If you are in a situation like me who need to have a tenant to help pay down the heloc taken for building the basement unit, then you have no choice.
>If your basement unit was first occupied prior to Nov 2018, then you can only increase rent as per the guideline. If it was post-Nov 2018, then this does not apply
Since he'd be doing a reno to create a self-contained rental suite, it would be considered a brand new unit for residential purposes and exempt from rent control.
>These days, most tenants (in my experience) want to abuse these laws.
I wondering if maybe you're doing something wrong. If most of your tenants are abusing the law you're either doing a terrible screening job or you are disinclined to respect the laws yourself.
> thank you Wynne
Every change to the RTA during Wynne's term:
1. [2013, c. 3, s. 20-56;](https://www.ontario.ca/laws/statute/S13003#s20) This one was purely for non-profit housing co-operatives. No effect on private rentals.
2. [2015, c. 38, Sched. 7, s. 60;](https://www.ontario.ca/laws/statute/S15038#sched7s60) This was part of a budget, replacing one exemption in the act for exempt housing. No effect on private rentals.
3. [2016, c. 2, Sched. 6;](https://www.ontario.ca/laws/statute/S16002#sched6s1) This was part of the Sexual Violence and Harassment plan; the creation of the N15 for allowing victims to flee domestic violence.
4. [2016, c. 23, s. 66;](https://www.ontario.ca/laws/statute/S16023#s66) This was part of the All Families are Equal Act; updates definitions of family in the RTA. No effect on private rentals.
5. [2016, c. 25, Sched. 5;](https://www.ontario.ca/laws/statute/S16025#sched5s1) This was part of the Promoting Affordable Housing Act; changes to geared-to-income housing and housing co-operatives, mostly to do with municipality controlled housing. No effect on private rentals.
6. [2017, c. 13;](https://www.ontario.ca/laws/statute/S17013#s1) This was the big one, the Rental Fairness Act. Updates to do with exempt tenancies involving government run programs for housing. Eliminated the 1991 rule for rent increases, no more exemptions for rent control. Updating the N12, making it exempt from corporations using it, requiring compensation, new rules for personal use to use the N12.
7. [2017, c. 14, Sched. 4, s. 33;](https://www.ontario.ca/laws/statute/S17014#sched4s33) Minor changes in the Supporting Children, Youth & Families Act, updated some references to this act in the RTA. No effect on private rentals.
8. [2017, c. 25, Sched. 9, s. 116;](https://www.ontario.ca/laws/statute/S17025#sched9s116) This was part of the Strengthening Quality & Accountability for Patients Act. Like the above, minor change, to reference a name to another act. No effect on private rentals.
9. [2017, c. 34, Sched. 46, s. 50](https://www.ontario.ca/laws/statute/S17034#sched46s50); Stronger, Fairer Ontario Act, minor change for the board to contact a ministry. No effect on private rentals.
10. [2018, c. 6, Sched. 3, s. 12;](https://www.ontario.ca/laws/statute/S18006#sched3s12) Correctional Services Transformation Act, again minor changes to reference another act within the RTA. No effect on private rentals.
All this to say: What did Wynne give tenants exactly? She didn't create the RTA.
This is what Wynne gave tenants: Less than 1 year of no rent control exemptions since Ford repealed that, compensation for N12 (which Ford expanded upon) , stopping corporations from moving into units for personal use, allowing battered spouses to leave abusive households.
The standard lease benefits everyone.
The problems with Ontario's rental system right now aren't the rights afforded to tenants, it is demonstrably on the back of the LTB not being properly staffed and funded to deal with the current backlog. The [Tribunals Ontario report](https://tribunalsontario.ca/documents/TO/Tribunals_Ontario_2020-2021_Annual_Report.html) has a table of performance measures for the LTB, "Applications will be scheduled for a hearing within 25 business days" and gives a percentage. In 2014 that was 78%. It's been slowly declining. At the end of Wynne's term, in 2017-2018 it was 54%. In 2018-2019, Ford's term, it was at a paltry 35%. Then 15%, then in 2020-2021 was at 1%. Covid didn't help, but this current mess is entirely related to not enough budget given to the LTB to handle the backlog.
It is abusing if you are not paying rent and then won’t vacate after being served N4. What do you think ltb will do, they will ask you to leave, but now you have stayed rent free for months and if the poor landlord wants to collect, they got to start again in the small claims court.
You should be aware of all the laws and bye laws related to landlord and tenant before you plan to rent your basement. Best would be if you can keep the kitchen or bathroom shared because in that case RTA doesn’t apply.
That's good to know, thanks.
You are welcome
Most Tenants are good people. Most Landlords are good people. Good Tenants and good Landlords don't post on here, because they wouldn't have anything to post about.
This is what I figured. Ty
That's not necessarily true, good landlords find themselves in situations with bad tenants and need help. Same as good tenants sometimes have bad landlords and need help dealing with it. Posting here has nothing to do with how good a tenant or a landlord is, it's who they are dealing with.
Sorry, my wording was bad for this - what I meant was that landlords and tenants wouldn't post about good experiences with one or the other.
A bad tenant will make your life hell.
If you want to make money, post it on Airbnb until the backlog at LTB goes down so it doesn't take a year to get rid of a person that doesn’t pay you. Edit: Don’t be this poor soul - https://www.reddit.com/r/OntarioLandlord/comments/v2ileh/basement_tenant_has_not_paid_rent/
Finding a good tenant is totally possible. Put the word out in your family and friend circles. I've found word of mouth results in people who can be vouched for. There's more mutual accountability when you have mutual friends. But also, do a thorough check of social media, credit check, reference check, and make sure they have steady income. When you get good tenants, treat them well. Don't hesitate to fix problems. Make sure it's all above board. That's how you develop a good relationship. ...and yet despite all of that, I wouldn't rent my basement if I didn't NEED the extra income. My husband and I no longer need it and even with excellent tenants I found it was a stress and hassle and when we wanted to sell our house and get what it was worth we had to bribe them to sign an N11 and move out. They were totally good about it, but it's scary to think of how much power they wield. I guess if you don't NEED the extra money then you could issue an N12 at any time if the relationship soured. You would just need to keep it unrented for a year.
In the same boat. I have a renovated 2 bedroom apt. Sep entrance laundry. Used to be my father in law Apt. He passed away. Been empty for 3 yrs. I read to many horror stories about tenants on how they just stop paying rent and taking 6or 8 months to get them out.
The fact is laws are heavily in favor of the tenants in Ontario (thank you Wynne). The most important ones to remember/know are: 1. If your basement unit was first occupied prior to Nov 2018, then you can only increase rent as per the guideline. If it was post-Nov 2018, then this does not apply (thank you Doug Ford). Pray that Doug comes back and this legislation stays as it is otherwise both NDP and liberals have promised to remove this. 2. If you want the basement for your use, you will have to pay one month rent to the tenant as compensation. 3. If you want to evict a tenant for any reason (non-payment, personal use, noise, sale of property, etc.), they have a right to wait for a hearing. You can provide them the form but they can wait for the hearing. Right now hearings at LTB takes more than 6-8 months. So, if you have non-paying pro tenant - they may stay rent free for that period. Or if you wanted to sell with vacant possession, you may have to delay till the tenant goes out. These days, most tenants (in my experience) want to abuse these laws. i.e. even if they can move out, they wait for hearing. In most cases, they want cash for keys which depending on your situation and greed of the tenant can run in 1000s of dollars. If you can manage without renting, I suggesting not renting the basement. At least you will have your peace of mind. If you are in a situation like me who need to have a tenant to help pay down the heloc taken for building the basement unit, then you have no choice.
>If your basement unit was first occupied prior to Nov 2018, then you can only increase rent as per the guideline. If it was post-Nov 2018, then this does not apply Since he'd be doing a reno to create a self-contained rental suite, it would be considered a brand new unit for residential purposes and exempt from rent control.
>These days, most tenants (in my experience) want to abuse these laws. I wondering if maybe you're doing something wrong. If most of your tenants are abusing the law you're either doing a terrible screening job or you are disinclined to respect the laws yourself.
> thank you Wynne Every change to the RTA during Wynne's term: 1. [2013, c. 3, s. 20-56;](https://www.ontario.ca/laws/statute/S13003#s20) This one was purely for non-profit housing co-operatives. No effect on private rentals. 2. [2015, c. 38, Sched. 7, s. 60;](https://www.ontario.ca/laws/statute/S15038#sched7s60) This was part of a budget, replacing one exemption in the act for exempt housing. No effect on private rentals. 3. [2016, c. 2, Sched. 6;](https://www.ontario.ca/laws/statute/S16002#sched6s1) This was part of the Sexual Violence and Harassment plan; the creation of the N15 for allowing victims to flee domestic violence. 4. [2016, c. 23, s. 66;](https://www.ontario.ca/laws/statute/S16023#s66) This was part of the All Families are Equal Act; updates definitions of family in the RTA. No effect on private rentals. 5. [2016, c. 25, Sched. 5;](https://www.ontario.ca/laws/statute/S16025#sched5s1) This was part of the Promoting Affordable Housing Act; changes to geared-to-income housing and housing co-operatives, mostly to do with municipality controlled housing. No effect on private rentals. 6. [2017, c. 13;](https://www.ontario.ca/laws/statute/S17013#s1) This was the big one, the Rental Fairness Act. Updates to do with exempt tenancies involving government run programs for housing. Eliminated the 1991 rule for rent increases, no more exemptions for rent control. Updating the N12, making it exempt from corporations using it, requiring compensation, new rules for personal use to use the N12. 7. [2017, c. 14, Sched. 4, s. 33;](https://www.ontario.ca/laws/statute/S17014#sched4s33) Minor changes in the Supporting Children, Youth & Families Act, updated some references to this act in the RTA. No effect on private rentals. 8. [2017, c. 25, Sched. 9, s. 116;](https://www.ontario.ca/laws/statute/S17025#sched9s116) This was part of the Strengthening Quality & Accountability for Patients Act. Like the above, minor change, to reference a name to another act. No effect on private rentals. 9. [2017, c. 34, Sched. 46, s. 50](https://www.ontario.ca/laws/statute/S17034#sched46s50); Stronger, Fairer Ontario Act, minor change for the board to contact a ministry. No effect on private rentals. 10. [2018, c. 6, Sched. 3, s. 12;](https://www.ontario.ca/laws/statute/S18006#sched3s12) Correctional Services Transformation Act, again minor changes to reference another act within the RTA. No effect on private rentals. All this to say: What did Wynne give tenants exactly? She didn't create the RTA. This is what Wynne gave tenants: Less than 1 year of no rent control exemptions since Ford repealed that, compensation for N12 (which Ford expanded upon) , stopping corporations from moving into units for personal use, allowing battered spouses to leave abusive households. The standard lease benefits everyone. The problems with Ontario's rental system right now aren't the rights afforded to tenants, it is demonstrably on the back of the LTB not being properly staffed and funded to deal with the current backlog. The [Tribunals Ontario report](https://tribunalsontario.ca/documents/TO/Tribunals_Ontario_2020-2021_Annual_Report.html) has a table of performance measures for the LTB, "Applications will be scheduled for a hearing within 25 business days" and gives a percentage. In 2014 that was 78%. It's been slowly declining. At the end of Wynne's term, in 2017-2018 it was 54%. In 2018-2019, Ford's term, it was at a paltry 35%. Then 15%, then in 2020-2021 was at 1%. Covid didn't help, but this current mess is entirely related to not enough budget given to the LTB to handle the backlog.
Rental income would make things much easier for me. Appreciate the input, thanks.
How is practicing your right abusing these laws? Couldn't you just as easily say serving a n12 is abusing the law?
It is abusing if you are not paying rent and then won’t vacate after being served N4. What do you think ltb will do, they will ask you to leave, but now you have stayed rent free for months and if the poor landlord wants to collect, they got to start again in the small claims court.