Renters in Uxbridge - heads up on new rules for landlords and tenants

Roger Varley, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Some major changes to Ontario’s Residential Tenancies Act (RTA) came into effect on Monday which both renters and local landlords should be aware of. The changes mostly address the subject of evictions.

For example, if a tenant falls behind in their rent, they now have only seven days, instead of 14 days, to pay. If they don’t, the landlord can apply for an eviction.

“Persistent late payment” is now defined as rent being paid more than seven days late on at least three different occasions over any six-month period.

A landlord who evicts a tenant for their own or their family’s personal use with at least 120 days notice no longer has to provide the tenant with compensation or offer an alternative unit. If a landlord evicts a tenant for personal use, the intended new occupant has to move in within 60 days, or the eviction will be presumed to be in bad faith.