Across Canada, the Residential Tenancies Act (RTA) governs tenant protections. These laws may differ across provinces and territories, with each jurisdiction having its own version. These differences usually arise because the laws are tailored to local needs.
Core rights of tenants under the Residential Tenancies Act
These laws set out the core rights for renters. Key tenant rights are consistent across most provinces and territories.
Security of tenure
Tenants have the right to stay in their unit till a legal termination process occurs. If landlords want to evict tenants, they must have valid reasons and follow a formal procedure. This typically happens via a residential tenancy board or tribunal.
Rent control and increase rules
Most provinces regulate how often and by how much rent can be increased. This rule is in place to protect tenants from sudden or excessive price hikes. The limits and frequency vary across provinces.
Maintenance and repairs
Landlords must maintain their rental property in a safe and habitable condition, according to health and safety standards. Tenants can request repairs as needed. If landlords fail to maintain standards, tenants can, in some cases and provinces, withhold rent or apply to tenancy boards.
Right to quiet enjoyment
Tenants must be allowed to live without unreasonable interference or disturbance from landlords or others. This includes restrictions on landlord entry: they must give proper notice before entering the property.
Freedom from harassment
Landlord harassment, illegal lockouts, and unlawful evictions are prohibited. If renters are dealing with such circumstances, they can seek remedies through regulatory bodies or tribunals.
Security deposit and return
In most provinces, there are rules to regulate the collection, use, and timely return of deposits. In some provinces, they are called damage or security deposits.
Right to information and lease terms
Tenants have the right to receive a written lease agreement with clear terms of lease and relevant information. This should include information on their rights and responsibilities.
How to address violations as a renter
Some common avenues to explore:
- Document evidence and communicate with your landlord in writing.
- Contact your local tenancy board and/or tribunal to file disputes.
- Contact provincial or territorial rental enforcement or consumer protection agencies.
- Consult with tenancy advocacy services or community legal clinics, as they may be able to provide relevant advice.
If you’re dealing with anti-competitive practices such as rental price-fixing, you can contact the federal Competition Bureau. They enforce nationwide laws against illegal coordination between landlords and/or property managers.
How the tribunal process works
First, the tenant or landlord submits an application to the provincial body. The tribunal will assign a date for the hearing, and both parties can present their case with supporting evidence, if any. An arbitrator or adjudicator will make a final binding decision. The tribunal can also order compensation, repair, or other remedies.
Be prepared for delays, though. Landlord-tenant tribunals across Canada often have long wait times to get a hearing, and longer to receive a decision. Sometimes this wait could be several months or even longer! That’s why it’s important to start the process early and have realistic expectations about the resolution time.
Differences between provinces: rights and protections covered by the Residential Tenancies Act
Eviction notice periods and grounds: Different provinces have different timeframes for this. Some have grounds for eviction that include landlord use and renovations.
Rent increase limits: Differs greatly across provinces. For example, Ontario caps rent increases annually based on a set formula, whereas British Columbia uses a percentage guideline tied to inflation. Some provinces don’t have any rent control, like Alberta, until recently.
Tribunals: Each province has its own tribunal, for example, the Landlord and Tenant Board in Ontario, or the Residential Tenancy Branch in BC. Filing processes, hearing procedures, and timelines also differ.
Security deposit limits and terms: Some provinces set strict limits on deposit amounts, and some call them damage deposits. Some provinces require interest payments on deposits. For example, in BC, landlords are required to pay interest annually on security deposits.
In essence, core tenant rights and protections are mostly consistent across Canada. Some details, rules, and enforcement guidelines vary across provinces. Consult your local agencies for guidance about province-specific laws and rules.
Residential Tenancies Acts in each province
Current Issues
Two of the biggest issues that Canadian renters face today are rental price fixing and renovictions.
Rental price fixing
In 2025, Canada’s Competition Bureau stepped up warnings and enforcement against landlords and property managers who illegally agree with each other on rental prices.
While some collaboration is allowed, any arrangement, whether formal or informal, where landlords agree on what to charge, increase, or surcharge rent, is against the law under the federal Competition Act. Essentially, it is illegal for landlords and property managers to agree with each other (the competition) to fix rents.
This includes not only price-fixing, but also agreeing on the terms of leases, or restricting housing supply to boost rents artificially. Recent scrutiny of large property managers and platforms showed that they were allegedly sharing sensitive rental data to coordinate prices. This undermines fair market competition and directly affects affordability for tenants.
Coordinated price fixing is a violation of the Competition Act and is subject to investigation and prosecution. The penalties can be severe, including up to 14 years in prison and hefty fines as decided by courts.
Renovictions
Another major problem, especially in hot rental markets like Vancouver and Toronto, is “renovictions.” This is when landlords evict tenants by claiming the unit needs major renovations, but in many cases, the true motivation is to raise the rent. After the tenant leaves, the landlord can often re-rent at a much higher rate, especially where rent control rules are weaker for new leases.
While each province has laws about when a “renoviction” is allowed, enforcement can be difficult. Tenants sometimes face pressure to leave on short notice. The renters may not know that they have the right to challenge an eviction at a tenancy board.
Renovictions were repeatedly in the news as governments struggled to close legal loopholes and protect renters from losing their homes unfairly.
Both these issues of rental price-fixing and renovictions show how tenants are at risk in today’s rental markets. As the Competition Bureau and provincial regulators respond, staying informed and knowing how to file complaints is more important than ever.
Key takeaways
Canadian renters have important protections under provincial and territorial tenancy laws, including rights to fair eviction procedures, limits on rent increases, and safe, habitable housing. Illegal rental price-fixing by landlords or property managers is being actively investigated by the federal Competition Bureau across the country. Renovictions, where landlords evict tenants under the pretext of renovations to raise rents, remain a critical issue, especially in popular rental markets.
Tenants should always keep thorough records of any violations, understand their local dispute resolution options, and seek legal or advocacy support when rights are threatened. Staying informed and vigilant is essential in today’s evolving rental landscape. If you’re trying to sort out your finances, a drastic rent increase can throw off your plans. If debt is making it hard to keep up with rent, contact one of our trained credit counsellors for advice – they can help you figure out which debt solution could be the right fit for your specific situation.
