Social/Affordable Housing Exemptions
Social housing units are exempt from certain provisions, such as most rent rules, and subletting/assignment of unit rules. They are covered by other rules such as eviction and maintenance procedures.
These exemptions for social housing units are extended to include new affordable housing rental units/programs, including retrofit units, as appropriate.
Market units in new affordable housing are not exempt, so they are fully subject to the Act.
Expanding Definition of Tenant
A spouse of a tenant can choose to become a tenant and stay in the unit after the original tenant dies or leaves. The rental unit must be the spouse’s primary residence.
This provision does not apply to small buildings (3 or fewer units) in which the landlord resides, where the original tenant departs. It does apply to small buildings in cases where the original tenant dies.
Where there are existing rent arrears, the landlord can require a spouse who chooses to become a tenant to assume responsibility for the arrears.
Social housing, new affordable housing and care homes are exempt from these rules.
Information to be Included in Receipt
The legislation states that receipt of payment must be provided by a landlord free of charge to any tenant or former tenant upon request.
The receipt must contain the address of the rental unit, the name of the tenant(s), the amount and date for each and any payment made, and the name and signature of the landlord or their agent.
Times of Day a Landlord Must Make Evicted Tenants’ Property Available
The legislation requires a landlord to make an evicted tenant’s property available for 72 hours after an eviction.
In the event of an eviction, a landlord is required to make an evicted tenant’s property available between the hours of 8 a.m. and 8 p.m.
Heat as a Vital Service
The legislation expands the definition of vital services that a landlord must provide to a tenant to include heat.
Heat is considered a vital service between September 1 and June 15 and is defined as a minimum of 20 degrees Celsius.