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1. Can a Landlord Refuse to Rent an Apartment or House to Me?

2. Can a Landlord Ask Me for First and Last Month's Rent?

3. Can a Landlord Ask for More than First and Last Month's Rent?

4. What are My Rights if I Agree to Rent a Place Without Having Seen it First?

5. I Signed My Lease Even Though the Place was in Poor Condition.  Can I Still Ask For Repairs?

6. Can a Landlord Ask Me to Provide a Guarantor or Cosigner?

7. Can a Landlord Enter My Apartment or House Anytime?

8. What Might Constitute Harrassment?

9. Can a Landlord Refuse to Rent to Me Because of My Disability?

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1. Can a landlord refuse to rent an apartment or house to me because of:

• my place of origin, ethnic origin, race, ancestry, citizenship,
• my religion,
• my disability,
• my age,
• my sex,my sexual orientation, same-sex partnership status, marital status,
• the fact that I am pregnant or have children, or
• the fact that I am receiving social assistance?

NO. The Ontario Human Rights Code makes it against the law for landlords to discriminate against you in any of these ways.

Exception: If you rent a room or an apartment where you live with the owner's family and share their kitchen and/ or bathroom, a landlord can refuse to rent or can terminate a lease for any of the reasons stated above. Be aware that you can be evicted without notice, unless you have a written contract that states otherwise.

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2. Can a landlord ask for first and last month's rent?
YES. The last month's rent acts as a deposit. This money is held as payment for last month's rent and not as security against things being broken or damaged. The landlord is required by law to pay you a small percentage of interest once a year on your rent deposit. This amount fluctuates yearly but was 2.6% in 2007. In many cases, you will have to ask for the interest earned.

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3. Can a landlord ask for more than first and last month's rent?
NO. Except for first and last month's rent, it is illegal for a landlord to ask you to pay more than one month's rent at a time. A landlord may ask you to pay for your keys only if you lose them, but this cannot be more than the actual cost of the keys. All other deposits are illegal (e.g. cost of appliances or curtains, a damage deposit in addition to last month's rent, application fee).

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4. What are my rights if I agree to take a place without having seen it first?
You have the right to an apartment or house that meets minimum health and safety standards. If possible, we recommend that you actually look at a place before entering into any rental agreement. Currently, Kingston does not have a shortage of student housing, so it is okay to arrive without having signed a lease.

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5. I signed my lease even though theplace was in poor condition. Do I have the right to ask for repairs?
YES. The landlord has a responsibility to make sure your apartment or house meets minimum health and safety standards. Any contact with the landlord should be followed up in writing. If the landlord does not respond to your request, contact the Property Standards Department or Maintenance and Standards Unit where you live. In Kingston call: 613-384-1770 ext. 3246.

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6. Can a landlord ask me for a guarantor or cosigner?
YES. A landlord may ask for a guarantor or cosigner. This person becomes responsible for the remaining rent or lease if you leave your apartment or house without paying the rent. A landlord may also ask for letters of reference from previous landlords, employers, or supervisors.

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7. Can a landlord enter my apartment or house anytime? NO. A landlord is required to give you written notice 24 hours in advance. In most cases, your landlord can only enter your home between 8a.m. and 8p.m. However, the law does allow your landlord to enter your place without notice if there is an emergency or if you agree to let her/ him in. If your landlord continues to enter your place without proper notice or for reasons unrelated to the rental and upkeep of the apartment or house, this may be harassment. You can contact the Human Rights Office at Queen's University for advice.

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8. What might constitute harassment?
Harassment is a comment or action that is known, or should be known, to be unwelcome. Some examples include:

• comments about your appearance,
• comments about your private life,
• comments about your relationships,
• sexual suggestions or advances toward you,
• contacting you at unreasonable hours,
• entering your apartment without proper notice,
• comments about your cooking,
• cutting off important services like heat and electricity, or
• threats to harm you.

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9. Can a landlord refuse to rent to me because of my disability? 
NO. A landlord must make appropriate changes to the apartment or house to accommodate for your disability. Appropriate accommodation means that the landlord is required to make changes that meet your needs in a dignified way without causing undue hardship to her/his business. For more information, contact the Human Rights Office.

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