Canadian Tenant Information is a mishmash compilation of articles which desparately needs editing and some organization, but still worth wading through the mess to find the odd gem. Primarily for Ontario tenants, but also has some information for the rest of Canada

The Ontario Rental Housing Tribunal (ORHT)

FREE LITERATURE ON HOW TO DEAL WITH ONTARIO LANDLORD TENANT PROBLEMS

Your "rights" as a tenant in Ontario under the so called Tenant Protection Act.
The Tenant Protection Act This is the actual text of the Act. Talk about a Newspeak name. The Tenant Protection Act is directly responsible for massive rent increases which lead to homelessness. The Tribunal which administers the Act is a shill for landlords and has been called an "eviction machine" by many authorities. This is a prime reason to make sure the Harris government does not get re-elected in Ontario.

Canadian Relocation Systems Has useful information on tenant rights as well as costs of living and related material for different cities.

Housing is regulated by the province and municipalities.

Housing issues are regulated by the Ontario Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing primarily under the Tenant "Protection" Act, and by your particular municipality primarily under their Building's Inspections, Fire, and Health departments.

Rent increases are the jurisdiction of the province, and building standards are first the jurisdiction of the municipality but can also be taken to the provinces Ontario Rental Housing Tribunal for a fee.

To get all the available forms and literature: The Ontario Ministry of Housing has publications that not only inform you of your rights but also your obligations as a tenant. It is a good idea to call the government's new Ontario Rental Housing Tribunal at 1-888-332-3234 to get all the available forms and literature.

GETTING REPAIRS DONE AND THE HEAT TURNED ON IN METROPOLITAN TORONTO

REMEMBER: Document everything you can. This documentation will be necessary if you take your landlord to the Tribunal, or if you want to prove neglect to prevent an "above guideline" rent increase, or to get the province to order a rent rollback.

Examples of repair problems include: no heat, no water, cockroaches, mice, noise-problems and dirty conditions.

( Outside of Metro Toronto you will have to look in the blue section/government of your telephone directory "White Pages" to get the appropriate municipal number to call.)

• Contact your neighbours. They may have similar problems. If you act together you will be more effective.

• Call your landlord and tell them about the problem(s). Ask when they will be fixed. Keep a written diary of the dates of telephone calls and their subject as well as copies of all letters you send or receive for future reference.

• Write a leter to the landlord asking for the repair to be done. give the date you first told the landlord about the problem. Put in the date you expect the repair to be done by.

• If the repair is not done in reasonable time, call the local government department that looks after your problem. (eg. Buildings and Inspections Department and/or their Health Department) Make an appointment with an inspector to inspect your apartment (this is FREE).

• If you do not get the service you expect, call your alderperson/city councillor or the Mayor's office to help you. Your local M.P.P.'s constituency office can also be of help.

• If the repair is still not done, contact a legal clinic or paralegal. You may need to take your landlord to court, or take other legal action to get the work done.