What Condo Tenants and Owners Who Rent Need to Know in Ontario
TL;DR
- Condo tenants in Ontario must follow both their lease and the condo corporation’s declaration, by-laws and rules.
- Condo fees are the owner’s responsibility; tenants pay rent and often utilities and tenant insurance.
- Most condo rentals fall under the Residential Tenancies Act, with rent increase rules and Landlord and Tenant Board protections.
- Owners who lease their unit must notify the condo corporation and give tenants copies of the building’s rules.
Renting a condo in Ontario is a popular way to enjoy amenities, convenient locations and low-maintenance living—and it’s often a first step before buying. But condo rentals come with a twist: as a tenant, you answer to your landlord under your lease and Ontario’s Residential Tenancies Act, and you must also follow the rules of the condo corporation that governs the building. Here’s what condo renters, and owners who rent out their units, should understand.
Your Responsibilities as a Condo Tenant
Living in a condo means sharing common spaces and amenities like gyms, pools, lounges, hallways and elevators. Under Ontario’s Condominium Act, 1998, tenants must comply with the condo corporation’s declaration, by-laws and rules, just as owners do. These can cover things like noise, pets, move-in bookings, amenity use, balcony use and short-term rentals, so ask your landlord for copies before you sign.
Your financial and practical obligations come mainly from your lease. Pay rent on time, keep the unit reasonably clean, and repair any damage caused by you or your guests. Condo fees are the owner’s responsibility, not the tenant’s, but many leases require tenant insurance, and you may be responsible for some utilities such as hydro if the unit is separately metered.
Your Rights as a Condo Tenant
Most condo rentals are covered by Ontario’s Residential Tenancies Act. Landlords must use the Ontario standard lease form, and rent can generally be increased only once every 12 months with 90 days’ written notice on the proper Landlord and Tenant Board form. For units first occupied before November 15, 2018, increases are limited to the provincial guideline (2.1% for 2026 and 1.9% for 2027); newer units are exempt from the guideline. Disputes are handled by the Landlord and Tenant Board.
Your landlord—the unit owner—is responsible for maintaining the unit and appliances they provide, while the condo corporation looks after the common elements. Report problems to your landlord first. Tenants don’t vote at owners’ meetings or on condo board decisions, but you can raise building concerns through your landlord or the property management office.
What Owners Who Rent Out Their Condo Should Know
If you own a condo and lease it out, Ontario’s Condominium Act requires you to notify the condo corporation that the unit is leased, provide the tenant’s name, your address and a copy or summary of the lease, and give your tenant copies of the declaration, by-laws and rules. You remain responsible for paying condo fees, and you can be held accountable if your tenant breaches the rules. Short-term rentals may be restricted by your condo corporation and, in Toronto, are only allowed in a principal residence with city registration.
Renting in a building is also a great way to learn about condo living before you buy. You’ll get a feel for amenities, management, noise and fees, which can help you decide what to look for when you start shopping for condos for sale in Ontario.
Whether you’re renting now or planning to buy, understanding your responsibilities and rights helps you avoid disputes and enjoy the perks of condo life to the fullest.
Thinking about making the move from renting to owning? Browse condos for sale in Ontario on Condo Connect, set up listing alerts, or talk to our condo specialists about what to look for in your first condo.
Frequently asked questions
Do condo tenants have to follow condo rules?
Yes. Ontario’s Condominium Act requires tenants to comply with the condo corporation’s declaration, by-laws and rules. Owners must give tenants copies of these documents, and an owner can be held responsible if a tenant breaches them, so it’s worth reviewing them before signing a lease.
How much can my landlord raise the rent on a condo?
For units first occupied before November 15, 2018, increases are capped by Ontario’s guideline: 2.1% for 2026 and 1.9% for 2027. Newer units are exempt from the guideline. Either way, rent can usually rise only once every 12 months with 90 days’ written notice on the proper form.
Who fixes things in a rented condo?
Your landlord, the unit owner, is responsible for maintaining the unit and any appliances they supply, while the condo corporation looks after common elements like hallways, elevators and building systems. Tenants should report issues to the landlord, who can coordinate with management when needed.
Do condo tenants pay condo fees?
No. Condo fees, also called common expenses, are owed by the unit owner to the condo corporation. Tenants pay rent to the landlord under the lease, along with any utilities or other costs the lease clearly assigns to them.