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In January 2020, the Ontario Ombudsman began an investigation into the extensive delays experienced at the Landlord and Tenant Board (LTB). The Ombudsman had received about 1,200 complaints regarding the issue. The investigation is specifically looking at whether sufficient work is being done by Tribunals Ontario and the Attorney General to mitigate the backlog of cases.

The RTA specifies that a landlord is responsible for “vital services”, which are defined as cold and hot water, electricity, fuel, heat, and gas. The only exceptions to this rule would be those leases that state that the tenant expressly agrees to obtain these services and maintain them independently of their landlord. If a lease does not specify that a tenant is responsible for utilities, they cannot be made to pay for “vital services”, even if they cause a significant spike in utility charges.

The Ontario rent freeze will end on December 31, 2021. Landlords can increase rent as of January 1, 2022, if they have given the proper notice in writing (N1) at least 90 days prior. The province of Ontario has set the Rent Increase Guideline for 2022 at 1.2%.

Residential evictions were suspended on March 19, 2020 by the Ontario Superior Court, due to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Only urgent evictions due to illegal activity or safety concerns were heard by the Landlord Tenant Board (LTB) at this time, and hearing centres were closed to the public.