Ontario Standard Lease: What Landlords & Tenants Must Know

Know Your Rights with Ontario’s Standard Lease

Informational graphic highlighting key facts about Ontario’s Standard Lease for residential rental housing, featuring the Shannon Murree Group | RE/MAX Hallmark Chay Realty Brokerage | Real Estate With Impact Team. Emphasizes legal rights for landlords and tenants in Simcoe County, including Barrie, Orillia, and Innisfil, with a call to action to connect for professional support

If you’re a landlord or tenant in Ontario, understanding the Standard Lease isn’t just helpful—it’s essential. Since 2018, Ontario requires most residential rental agreements to use a Standard Form of Lease to keep all parties aligned and legally protected.

At the Shannon Murree Group | RE/MAX Hallmark Chay Realty Brokerage, we believe knowledge is power—especially in real estate. Whether you’re renting your first unit or navigating housing as a tenant, here’s what you need to know.

What Is the Ontario Standard Lease?

The Standard Form of Lease is a legally required document under the Residential Tenancies Act, 2006 for most private residential rentals signed on or after April 30, 2018. It standardizes lease terms, eliminates confusion, and ensures landlords and tenants understand their rights and responsibilities.

Key Facts Every Landlord and Tenant Should Know

✅ It’s Mandatory
Most new residential rental agreements—houses, apartments, and condos—must use this lease.

✅ It’s Accessible
The lease is available in multiple languages through the Ministry of Government and Consumer Services Central Forms Repository.

✅ It Protects Everyone
This lease can’t override your rights under the Ontario Human Rights Code or the Residential Tenancies Act. Everyone deserves fair and equal treatment—period.

✅ Tenants Can Request It
Didn’t receive it? A tenant can request the standard lease in writing. Landlords then have 21 calendar days to provide it.

✅ What Happens If It’s Not Provided?

  • Tenants may withhold one month’s rent

  • If the landlord doesn’t deliver it within 30 days, tenants may be allowed to keep that rent

  • Fixed-term tenants may have the legal right to end their lease early

Who’s Exempt?

The Standard Lease doesn’t apply to:

  • Care homes

  • Sites in mobile home parks or land lease communities

  • Most social or supportive housing

  • Co-operative housing

  • Certain unique tenancy arrangements

Why This Matters in Simcoe County

In areas like Barrie, Innisfil, and Orillia, where demand for quality rentals continues to grow, legal clarity protects everyone involved. A lease that reflects Ontario law isn’t just a form—it’s a foundation for fairness, professionalism, and peace of mind.

Real Estate With Impact—For Landlords and Tenants

At the Shannon Murree Group | Real Estate With Impact Team, we simplify complexity. We’ve lived the challenges of rental housing, walked clients through them, and helped them succeed.

👉 Landlords: Let’s draft the right lease, find qualified tenants, and protect your investment.
👉 Tenants: Let’s walk through your rental journey together—so you know your rights, your responsibilities, and your options.

More about Standard Lease is here

Let’s Work Together—Because Rental Housing Shouldn’t Be a Gamble

Whether you’re in Barrie, Orillia, Innisfil, or anywhere across Simcoe County, we’re ready to support you. As your McGillivray Trusted Agent, with 20+ years of real estate experience and deep community ties, our team is committed to helping you thrive.

✨ Schedule your confidential consultation today, click here for confidential appt
Let’s turn confusion into clarity and challenges into confident decisions.

For informational purposes only; not legal advice.

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