Tips for Understanding Your Tenancy Agreement: Guide for International Students in Toronto

You have successfully got the offer from your dream university in Toronto, and you are ready to come to this beautiful city to start your university life. Then you need to find a place to live, which can be both exciting and daunting. When searching for comfortable and affordable student housing Toronto, international students can encounter complex situations. They may be unfamiliar with the local rental market, and the best areas and neighborhoods to live. What’s more, the complicated lease agreements, procedures and precautions are also annoying. Therefore, understanding the details of your tenancy agreement is crucial to ensuring a smooth renting experience. Here we made a comprehensive guide to help you navigate the complexities of renting in Toronto.

1. What is a Tenancy Agreement?

A tenancy agreement is a legal contract between you (the tenant) and the accommodation providers / your landlord. It lets you live in a property and outlines the terms and conditions of your rental arrangement. The content includes your move-in and move-out dates, rights and responsibilities as well as those of the provider/landlord. Of course, you must pay your rent on time. In Toronto, Ontario, most tenancy agreements must adhere to the guidelines set out by the Residential Tenancies Act (RTA). The Ontario government also provides a standardized lease form that landlords are required to use, making it easier to understand the terms. You can check the guide to the standard lease for rental housing on its official website. The tenancy agreement can either be fixed-term (running for a set period of time), or periodic (running on a week-by-week or month-by-month basis).

2. Check Detailed Information

The key factors you should consider when you receive a tenancy agreement include the price, utility bills (covered or not), term of the lease, deposit requirements, maintenance and repairs, rules and restrictions, etc. Meanwhile, reviews on rental websites, like uhomes.com are a valuable source of information, where all students who have lived there can leave genuine feedback. New students can get a real sense of the student housing Toronto. Additionally, asking your classmates or friends is also a worthwhile option to consider. If you have friends or classmates who have lived in a student apartment, they can give you the most authentic living experience. Rent and housing conditions vary by area, so you can ask your classmates about the most economical living options based on your budget. In this regard, the advice of older students can save you a lot of money, and some student unions also provide free rental manuals and consulting services. When you view a property, if the current tenant is living there, you can also ask about their living experience. They are definitely the people who know the room the best.

3. Know Your Rights and Check the Contract Carefully

Students, particularly those new to Toronto, often fall prey to misinformation. Here’s something that you should know:

Landlord Responsibilities: Landlords must keep the property in a good state of repair and comply with health and safety standards. If the property is in less than ideal condition, it is recommended to take photos before moving in, including any scratches on the walls, stains on the carpets and damage to the furniture. These should be recorded and communicated to the landlord in advance to avoid any disputes at the end of the lease.

Rent Increases: Ontario regulates rent increases, and landlords can only increase the rent once a year, but must give 90 days’ written notice.

Eviction Rules: Landlords cannot evict you without proper reason and must follow a formal process.

4. Ask Questions Before Signing

If you have any questions before signing your lease, don’t hesitate to ask questions or seek clarifications! Some helpful questions include: Are there additional fees beyond rent and utilities? Can I sublet my room if something unexpected happens? Is tenant insurance required? Make sure your rights are not violated.

5. Get Everything in Writing

Verbal agreements cannot be documented and can easily lead to disputes. So when students sign rental agreements, make sure all commitments (such as deposits, utility bills, repairs or upgrades) are included in the written agreement.

6. Beware of Scams

With so many prestigious educational institutions in Toronto, the rental market is competitive, such as UofT off-campus housing. Students are often the target of rental scams. Here are a few tips to protect yourself:

Don’t pay anything before viewing the property in person.

Confirm that the person renting the property is the legitimate landlord. If you’re renting purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA), this is not a concern.

Be cautious of rental listings that seem “too good to be true.”

Final Thoughts

Understanding your tenancy agreement is essential to protecting yourself as a student renter in Toronto. By reviewing the contract carefully, knowing your rights, and seeking help when needed, you can avoid potential pitfalls and focus on enjoying your student experience. When searching for comfortable student housing in Toronto, uhomes.com can be your reliable assistant, which is a professional renting portal. We sincerely hope you have an excellent living experience in Toronto!