Renting In Ontario: What Every Pet Owner Needs To Know

There is a lot of confusion when it comes to renting property in Ontario with pets. Many Ontarians believe it is illegal for tenants to discriminate against pet owners and that landlords cannot reject potential tenants for their pets. This is incorrect.

Landlords have the right to reject tenants if they suspect they will move in with pets. Landlords are free to screen and investigate whether or not their prospective tenants have pets. However, once a landlord accepts a tenant, in spite of any verbal agreements or contract stipulations, landlords cannot evict tenants for pet ownership under most circumstances.

As stated in section 14 of the Residential Tenancies Act "A provision in a tenancy agreement prohibiting the presence of animals in or about the residential complex is void." This means once a tenant signs a contract with a landlord, despite any provisions that limit pet ownership or promises made to the landlord, a landlord is powerless to enforce any