Tenant rights
Property standards
Tenants who live in housing in need of repair should first work with their landlord or property management company. Comments to the landlord or property manager should be put in writing and the tenant should keep a copy.
After a reasonable amount of time, if the repairs have not been carried out, tenants should contact Property Standards at the City of Ottawa. The City inspects buildings and properties when there is a complaint concerning the interior or exterior condition and the safety of residents.
Property standards inspections ensure and enforce compliance with City by-laws regulating property maintenance and occupancy standards. Property Standards may be contacted by calling 3-1-1 (TTY: 613-580-2401).
Tenant supports
If you live in Ottawa and are searching for rental housing, have a conflict with your landlord or are at risk of eviction, there are several organizations that can provide support and guidance.
- Housing Help
- A one-stop, drop-in service for all Ottawa residents who have housing problems or questions
-
309 Cooper Street, Suite 502
Ottawa, ON, K2P 0G5
Tel: 613-563-4532
Fax: 613-563-8019
- Action-Logement
- A charitable organization devoted to assisting low-income individuals and families to find and maintain safe, affordable and adequate rental housing
-
261 Montreal Road
Ottawa, ON, K1L 8C7
Tel: 613-562-8219
Fax: 613-241-1526
- Community Legal Services of Ottawa
- Provides free legal help to people of low income
-
Community Legal Services of Ottawa – Downtown
1 Nicholas Street, Suite 422
Ottawa, ON, K1N 7B7
Tel: 613-241-7008
Fax: 613-241-8680 -
Community Legal Services of Ottawa - South
1355 Bank Street Suite 406
Ottawa, ON K1H 8K7
Tel. 613-733-0140
Fax 613-733-0401 -
Community Legal Services of Ottawa - West
1299 Richmond Road
Ottawa, ON K2B 7Y4
Tel. 613-596-1641
Fax 613-596-3364
- Clinique juridique francophone d’Ottawa
- Offers legal assistance to francophone tenants
-
Vanier Community Service Centre
290 Dupuis Street
Ottawa, ON, K1L 1A2
Tel: 613-744-2892
Landlord and Tenant Board
The Residential Tenancies Act, 2006 (RTA) sets the rules for most residential rental housing in Ontario. The Landlord and Tenant Board provides information about the RTA and resolves disputes between residential landlords and tenants. The former Ontario Rental Housing Tribunal is now known as the Landlord and Tenant Board.
For more information about the rights and responsibilities of tenants and landlords, please visit the Landlord and Tenant Board website.
Discrimination and human rights
- Centre for Equality Rights in Accommodation
- CERA is a not-for-profit charitable organization dedicated to preventing evictions and ending housing discrimination across Ontario
- Please note that CERA is not a legal clinic and are not able to meet with clients in person. Please contact CERA by phone or email to discuss your situation.
-
215 Spadina Avenue, Unit 164
Toronto, ON, M5T 2C7
Tel: 416-944-0087
Toll-Free: 1-800-263-1139, ext. 1
Email: cera@equalityrights.org
Keeping your home
At risk of being evicted by your landlord?
Action Housing and Housing Help are two non-profit agencies that can help you keep your housing. Their services are free and confidential. They provide:
- Advocacy and housing loss prevention services to low and moderate income Ottawa residents
- Ontario Rental Housing Tribunal assistance for tenant and landlord disagreements.
If you live East of the Rideau Canal contact:
Action Housing
150 Montreal Rd, Suite 305
613-562-8219
info@action-logement.ca
If you live West of the Rideau Canal contact:
Housing Help
309 Cooper Street, Suite 502
613-563-4532
info@housinghelp.on.ca