What happens if you rent an illegal apartment Ontario?

There are strict penalties on the Landlord for operating an illegal basement apartment. The Municipality can: Force the Landlord to fix the issues. Force the Landlord to evict the Tenant and pay for a portion of the Moving Costs and difference in rent.

Are basement apartments legal in Toronto?

Basement apartments (a type of second unit), have been permitted in the City of Toronto, since 2000, however, previous City of Toronto’s zoning regulations only permitted the creation of a basement apartment five years after the new house is constructed, and did not permit basement apartments in all townhouses.

How do I report an illegal apartment in Toronto?

You can call 311 or email [email protected] to submit a complaint (service request) to the City.

What makes a legal basement apartment Toronto?

In Ontario, a legal basement apartment is a secondary unit that meets Ontario Building Code requirements. Basically, if your property meets the zoning codes for your area, and your building is over five years old, your second unit needs the following: At least 145 square feet of space.

What is considered an illegal apartment in Ontario?

The house must be detached or semi-detached (there are some additional rules and exceptions for rowhouses) The exterior facade of the house cannot be significiantly altered. The second suite must be smaller than the rest of the house and be self-contained with its own kitchen, bathroom and entrance.

How do I make my basement legal in Toronto?

Basic requirements for creating a legal basement apartment:

The detached or semi detached house must be at least 5 years old.
The front of the house cannot be significantly altered to change its appearance from that of a one unit building.
Basement apartment must be smaller than the main dwelling unit.

What constitutes landlord harassment in Ontario?

The law says that your landlord or anyone who is working for them is not allowed to harass you, threaten you, or invade your privacy. And if you’re being harassed by another tenant, your landlord must take reasonable steps to fix the problem. Examples of harassment include: yelling at you or insulting you.

Can you rent out a basement in Ontario?

If the work was done before you bought the property, you may have no idea. If yours are part of the estimated 70% of renovations that were done without a permit, there’s a good chance that your basement apartment does not meet the minimum requirements for renting.

Are basement apartments legal in Oshawa?

Note: A finished basement must comply with the Ontario Building Code and Oshawa’s Zoning By-Law. You must have a minimum ceiling height of 6 ft 11 in. You can reduce the ceiling height to 6 ft 5 in underneath your beams and ducts. Doors must have a gap under them for rooms without return air ductwork.

Can landlord take photos of my stuff Ontario?

Landlords are allowed to take pictures when entering the rental unit for an inspection. However, we recommend including that you may take pictures in the notice to enter. You should be careful not to take pictures of the tenant’s personal belongings.

Are basement apartments legal in Toronto Ontario?

Studies have shown that about 80% of all rented basement apartments in Toronto Ontario are considered illegal. Before buying a home ask your Realtor to see if the basement apartment is legal and request an inspection to confirm the status. The requirements for a basement apartment will depend on your location.

What are the requirements for a legal apartment in Toronto?

In order to be considered a ’legal apartment’, the apartment will need to meet certain zoning, property, occupancy, health and safety, fire and electrical standards. If you’re considering adding a second suite in your Toronto home to help offset some of your mortgage costs, there are a number of requirements that must be met:

Are there any issues with renting an illegal basement apartment?

You might have heard some way or another over the years about issues with people renting or living in “illegal” basement apartments. To many people this issue will not affect them during their lifetime, whether they are tenants in a basement apartment, or are landlords renting out a basement apartment.

What happens if you get caught with an illegal apartment?

Getting caught with an illegal apartment could result in you having to transform the home back into a single family dwelling, or may result in a lot of time and expense to legalize the apartment. Your lender may not recognize the income associated with an apartment that isn’t considered legal