Landlord/tenant rights, dealing with problems, where to get help...
Issues with Landlord and "Registration Forms"
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Rto Posts: 3
Posted On: 3/3/2021
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Good afternoon,
I have a few questions about some Registration Forms that were just given to us today. The first is a Parking Registration Form and the second is a "Pet Registration Form". Before I start, we've been renting our unit for 2 years now and are no longer on a lease, but instead a month-to-month agreement. Our monthly rent amount is $875.00.
Form 1: Parking Registration Form
This form asks us for a Permit Number (our building has never had permits) and asks us to "accept the following terms" (I'm only including the ones that are of concern and I'm not sure are legal/allowed):
- All vehicles must be parked in their assigned spots at all times and clearly displaying a valid Parking Permit: We do not have parking permits nor are our spaces numbered or designated in any way.
- All vehicles must display up to date insurance, plates, and tags: This was nowhere in our lease; can it be retroactively put in place?
- Vehicles in a fvisible state of disrepair cannot be parked at the building, even if displaying a valid permit: Again, nowhere in the lease; can it be retroactively put in?
Form 2: Pet Registration Form
This entire form feels all sorts of illegal, but wanted to verify this here before contacting my landlord. This form asks us to register our pets with the landlord and asks us to "agree to the following conditions" (Please read these because they seem ... ludicrous?):
- The pet will be strictly confined to the suite and will not be allowed on the patio/balcony: Our unit has a balcony... is the landlord actually allowed to restrict our pets from being on the balcony?
- At no time will the tenant bring any other pet onto the property without the prior knowledge and written consent of the Landlord: Does this not violate the RTA?
- In the event of the pet's death, the tenant will not replace it with another pet unless given written permission by the Landlord: Does this not violate the RTA?
- At the end of the tenancy, the tenant will reimburse the Landlord for the cost of having a professional pest control spray the suite for fleas
- The landlord may at any time withdraw permission to keep a pet on the premises if a complaint is received from another tenant concerning the pet or if this arrangement becomes unsatisfactory for any reason
- A pet damage deposit in the amount of hone-half month's rent is required before consent will be given to allow any pets living in the unit.
Thanks for any responses in advance. The major concern for us is the Pet Registration Form which we feel is just ridiculous, especially considering they want us to pay half of a month's rent to keep a dog we already have.
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Moderator Moderator Posts: 4142
Posted On: 3/31/2021
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Hi there,
Thank you for sharing your question and situation with us.
We can appreciate that you would be concerned about these forms. You may want to contact the nearest Community Legal Clinic for some advice regarding your situation. You can find the nearest one by using this tool here. Steps to Justice also has a compiled list of programs and services in housing law that may be helpful. If you do not qualify to receive services from a Community Legal Clinic, please contact the Landlord and Tenant Board directly.
Regarding pets, you may find the information in Settlement.Org article, What kinds of questions can a landlord ask? helpful. Here is an excerpt:
*A landlord can ask if you have a pet and can refuse renting a place to you based on what you respond. But according to section 14 of the Residential Tenancies Act a landlord cannot put a clause in your rental contract prohibiting you from owning a pet. This would be voided in a court case.
The pet exception to this is for condominiums. The condo board can write a clause that prevents owners and renters of their building from having pets.
If you move into a rental property (non-condo) without a pet but get a pet once you are moved in, the landlord cannot evict you based on owning a pet. This is against Ontario laws.
Your landlord cannot contractually prohibit you from owning a pet. Still, it is best that you follow up with a lawyer to strategize on your next course of action regarding this situation. We hope this information is helpful. If you have any additional questions, please feel free to post them here.
Sincerely,
Your Settlement.Org Team
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