Landlord and tenant disputes are a common occurrence, even more so when the law changes or an agreement is breached. Most of the time, the person who is at fault is hard to determine. The best course of action is to avoid conflict altogether, but this can be rather difficult! The best way to do so is to have reliable and open lines of communication between the tenant and the landlord, which fosters a respectful relationship together. Simple communication between each other can squash any petty disagreements that usually result in court cases.

Here are some of the most common landlord-tenant issues that arise in North York:

Repairs

The landlord is responsible for repairing any broken or faulty appliances provided in the home. On the other hand, the tenant is responsible for using these appliances and facilities with care and attention. But repairs can be unavoidable, especially as time goes on and things age or go through many tenants. If maintenance is required, it is the tenant’s responsibility to notify the landlord. After being informed, the landlord must make the necessary measures to get the problem inspected in a timely manner. If either of these parties does not fulfill their end of the agreement, then the conflict can result.

Rent

The rent agreed upon on the rental agreement cannot have any hidden costs or fees after the agreement is signed. However, rent can be increased every 12 months within a defined limit, such as 2.2% with each increase. There are exceptions to this rule, for example, if the landlord has significantly renovated the property and thus needs higher maintenance costs associated with the renovations.

Security

The security of the rental property is the sole responsibility of the landlord and is maintained by the landlord. Concerns like multiple trespassing, or broken security gates or doors, need to be immediately resolved by the landlord. Security is an important and basic right that needs to be provided for any tenant throughout their rental tenure. Having any sort of breach in security obligation on the landlord’s part can result in a serious court case.

If you have found yourself in a situation involving a tenant-landlord dispute in North York, do not hesitate to contact Ontario Legal Pool today. We have your best interests in mind and can protect you and your rights during a legal hearing.

We hope this article will help you avoid most of the common disputes between landlords and tenants, but if not, we recommend that you hire the help of a paralegal before proceeding with any legal action.