Generally, tenants have the right to keep pets as long as they do not seriously disturb other tenants or cause damage to the premises. The Residential Tenancies Act specifically disallows any tenancy agreement from prohibiting the presence of animals. However, a landlord can refuse to rent to someone who has a pet.

If you are having trouble with your tenant or your landlord and would like help, ask a lawyer now.

When can a tenant be evicted for having a pet?

A tenant can be evicted for having a pet in their unit, only if:

• the behaviour of the animal has substantially interfered with the reasonable enjoyment of the premises by other tenants or the landlord,
• the presence of the animal has caused another tenant or the landlord to suffer a serious allergic reaction,
• or the animal or species is considered to be inherently dangerous to the safety of the other tenants or the landlord.

Under the Act, if a landlord wants to evict a tenant because of the disturbance or damage caused by the pet, they will have to first give the tenant the opportunity to stop their pet from disturbing others or causing damage. If the tenant does not solve the problem, the landlord can apply to the Landlord and Tenant Board to have the tenancy terminated.

Although a tenant may have the right to keep a pet, if the pet violates a noise or health by-law, and the landlord or another tenant informs the municipality, a tenant may be investigated and fined.

For more information about tenant rights, visit the Landlord and Tenant Board.

Help for tenants

A criminal record will affect your ability to be approved for a residential lease. To erase your criminal record, learn more at Pardon Partners. It’s easier than you think.

If you are having financial problems, it may be difficult to rent an apartment or condominium. You can get help to clear your debt and repair your credit. For easy-to-understand debt solutions on your terms, contact our preferred experts 4Pillars and rebuild your financial future. With 60 locations across Canada, they will help you design a debt repayment plan and guide you with compassionate advice. No judgment. For help, visit 4Pillars or call toll-free 1-844-888-0442 .

If you are a tenant, you can add your monthly rent payment to your credit report using FrontLobby. This can:

• improving your credit score score on average 33pts to 84pts
• Build good credit faster with a new rent tradeline
• Unlock credit rewards (better bank loans, credit cards, mortgage rates)

Help for landlords

For legal advice and assistance with a residential tenancy and applications to the Landlord and Tenant Board, contact our preferred Landlord and Tenant experts Nicola (Nick) Giannantonio Legal Services .

If you are a landlord, you can pull tenant credit reports and report monthly rent payments to the credit bureaus using FrontLobby. This helps you:

• Attract, screen and reward great tenants
• improve monthly cash flow on-time, every month
• Recover debts from unpaid rent

Get legal help

If you are having trouble with your tenant or your landlord and would like help, ask a lawyer now.

								
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