Residential Tenancies Act

RTA

The provincial law that governs most residential rentals.

A Residential Tenancies Act (the name varies by province) is the law that governs the relationship between residential landlords and tenants: rent increases, deposits, maintenance obligations, entry rules, and how a tenancy can legally end. It is the reason a landlord cannot simply change locks or evict at will. Because it is provincial, the specific rights and processes differ across Canada, so the province the unit is in decides which rules apply.

General information only, not legal, tax, or financial advice. Rules change and vary by province; confirm the current details with the relevant authority before you rely on them.