Ontario and Toronto · Special housing
Special housing in Toronto: when the ordinary route is not enough
Condos, multi-tenant houses, subsidized and co-op housing, care homes, owner-shared units and post-2018 buildings don't share one regime. This page helps you recognise which you're in, what evidence would settle it, and where the official route is. It does not decide it.
Outside RTA
Shares a kitchen or bathroom with the owner
A room in the owner's (or owner's family's) home where the occupant shares the kitchen or bathroom with them.
What is different
- The Residential Tenancies Act does not apply (s.5(i))
- No LTB process; contract law instead
- No statutory deposit, notice or guideline rules
Evidence that would settle it
- Does the occupant share a kitchen or bathroom with the owner or the owner's immediate family?
- Does the owner actually live there?
These are the facts a specialist or the applicability check needs. The page does not answer them.
RTA yes · guideline no
First occupied after 15 November 2018
New buildings, additions and most new basement apartments first occupied for residential purposes after 15 Nov 2018.
What is different
- The Act applies in full: notice, 12-month rule, deposits, ending a tenancy
- The annual guideline does not cap the increase (N2 route)
- The 90-day written notice and 12-month spacing still apply
Evidence that would settle it
- When was the unit first occupied for residential purposes, and what record shows it?
- Is it an addition or a new basement apartment in an older building?
These are the facts a specialist or the applicability check needs. The page does not answer them.
Source: ontario.ca: new buildings, additions and most new basement apartments first occupied for residential purposes after 15 Nov 2018 are exempt from the guideline (fetched 18 Sep 2026)
Planner (exempt route)RTA + condo rules
Condominium unit
A unit in a condominium corporation rented to a long-term tenant.
What is different
- The Act applies in full
- The tenant must also comply with the declaration, by-laws and rules; the owner files a tenant notice with the corporation
- Special assessments and corporation rules are the owner's, not the tenant's
Evidence that would settle it
- Has the tenant information been filed with the corporation?
- Do the rules restrict pets, parking or short-term use?
These are the facts a specialist or the applicability check needs. The page does not answer them.
RTA + city licence
Multi-tenant (rooming) house
Four or more people renting rooms and sharing a kitchen or bathroom, not with the owner.
What is different
- The Act applies to each tenancy
- The city's multi-tenant house licensing regime applies to the building; where it's permitted varies by area
- Fire and property standards obligations are heavier
Evidence that would settle it
- Is the house in a zone where multi-tenant houses are permitted?
- Is it licensed, or does it need to be?
These are the facts a specialist or the applicability check needs. The page does not answer them.
Source: Toronto Municipal Code Ch. 575 · verify
Multi-tenant house reference (batch 4)Partly outside
Rent-geared-to-income or subsidized unit
A unit whose rent is set under a housing programme, or a social-housing unit.
What is different
- Most of the Act applies, but rent rules and some notices differ (N6 for misrepresenting income)
- Rent changes follow the programme, not the guideline
- The housing provider or service manager is a party to some decisions
Evidence that would settle it
- Which programme sets the rent?
- Who is the service manager or provider?
These are the facts a specialist or the applicability check needs. The page does not answer them.
Source: RTA s.7 · Housing Services Act · verify
Specialist reviewDifferent regime
Non-profit housing co-operative member unit
A member's unit in a housing co-op.
What is different
- The Co-operative Corporations Act governs; the Act largely does not
- The LTB has jurisdiction only for specific co-op eviction matters
- Do not use the hub's rent, deposit or notice tools
Evidence that would settle it
- Is the occupant a member of the co-op or a tenant of a member?
These are the facts a specialist or the applicability check needs. The page does not answer them.
Source: RTA s.5(c); Co-operative Corporations Act · verify
Not covered by this hubRTA Part IX
Care home
A rental where care services or meals are provided with the accommodation.
What is different
- The Act applies with Part IX rules on care services, agreements and the N3 notice
- Rent and charges for services are treated separately
Evidence that would settle it
- Are care services or meals part of the agreement?
These are the facts a specialist or the applicability check needs. The page does not answer them.
Source: RTA Part IX · verify
Specialist reviewOutside RTA
Short-term or vacation rental
Stays under 28 days, or a licensed short-term rental.
What is different
- Not a tenancy under the Act
- Toronto's short-term rental registration applies instead; this hub does not cover it
Evidence that would settle it
- Is the unit the guest's principal residence for a term?
These are the facts a specialist or the applicability check needs. The page does not answer them.
Source: RTA s.5(a); Toronto Ch. 547 · verify
Not covered by this hubAt a glance
Which framework, whether the guideline applies, and whether the hub's ordinary tools should be used.
| Situation | Act | Guideline | Hub tools | Toronto layer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shares a kitchen or bathroom with the owner | No | — | Do not use | RentSafeTO if 3+ storeys and 10+ units (verify) |
| First occupied after 15 November 2018 | Yes | No | Use, with the noted additions | RentSafeTO if 3+ storeys and 10+ units (verify) |
| Condominium unit | Yes | If first occupied on or before 15 Nov 2018 | Use, with the noted additions | RentSafeTO if 3+ storeys and 10+ units (verify) |
| Multi-tenant (rooming) house | Yes | If first occupied on or before 15 Nov 2018 | Do not use without specialist review | Licence |
| Rent-geared-to-income or subsidized unit | Mostly | Programme / Part IX | Do not use without specialist review | RentSafeTO if 3+ storeys and 10+ units (verify) |
| Non-profit housing co-operative member unit | No | — | Do not use | RentSafeTO if 3+ storeys and 10+ units (verify) |
| Care home | Yes | Programme / Part IX | Do not use without specialist review | RentSafeTO if 3+ storeys and 10+ units (verify) |
| Short-term or vacation rental | No | — | Do not use | STR registration (out of scope) |