The 7 Ontario Standard Lease Mistakes That Could Cost You Big Money

Why smart landlords in Toronto, Ottawa, and across Ontario keep losing thousands on simple paperwork errors

Picture this: You’re a landlord in Ontario. You think you know the rules. Then one day, your tenant stops paying rent. They say they don’t have to pay. Why? You made a simple mistake on their lease.

This happens all the time. Even good landlords and real estate agents make Ontario Standard Lease mistakes that cost thousands of dollars.

Ontario Landlord Court Options: 3 Hidden Legal Systems Beyond the LTB (2025 Guide)

In this episode of the Ontario Landlord Series, Kevin Breitner sits down with landlord litigation expert Gibrian Malicki-Sanchez to explore the Ontario landlord court options that many property owners don’t even know exist. If you’ve ever wondered what happens when the Landlord and Tenant Board says “we can’t help you,” this conversation reveals the three alternative legal paths that could save your investment.

Basement Apartments in Ontario: A Landlord’s Guide to Legal Secondary Suites

What is a Basement Apartment & What makes it a Legal unit in Ontario?

A basement apartment is simply described as a home within a home. It is a separate living space in the lower level of the property. In Ontario, these are also called “secondary suites.” They have their own entrance, kitchen, bathroom, and living space.

Many Ontario homeowners add basement apartments to help with their mortgage payment’s. A basement apartment does more than help pay your mortgage and boost your income. As a landlord, you can earn between $800 to $2,500 per month, depending on the size of the unit and where your home is located.

Ontario Lease Agreement Clauses: What Landlords Can (and Can’t) Include in 2025

Ontario lease agreement clauses

Just last week, a Mississauga landlord called us in a panic. Her tenant had stopped clearing snow from the walkway – something they’d agreed to in writing. Now she was facing city fines. Sound familiar?

Like many Toronto-area property owners, she thought having it in the lease made it enforceable. Turns out, some of the most common rental terms in Ontario aren’t worth the paper they’re written on.
Did you know you only have 30 days to handle a deceased tenant’s property correctly? Or that letting the wrong family member into the unit could create serious legal headaches? Our in-depth conversation uncovers the exact steps Oakville and GTA landlords need to take to protect themselves while respecting grieving families.