When you rent a place to live, you make a legal agreement with the landlord. The agreement is often a written contract, commonly called a “lease”, which you and the landlord sign. Before you sign a lease, make sure you understand everything it says. Bring someone to help you read it, or call a community legal clinic. You must be given a copy of the lease within 21 days of signing. The landlord must give you his or her address and full name. Ask the landlord for his or her telephone number.

The lease states that you have agreed to rent a particular place and to pay a certain amount of rent on a certain date. Your lease could say you pay monthly or weekly. The usual length of a lease is for one year.

The lease should also state what utilities and services are included in the rent and what you will pay for in addition to the rent. It should also list the appliances which are included in the unit. For assistance, contact the Housing Help Centre at 905-526-8100.

Last Revised Wednesday August 11, 2004