Understanding the Standard Ontario Lease (Form 2229) in Plain English

By Solutions Property Management — Sun Mar 29 2026

The standard lease has 17 sections. Only a handful matter day-to-day. Here's the plain-English version.

Since April 2018, most residential tenancies in Ontario must use the government's Standard Form of Lease (Form 2229). If your landlord doesn't provide it within 21 days of a written request, you can legally withhold one month of rent.

Here's what actually matters in the document.

**Section 3: Rent**

The rent amount, when it's due, and what it includes. If utilities are included, list them explicitly. "Some utilities" is not a term — either name them or expect a dispute.

**Section 4: Services and utilities**

Who pays for what. Be specific. "Tenant pays hydro" is fine. "Tenant pays extra usage" is a lawsuit waiting.

**Section 5: Rent deposit**

You can only collect last month's rent as a deposit. Not "damage deposit." Not "pet deposit." Not "key deposit above the actual cost of a key." Anyone offering these is either misinformed or hoping you are.

**Section 9: Assignment and subletting**

The tenant has a right to request assignment/sublet. You can refuse for good reason, but you can't blanket-ban it. Charging a fee to consider the request is illegal.

**Section 15: Additional terms**

This is the section that gets landlords in trouble. Any additional term that conflicts with the Residential Tenancies Act is void — even if the tenant signed. Common voids: "no guests overnight," "must give 60 days notice," "tenant responsible for all repairs." You can add legitimate terms (parking spot assignment, pet rules within reason), but if it contradicts the RTA, it's not enforceable.

**What to attach**

• Rules for common areas
• Pet addendum if pets are permitted
• Parking assignment
• Any information about who to contact for maintenance

Read the lease with the tenant before signing. It sounds slow. It prevents about 90% of the disputes that end up at the LTB.