Can My Landlord Ban Pets in Ontario?

The Short Answer: No.

In Ontario, no-pet clauses in residential leases are void and unenforceable. Even if you signed a lease that says "no pets allowed," that clause has no legal effect. This is one of the most common illegal clauses found in Toronto leases.

What the Law Says

Section 14 of the Residential Tenancies Act, 2006 (RTA) is clear:

"A provision in a tenancy agreement prohibiting the presence of animals in or about the residential complex is void."

This means:

• Your landlord cannot include a no-pet clause in your lease
• If one exists, it is automatically void — you don't need to do anything to invalidate it
• Your landlord cannot evict you simply for having a pet
• Your landlord cannot charge a pet deposit (this is also an illegal deposit under s. 105)

The One Exception: Condominiums

If you rent a unit in a condominium, the condo corporation's declaration or rules may restrict pets. This is separate from the RTA — condo declarations are governed by the Condominium Act, 1998. However, the landlord themselves still cannot enforce a no-pet clause under the RTA. The condo corporation would need to enforce their own rules directly.

When Can a Landlord Act on Pet Issues?

While your landlord cannot ban pets outright, they can take action under specific circumstances:

• Allergies: If another tenant has a serious allergy and the pet causes a health issue, the landlord may apply to the LTB under section 76.
• Damage: If your pet causes significant damage to the unit, the landlord can seek compensation through an L2 application.
• Noise or disturbance: If your pet creates persistent noise that disturbs other tenants, this falls under the "interference with reasonable enjoyment" provisions (s. 64).
• Dangerous animals: Municipal bylaws regarding dangerous animals still apply.

In all these cases, the landlord must go through the Landlord and Tenant Board — they cannot simply evict you or impose penalties.

Common Myths

"I signed a no-pet lease, so I can't get a pet." — Wrong. The clause is void regardless of whether you signed it.

"My landlord can charge me a pet deposit." — Wrong. Pet deposits are illegal under section 105.

"My landlord can evict me for getting a pet." — Wrong. Having a pet alone is not grounds for eviction. The landlord would need to prove damage, disturbance, or allergy issues at the LTB.

What to Do If Your Landlord Threatens You Over a Pet

1. Know your rights — Section 14 is on your side.
2. Put it in writing — Send your landlord a polite letter citing section 14 of the RTA.
3. Contact a legal clinic — If threats escalate, organizations like the Federation of Metro Tenants' Associations (FMTA) can help.
4. File a T2 application — If your landlord harasses you over a pet, you may file a T2 at the LTB for interference with reasonable enjoyment.

RenterShield flags no-pet clauses in your lease automatically. Upload your lease to check for this and other illegal clauses.