Damage Deposits Private Members Bill

A Private Member's Bill was introduced in 2010 that would amend the Residential Tenancies Act to allow landlords to collect a damage deposit at the beginning of a tenancy in addition to the last month's rent. The Bill limited this extra deposit to 25% of one month’s rent. This practice was outlawed in Ontario in 1969 after a study of landlord-tenant relations by the Law Reform Commission found that tenants rarely had their deposits returned, regardless of the state of the rental unit when they vacated. ACTO also had concerns that such a deposit would make it harder for low-income tenants to access housing. ACTO opposed the legislation, which was defeated at 2^nd reading.

Human Rights in Housing
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New Affordable Housing
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