1. Renting: what a landlord can and can't ask for
- Standard lease: for most private rentals the landlord must use Ontario's standard lease form. If they don't, ask for it in writing. They then have 21 days to give it to you.
- Rent deposit: a landlord can ask for a deposit of up to one month's rent. It can only be used for your last month's rent, the landlord pays you interest on it each year, and you can ask for a receipt.
- Damage deposits are illegal. So are pet deposits in the lease. A key deposit is allowed, but the law limits how much it can be.
- A landlord may ask if you have a pet, and may refuse to rent to you because of the answer. A "no pets" clause in the lease is void, except where the condominium's own rules ban pets.
- Equifax says a credit check needs your full name, current address and date of birth. Giving your SIN is optional.
Source: Government of Ontario, "Renting in Ontario: your rights",
"Guide to Ontario's standard lease"
and "Rental housing offences";
Settlement.Org, "What kind of questions can a landlord ask?"
2. Renting a room in the owner's home
If you share a kitchen or a bathroom with the owner, or with the owner's spouse, child or parent, the Residential Tenancies Act does not apply.
- There is no Landlord and Tenant Board hearing, and the yearly rent-increase guideline does not apply.
- This is common for a room in a house near Lakehead or Confederation. Read the ad carefully before you pay.
- CLEO's roommate tool walks through whether the Act covers your arrangement.
Sources: Residential Tenancies Act, 2006;
Settlement.Org, "Who does the Residential Tenancies Act apply to?";
CLEO, roommates
3. Avoid rental scams
Newcomers are a favourite target. Be very careful if:
- the rent is far below other places;
- the "landlord" says they are abroad and can't show you the unit;
- they want money before you have seen the place and signed a lease.
Looking for a place now? Nyumba, our list of current Thunder Bay rentals and rooms, links to real ads
for 1-bedrooms and rooms, each one checked and dated.
4. Rent increases
- For most units, Ontario sets the most your rent can go up each year: 2.1% for increases in 2026 and 1.9% in 2027.
- Your landlord must give you 90 days' written notice, on the Landlord and Tenant Board's form.
- Watch out: units first lived in after November 15, 2018 are not covered by that limit. Ask when the unit was first occupied before you sign.
Source: Government of Ontario, "Residential rent increases"
5. Heat, utilities and air conditioning
- The landlord must keep the heat at 20°C or more from September 1 to June 1.
- A city bylaw can set a higher temperature or different dates. Ask the City if you are unsure.
- The landlord cannot shut off heat, hot or cold water, electricity or gas, even if the rent is late. A short shutoff for repairs is allowed.
- If the landlord does not supply air conditioning, you may install a window or portable unit. Tell them in writing first, install it safely, and follow local bylaws.
- If electricity is included in the rent, a unit installed on or after July 1, 2026 can bring a seasonal charge, no higher than the power it uses. That charge comes off when the unit is removed or no longer in use.
Sources: Settlement.Org, "What are my rights as a tenant?";
Government of Ontario, "Renting in Ontario: your rights";
Landlord and Tenant Board, "Rules for air conditioners in rental units"
6. When your landlord can come in
In most cases your landlord must give you 24 hours' written notice, saying why and when they will come in, and can only enter between
8 a.m. and 8 p.m. No notice is needed in an emergency, or if you agree.
Source: Landlord and Tenant Board, "A Guide to the Residential Tenancies Act"
7. Eviction notices and the enforcement unit
- An N12 says the landlord, or a buyer, intends to move in. The notice alone does not make you leave. The Landlord and Tenant Board decides.
- The termination date must be at least 60 days away and land on the last day of a rental period. The landlord must pay you one month's rent by that date.
- A legal eviction is enforced by the sheriff. Taking the unit back without following the Act is an offence, including changing the locks without giving you a key.
- Shutting off heat, water, electricity or gas is also an offence. Call the Rental Housing Enforcement Unit, 1-888-772-9277.
- Fines under the Act go up to $100,000 for an individual and $500,000 for a corporation.
- If an N12 or N13 eviction was in bad faith, you can file Landlord and Tenant Board Form T5, usually within one year of moving out.
Sources: Settlement.Org, "What do I do if my landlord gives me an N12 form?";
Government of Ontario, "Rental housing offences";
Government of Ontario, "Solve a disagreement with your landlord or tenant";
Landlord and Tenant Board, Form T5 instructions
8. Problems with a landlord: the Landlord and Tenant Board and free help
- Free legal help
- Kinna-aweya Legal Clinic gives free help to low-income residents of the Thunder Bay district, including tenants' rights.
86 South Cumberland Street. (807) 344-2478, toll free 1-888-373-3309.
Walk-in intake Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. (kalc.ca)
- Landlord and Tenant Board
- Settles disputes between tenants and landlords. Toll free 1-888-332-3234. (tribunalsontario.ca/ltb)
More free legal services are listed in legal and immigration help.
9. Electricity, gas, water and garbage
Ask the landlord which bills are included in your rent. For anything that isn't, open an account in your name before you move in.
Electricity: Synergy North
How: open a residential account online.
- Have photos of two pieces of ID ready (JPG, GIF, PNG or PDF). A valid foreign passport is accepted as a second piece of ID.
- If you cannot upload two IDs, call or email instead of using the online form.
- You can also print the forms and email or fax them.
Cost: a $30 set-up charge goes on the first bill for a new account or a move. New accounts also pay a security deposit.
Watch: the residential signup page tells you to do this online, by email or by fax. It does not mention signing up at the office, so call before you go to 34 North Cumberland Street.
Customer service hours on the contact page are Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
customerservice@synergynorth.ca · fax (807) 343-1044
Time-of-Use, tiered, or overnight
A residential customer chooses Time-of-Use, tiered, or Ultra-Low Overnight prices, unless they have a contract with an electricity retailer. Most people in Ontario stay on Time-of-Use: the price depends on when you use power, and evenings, weekends and holidays are the cheapest TOU period all year.
Tiered prices are the same at any hour. You pay a lower price up to a monthly threshold, then a higher price. For a home, that threshold is:
- 600 kWh from May 1 to October 31;
- 1,000 kWh from November 1 to April 30.
Switch in your MyENERGY account. The change shows on the next bill. Current cents per kWh are on Synergy North's rates page.
Natural gas: Enbridge Gas
Enbridge Gas serves Thunder Bay. If your heat or hot water runs on gas, call Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
City water
The City bills water every three months. The charge stays with the property, so ask the landlord whether your rent includes it. Unpaid water can be added to the property's taxes. The Revenue Office is by appointment only, at 501-34 Cumberland St. N.
Garbage and recycling
The City collects curbside garbage. Curbside recycling is run by Circular Materials, through its contractor GFL. Type your address on the City's garbage and recycling page for your collection dates, a reminder, and which area and zone you are in.
For help with that lookup, or a waste question, call City dispatch at (807) 625-2195. That line is also the 24/7 number for roads, waste, water and sewers. City Hall's switchboard, printed on the same page, is (807) 625-2230.
Sources: Synergy North, "New account",
business new account,
"Contact us",
"Choose your electricity pricing plan"
and "Rates";
Enbridge Gas, "Contact us";
City of Thunder Bay, "Water meter readings and billing"
and "Garbage and recycling"
Winter tip: heating a home through a Thunder Bay winter costs a lot. Before you sign, ask whether heat is included and roughly what past tenants paid in January.
10. Help paying energy bills
- Ontario Electricity Support Program: a monthly credit on your power bill if your household income is low. For example, $45 a month for one person earning $38,000 or less after tax. Apply at OESP.ca.
- Low-income Energy Assistance Program: a one-time emergency grant if you are behind on your bill and facing disconnection. It is paid straight to the utility.
- If you get either one, the utility waives its security deposit.
Source: Ontario Energy Board, "Ontario Electricity Support Program",
"Low-income Energy Assistance Program"
and "Bill assistance programs"
11. Get money back for rent and energy
For the July 2026 to June 2027 benefit year, file your tax return and the ON-BEN form, even with no income. The Ontario Trillium Benefit is not taxed. Keep your rent receipts.
- Northern Ontario Energy Credit: up to $189 for one person or $290 for a family in Thunder Bay and the other northern districts.
- Ontario Energy and Property Tax Credit: up to $1,307 if you are 18 to 64, or $1,488 if you are 65 or older.
- Add $25 if you lived in a designated college, university or private-school residence in 2025. The credit is up to $290 if you live on a reserve or in a public long-term care home.
- Ontario Sales Tax Credit: up to $378 for each adult, and $378 for each child under 19.
Sources: Government of Ontario, "Ontario Trillium Benefit";
Canada Revenue Agency, "Ontario energy and property tax credit: questions and answers"
12. Social and subsidised housing
The District of Thunder Bay Social Services Administration Board (TBDSSAB) runs the waiting list for social housing. There, rent is
30% of your household's income. Apply online at socialhousingapplication.com.
- Each member of the household must be a Canadian citizen, a permanent resident or a refugee claimant.
- Contact: 231 May Street South, 807-766-2111, intake@tbdssab.ca.
- Special Priority Policy: survivors of abuse or human trafficking who also qualify for rent-geared-to-income housing are placed at the front of that waitlist, behind other priority households already waiting. Apply through TBDSSAB.
- Canada-Ontario Housing Benefit: a monthly payment that helps an eligible household pay the rent. Ontario lists it with other housing help on the page below.
Sources: TBDSSAB, "Housing and homelessness" and contact directory; Government of Ontario, "Priority access to housing for survivors of abuse and trafficking"; Government of Ontario, "Affordable housing in Ontario"
Housing co-operatives
- A housing co-operative is another option. You apply to each co-op directly.
- CHF Canada's find-a-co-op tool lists them.
Two Thunder Bay examples listed by 211 North:
| Co-op | Address |
|---|
| Superior View Housing Co-operative | 110 Castlegreen Dr |
|---|
| Castlegreen Co-operative Housing | 213 Castlegreen Dr |
|---|
Sources: CHF Canada, "Find a co-op"; 211 North / Northwest Health Line, housing co-operatives listing. Checked October 28, 2026.
Have a room or 1-bedroom to rent?
List it free on Nyumba, our Thunder Bay rentals list. It must be open to anyone, and renters contact you directly.
List your room Moving with children? Our families guide covers school registration, child care and the child benefit. For doctors and clinics, see health care in Thunder Bay.
Quick answers
How much deposit can a landlord ask for in Ontario?
Up to one month's rent, and it can only be used for your last month's rent. The landlord pays you interest on it each year. Damage deposits are illegal, and so are pet deposits in the lease. A key deposit is allowed, but the law limits how much it can be.
How much can my rent go up in Ontario?
For most units, 2.1% for increases in 2026 and 1.9% in 2027, with 90 days' written notice on the Landlord and Tenant Board's form. Units first lived in after November 15, 2018 are not covered by that limit, so ask when the unit was first occupied before you sign.
Who do I call to set up electricity in Thunder Bay?
Synergy North, at (807) 343-1111, or online with photos of two pieces of ID. A valid foreign passport counts as a second ID. A $30 set-up charge goes on your first bill, and new accounts pay a security deposit. You choose Time-of-Use, tiered or Ultra-Low Overnight prices. Synergy North's sign-up page lists online, email and fax.
Who do I call about water, garbage and recycling in Thunder Bay?
Water bills go out every three months and stay with the property. The Revenue Office is (807) 625-2255, by appointment at 501-34 Cumberland St. N. For your garbage and recycling day, enter your address on the City's garbage page. Waste questions go to City dispatch at (807) 625-2195. City Hall's switchboard is (807) 625-2230.
Does Ontario's tenant law cover a room in the owner's house?
No, if you share a kitchen or bathroom with the owner, or with the owner's spouse, child or parent. The Residential Tenancies Act does not apply, so there is no Landlord and Tenant Board hearing and the yearly rent-increase guideline does not apply.
Can a landlord ban pets or demand my SIN?
A landlord may ask if you have a pet and may refuse to rent to you because of the answer. A no-pets clause in the lease is void, except where the condominium's rules ban pets. Equifax says a credit check needs your full name, current address and date of birth. Giving your SIN is optional.
How warm must a rental be, and can I install an air conditioner?
The landlord must keep the heat at 20°C or more from September 1 to June 1, and cannot shut off heat, water, electricity or gas because rent is late. A city bylaw can set a higher standard. If the landlord does not supply air conditioning, you may install a window or portable unit after telling them in writing. If electricity is in the rent, a unit installed on or after July 1, 2026 can add a seasonal charge no higher than the power it uses, and that charge comes off when the unit is removed.
What do I do if I get an N12, or the landlord locks me out?
An N12 does not make you leave. The termination date must be at least 60 days away, on the last day of a rental period, and the landlord must pay one month's rent by that date. The Landlord and Tenant Board decides, and a legal eviction is enforced by the sheriff. Changing the locks without giving you a key, or shutting off heat, water or electricity, is an offence. Call the Rental Housing Enforcement Unit at 1-888-772-9277. Fines go up to $100,000 for an individual and $500,000 for a corporation. A bad-faith N12 or N13 can be challenged with Form T5, usually within one year.
How much is the Ontario Trillium Benefit for 2026–2027?
For July 2026 to June 2027, file your tax return and the ON-BEN form. The Northern Ontario Energy Credit is up to $189 for one person or $290 for a family. The energy and property tax credit is up to $1,307 (ages 18 to 64) or $1,488 (65 and over), plus $25 if you lived in a designated college or university residence in 2025, or up to $290 on a reserve or in a public long-term care home. The sales tax credit is up to $378 per adult and $378 per child under 19.
Can a survivor of abuse get housing help sooner?
Survivors of abuse or human trafficking who also qualify for rent-geared-to-income housing can apply for the Special Priority Policy through TBDSSAB. They are placed at the front of that waitlist, behind other priority households already waiting. Ontario also lists the Canada-Ontario Housing Benefit, a monthly payment that helps an eligible household pay the rent.
This guide is general information, not legal advice. For your own situation, speak to Kinna-aweya Legal Clinic or the Landlord and Tenant Board.
Next guide: Families and schools →