Tenants may be able to get help from a community legal clinic depending on the type of problem and if financial requirements are met. Lawyers and legal workers provide information, legal advice and represent low-income people on issues that affect income or support payments and housing.

• To find the community legal clinic closest to you, follow this link.

Community legal clinics do not charge legal fees, but may ask clients who are able to pay some or all of the expenses of a case such as court filing fees and medical expenses.

Tenant duty counsel

Tenant duty counsel, available at most Landlord and Tenant Board locations across the province, may give basic advice to unrepresented tenants appearing before the board.

Tenant duty counsel may:

• give advice about legal rights, obligations and the tribunal process
• review documents
• provide referrals for other services

Other resources:

Please note that these are external links and Legal Aid Ontario is not responsible for their content.

Tenant resources

The Advocacy Centre for Tenants Ontario (ACTO)
Defends Ontario’s low-income renters, co-op members and the homeless. Much of ACTO’s advocacy involves test-case litigation, lobbying the government and developing housing policy.

The Federation of Metro Tenants' Associations
Runs a hotline for tenant issues. They also publish information brochures, including the Tenant Survival Manual, and have a tenant outreach program.

Resources for tenants and landlords

Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation
Ensures availability, accessibility and choice of housing funding to Canadians. The key Canadian source of reliable and objective housing information.

Landlord and Tenant Board
Resolves disputes between landlords and tenants and provides information about the The Residential Tenancies Act and rights and obligations under the Act. Requests can be made to review an order under certain conditions.

Human Rights Legal Support
Offers legal assistance to people in communities across Ontario who believe they have experienced discrimination.

• Click here for a larger listing of other resources