A new regulatory framework for multi-tenant (rooming) houses, which will permit these all across Toronto, will come into effect on March 31, 2024. Learn about the new framework.

Multi-tenant houses are commonly known as rooming houses. If you are renting a room in a multi-tenant house and experiencing a problem, such as pests, low or no heat, plumbing problems, leaky ceilings, please talk to your landlord first and submit a service request to your landlord. If you get no action from your landlord and problems persist, contact 311 to have the City investigate.

If you have issues with the room that you are renting, talk to your landlord and submit a service request in writing.

Use this service request form as a guide: English, French

If you get no action from your landlord and problems persist, contact 311 to have the City investigate. You can call 311 or email 311@toronto.ca to submit a complaint (service request) to the City.

If you get no action from your landlord and problems persist, contact 311 to have the City investigate. You can call 311 or email 311@toronto.ca to submit a complaint (service request) to the City.

Once you submit a complaint (service request) through 311, the City will reach out to you. If your complaint is urgent and related to vital services, the City will respond within 24 hours. If your complaint is about a non-urgent issue then the City will respond within five days.

You can check the status using the reference number provided to you. Call 311 anytime and a customer service representative will assist you. You can also track your service request online by entering your reference number in the Status Tracking box at the bottom of the toronto.ca home page and click “GO.”

Learn more about rental housing and guidance for tenants and landlords in Toronto. You will find information on questions that may arise during tenancy, resources around the rights and responsibilities that tenants and landlords are to expect, and help with navigating the rental process.

Rights and Responsibilities for Landlords & Tenants

The Residential Tenancies Act (RTA) is an Ontario law that gives landlords and tenants specific rights and responsibilities. It provides rules for increasing the rent, evicting a tenant, maintenance and more. Under the RTA, the Landlord Tenant Board (LTB) was created to solve disputes between tenants and their landlords. The RTA covers people living in rental housing.

Learn more about your rights and responsibilities as tenants.

Multi-tenant houses are only permitted in certain parts of Toronto where zoning permits. Where required, owners must have a licence to operate multi-tenant houses.

Multi-tenant houses must follow operating requirements and maintain property standards and occupancy standards. Learn more about the responsibilities of Multi-Tenant House Owners.

View lists of licenced multi-tenant houses and converted houses (former bachelorettes) in Toronto.