Information for the City of Cambridge:The City of Cambridge does not license Rooming Houses. If you have concerns regarding property standards, please contact the By-law department 519-740-4613 ext. 7907.

Information about the City of Waterloo Rental Licensing By-law:Any low rise building that does not meet the definition of an apartment in the by-law (including single-detached dwelling, semi-detached, duplexes, triplexes, converted dwellings, townhomes) and any owner renting out one, two, three or four bedrooms in their residential unit requires a rental licence. Licensed properties must provide documentation to show compliance with multiple regulations including:• Property Maintenance Plan• Parking Plan• Floor Plan• Insurance• Electrical Safety Inspection• Heating, ventilation inspection• Criminal Record CheckThe city will also conduct periodic random inspections to ensure properties comply with rental regulations. For information or to register a complaint please contact 519-747-8785.

Here Are Some Things You Should Know:Information for Rooming House Tenants by Past and Present Rooming House Tenants

Living in a Rooming House

in Waterloo Region?

Information about the City of Kitchener By-law: DefinitionRooming houses have 4 or more tenant rooms that are locked, and a common bathroom and kitchen. All rooming houses should be licensed by the city. However, some are not licensed and they are likely operating illegally. Unlicensed rooming houses are not inspected as part of a regular inspection process.InspectionTypically, licensed rooming houses are monitored and inspected annually by the municipal by-law enforcement and fire services. If problems are found, the landlord is advised in writing and given a period of time to fix the problems before their license will be renewed.

A tenant can make complaints any time during the year. The city inspects for ‘structural’ problems like holes in the floor, not ‘cosmetic’ problems like poor carpeting.

A tenant can call the city to make a complaint if you are:• Living in an unlicensed rooming house• Concerned about heating, electricity, plumbing, flooring, roofing, ventilation• Concerned about fire safety• Worried about mould or infestations

By-laws are different for each City and Township. Contact your City or Township Property Standards office or Fire Department for information about the services they provide:

City of - Property Standards: 519-741-2330Kitchener - Fire Prevention: 519-741-2495 City of - Property Standards: 519-740-4613 Cambridge ext. 7907 - Fire Prevention: 519-621-0754 City of - Property Standards: 519-747-8785Waterloo - Fire Prevention: 519-884-2121

Township of - Property Standards: 519-669-6009Woolwich - Fire Prevention 519-664-2887

Township of - Property Standards 519-621-0340North Dumfries - Fire Prevention 519-632-7956

Township of - By Law Enforcement 519-699-3942Wellesley - Fire Prevention 519-669-4611

Township of - By Law Enforcement 519-634-8444Wilmot - Fire Prevention 519-634-8444

For further assistance contact Waterloo Region Community Legal Services resources at:

519-743-0254This brochure was developed in collaboration by:

What are My Rights?Most rooming houses are covered under the Residential Tenancies Act. • You have a right to a safe and fit place to live in a good state of repair. You can contact the local Property Standards or Fire Prevention offices for inspections at no cost to you. You can also apply to the Landlord & Tenant Board for certain things, including work orders or rent reductions.

• Your landlord can’t just enter your room whenever they want except in an emergency or with your consent. Apart from those situations, your landlord must give you 24 hours written notice to enter your room and only for certain reasons.

• Your landlord cannot just evict you at any time – They must follow the eviction process under the Residential Tenancies Act. There is no lawful eviction without an Order from the Landlord & Tenant Board and most Orders require a hearing at the Board which you can attend.

• Your landlord cannot take your personal property if you don’t pay the rent and you’re still living in your rental unit.

• Your landlord cannot force you to pay by post-dated cheques or automatic debit although sometimes it is helpful to do so.

Where Can I Get Some Legal Advice and Assistance?

Waterloo Region Community Legal Services is the local legal clinic funded through Legal Aid Ontario. The clinic assists low-income people with tenant issues, among other things.

Waterloo Region Community Legal Services does not help with Family, Criminal or Immigration Law but can provide referrals to legal resources for these areas.

You can contact the Legal Clinic for advice on Landlord & Tenant issues in rooming/boarding house situations.

How Can I Find Waterloo Region Community Legal Services?

• Location: 450 Frederick Street, Unit 101, Kitchener at the corner of Frederick and Edna Streets. • Phone Number: 519-743-0254 • Fax Number: 519-743-1588.• Office Hours: Monday to Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The Legal Clinic can also book appointments in Cambridge for either Monday afternoons or Friday mornings for certain matters. Please call the main Kitchener office to arrange.

• To not change the locking system on your rental unit’s door unless you get your landlord’s permission.

• To not substantially interfere with the reasonable enjoyment of other tenants in the use of their units or of the lawful interests of the landlord.

• To not commit illegal acts or cause safety concerns in or around your rental unit.

• Know who you are renting from - If you’re sharing either a kitchen or bathroom with the owner of the rooming house or a member of his or her immediate family who also live in the house, you may not be covered by the Residential Tenancies Act.

• Your landlord is entitled to a rent deposit of no more than one month’s rent or, if the rent is paid weekly, one week’s rent. Rent can only be increased once every twelve months and usually by an amount set by the government.

• Your landlord has to give you a copy of your written lease or, if the lease is not in writing, written notice of the landlord’s legal name and address.

• Your landlord cannot shut off or deliberately interfere with the supply of a vital service such as heat, electricity, gas or water unless it is for a short time to make needed repairs for which you have received prior notice.

What are My Responsibilities?

• Pay your rent in full and on time.

• Keep your unit clean to the standard that most people would consider ordinary or normal cleanliness.

• Give proper written notice to move out of your rental unit.

• Repair any damage to the rental property caused by you or your guests or pets whether on purpose or just by not being careful enough.