Rent Receipts and Payment Records: Your Best Protection
Most rent disputes come down to one question: what was paid, and when? Good records answer it. Here is how to keep them.
At the Landlord and Tenant Board, a clear record of rent payments often decides the case. Under the Residential Tenancies Act, a landlord must give a tenant a receipt for rent or a deposit, free of charge, when asked.
Pay in a way that leaves a record, ask for receipts, and keep a simple ledger of every payment with its date, amount and method.
The best ways to pay
- E-transfer or bank transfer: your bank keeps a record automatically.
- Cheque: keep a copy, and check your statement when it is cashed.
- Cash: always get a signed receipt on the day.
Keep a ledger
| Date | Amount | Method | Receipt? | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 1 | $1,800 | E-transfer | Yes | |
| Feb 1 | $1,800 | E-transfer | Asked |
When you get a notice for unpaid rent
- Compare the landlord's figures with your ledger and bank records.
- Write back with your records if the amount is wrong.
- Bring your records to any hearing, organized by date.
For landlords
Accurate rent ledgers and receipts help you too: they make an application for arrears faster and more likely to succeed.
Need help with a tenancy problem? NEO helps tenants and landlords with notices, applications and hearings at the Landlord and Tenant Board. Call 647-200-3526 or toll-free 888-519-2435, email info@neolegalservices.com, or book a free consultation.
Sources
Read next: Winter in a Rental: Snow, Frozen Pipes and Heat
General Ontario legal information, not legal advice for your matter, and reading it does not create a retainer. Sources checked 15 October 2026: check the current law, forms and dates before you act.
Photos from Pexels: Adding up receipts with a calculator · A text message conversation on a phone.
This article is general information for people in Ontario, not legal advice. Rules, forms and deadlines change, and every situation is different. Check the current rule or speak to a licensed legal professional before you act.
Not sure where you stand? A licensed paralegal can look at your documents and tell you your options.
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