Lease agreement (residential)
Lease agreement (residential). Residential and commercial real estate transactions, transfers, and refinancing.
Buying, selling, refinancing or transferring property, registering documents on title and advising on agreements of purchase and sale or commercial leases are work for a lawyer in Ontario, so the firm does only the parts a licensed paralegal is permitted to do, such as residential tenancy matters, and refers the rest to an Ontario lawyer.
What is included
- Preparing Ontario's standard form residential lease with the details you give
- Explaining key rules under the Residential Tenancies Act, 2006, such as deposits and rent increases
- Reviewing a renewal or amendment so it fits those rules
- Pointing out terms that may not be enforceable under the Act
What is not included
- Acting on a purchase, sale, refinance or title transfer, which only a lawyer may do
- Advice on agreements of purchase and sale, status certificates or commercial leases, which the lawyer gives
- Land transfer tax, registration fees, title insurance and other closing costs
- Mortgage and lender documents, which the lawyer handles
Who this service is for
- Landlords renting out a home, condo or basement unit
- Tenants who want to understand a lease before signing
- Landlords and tenants renewing or changing a residential lease
Information to have ready
- 1The names of the landlord and every tenant
- 2The rental unit address, start date and rent
- 3Any current lease and rent records, for a renewal
- 4Details of utilities, parking and other services included
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost?
The fee is $350 plus 13% HST ($395.50 in all) for the work described on this page. Court, tribunal or government fees and other disbursements are extra. We confirm the scope and the fee in a written retainer agreement before any work starts.
What happens when I check out?
You book a time for your intake call, then save a card on Stripe's secure page. Nothing is charged today: the card is only charged later, for an invoice for work already done, as your retainer agreement sets out. A licensed paralegal confirms the details, checks for conflicts of interest and, if we can act for you, sends the retainer agreement. Fees paid before the work is done are held in our trust account.
Do I have to use the standard form lease?
Most written residential tenancy agreements in Ontario must use the government's standard form lease, though some types of housing are exempt.
What happens when a fixed-term lease ends?
Under the Residential Tenancies Act, 2006, the tenancy usually continues month to month on the same terms unless a new agreement is signed or the tenancy is ended in a way the Act allows.
Does this cover a commercial lease?
No. This service is for residential tenancies under the Residential Tenancies Act, 2006. A commercial lease is referred to a lawyer.
General information only, not legal advice. NEO Legal Services Professional Corporation is a licensed paralegal firm regulated by the Law Society of Ontario.
Important limitations
- The firm does not act on real estate transactions; the lawyer you retain does that work
- No outcome can be guaranteed, including approval by a lender or the other side
- Closing dates are fixed by your agreement, so documents must be ready on time
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