Q&As for MMAH’s Municipal Services Offices and Service Managers on RESIDENTIAL RENT FREEZE FOR 2021

4. Can care homes, such as retirement homes, and Iong-term care homes still raise rent?

The rent freeze appiies to most residential tenancies covered by the RTA, including care homes (such as retirement homes).

Operators of these homes would stilt be abie to increase fees that apply to services reiated to care as per the existing rules under the RTA. Some examples include meals, nursing care, bathing assistance, incontinence care, assistance with personal hygiene, and personal emergency response services.

Long-term care homes are not covered by the RTA and are therefore exempt from the rent increase freeze.

5. How does the rent freeze impact supportive housing?

The 2021 rent freeze applies to most residential tenancies covered by the RTA, including supportive housing covered by the RTA. Some supportive housing facilities may be "care homes" as defined in the RTA - the rent freeze would not apply to charges for care services in care homes that are not considered rent and are not regulated by the RTA. This provides care home operators with the flexibiiity to adjust their care fees as needed in order to provide a high standard of care for their residents and ensure their health and safety.

There are certain types of accommodation that provide "care services” but are not covered by the RTA or the rent freeze, such as accommodation occupied for up to one year for rehabilitative or therapeutic purposes or certain types of homes for persons with a developmental disability.

Supportive housing providers should consult with their legal counsel to determine whether the rent freeze would be applicable to their accommodation.

6. When does the rent freeze end?

Bill 204 freezes increases that would have happened in the 2021 calendar year.

The rent freeze would end on December 31, 2021, however landlords could give proper 90 days’ notice of rent increase prior to the end of the freeze for an increase to take effect starting in 2022.

7. What else has the government done to help tenants?

The government has announced a range of measures that will help Ontarians get through these unprecedented times.

The 2021 rent freeze builds on the government’s response to date to the pandemic, including the temporary pause on residential evictions earlier this year, encouraging repayment agreements between tenants and landlords, and providing $510 million in