1. Andrew W. Truty Paralegal Services Presents:
Tenancy Agreements, Screening, Maintenance Checklist, Oral Agreements

2. Andrew W. Truty Paralegal Services
Call us at or 647 – 688 – 1795
We review rental agreements
We write rental agreements
We ensure you have all the initial paper work in place to save you time and money if issues arise

3. Tenant Initial Screening
Landlords should have initial tenant screening form before signing the lease.
This form should include items such as employment information
Past landlords contact information
Credit check
Why they left their last unit etc.
Do not rely on the word of the tenant, take the extra time to verify tenant information

4. What to include in a Tenancy Agreement
What is the unit being used for?
How much is the rent and when is it due?
The start and end date of the tenancy
Rights and responsibilities of both parties: including
(see next)

5. Tenancy Agreement Continued
Rights
The right to collect rent
The right to evict for the nonpayment of the rent.
The right to keep the rental unit free from damage, illegal activity and overcrowding
The right to evict if the above items become an issue
The right to lawful increase the charged rent within the confines of the law.
THE RIGHT TO SEEK HELP BY THE LANDLORD AND TENANT BOARD TO ENFORCE RIGHTS.

6. Tenancy Agreement Continued
Responsibilities
Not to harrass, coerce, or threaten a tenant.
Not to enter the rental unit without providing notice when required.
To keep units and the rental property fit for habitation, sanitary and within health standards
To respond to reasonable maintenance requests and concerns.
To not interfere with a tenant’s reasonable enjoyment of the unit.
Not to restrict pets.
Not to increase the rent outside of the bounds of the law

7. Tenancy Agreement Continued
Other considerations
Who is the responsible for utilities and added services
The obligation to not restrict a tenants right to sublet when a reasonable request is made.
In the event of legal proceedings, who is liable for legal costs.
Charges for key replacements, NSF fees, and other out of pocket expenses specified and agreed upon
FAILURE TO PROVIDE A LEASE IN WRITING WHEN REQUESTED CAN SUSPEND YOUR RIGHT TO COLLECT RENT.
Some clauses that a landlord may want to include are inconsistent with the legislation and therefore void.

8. Maintenance checklist
Walk the unit with your tenant before signing the tenancy agreement
Look for any maintenance issues
Have a checklist for the tenant that they have inspected the unit and agree by signing that there are no issues or list the issues and give a timeline as to when repair will occur
TAKE PICTURES

9. Oral Agreements An agreement can exist
What was the intention of both parties, this must be clear.
Problems arise later on and it becomes hard to prove what both people said
Written agreements override oral agreements
There are ways of enforcing oral agreements without significant proof. Promissory Estoppel
TO ALWAYS BE SAFE HAVE YOUR AGREEMENT IN WRITING.