One of the best ways to secure your rights as a tenant is to form a tenants' association. If you want to organize a tenants' association in your building, please reach out to our office and we will connect you to support and fellow tenant organizers.
Here are some critical resources to support you:
Organizing a Tenants' Association
- Talk to our office - [email protected]
- Tenant Survival Manual — Federation of Metro Tenant Associations
- Tenant Organizing Manual — Community Legal Education Ontario
If you are facing harassment:
- Online Guide to Tenant Rights in Ontario
- Harassment and Discrimination Guide
- T2 — Instructions for T2 Form to the Landlord and Tenant Board About Your Tenant Rights
- T2 - Application Form to Landlord and Tenant Board
- If your landlord says you cannot use air conditioning
- Demand letter about harassment
- Form for documenting harassment by your landlord
If you have problems with repairs and maintenance in your unit:
- Demand letter to your landlord about repairs and maintenance
- Form for documenting incidents and communication with your landlord about repairs and maintenance
- Steps to Justice — Online Guide About Repairs and Maintenance
- Pest Problems (mice, cockroaches, bedbugs) in Your Unit
- Repairs and Maintenance Guide
- T6 — Tenant Application Form About Maintenance
If you have problems with rent increases and evictions
- Web tool for tenants who are roommates and share rental housing costs
- Does your landlord want you to move out factsheet
- Fighting an Eviction
- Rent Increases
Organizations that can help you with your housing issues, or support your organizing
- For general housing legal assistance Advocacy Centre for Tenants Ontario (ACTO)
- For racialized groups, elderly, people with disabilities - Specialty Clinics, Community Legal Education Ontario
- Legal Clinics in Your Area - Community Legal Education Ontario
- If you have questions that involve the Residential Tenancies Act or Landlord and Tenant Board — The Landlord and Tenant Board Contact Line
- If you have questions about your human rights and/or discrimination in housing — Human Rights Legal Support Centre
- If you need legal aid — Legal Aid Ontario
- If you need advice on the phone about tenant rights as soon as possible — Pro bono Ontario
- If you are a senior with housing problems who cannot afford a lawyer — Advocacy Centre for the Elderly
- If you have housing issues related to a disability or in which you require medical-related accommodation — Centre for Equality Rights in Accommodation
- If you believe your unit is not up to the City of Hamilton's Health and Safety and/or Building Standards — City of Hamilton Tenant Complaint Form
- If you have questions or need support related to cooperative housing — Cooperative Housing Federation of Canada
- If you do not qualify for Legal Aid but need low-cost/free legal support related to housing — Hamilton Community Legal Clinic
- If you need help finding affordable housing — Hamilton Housing Help Centre