Ontario Standard Lease (Form 2229E)
Set out the terms of a private residential tenancy on Ontario's mandatory standard lease.
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About Ontario Standard Lease (Form 2229E)
The Ontario Standard Lease, Form 2229E, is the standard form of lease that landlords of most private residential units in Ontario must use. It has been mandatory for most new tenancies since 2018. The form sets out the parties, the rental unit, the term, the rent, the services included, and the required terms that apply under the Residential Tenancies Act.
This page is a free fillable helper and a general template, not legal advice. The standard lease is mandatory for most private residential rentals in Ontario, so always download and use the current official Form 2229E from the Government of Ontario before you sign. Rules and amounts can change, and some tenancies, such as care homes and certain social housing, use a different lease.
Who needs to complete it
- Landlords renting out most private residential units in Ontario for a new tenancy.
- Tenants who want to read and agree to the standard terms before they sign.
- Property managers preparing leases on behalf of an owner.
- Anyone renewing or replacing an older lease that predates the standard form.
How to fill out Ontario Standard Lease (Form 2229E)
- 1Enter the legal names of the landlord and every tenant, along with the landlord's address for giving notices.
- 2Write the full address of the rental unit, including the unit number and postal code.
- 3Choose whether the tenancy is a fixed term or month to month, and enter the start date and, for a fixed term, the end date.
- 4Set the total rent, the day it is due each period, and who to pay it to along with the accepted payment methods.
- 5List which services and utilities are included in the rent and which the tenant pays separately, such as heat, water, hydro, or parking.
- 6Record any rent deposit and any key deposit, keeping in mind the limits set under the Residential Tenancies Act.
- 7Note whether a rent discount, smoking rules, tenant insurance, or other lawful conditions apply, and attach the standard required terms.
- 8Add any extra terms in the space provided, making sure they do not conflict with the Act, since terms that break the law cannot be enforced.
- 9Review the required terms in the form, which apply even if they are left blank, so both parties understand their rights.
- 10Have the landlord and each tenant sign and date the lease, and give the tenant a copy within 21 days.
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Frequently asked questions
Is the standard lease mandatory in Ontario?
Yes, for most new private residential tenancies. Landlords of most private units must use the standard form, Form 2229E. A few tenancy types, such as care homes and certain social and supportive housing, are exempt and use a different lease.
What happens if the landlord does not give me a standard lease?
You can ask for one in writing. If the landlord does not provide the standard lease within a set time after you ask, the Residential Tenancies Act gives you certain rights, which can include withholding one month of rent. Check the current rules on the Ontario website.
Can the landlord add extra terms?
Yes, in the space provided, but the extra terms cannot conflict with the Residential Tenancies Act. Any term that tries to remove a right the law gives you, or add an unlawful charge, cannot be enforced.
How much can a landlord ask for as a deposit?
Ontario limits what a landlord can collect. A rent deposit is capped and can be applied to the last rental period, and key deposits are limited to the actual cost. The limits are set under the Residential Tenancies Act, so confirm the current rules before you pay.
When do I have to get my copy of the lease?
The landlord must give the tenant a signed copy of the lease within 21 days after the tenant signs it. Keep your copy in a safe place for the length of the tenancy.
Is this the official Ontario form?
No, this page is a general helper. The standard lease is mandatory for most rentals, so always download and use the current official Form 2229E from the Government of Ontario before you sign.