TORONTO SUBLET RULES AND AGREEMENT TEMPLATE (FREE)
A Sublet in Ontario is the temporary replacement of a tenant by another renter. A tenant here means someone who is leasing rental housing from a landlord and is protected by the Residential Tenancies Act. This resource provides the rules and immediate tools to legally sublet in Ontario.
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01 // Context: Roommate or Sublet?
In many global regions, the term "sublet" means what we in Ontario refer to as an Occupant/Off-lease Roommate. This is a source of constant confusion in our rental market.
It's important to understand the difference. In Ontario, legal sublets are not roommate contracts.
They create a temporary RTA-protected tenancy that carries responsibilities and protections for the leaseholder (outgoing renter), the incoming renter, and the landlord.
We developed this framework to provide practical tools to manage the process and cut through the confusion.
Looking for information on Off-Lease Roommates and Agreements? View the free template here.
02 // Legal: Rights, Risks, and Responsibilities
A legal sublet grants RTA coverage for the temporary renter, but skipping the formal process is a liability.
The person renting out the space must be a tenant under the Residential Tenancies Act. This means the landlord does not live in the unit or share a kitchen/bathroom with the occupants.
Crucially, the sublet agreement must have a set end date that occurs before the primary tenant's lease or month-to-month term ends. If you aren't coming back, seek a Lease Transfer (Assignment), not a sublet.
The landlord must give written consent for the specific subtenant. While a landlord cannot unreasonably refuse a sublet, the primary tenant must follow the proper request process to stay protected.
03 // Process & Free Sublet Template
Subletting allows you to retain your housing while away, but you remain liable for the unit. If your subtenant causes damage or misses rent, your landlord will hold you accountable at the LTB. Use these steps to mitigate that risk:
Get written consent from your landlord for the specific sublet dates and candidate. Do this before taking deposits. Remember to verify the person's identity.
It is illegal to charge more than what you pay your landlord. Only collect Last Month's Rent (LMR) and a refundable key deposit. No security/damage deposits.
Sign an Agreement (below) to have hard proof at the LTB if your subtenant breaches the sublet terms. Do a walk-through inspection when you temporarily move out (take time-stamped photos).
The Free Sublet Template:
There is no official document used for offering sublets or subleases in Toronto. We have created the template below, inspired by the Ontario Standard Lease, to help renters and landlords navigate the requirements of a legally defined sublet.
- Deposit handling, sublet end date, payment dates
- Permitted areas/personal property of use (and off-limits)
*Informational purposes only. Not legal advice.
04 // Get the Complete Toolkit Bundle ($5)
Don't wing it with your landlord. We packaged the exact documentation you need to get your landlord's approval on the first try and protect yourself from being charged for damage you didn't cause.
- The Landlord Permission Email Draft: Legally sound phrasing to request consent for your subtenant.
- Move-In & Move-Out Inspection Checklists: Room-by-room documentation to protect your security deposit.
- Key & Utility Tracking Sheet: Keep track of who has keys and who is paying which bill while you are gone.
- The Sublet Agreement: The core Word Doc/Google Doc template included above.
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