How to Be a Good Landlord

Being a good landlord isn't just about being nice — it's good business. Tenants who feel respected stay longer, pay reliably, and treat your property well, which means lower turnover and fewer costly vacancies. In Ontario, it also means staying onside with the Residential Tenancies Act. Here's how to do both.

Key takeaways

• Great tenant relationships start with clear communication and a fair, written lease.
• Respond to maintenance and repairs promptly — it's both your legal duty and the best way to retain tenants.
• Respect tenant privacy: Ontario requires proper written notice before most entries.
• Follow the rules on rent increases (2.1% guideline for 2026 on most older units) and never attempt a self-help eviction.
• A good landlord keeps records, stays informed, and treats the rental as a long-term relationship.

Start with a fair, clear lease

Good landlording begins before move-in. Most Ontario tenancies must use the mandatory Ontario Standard Lease, which sets out rent, responsibilities, and key terms in plain language. A clear lease prevents most disputes simply by making expectations obvious from day one. Take the time to walk through it with your tenant rather than just handing it over.

For the full foundation, see our pillar guide on how to become a landlord in Ontario and learn how to find the right tenant in how to screen tenants.

Communicate and respond quickly

The most common tenant complaint is a landlord who's hard to reach. Set a clear channel for questions and maintenance requests, acknowledge them promptly, and follow through on what you promise. Responsive landlords build trust, and trusting tenants are far more likely to renew — saving you the cost and risk of finding someone new.

Retention is cheaper than turnover

Every vacancy means lost rent, advertising, cleaning, and screening time. Keeping a good tenant happy is almost always cheaper than replacing them — which is why responsiveness pays for itself.

Handle maintenance and repairs properly

In Ontario, landlords are responsible for keeping a rental in a good state of repair and fit for habitation, complying with health and safety standards — regardless of whether the tenant knew about a problem when they moved in. Address urgent issues immediately and routine ones promptly. Beyond the legal duty, fast repairs prevent small problems from becoming expensive ones.

Knowing exactly who's responsible for what avoids friction. Our guide on rental property maintenance responsibilities breaks down the split between landlord and tenant.

Respect privacy and follow the law

Your tenant has a legal right to reasonable enjoyment of their home. With limited exceptions like emergencies, you must give proper written notice before entering — you can't simply show up. Respecting that boundary is one of the clearest signs of a good landlord.

Treat it like a long-term relationship

The landlords who do best think beyond a single lease term. Small gestures — acknowledging a renewal, fixing something before it's a complaint, giving as much notice as you can for any visit — build goodwill that pays off in reliable rent and a well-kept home. Keep organized records of payments, receipts, inspections, and communication; they protect both parties and make any future Landlord and Tenant Board matter far easier to handle.

Staying informed is part of the job, too. Rent rules, forms, and guidelines change, so check current figures at official sources rather than relying on memory. If you ever face a serious issue like unpaid rent, follow the proper process from the start — see how to handle late rent payments — and never resort to a self-help eviction.

Ultimately, being a good landlord and running a profitable rental are the same goal, not competing ones. Tenants who are treated fairly, housed safely, and communicated with honestly tend to stay longer, pay on time, and look after your property — which is exactly what protects your investment over the years. Get the fundamentals right from the first listing through to renewal, lean on official sources whenever the rules are unclear, and you'll spend far less time managing problems and far more time enjoying steady returns.

Know the rent and eviction rules

A good landlord plays by the rules even when it's inconvenient. Rent on most units first occupied on or before November 15, 2018 can increase only once every 12 months by the provincial guideline — 2.1% for 2026 — with 90 days' written notice. If a serious problem arises, such as unpaid rent, you must work through the Landlord and Tenant Board (LTB), never change locks or remove belongings yourself. Learn the right way to handle problems in how to handle late rent payments.

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