Lease Addendums for Ontario Landlords: Protecting Your Property Through Additional Terms

Lease and Rental Management

The Ontario standard lease includes an Additional Terms section — using it wisely addresses property-specific concerns that the standard form doesn't cover.

Parking and storage addendum: specify which parking space and storage locker are included, whether they're part of rent or separate charges, and the conditions for use. If parking is not available, state that explicitly to prevent future claims of an implied parking entitlement.

Ontario Tenancy Law

Pet addendum: if pets are permitted, specify which types and sizes are allowed, require prior written approval for any specific pet, and establish the tenant's responsibility for any pet-related damage upon vacating. A well-drafted pet clause doesn't prohibit pets (which is largely unenforceable) but creates clear conditions and accountability.

Maintenance responsibility addendum: specify tenant obligations beyond the RTA minimum. Common additions include: responsibility for lawn maintenance if the unit has exclusive use of a private yard, snow clearing of private walkways, changing furnace filters at specified intervals (if the landlord supplies the filters), and keeping unit free of materials that would attract pests.

Protecting Landlord Rights

Smoking and vaping restriction: a no-smoking clause is enforceable and appropriate for most properties. Smoking damage — odour, staining, and HVAC contamination — is one of the most expensive unit remediation scenarios. A clear no-smoking clause in the lease creates an enforceable basis for damage claims.

Sublet and assignment: the standard lease form covers sublet and assignment rights, but an additional clause can provide specificity about the approval process — what documentation is required, what timeline for response, and what criteria will be used to assess a sublet request. Clarity here reduces the ambiguity that leads to disputes.