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Rental housing and tenant help in London
London, Ontario, Canada
London rental housing contacts, lease and deposit rules, repair complaints, legal clinic details, rent assistance and steps for handling notices.
Key information
For rental repairs or property standards in London, contact the City. For tenancy rights and disputes, use the Landlord and Tenant Board and legal support. For eligible rent or utility arrears, the Housing Stability Bank offers a separate assistance process. Keep your lease, notices and payment records.
On this page
Which housing service handles the issue?
| Issue | Service | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| Building condition or property standards | City Municipal Compliance | 519-661-4660; enforcement@london.ca |
| Tenancy dispute or application | Landlord and Tenant Board | Use the LTB application and hearing pages |
| Legal help about housing | Neighbourhood Legal Services | 519-438-2890 |
| Rent arrears or last month’s rent | Housing Stability Bank | Use the relevant online application |
| Community housing assistance | City Housing Access Centre | 519-661-0861; hac@london.ca |
- City rental housing support for tenants
- Legal Aid Ontario: Neighbourhood Legal Services
- Centre of Hope Housing Stability Bank
Sources: City rental housing support for tenants · City property standards complaints · Legal Aid Ontario: Neighbourhood Legal Services · Centre of Hope Housing Stability Bank · City housing assistance contacts
What to confirm before agreeing to a rental
| Item | What to record |
|---|---|
| Home and landlord | Full unit address, owner or agent contact and who will sign |
| Rent | Total rent, due date and any separately listed parking or services |
| Utilities | Who pays electricity, heat and water |
| Term | Start date and fixed term or other rental period |
| Building services | Laundry, waste arrangements, entry and maintenance contacts |
| Move-in condition | Dated photos and a written list of existing problems |
Ontario’s standard lease records many of these details for most private residential tenancies. It has exceptions, including certain care, co-operative, social and supportive housing arrangements. Confirm which rules apply before relying on a general rule.
Sources: Ontario standard lease guide
Standard leases, deposits and receipts
For tenancies covered by Ontario’s standard lease rules, the agreement identifies the parties, unit, lawful rent, services and utility responsibility. An added term cannot remove a right under the Residential Tenancies Act.
The provincial guide says a rent deposit is for the final rental period, not damage. It cannot exceed one month’s rent or one rental period, whichever is less. A refundable key deposit has separate limits. Pet and damage deposits are not permitted under those rules.
Keep receipts for rent and deposits. The provincial guide says tenants can request receipts without a fee. A fixed term ending does not automatically mean a covered tenant must leave or sign a new lease. Get case-specific advice for a shared home or an unusual housing arrangement.
Sources: Ontario standard lease guide · Ontario standard lease rights and deposits guide (PDF)
Reporting repairs and property standards
The City asks for contact details, the property and unit address, location of the issue and a description. Municipal enforcement and an LTB tenant application have different purposes. A City complaint does not by itself open an LTB case.
- Tell the landlord or property manager about the issue in writing. Record the date, unit and affected area.
- Keep photos, messages and any replies. Describe the condition clearly, including when it occurs.
- For City property standards concerns, contact Municipal Compliance or submit a Service London request.
- Keep the request number and provide any further information staff request.
- City property standards complaints
- Report a rental building concern
- City rental housing support for tenants
Sources: City property standards complaints · City rental housing support for tenants
Neighbourhood Legal Services contact and hours
Quick comparison and full source records
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Address | 717 Richmond Street, Unit 200, London, ON N6A 1S2 |
| Telephone | 519-438-2890 |
| Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday | 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. |
| Wednesday | 9 a.m. to noon |
| Weekends | Closed |
| Listed areas of help | Housing, income support, discrimination, employment law and legal documents |
Call to explain the problem, any deadline and what help you need. Ask the clinic to confirm financial and service eligibility. A directory listing does not confirm that it can take a particular case.
Neighbourhood Legal Services
717 Richmond Street, Unit 200
The community legal clinic lists housing, income support, discrimination and employment among its areas of help. Contact intake about your issue, eligibility and appointment before visiting.
Sources: Neighbourhood Legal Services contact
Housing Stability Bank applications
The Centre of Hope Housing Stability Bank supports eligible low-income Londoners with interest-free loans for rent arrears or last month’s rent. First month’s rent assistance is listed for ODSP recipients only.
It also offers grants, while annual funding lasts, or interest-free loans for gas, electricity or water arrears. Its website separates rental arrears, last month’s rent and emergency utility applications. Choose the correct form and confirm repayment terms for a loan.
Assistance is subject to assessment. A loan application is not a payment arrangement with your landlord or utility provider.
Notices, applications and hearing preparation
Keep the complete notice or order, including its form number, dates and delivery details. Contact a legal service promptly. Different forms and stages have different response steps; a general online summary cannot determine your deadline.
The LTB’s current process pages cover applications, evidence, hearings, orders and challenges. Ontario updated some LTB procedures in September 2026. Use the current instructions rather than an older forum post.
- Make a timeline of payments, repair requests and notices.
- Keep the lease, receipts, photos and messages together.
- Ask a legal adviser which issue, form, evidence deadline and remedy apply.
- Follow the instructions on the actual hearing notice and ask early about access or interpretation needs.
- Landlord and Tenant Board application and hearing process
- Legal Aid Ontario: Neighbourhood Legal Services
Sources: Landlord and Tenant Board application and hearing process · Legal Aid Ontario: Neighbourhood Legal Services
Rental housing questions
Does the City decide every landlord and tenant dispute?
No. The City handles municipal concerns such as property standards. The LTB handles matters under provincial tenancy law. A legal clinic can help identify the correct route.
Is a Housing Stability Bank rent payment always a grant?
No. The provider lists rental assistance as interest-free loans. Emergency utility help can be a grant or loan, subject to funding and eligibility.
Where do I check which Ontario lease rules apply to my rental?
Start with Ontario’s standard lease guide and confirm whether your housing arrangement is covered. Some shared homes and other arrangements have exceptions. Neighbourhood Legal Services can assess eligibility for advice about your own situation.
Source: Ontario standard lease guide
What should I record before agreeing to a London rental?
Keep the full unit address, landlord or agent contact, rent, start date and included services. Confirm who pays utilities. Make a dated record of the move-in condition and keep the agreement and payment records together.
Source: Ontario standard lease guide
How do I report a rental repair problem in London?
Tell the landlord or manager in writing and keep dated photos and replies. For property standards concerns, contact Municipal Compliance or Service London with the unit address and issue. Keep the City request number for follow-up.
Does a City property standards complaint open a tenant board case?
No. Municipal enforcement and a Landlord and Tenant Board application have different purposes. Keep records of the City complaint and ask a legal adviser which separate process fits the issue and any deadline.
Where can London tenants ask about legal help?
Neighbourhood Legal Services is listed by Legal Aid Ontario at 717 Richmond Street, Unit 200. Call 519-438-2890 to explain the housing issue and deadline. Staff must confirm financial eligibility and whether the clinic can help with the case.
Can the Housing Stability Bank help with rent arrears?
It offers eligible low-income Londoners interest-free loans for rent arrears or last month’s rent. Use the application for the type of help you need and confirm eligibility and repayment terms. Contacting the service is not an approval.
What should I keep after receiving a tenancy notice?
Keep the complete notice, its form number, delivery details and all dates. Save the lease, receipts, messages and relevant photos. Contact a legal service promptly so it can identify the response steps for that notice.
Source: Landlord and Tenant Board application and hearing process
Where do I find the current tenant board hearing instructions?
Use the Landlord and Tenant Board’s current application and hearing process pages and the instructions on your actual notice. Different stages have different requirements. Ask early about interpretation or access needs and keep submission confirmations.
Source: Landlord and Tenant Board application and hearing process