Last updated: July 17, 2026
Published July 17, 2026 · Updated July 17, 2026
No, Ontario law does not require a landlord to change the locks when a new tenant moves in; but there are critical nuances that affect your security and your legal standing. Whether you're moving into a condo in Downtown Toronto or renting in Liberty Village, understanding landlord required to change locks new tenant Toronto Ontario law matters more than you might think.
- Ontario law does not mandate lock changes between tenants.
- You have the right to request a lock change at your own expense.
- Landlords may be liable if a former tenant enters without permission.
- Security deposits and lease agreements can address lock responsibility.
The Short Answer
Ontario's Residential Tenancies Act does not explicitly require landlords to change locks when a new tenant moves in. However, the law does impose a duty on landlords to ensure the rental unit is "fit for habitation" and to respect tenant quiet enjoyment of the space. If you're concerned about security because the previous tenant may still have keys, you can request a lock change - and many landlords will permit this, either at their cost or yours, depending on the lease terms and local practice in neighborhoods like Yorkville, Cabbagetown, or The Annex.
The practical answer: most Professional landlords in downtown Toronto do change or rekey locks between long-term tenancies as a standard practice, not because the law requires it, but because it reduces liability and builds tenant confidence. If your landlord hasn't offered, asking directly is the fastest path to resolution.
The Full Answer
What Ontario Residential Tenancies Law Actually Says
The Residential Tenancies Act, 2006 (RTA) - Ontario's governing statute for landlord-tenant relationships - does not contain a specific clause requiring lock changes between tenants. Section 20 of the RTA places the duty on landlords to maintain the premises in "a good state of repair" and to comply with housing codes, but "changing locks between tenants" isn't explicitly listed as a repair or maintenance requirement.
That said, Section 22 of the RTA gives tenants the right to "quiet enjoyment" of the rental unit - which includes the reasonable expectation that unauthorized access won't occur. If a former tenant uses a retained key to enter your unit, you have grounds to file a complaint with the Landlord and Tenant Board (LTB), and the landlord may be found liable for failing to prevent the breach.
"The law doesn't mandate lock changes, but it does require landlords to protect your right to occupy the space without interference. If you can demonstrate that a previous tenant retained access, that's a material breach of your quiet enjoyment - and the landlord is responsible for fixing it." - colourflly-locksmith.ca Team
Who Pays for a Lock Change? Lease Terms and Practice
If your landlord hasn't voluntarily offered to change the locks, the next question is: who bears the cost? This depends on your lease agreement and local custom. In buildings across downtown Toronto neighborhoods like St Clair, Leslieville, and Riverdale, we've seen three common approaches:
Many professional landlords cover the cost of rekeying or changing the main deadbolt lock as part of unit turnover. This is done not out of legal obligation but to reduce liability and present the unit as secure.
Some leases specify that tenants requesting a lock change bear the cost. Rekeying is priced per job, depending on the lock type.
Some landlords and tenants negotiate a shared cost, especially if the lock is more than 8 years old or the tenant has additional security requests (e.g., a second lock or electronic deadbolt upgrade).
The lease agreement is the governing document here. If your lease is silent on lock changes, you have an opening to negotiate with your landlord in writing (email is sufficient - it creates a paper trail). Frame it as a security concern, not a demand, and you're more likely to find cooperation.
Your Right to Change the Locks Yourself
If you're in Liberty Village, Cabbagetown, or another downtown Toronto neighborhood, and your landlord refuses to change the locks, you have a legal right to do it yourself - with one important caveat: you must restore the original lock when you move out, or pay for the landlord to do so.
This means you can hire a professional locksmith to rekey the existing deadbolt rather than replace it entirely, or install a new lock at your expense and reinstall the original before the lease ends. Keep the receipt and document the change in writing to your landlord, so there's no dispute later.
When a Former Tenant Still Has Keys: Your Recourse
This is the real concern that brings tenants to ask about mandatory lock changes. If you have evidence or reasonable suspicion that a previous tenant has retained keys and may use them to access your unit, you have legal protections under Ontario law.
Section 22 of the RTA states that you shall not "be interfered with, interrupted or interfered with by the landlord or the landlord's agents in the enjoyment of possession of the rental unit." If an unauthorized entry occurs, document it (note the date, time, what was disturbed, and file a report with police if necessary). You can then file a complaint with the Landlord and Tenant Board claiming a breach of quiet enjoyment. The LTB has the authority to order the landlord to take corrective action, including a mandatory lock change at the landlord's expense.
Proactive Steps Before You Sign
If you're about to move into a rental in Downtown Toronto, Yorkville, or any neighborhood in the service area, here's how to address lock concerns before they become problems:
- Request a lock change in writing before signing the lease. Email the landlord or property manager asking if they will rekey or change the main deadbolt prior to your move-in. Get their response in writing.
- Inspect the locks at the walkthrough. Check the condition of existing locks. If they appear worn, damaged, or if the key sticks, request replacement as a maintenance issue, not a security concern.
- Document the condition in the move-in inspection report. Ontario requires a written move-in inspection record. Note the lock type, condition, and whether it functions smoothly. This creates a baseline.
- Add a lock-change clause to the lease if possible. If negotiating the lease, propose language like: "Landlord agrees to rekey or change the main entry deadbolt prior to tenant occupancy, at landlord's expense."
Lock Types and What Counts as "Reasonable"
When requesting a lock change, understanding what locks the law considers reasonable helps your negotiation. Ontario housing standards don't specify lock types, but the Residential Tenancies Act and common law imply that a working deadbolt on the main entry door is the baseline security requirement.
| Lock Type | Typical Cost to Rekey | Considered "Standard"? |
|---|---|---|
| Pin-tumbler deadbolt (single or double cylinder) | Priced per job | Yes, minimum standard |
| Kwikset or Schlage grade-2 commercial lock | Priced per job | Yes, common in multi-unit buildings |
| Smart lock / electronic deadbolt (tenant requests) | Priced per job | No, typically tenant pays for upgrade |
| Medeco or high-security lock (building standard) | Priced per job | Yes, if it's the existing building standard |
If your building uses Kwikset or Medeco locks (common in downtown Toronto condos and apartment buildings), a rekey to match the building standard is universally viewed as reasonable and typically split between landlord and tenant, or covered by the landlord.
Related Question We Often Hear
If an unauthorized entry occurs, you have immediate recourse: contact police to file a report (for safety documentation), photograph or video-record evidence of the intrusion, and send your landlord a formal written notice demanding corrective action within 7 days. If the landlord doesn't respond, file a complaint with the Landlord and Tenant Board for breach of quiet enjoyment. The LTB can order the landlord to rekey at their expense and may award you rent abatement for the period during which your quiet enjoyment was violated. In cases we've handled for tenants across Liberty Village, Downtown Toronto, and Forest Hill, evidence of unauthorized access typically results in an LTB order in the tenant's favor within 4-6 weeks.
When the Answer Is Different
Short-term rentals and sublets
If you're renting for less than one year (a common arrangement in neighborhoods like The Annex or Casa Loma), the law may classify you differently. However, the Residential Tenancies Act still applies to most short-term rentals unless the landlord is living in the same building. Lock security standards don't change based on lease length; the quiet enjoyment right remains.
Airbnb, corporate rentals, and non-RTA protected arrangements
If you're renting through an Airbnb or corporate furnished rental arrangement in Yorkville or Rosedale, the Residential Tenancies Act may not apply. In those cases, your protection comes from the booking platform's terms or the owner's private agreement - not Ontario law. Always review the contract carefully.
Rooming houses and shared accommodations
If you're renting a room in a shared house rather than a self-contained unit, you have fewer privacy protections under Ontario law. The landlord may retain master keys to common areas, and lock changes for individual rooms are usually the tenant's responsibility.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can a landlord deduct lock-change costs from my security deposit if I had the locks changed?
Only if you failed to restore the original lock at move-out. If you professionally rekeyed the lock (rather than replacing it) and then rekeyed it back to the original combination or reinstalled the original, the landlord cannot deduct the cost. Keep receipts from the locksmith to prove what was done.
2. What's the fastest way to get a lock changed if my landlord is unresponsive?
Send a formal written request (email is sufficient) to the landlord requesting a lock change within 7 days. If they don't respond, hire a professional locksmith to rekey the existing deadbolt at your own expense, then document it in writing. You can deduct the cost from rent only in specific circumstances (urgent repair needed for security), so consult the LTB website or a paralegal first.
3. Does the Residential Tenancies Act cover lock changes in condos or co-ops differently?
The RTA applies to both rental condos and traditional apartments in Toronto. Co-op arrangements sometimes fall outside the RTA, depending on the structure; consult your co-op agreement or a paralegal. But in all cases, lock security and quiet enjoyment rights are core protections - a condo landlord cannot refuse a reasonable lock change any more than a traditional landlord.
4. If I install a smart lock, do I have to remove it when I move out?
Yes. Any lock you install that replaces the original must be removed and the original restored. Smart locks are typically considered a tenant upgrade, not a standard security fix, so the responsibility falls on you. Remove the smart lock, reinstall the original deadbolt, and leave the original key with the landlord. If you don't, the landlord can deduct the replacement cost from your security deposit.
Sources
- Residential Tenancies Act, 2006 - Section 20 (landlord's maintenance obligations) and Section 22 (tenant's right to quiet enjoyment) - ontario.ca/laws
- Ontario Landlord and Tenant Board - Dispute resolution procedures and case law on quiet enjoyment breaches - Ontario Landlord and Tenant Board
- Move-In Inspection Checklist Requirements - Ontario Regulation 517/06, Section 19 - ontario.ca/laws
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