Hey everyone, looking for some advice on a situation in Ontario.
My dad has been living in the same rent-controlled apartment unit for about 25 years. Originally, the lease was under a friend’s name, but that friend moved out around 2 years ago. Since then, my dad has been the one living there and paying the full rent consistently.
Important detail: the rent has still been paid under the original tenant’s name (the friend), even though my dad is the one actually living there and making the payments.
Other details:
- It’s a regular apartment building (not shared with landlord)
- Rent has always been paid on time
- Hydro is included (he’s never paid it separately)
- The landlord knows he lives there
- He currently has tenant insurance in his own name
Now the landlord/building management is:
- Asking for proof of tenant insurance
- Bringing up lease/tenant status (since the original leaseholder is gone)
We’re wondering:
- Can my dad be added to or assigned the lease even if the original tenant already moved out?
- If the landlord refuses to transfer/assign the lease, what happens next?
- Can they force him to sign a brand new lease (and potentially change terms like rent or hydro)?
- Does him living there long-term and paying rent (even under the other person’s name) give him any legal standing?
Main concern is not losing the current rent-controlled terms or having utilities suddenly changed.
Any insight from people familiar with Ontario tenancy law or similar experiences would help a lot.