Changing the Locks as an Ontario Landlord

Only in a narrow way. Under section 24 of the Residential Tenancies Act, 2006 (the Act), a landlord shall not alter the locking system on a door giving entry to a rental unit or residential complex, or cause it to be altered, during the tenant's occupancy without giving the tenant replacement keys. The Landlord and Tenant Board (LTB) says it plainly: it is illegal for a landlord to change the locks to a rental unit or the building without giving the tenant a key for the new locks.

The deeper rule is about possession. A landlord shall not recover possession of a rental unit subject to a tenancy unless the tenant has vacated or abandoned it, or an LTB order evicting the tenant has authorized the possession (section 39). Changing the locks to keep a tenant out is a way of taking possession, so it fails that test.

The sources reviewed for this guide do not state any rule that lets a landlord add a lock or change a lock without giving keys. The text is on the Ontario e-Laws page for the Act.

There are two ordinary cases.

• You give the tenant the new keys. A lock change with replacement keys handed over is the situation section 24 allows.
• The tenancy is over in law. The LTB's guidance says only the Sheriff can evict a tenant. The exceptions it names to the no lock change rule are a Sheriff eviction and a landlord who is sure the tenant has abandoned the unit. See How a Landlord Can End a Tenancy.

Be careful with abandonment. The Act says a tenant has not abandoned a rental unit if the tenant is not in arrears of rent (section 2(3)). A landlord who believes a tenant has abandoned the unit may apply to the Board for an order terminating the tenancy (section 79). A landlord who guesses wrong may face the remedies below, so if you are not sure, apply to the Board rather than changing the locks. See also my tenant has disappeared and what to do when a tenant leaves belongings behind in Ontario.

Ontario's General regulation (O. Reg. 516/06, section 17) allows these key related charges. See O. Reg. 516/06.

• Additional keys, remote entry devices or cards that the tenant asks for: no more than your direct costs.
• Replacement keys: no more than the direct replacement costs, unless the replacement is required because the landlord, on the landlord's own initiative, changed the locks. In that case you cannot charge.
• A refundable key deposit: no more than the expected direct replacement costs.

So if you choose to change the locks, you pay for the new keys. Separately, the maintenance standards regulation (O. Reg. 517/06, section 29(2)) requires that at least one entrance door be lockable from outside.

The rule runs both ways. A tenant may not alter the locks without the landlord's consent (section 35). If a tenant does, the landlord may apply to the Board, which may order that keys be provided, or order the tenant to pay reasonable out-of-pocket expenses (section 35(1) to (3)).

The sources reviewed did not confirm which LTB form a landlord uses for that application. Ask the LTB for the right form. Do not respond by cutting the lock off or changing it yourself unless you give the tenant new keys.

Entry still follows the notice rules in the Act, which is covered in the Ontario landlord entry guide.

A tenant who is locked out can apply to the LTB on Form T2, "Application about Tenant Rights". The tenant's brochure says they can ask for an order requiring the landlord to let them back in. See the LTB lock-out brochure for tenants. The tenant has one year to apply (section 29).

The Board has a wide set of remedies against a landlord (section 31(1)):

• an order to stop the conduct,
• an order for expenses,
• a rent abatement,
• an administrative fine, up to the greater of $10,000 and the Small Claims Court's monetary jurisdiction,
• terminating the tenancy, and other orders.

If the unit is vacant, the Board may order that the tenant recover possession and that the landlord not re-rent it. That order expires after 15 days if it is not filed with the sheriff, and after 45 days if it is (section 31(3) and (5)). The Act also does not allow seizing a tenant's property without legal process (section 40).

Beyond the Board, these are offences: altering the locking system contrary to section 24 or 35 (section 233(b)), and unlawfully recovering possession (section 234(w)). The maximum fine is $100,000 for an individual and $500,000 for a corporation (section 238). Those higher figures took effect July 1, 2026. Check the Act for the current figures before you rely on them.

1. Use the notice and application route. Match the reason to the notice. For rent, see the guide to a tenant who is not paying rent in Ontario.
2. Wait for an order. Only an LTB order authorizes recovering possession, and only the Sheriff carries out the eviction.
3. Keep records. If you believe the tenant has left, write down why and ask the LTB before you act.
4. Give keys with any lock change. Record the date the keys were handed over.

For timing, see how long it takes to evict a tenant.

This guide explains the rules in general terms; for a specific case, ask the tribunal or a licensed legal professional.