Toronto landlord lawyer for property owners and managers. Lease agreements drafted to protect your investment, tenant disputes resolved efficiently, and evictions handled properly from notice through to enforcement.
· Reviewed by Jonathan Kleiman, J.D.
Jonathan Kleiman is a landlord lawyer in Toronto who represents property owners and property managers in every legal issue that arises from owning and operating rental properties.
Whether you own a single residential unit, manage a portfolio of commercial properties, or operate as a professional property management company — Jonathan provides practical legal advice that protects your investment, minimizes risk, and resolves tenant disputes before they escalate.
Every engagement begins with a free 30-minute consultation.
Ontario's Residential Tenancies Act, 2006 (RTA) governs almost every aspect of the relationship between residential landlords and tenants in Toronto. The rules are detailed, the penalties for non-compliance are real, and the Landlord and Tenant Board moves on its own timeline.
Jonathan helps Toronto landlords navigate the RTA from lease signing through to eviction enforcement — ensuring that every step is legally sound and procedurally correct.
When a tenant stops paying rent, the clock starts immediately. Jonathan prepares and serves the correct notice (N4), files the application with the Landlord and Tenant Board, and represents you at the hearing to obtain an eviction order and an order for arrears.
For former tenants who owe outstanding rent, Jonathan pursues recovery through the Small Claims Court or Superior Court.
Ontario law requires landlords to follow a strict process for every type of eviction. Using the wrong notice form, missing a deadline, or failing to include required information can delay the process by months.
Jonathan ensures the right notice is served correctly and represents you through the Board hearing and enforcement process.
Not every tenant dispute requires eviction. Jonathan handles disputes involving unauthorized occupants, illegal subletting, persistent late payment, damage to the unit, interference with other tenants, and tenants who refuse reasonable entry for repairs or inspections.
For general landlord and tenant matters, see the landlord & tenant lawyer overview. For contract-related issues, visit contract lawyer services.
Commercial leases in Ontario are governed by the Commercial Tenancies Act and general contract law — not the RTA. This gives landlords significantly more flexibility in setting terms, but it also means that the lease itself becomes the primary source of rights and remedies.
A poorly drafted commercial lease can cost a Toronto landlord far more than a vacancy.
Net leases, gross leases, percentage leases, and ground leases drafted to protect the landlord's revenue, limit liability, and clearly allocate operating costs between landlord and tenant.
Jonathan reviews lease proposals and tenant counter-offers, identifies risks, and negotiates terms that protect your position — including assignment, subletting, default remedies, and tenant improvement provisions.
Breach of lease terms, unauthorized use, failure to maintain the premises, non-payment of additional rent (TMI), and holdover tenancies. Jonathan pursues resolution through demand letters, negotiation, and litigation.
When a commercial tenant defaults, Ontario law permits remedies not available in residential tenancies — including commercial eviction, distress for unpaid rent, and accelerated rent provisions. Jonathan advises on the most effective enforcement strategy.
Property managers in Toronto face legal questions daily — from tenant screening and maintenance obligations to contractor disputes and regulatory compliance. Jonathan provides ongoing legal support to property management companies and individual landlords who self-manage.
Every tenancy starts with a lease. Jonathan drafts and reviews residential and commercial lease agreements that set clear expectations, protect the landlord's interests, and comply with Ontario law.
The cost of a legal dispute is almost always higher than the cost of preventing one. Jonathan helps landlords implement policies and documentation that reduce exposure to tenant claims, regulatory penalties, and litigation.
Free 30-minute consultation. No fee, no obligation.
When a tenant damages the property — whether through negligence, willful destruction, or failure to report maintenance issues — the landlord is entitled to recover the cost of repairs.
Jonathan documents the damage, assesses the claim, and pursues recovery through the Landlord and Tenant Board (for current tenants) or the Small Claims Court (for former tenants or claims exceeding the Board's typical scope).
Landlords who hire contractors for repairs, renovations, or property maintenance sometimes face disputes over scope, quality, or cost. Jonathan handles these disputes — including suing contractors in Small Claims Court — and reviews contractor agreements before work begins to prevent problems.
Not every landlord dispute belongs at the Landlord and Tenant Board. Many claims — particularly those involving former tenants, property damage exceeding normal wear, unpaid invoices, and commercial lease disputes — are pursued through Ontario's civil courts.
The Ontario Small Claims Court handles landlord claims up to $50,000 with simplified procedures, shorter timelines, and lower costs. Common landlord claims include unpaid rent from former tenants, property damage, cleaning costs, and unreturned keys or equipment.
For commercial lease disputes, significant property damage, or claims exceeding $50,000, Jonathan represents landlords in the Ontario Superior Court of Justice through to judgment and enforcement.
Working with Jonathan on a landlord matter is straightforward:
Describe the property, the tenant issue, and what you need. Jonathan identifies the legal issues and recommends the most effective approach.
Jonathan prepares and serves the correct notice or demand letter — ensuring compliance with the RTA or commercial lease terms and establishing a clear deadline.
If the tenant does not comply, Jonathan files the application with the Landlord and Tenant Board or the appropriate court and represents you at the hearing.
Once an order is obtained, Jonathan pursues enforcement — including the Sheriff's office for evictions and garnishment or seizure for monetary judgments.
Many landlord matters — including lease drafting, lease review, and demand letters — are handled on a flat-fee basis. You'll know the cost before the work begins.
A tenant problem doesn't fix itself. The longer you wait, the more rent you lose, the more damage accrues, and the harder enforcement becomes. Call a landlord lawyer before the problem compounds.
Jonathan earned his B.A. (with distinction) at McGill University and his J.D. at Queen's University. He has been a member of the Law Society of Ontario since 2011.
Your landlord lawyer should understand the business side of property ownership — not just the legal side. Jonathan advises landlords who think in terms of cash flow, vacancy costs, and long-term asset value.
Bring the lease, the tenant file, and the facts — Jonathan will tell you where you stand and what it will take to resolve it.
Call 416-554-1639 or book a free consultation.
The questions Toronto landlords and property managers ask most often about tenant disputes, evictions, lease agreements, and working with a landlord lawyer.
A landlord lawyer advises property owners on their legal rights and obligations under Ontario's Residential Tenancies Act and commercial lease law.
Services include drafting and reviewing lease agreements, handling tenant disputes, pursuing evictions through the Landlord and Tenant Board, recovering unpaid rent, and representing landlords in Small Claims Court or Superior Court proceedings.
Ontario landlords must follow the process set out in the Residential Tenancies Act. This typically involves serving the correct notice form, waiting the required notice period, and filing an application with the Landlord and Tenant Board if the tenant does not comply.
Self-help evictions — such as changing locks or shutting off utilities — are illegal in Ontario.
Yes. Landlords can pursue unpaid rent through the Landlord and Tenant Board for current tenants, or through the Small Claims Court (for claims up to $50,000) or Superior Court for former tenants.
Jonathan helps landlords recover arrears through the most cost-effective process available.
While legal representation is not required, having a lawyer significantly improves outcomes. Board hearings move quickly, adjudicators expect familiarity with the Residential Tenancies Act, and procedural mistakes can result in dismissed applications or delayed evictions.
Jonathan represents landlords at hearings and prepares the evidence and submissions needed to succeed.
A commercial lease should clearly address base rent and additional rent (TMI — taxes, maintenance, and insurance), permitted use, assignment and subletting restrictions, renewal options, tenant improvement allowances, default and remedies, insurance requirements, and indemnification.
Unlike residential tenancies, commercial leases are not governed by the RTA, giving landlords more contractual flexibility but requiring careful drafting. See contract lawyer services for more on lease drafting.
Many landlord matters — including lease drafting, lease review, and demand letters — are handled on a flat-fee basis.
Landlord and Tenant Board applications and litigation are quoted based on complexity. Jonathan provides a clear fee estimate during your free 30-minute consultation so you know the cost before work begins.
Ontario's Residential Tenancies Act requires landlords to provide 24 hours' written notice before entering a rental unit, and entry is only permitted for specific reasons such as repairs, inspections, or showing the unit to prospective tenants or buyers.
Emergency situations (fire, flood, imminent danger) are the exception. Unauthorized entry can result in a tenant application to the Board and potential penalties.
Residential tenancies are governed by the Residential Tenancies Act, which imposes strict rules on rent increases, evictions, maintenance obligations, and tenant rights.
Commercial leases are governed primarily by contract law and the Commercial Tenancies Act, giving landlords and tenants more freedom to negotiate terms. A landlord lawyer ensures your lease and approach comply with whichever framework applies.
Get experienced legal advice on your landlord or property management issue today. Free 30-minute consultation with a Toronto landlord lawyer.