Statutory Supremacy

Can a Lease Contain Terms That Alter Statutorily Prescribed Rights or Duties?

Terms Within A Lease or Other Form of Agreement That Are Inconsistent With the Residential Tenancies Act, 2006 Are Void and Unenforceable.

Understanding the Supremacy of the Residential Tenancies Act, 2006 As Applicable Regardless of Agreed Lease Terms

Regardless of how adamant and willing a landlord or tenant may be in attempting to waive or to restrict various rights or duties prescribed by statutory law, with only a very rare exceptions, such rights and duties are unalterable and any terms within a lease or other agreement are void and unenforceable.

The Law

The Residential Tenancies Act, 2006, S.O. 2006, Chapter 17, forbids lease terms or any other form of agreement from altering the rights and duties prescribed within the Residential Tenancies Act, 2006.  Specifically, the Residential Tenancies Act, 2006, states:

Many court cases as well as decisions of the Landlord Tenant Board will confirm that any attempt to contractually alter the provisions prescribed within the Residential Tenancies Act, 2006, or regulations thereto, is void.  The case of White et al. v. Upper Thames River Conservation Authority, 2020 ONSC 7822, clearly states so whereas it is said:

Summary Comment

Regardless of any lease terms or other form of agreement, a landlord and tenant are unable to alter or forgo the statutory rights and duties as prescribed within the Residential Tenancies Act, 2006, and regulations thereto, and any agreement purporting to do so is void and unenforceable.