Can My Landlord Ban Guests? (Ontario & BC Rules)
One of the most common "Street Myths" in the Canadian rental market is that a landlord can control who enters your home. You’ve seen the listings: "No overnight guests," "No boyfriends/girlfriends," or "Landlord must approve all visitors." In 2026, as the housing crisis pushes more people into shared living and basement suites, these illegal demands are on the rise.
However, the law in both Ontario and British Columbia is crystal clear: When you rent a home, you are paying for the right to "Quiet Enjoyment." This includes the right to decide who you invite into your space. Whether it’s a partner staying for the weekend or a friend visiting for a week, your landlord generally has no legal say in the matter.
This guide breaks down the specific guest laws for 2026, explains the rare exceptions where rules do apply, and provides the exact scripts you need to shut down a landlord who tries to play "Gatekeeper."
The "Quiet Enjoyment" Rule: Your Basic Right
In both the Ontario Residential Tenancies Act (RTA) and the BC Residential Tenancy Act (RTA), the concept of "Quiet Enjoyment" is the foundation of your rights.
- Ontario (Section 22): A landlord shall not at any time during a tenant's occupancy of a rental unit substantially interfere with the reasonable enjoyment of the unit for all usual purposes by a tenant or members of their household.
- British Columbia (Section 28): A tenant is entitled to quiet enjoyment including, but not limited to, rights to reasonable privacy and freedom from unreasonable disturbance.
Hosting a guest is considered a "usual purpose" of a home. If a landlord tries to ban guests, they are substantially interfering with your legal rights. In 2026, any lease clause that says "No Guests" is void and unenforceable—even if you signed it.
Ontario Guest Rules 2026: The "Roommate" Loophole
Ontario has some of the strongest guest protections in the world. In a standard 2026 tenancy, your landlord cannot:
- Charge a "Guest Fee": It is illegal to charge $20 or $50 for a guest to stay overnight.
- Request a "Guest ID": You are not required to provide your visitor's name or ID to the landlord.
- Set a "Time Limit": There is no law that says a guest must leave after 14 days.
When a Guest Becomes an "Occupant"
In Ontario, you can have a guest stay as long as you want. If they move in their furniture and stay permanently, they are considered an "occupant" or "roommate."
- The Landlord's Limit: The only way a landlord can stop an extra occupant is by proving overcrowding under local municipal by-laws (e.g., Toronto requires at least 9 square meters of floor area per person).
- The Status: An occupant has no legal relationship with the landlord. If you leave, they must leave too. To understand the risks of this, see our guide on Room Rental Rights and Kitchen Sharing.
British Columbia Guest Rules 2026: The "Unreasonable" Test
BC laws are similar to Ontario's but use slightly different language. Under Section 9 of the Residential Tenancy Regulation (RTR):
- A landlord must not stop the tenant from having guests under reasonable circumstances.
- A landlord must not require or accept any extra charge for daytime visits or overnight accommodation of guests.
The "Occupant" Distinction in BC
BC landlords are more likely to include an "Occupancy Limit" in the lease.
- The 14-Day Myth: Many BC leases include a clause saying guests cannot stay more than 14 days per year. In 2026, the Residential Tenancy Branch (RTB) has repeatedly ruled that these arbitrary limits are unreasonable and unenforceable.
- When it Changes: If your guest receives mail at your address, pays part of the rent, or has their own key, the landlord may argue they have become an "occupant." In BC, a landlord can sometimes increase the rent for an additional occupant only if the lease explicitly allows for it.
1. The "Void by Law" Shield
Under Section 4 of the Ontario RTA and Section 5 of the BC RTA, any term in a tenancy agreement that conflicts with the Act is void.
- The Strategy: If your landlord tries to enforce a "No Guests" rule, you do not need to move out or fight. You can simply ignore the rule. If they try to evict you, they must file an N5 (Interference with Enjoyment) or N6 (Illegal Act) notice. At the hearing, the LTB or RTB will almost always dismiss the case because having a guest is not a legal reason for eviction.
2. The "Trespass Notice" Bluff
In 2026, some aggressive landlords try to issue a "Trespass Notice" to a tenant's guest to prevent them from entering the building.
- The Law: A landlord cannot trespass a guest from a unit you have rented. As long as the guest is there at your invitation and is not committing an illegal act, the "Trespass to Property Act" does not apply to them while they are in your unit or using the direct path to get there.
- The Hack: If the police are called, show them your lease and a copy of the RTA guest rules. Most 2026 police officers are trained to recognize this as a "civil matter" and will tell the landlord they cannot block your visitors.
3. Fighting "Harassment" via Visitors
If a landlord is constantly filming your guests, asking for their names, or knocking on your door to "check" who is inside, this is harassment.
- Action (Ontario): File a T2 Application (Tenant Rights) with the LTB. You can ask for a rent abatement (a partial refund) for the months the landlord interfered with your privacy.
- Action (BC): File for Dispute Resolution with the RTB for a "Tenant’s Right to Quiet Enjoyment" order.
4. Exceptions: When Guests ARE Limited
There are three specific situations in 2026 where guest rules actually apply:
- Social/Subsidized Housing: If your rent is based on your income (RGI Housing), having an extra person in the unit changes the math. You must report guests staying longer than the limit (usually 7–14 days) or you risk losing your subsidy.
- Sharing a Kitchen: If you share a kitchen or bathroom with the landlord or their immediate family, the RTA does not apply. In this case, the landlord can ban guests because it is a "private boarding" situation.
- Safety & Damage: You are 100% responsible for your guest's actions. If your guest breaks a window or punches a hole in the wall, the landlord can evict you for the damage.
Landlord Banning Guests
Can a landlord ban guests in Canada? No. In Ontario and British Columbia, landlords cannot legally ban overnight guests, charge guest fees, or require you to ask permission for visitors. These rights are protected under the "Quiet Enjoyment" provisions of the RTA. Any lease clause that restricts guests is void and unenforceable. However, tenants are responsible for any damage or noise caused by their guests and must follow local overcrowding bylaws.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Can my landlord ask for my guest's car make and license plate?
A: Only if they are using a designated visitor parking spot governed by a condo board or specific parking rules. They cannot ask for this information just because the person is visiting you.
Q: My landlord says my guest is an "unauthorized occupant." What do I do?
A: In Ontario, there is no such thing as an "unauthorized occupant" if the original tenant still lives there. In BC, check your lease for an "Additional Occupant" fee. If there is no fee listed, the guest can stay as long as you like, provided they aren't causing a disturbance.
Q: Can the landlord enter my unit to "inspect" if I have a guest?
A: No. A landlord must still give 24 hours' written notice for a valid reason (like a repair or a general inspection). They cannot enter just to "spy" on who is staying over.
Q: Does my guest need to be on my Tenant Insurance?
A: No, but your liability insurance usually covers damage caused by your guests. If they are staying for more than 30 days, you should notify your insurer to ensure your coverage remains valid.
About the Author
Jeff Calixte (MC Yow-Z) is a Canadian labour market researcher and digital entrepreneur specializing in government benefit data and cost-of-living support. As the founder of CanadaPaymentDates.ca and BetterPayJobs.ca, Jeff helps newcomers, students, and workers navigate the Canadian social safety net—from tracking CRA payment schedules to finding entry-level work.
Sources
- Housing Rights Canada: Occupancy rules: Guests, roommates, subtenants and lease assignments
- Province of British Columbia: Guests during tenancy - Rights and Responsibilities
- ACTO: 6 common questions Ontario renters ask about having guests over
- Tribunals Ontario: LTB | Interpretation Guideline 6: Tenant Rights
Note
Official 2026 payment dates and benefit amounts are determined by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) and provincial governments. While we strive to keep this information current, government policies and schedules are subject to change without notice. All data in this guide is verified against official CRA circulars at the time of publication and should be treated as an estimate. We recommend confirming the status of your personal file directly via CRA My Account or by calling the CRA benefit line at 1-800-387-1193.
