Criminal Conduct Between Roommates: Ontario Steps

Living with roommates can be affordable but also raises risks when one person commits criminal behaviour in a shared rental. If you are a tenant in Ontario and a roommate’s actions put safety, possessions, or tenancy at risk, you have practical steps to follow: protect your immediate safety, call police for emergencies, document incidents, and notify your landlord where appropriate. This article explains how to gather evidence, when to involve police, how the Landlord and Tenant Board and the Residential Tenancies Act, 2006 may apply, and what forms or applications you might use to protect your rights and housing. The guidance is written for renters and aims to be clear, neutral, and actionable.

What to do right away

Prioritise personal safety first. If there is immediate violence, threats, or danger, get to safety and call emergency services. If you are not in immediate danger, use careful steps to preserve evidence and avoid confrontation.

• Call 911 if anyone is in immediate danger or a violent crime is happening.
• Move to a safe location, even temporarily, and protect people and valuable belongings.
• If it is not an emergency, report the incident to the police and ask for a file or occurrence number.
• Document dates, photos, messages, and witness names; keep copies in a safe place.

Notifying your landlord and legal options

After safety is addressed, tell your landlord about the situation in writing and keep a copy. Landlords and tenants can take applications to the Landlord and Tenant Board^[1] and the Residential Tenancies Act, 2006^[2] governs many tenancy issues in Ontario. For help finding other rental options if you need to move, consider Houseme - your rental solution in Canada. You can also read guidance on dispute handling in Common Issues Tenants Face and How to Resolve Them and review local rights in Tenant Rights and Landlord Rights in Ontario.

• Put concerns in writing to your landlord and keep copies of messages and delivery receipts.
• Request safety-related fixes (locks, lighting, secure entry) where appropriate and ask for a timeline.
• Ask the landlord to address illegal or dangerous behaviour and to record any steps they take.

Forms and applications you may use

Some remedies require applications at the Landlord and Tenant Board. Common LTB forms you may see include the Application to End a Tenancy and Evict a Tenant (Form L2) and tenant applications about rights and repairs (Form T2). These forms and instructions are available on the official LTB forms page^[3]. Examples: a landlord may file an L2 when a roommate’s criminal activity creates a safety problem and the landlord seeks termination; a tenant might use a tenant application to request an order for repairs, compensation, or other remedies.

• Application to End a Tenancy and Evict a Tenant (Form L2) — used when a landlord asks the board to terminate a tenancy for reasons including illegal activity. Example: landlord files L2 after repeated drug dealing incidents by a co-tenant.
• Application about Tenant Rights (Form T2) — used by tenants to ask the board for orders about maintenance, safety, or other rights under the Act. Example: a tenant seeks an order requiring the landlord to change locks after an assault in the unit.

FAQ

Do I have to move out if my roommate commits a crime?

No. You do not automatically have to move out; your rights depend on the facts, your lease, and whether the landlord can prove the tenancy should end. Prioritise safety, document incidents, and seek advice.

When should I call the police?

Call 911 for emergencies (violence, immediate danger). For non-emergencies, report incidents to local police and get an occurrence number to support any later applications or complaints.

Can a landlord evict me for a roommate's criminal activity?

A landlord may apply to the Landlord and Tenant Board for termination if illegal activity affects the rental, but the board considers the full circumstances before ordering eviction.

How-To

1. Ensure immediate safety: leave, call 911, and find a safe location.
2. Document the incident: take photos, save messages, and record witness details.
3. Report to police and get an occurrence or file number for records.
4. Notify your landlord in writing and request safety actions; keep copies.
5. If needed, apply to the Landlord and Tenant Board or get legal advice about remedies.

Key Takeaways

• Document everything: dates, photos, messages, and witnesses are crucial evidence.
• Act quickly on safety and legal deadlines to protect your housing rights.
• Use official resources and supports when in doubt; don’t hesitate to seek help.

Help and Support / Resources

• Landlord and Tenant Board (Tribunals Ontario)
• Residential Tenancies Act, 2006 (e-Laws)
• Ontario: Renters, evictions and tenant rights

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1. [1] Tribunals Ontario — Landlord and Tenant Board
2. [2] e-Laws — Residential Tenancies Act, 2006
3. [3] Landlord and Tenant Board — Forms and instructions