A Canadian Lease Amendment Agreement is a formal written document that modifies specific terms of an existing residential tenancy agreement. Unlike an addendum, which typically adds new provisions, a lease amendment explicitly identifies the clauses being changed and replaces the original language with new terms. The amendment becomes a binding part of the original lease upon execution by both parties.

Lease amendments in Canada must comply with the residential tenancy legislation of the province where the rental property is located. In Ontario, the Residential Tenancies Act, 2006 (S.O. 2006, c. 17) governs all residential tenancies and provides that any term in a tenancy agreement that contravenes the Act is void. Since April 30, 2018, most new residential tenancies in Ontario must use the mandatory Standard Form of Lease (Form 15), which includes a section for additional terms. A lease amendment can modify the additional terms section but cannot override the standard provisions mandated by the Act.

Rent modifications are the most common reason for lease amendments in Canada. In provinces with rent control, including Ontario, British Columbia, Manitoba, and Prince Edward Island, annual rent increases are capped by a provincial guideline rate published each year. In Ontario, the guideline for 2025 is 2.5%, and landlords must provide 90 days’ written notice using Form N1. In BC, the maximum allowable increase for 2025 is tied to CPI, and landlords must use Form RTB-7 with three full months’ notice. Alberta does not cap rent increases but requires 12 weeks’ notice for periodic tenancies.

Beyond rent, lease amendments commonly address changes in occupants (adding or removing roommates or family members), pet policies (subject to provincial rules, with Ontario prohibiting no-pet clauses under RTA s. 14), parking and storage arrangements, utility payment responsibilities, lease term extensions or conversions from fixed-term to month-to-month, and tenant improvement permissions.

In Quebec, lease modifications are governed by the Civil Code of Québec (articles 1851–1978) and the Tribunal administratif du logement. The landlord must send a modification notice between three and six months before the lease expires, and the tenant has one month to accept, refuse, or negotiate.

When a landlord and tenant agree to change the rent amount during the tenancy, whether due to a provincial guideline increase, an above-guideline application approved by the tribunal, or a voluntary agreement in a province without rent control.

When a new occupant is being added to or removed from the lease, requiring both parties to formally document the change in authorized occupants and any corresponding adjustments to rent or liability.

When the lease term is being extended, shortened, or converted from a fixed term to month-to-month, and the parties want to memorialize the new term without drafting an entirely new lease.

When the parties agree to change which utilities are included in the rent and which are the tenant’s responsibility, particularly where the Ontario Standard Lease requires utility responsibilities to be clearly stated.

When a pet policy, parking arrangement, storage allocation, or maintenance obligation needs to be added or changed after the original lease was signed.

When a tenant has been granted permission to make improvements to the unit, such as painting, installing fixtures, or modifying accessibility features, and the terms of those improvements need to be documented.

Without a written lease amendment, informal changes to the tenancy are difficult to prove before a provincial tenancy tribunal. Verbal agreements about rent, occupants, or other lease terms are rarely given the same weight as signed amendments, and either party may later dispute what was agreed to.

Identification of Original Lease — The amendment must precisely identify the original lease by date of execution, type (e.g. Ontario Standard Form of Lease, residential tenancy agreement), property address, and names of all parties. This prevents any ambiguity about which lease is being modified.

Amendment Number — Sequential numbering (Amendment No. 1, No. 2, etc.) maintains a clear chronological record of changes, which is especially important if the lease has been amended multiple times.

Specific Clause References — Each amendment should identify the exact clause or section of the original lease being modified, rather than making vague references to general topics. Precision reduces the risk of disputes at provincial tenancy tribunals.

New Language — The amendment should state the exact new language that replaces or supplements the original clause. Both the old and new terms should be clear enough that either party can understand exactly what has changed.

Effective Date — The date from which the amended terms apply, which may differ from the signing date, particularly for rent increases that require advance notice periods.

Rent Increase Compliance — If the amendment modifies rent, it should confirm that the required statutory notice was given and that the increase does not exceed the provincial guideline rate. This demonstrates compliance and provides evidence if the increase is challenged at a tribunal.

Compliance with Provincial Legislation — A clause acknowledging that the amendment is subject to the applicable provincial tenancy act and that any provision conflicting with mandatory legislation is void and severable.

Mutual Consent — A statement confirming that both parties agreed to the amendments voluntarily, without coercion. This is particularly important in Ontario, where the Landlord and Tenant Board scrutinizes whether tenants were pressured into agreeing to unfavorable terms.

Survival of Original Terms — A clause confirming that all terms of the original lease not expressly modified by the amendment remain in full force and effect.