Is Ontario residential tenancy agreement mandatory?

Yes, the Ontario government requires all landlords and tenants to sign a written tenancy agreement that outlines the rights and responsibilities of both parties. Ontario Real Estate Association Agreement to Lease was created to unify real estate documents and includes all legal requirements.

Can anyone use OREA forms?

This form is used by real estate agents, tenants, and landlords for premises located in Ontario. As a rule, tenants fill it in and send it to landlords as an offer of optimal conditions for the former. Other states may require different documents.

What is the difference between OREA form 400 and the standard form of lease?

Form 400 is the offer stage: a prospective tenant proposes the rent, deposit, and term, and the landlord accepts or counters. The Ontario Standard Lease is the mandatory government lease form that most private residential tenancies must be signed on since April 30, 2018. Form 400 sets the terms; the Standard Lease is the contract you actually live under.

How to sign an agreement to lease residential?

You need to do the following: Open the document in the editor, enter the necessary information, and click on the empty “Sign” field. It’ll open the “Add Sign” tool. Create a signature using one of the suggested methods. Your sign will be automatically put on the form.

How to get OREA form 400?

You can find this form on the OREA official website or ask your real estate agent about it. The fastest way is to find the required document in the PDFLiner library and fill it in on the spot.

Is OREA Form 400 legally binding?

Once both parties sign it, Form 400 is a binding agreement to enter into a lease on the agreed terms. However, clauses that contradict Ontario's Residential Tenancies Act are unenforceable, and the landlord must still provide the Ontario Standard Lease for the tenancy itself.

OREA Form 400: Agreement to Lease (Ontario) Fillable PDF, Reviewed 2026

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What Is Fillable OREA Form 400?

An OREA Form 400 fillable PDF is an official document based on which a landlord and tenant agree on the lease of premises, fix a rent and advance payment, and deal on additional services. It is three pages long and requires the signatures of both parties and witnesses to complete it. In some cases, you might need an add-on called Schedule A.

Orea form 400 agreement to lease residential screenshot 1

What do I need the OREA form 400 for?

The Agreement to Lease Form 400 has a narrow scope and is used for a preliminary agreement on the lease of premises and the approval of extra services such as parking, water supply, garbage removal, and so on.
Please note that this agreement to lease and a lease itself are two different documents. Signing this form does not mean the final lease of premises. It happens only after the first and last rent has been paid.

This paper consists of 21 points and describes the conditions under which a landlord provides their premises.

OREA Form 400 vs. Ontario Standard Lease Form

OREA Form 400 records the offer to lease: the rent, deposit, term, and conditions. It does not replace the lease itself. Since April 30, 2018 most private residential tenancies in Ontario must be signed on the government's Ontario Standard Lease, and any clause that conflicts with the Residential Tenancies Act is unenforceable. A typical rental goes: Form 410 application, then Form 400 offer, then the Standard Lease.

Content reviewed by the PDFLiner team in August 2026.

How Do I Fill OREA Form 400 PDF?

Step 1: First, indicate the completion of the OREA Lease Agreement date, the legal names of the parties, and the landlord address.

Step 2: Next, enter information about the room in the subject, terms, rent, and the purpose for which the premises will be used.

Step 3: After that, move on to the distribution of additional services. Depending on the arrangement, the costs can be divided between the owner and the tenant. Use a printable Schedule A if you need to include more information.

Step 4: Carefully read the terms of the agreement of termination, the parties’ obligations, and the rules for protecting personal information.

Step 5: All involved witnesses, authorized representatives, and intermediaries should leave their contact details.
You can email the finished document, share it with a link, download it to your device, or print it.

FAQ: OREA Form 400 PDF Popular Questions

Is Ontario residential tenancy agreement mandatory?

Yes, the Ontario government requires all landlords and tenants to sign a written tenancy agreement that outlines the rights and responsibilities of both parties. Ontario Real Estate Association Agreement to Lease was created to unify real estate documents and includes all legal requirements.
Can anyone use OREA forms?

This form is used by real estate agents, tenants, and landlords for premises located in Ontario. As a rule, tenants fill it in and send it to landlords as an offer of optimal conditions for the former. Other states may require different documents.
What is the difference between OREA form 400 and the standard form of lease?

Form 400 is the offer stage: a prospective tenant proposes the rent, deposit, and term, and the landlord accepts or counters. The Ontario Standard Lease is the mandatory government lease form that most private residential tenancies must be signed on since April 30, 2018. Form 400 sets the terms; the Standard Lease is the contract you actually live under.
How to sign an agreement to lease residential?
You need to do the following:
- Open the document in the editor, enter the necessary information, and click on the empty “Sign” field.
- It’ll open the “Add Sign” tool. Create a signature using one of the suggested methods.
- Your sign will be automatically put on the form.
How to get OREA form 400?

You can find this form on the OREA official website or ask your real estate agent about it. The fastest way is to find the required document in the PDFLiner library and fill it in on the spot.
Is OREA Form 400 legally binding?

Once both parties sign it, Form 400 is a binding agreement to enter into a lease on the agreed terms. However, clauses that contradict Ontario's Residential Tenancies Act are unenforceable, and the landlord must still provide the Ontario Standard Lease for the tenancy itself.

Prepare & Download Your OREA Form 400