TENANT SCHOOL JANUARY 21, 2013
HOW RENT GEARED TO INCOME IS
CALCULATED
JANUARY 21, 2013
Presenter: Kimberly Roach
REXDALE COMMUNITY LEGAL CLINIC
_______________________
Presentation adapted from previous presentations by West Scarborough Community
Legal Services and Scarborough Community Legal Services
Sponsored by: Connecting Communities Tenant School is a project of the Federation of Metro
Tenants’ Associations and is funded by the Law Foundation of Ontario

FOR THE TENANTS OF TORONTO COMMUNITY HOUSING
CORPORATION (TCHC)

TIPS TO KEEP YOUR SUBSIDY

As of January 1, 2012 the Housing Services Act (HSA) applies to
all tenants whose rents are fixed according to their income.
Tenants living in TCHC are covered by these rules. This new law
replaces the Social Housing Reform Act.

If you do not follow the new rules, TCHC can take away your
subsidy. TCHC may then charge you the Market Rent for your
unit, even if you have little or no income. If you lose your subsidy
because you broke the rules you will eventually lose your
housing.
.
Reporting change

To avoid being charged Market Rent, make sure that you:

Complete and return your Annual Review forms, with all the required documents, by the date TCHC tells you.

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Report any changes in your household income or assets and provide the
supporting papers to TCHC within 30 calendar days of the change.
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Report any changes in the number of people living with you, within 30 calendar days of the change.

Check your mail EVERY DAY. Read everything that you receive from TCHC and immediately talk to TCHC staff about it.
Write down what the Staff tells you.

If you have been asked to reply, request a review or give documents by a certain date, make sure that you do so by that
date. Make a note for yourself about how and when you got the request from TCHC.
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If you' re not sure what to do with the notice/letter you received OR are not satisfied with the explanation given to you by TCHC
staff, contact your local legal clinic immediately.

When you give any document to TCHC staff, make sure that you keep copies of those documents for yourself and get
proof that you gave them the documents. Ask the TCHC staff to date stamp your copy or sign and date your copy as
proof of receipt . If you cannot get proof, write on your copy when, where and how you delivered the documents.
Request for extending time in case of
delay
If
you cannot complete and return your Annual Review forms by the deadline, with
all the required documents contact your Tenant Service Coordinator (TSC) or the
Operating Unit (OU) manager immediately and give the reason for the delay .
Ask for more time. Under the rules, TCHC is allowed to give you more time, if
there is a good reason.
If
you report any changes to your household income after 30 calendar days,
you can lose your subsidy and then TCHC may charge you Market Rent.
Explain to your TSC or OU manager why you did not report the changes in time. If
you have good reason TCHC is allowed to extend the time. You will then not lose
your subsidy and will not be charged Market Rent.
If
you report an increase in the household income after 30 calendar days your rent
will be recalculated and may increase retroactively . You may owe back rent. If
you do not pay it TCHC may start legal proceedings to evict you for arrears
of rent. Contact your local legal clinic for advice and for help to get you more
time to pay.
Other rules for loss of rent subsidy
If
you or other members of your household do not try to get income from
sources that may be available to you {e.g. Employment Insurance, Social
Assistance, Child support, Alimony, support from sponsor and Old Age
Security).
If
everyone in your household is away from the unit for more then 120 days in a
row, except for medical reasons.
If
you are over-housed and you a) refuse 3 offers made to you and a year has
passed since you were notified that your are over housed, or b) cancel your
application on the centralized waiting list when you are over housed.
If
you own a home and do not sell it within the time given to you by TCHC .
If
you have been paying Market Rent continuously for 12 months.
HOW RENT GEARED TO INCOME IS
CALCULATED
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This is an overview of how rent is calculated according to the rules set out in
Regulation 298/01 of the Housing Services Act. (HSA)
The way rent is calculated has been broken into the following 5 steps:
STEP 1
Identify "Family Units': "Benefit Units" and "Children of the Household " as different
rules for calculating rent apply to them .
STEP2
Determine the source and monthly income of each person in the household 16
over, except for Children of the Household who are full-time students
their income is exempt. Exclude any income listed under Reg. 298/01 s. 50.
years old and
STEP3
Determine the Adjusted Monthly Income for each Family Unit by deducting any support payments
made and any employment related deductions . Apply the OW and ODSP rent scales for each
Benefit Unit.
STEP4
Calculate the Base Monthly Rent for each Family Unit and Benefit Unit. Add these amounts to get
the RGI for the household .
STEP 5
Add or subtract charges for utilities or other services, such as parking and cable to get the Total
Rent for the Household.
STEP 1
UNITS
FAMILY UNITS AND BENEFIT
STEP 1
FAMILY UNITS AND BENEFIT UNITS
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A Family Unit can be:
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a person
a person and their spouse
a person and any children who live with them
a person, their spouse and any children who live with them
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The rent of a family unit is based on income that is not from social assistance .
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A Benefit Unit can be a single person or a family whose rent is based on income from
social assistance - Ontario Works (OW) or ODSP.

A household can have both Family Units and Benefit Units.

Household members who have income from OW or ODSP as well as income from other
sources (for example, income from employment or child support) that is above the "Non
Benefit Income Limit' on the rent scale tables, are considered a Family Unit as the rent will
not be based on their social assistance income.
Child of the Household
A Child of the Household is defined as a child who :

is a child of any member of the household
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has always lived at home except for short periods while in full-time attendance at a
recognized education institution
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has never had a spouse
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is not the parent of a child living in the household
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There is no age limit for a child of the household - a child of the household could be a 40
year old son or daughter , for example, so long as s/he meets the definition above.
DETERMINE THE MONTHLY INCOME FOR
EACH PERSON IN THE HOUSEHOLD

All members of a household who are 16 years of age or older must report all their income
and assets with supporting documents .

The only exception is for Children of the Household who are full-time students. (Regs.
298/01 Sec. 49(4) and City Guideline 2003-12) They don't have to report their income if
they have given verification that they attend school full-time.

Full-time attendance means taking at least 60% of a full course load. For a student with a
permanent disability, full-time attendance means taking 40% of a full course load .

If the student is in full-time attendance at a post secondary educational institution (ex.,
college , university, vocational school) the student must not have been out of secondary
school for more than 5 years at the start of his or her study program.
[City RGI Guide Ch 5, Pgs 19 &20]

Types of Income
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Income from Employment
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Income from Assets and Investments
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Income from Pensions or Support Agreements

Income from Social Assistance
What Income is Included

Rent can only be based on income actually received . A housing provider
cannot base rent on income it thinks a person should receive - it can't deem
income.

(City RGI Guide, Chapter 5, p. 2)

Income must be applied to the month in which the household should have
received it. For example, if an El payment is received in Apri l, but it was a
retroactive payment going back to February, the payment will be counted as
income for February.

The income of a part-time student who is a Child of the Household is included

The income of a student who is not a Child of the Household is included.
RENT IS BASED ON GROSS INCOME,
NOT ON TAKE HOME PAY *
As people don't always receive their income in monthly amounts, the following calculation
factor is used to convert gross income into monthly amounts.
Daily amounts:
multiply by 21.66 to get the monthly amount.
Why?
Because, on average, there are a little more than 20 working days in month.
Weekly amounts:
multiply by 4.33 to get the monthly amount.
Why?
Because, on average, there are a little more than 4 weeks in each month.
Semi-monthly:
multiply by 2 (twice a month)
Bi-weekly
divide by 2 and multiply by 4.33 (every 2 weeks)
Yearly amounts:
are divided by 12 to get the monthly amount.

EXCEPTION IF INCOME IS FROM SELFEMPLOYMENT

If a household member is self-employed, rent
will be based on net self employment
income, not gross income.
What Income is not Included
(Reg. 298/01 s. 50) [City RGI Guide,Chapter 5 p 5]
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There is a long list of excluded income in the HSA- income and payments that are not to be
included in the rent calculation as income. A list from the City's Guide is attached , but here
are some examples below. [City RGI - list on pgs. 5 to 9]
Income tax refunds
Canada Child Tax Benefit, Universal Child Care Benefit, Working Income Tax Benefit,
Ontario Child Benefit and Ontario Child Care Supplement for Working Families
Tax grants for people 65 or over
A child benefit received from the Canada Pension Plan
Survivor's death benefit from CPP
A lump sum severance payment
RRSP and RESP interest or dividends
An inheritance
A loan, including OSAP
Compensation for pain and suffering
And for the lucky ones, lottery winnings!!!!!!
STEP3 DETERMINE THE ADJUSTED
MONTHLY INCOME
To arrive at the Adjusted Monthly Income for each household member, deduct the amount
of child or spousal support payments made and employment related deductions from the
gross monthly income.
Deduct Child or Spousal Support Payments made [City RGI Guide, Chapter 6, p 5]

Child and Spousal payments made by a household member can be deducted from their
gross monthly income. These are payments made under the Divorce Act, the Family Law
Act , or under a separation agreement , a paternity agreement , a marriage contract , or a
co-habitation agreement.

Deduct Employment Related Income Deduction

(Reg. 298/01 s. 50 (1)

Each Family Unit is allowed a deduction for employment related income. Employment
related income includes income such as employment income, El, WSIB benefits ,
government training allowances.

Deduct $150.00 from the gross monthly income if at least one person in a Family Unit with
children has employment related income

Deduct $75.00 from the gross monthly income for each person if there are no children in a
Family Unit.
Income from OW or ODSP

A household member who has income from OW or ODSP and
also has employment income above the non-benefit income
limit is considered a Family Unit and qualifies for the
Employment Related Income Deduction.
Child of the Household
 A Child of the Household who earns more than $75.00 per
month does not qualify for the Employment Related Income
Deduction
.
STEP4 CALCULATE THE BASE
MONTHLY RENT
For Family Units

Take 30% of the Adjusted Monthly Income for each member of a
Family Unit.
For Children of the Household Who are Not Full-time Students
 Take 15% of the first $1,000.00 of the Adjusted Monthly Income and
30% of the balance and add the two amounts together.
For Benefit Units

The 30% formula is not used to calculate rent for those who
receive income from social assistance . Instead, Rent Scale
Tables found in HSA Regulation 298/01, are used. (copies are
attached) [City RGI Ch. 6 pg. 12]
How to use the Rent Scale Tables
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To use the Rent Scale Tables ,you will need to know how many people are covered by the
OW or ODSP cheque (this information is on the drug card) and if they have any non-benefit
income.
Tables 3 and 4 are used for Benefit Units who receive OW.
Table 5 is used for Benefit Units who receive ODSP.
Go to column 1 of the table that applies and find the row for the number of
people in the benefit unit.
If there is no non benefit income:
Go to column 2 - Income Part of RGI for Benefit Unit. This will give you the
amount of the Base Monthly Rent.
If there is non-benefit income:
Go to column 3 - Non Benefit Income Limit
If the non-benefit income is equal to or less than the limit in column 3, go to
column 2. This will give you the amount for the Base Monthly Rent.
If the non-benefit income is more than the limit in column 3, calculate the Base Monthly
Rent using the calculation method for a family unit, i.e., 30% formula. The income from
social assistance is not included in the rent calculation.
FOR PEOPLE WHO RECEIVE ODSP
AND …
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Canada Pension Plan for the disabled (CPP-D), or
Old Age Security (OAS) Spouse's Allowance
To calculate the income part of the monthly RGI rent for these benefit
units, you need to know what the ODSP "maximum basic needs
allowance" is for the benefit unit. [ODSP rates table can be found in
the City RGI Guide in Ch. 6 Pg. 18]
If the CPP-D benefit or the Spouse's Allowance is equal to or less than
the ODSP maximum basic needs allowance , use Table 5 and follow
the procedure outlined above to determine the Base Monthly Rent.
If the CPP-D benefit or Spouse's Allowance is greater than the ODSP
maximum basic needs allowance , calculate the Base Monthly Rent by
using 30% of the income from CPP-D or Spouse's Allowance . The
income received from ODSP is not included in the rent calculation.
Add together the Base Monthly Rent for each family or benefit unit to
get the Base Monthly Rent for the household.
STEP 5 ADD OR SUBTRACT CHARGES FOR
UTILITIES, SERVICES ,
AND OTHER CHARGES

Utilities and Services

The Base Monthly Rent is the amount charged for a unit where a housing provider supplies
the following services: heat, hot water, water, refrigerator and stove. When a housing
provider provides more services - like hydro, for example, a utility charge is added to the
Base Monthly Rent.

TCHC usually refers to this as the "P-Scale" - for plus charges. The P-Scale varies
depending on the extra services provided and the unit size. The P-Scale could be
anywhere in the range of $30.00 for a bachelor unit to $60.00 for a three bedroom unit, for
example. If additional services are not provided , there will be no P-Scale charge added.
If fewer services than the 5 listed above are provided, a charge would be deducted from
the Base Monthly Rent. (Tables in Reg. 298/01 list the amounts to be added or subtracted)

The amount obtained is the Rent-Geared-to-Income for the household
Unless…
Minimum and Maximum Rent

if the amount of the rent-geared-to-income for the household is less
than the minimum rent of $85.00, the household will be charged
$85.00

if the amount of the rent-geared-to-income for the household is more
than the maximum rent (sometimes called market rent or rent cap), the
household will be charged the maximum rent.
Additional Charges
 Add any additional charges for parking, cable, etc., to the RGI for the
household to determine the TOTAL MONTHLY GEARED TO INCOME
RENT FOR THE HOUSEHOLD.
EXAMPLE 1- PENSION INCOME
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A family consists of a couple, both over 65 years of age. They each receive basic Old Age Security (OAS) ($502), Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS)
($419) and Guaranteed Annual Income System (GAINS) ($83). The P-Scale (utility charges) for their building is $30.00. They have a parking spot and the
parking charge is $50.00.
Family Unit
1. Monthly Income
Adult A
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OAS GIS GAINS
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$502
$419
$83
AdultB
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OAS GIS GAINS
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$502
$419
$83
Total Monthly Income
Deductions
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$2,008
0
Total Adjusted Monthly Income $2,008
Base Rent (30% of line 4)
($2,008 x 30%)
$602
Add P-Scale+$30.00
Add Parking Charge
+$50.00
8. Total Rent for the Household
$682.00
EXAMPLE 2 - SINGLE PARENT WITH
EMPLOYMENT INCOME AND CHILD
SUPPORT
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A family consists of a single parent and one child who attendants public school. The parent
is employed and earns $12.50 per hour and works a 35 hour week. The parent also
receives monthly child support of $200.00. The P-Scale (utility charge) for her unit is
$45.00.
Family Unit
Monthly Income Employment income
($12.50/hr x 35 = $437.50 x 4.33 = $1894.37/gross monthly income)
(4.33is the multiplication factor used to convert weekly income to
Monthly income)
Gross Monthly Employment Income
$1894.37
Child support received
+ 200.00
Total Monthly Income
$2094.37
Employment-Related Income Deduction - 150.00
(Parent with a child)
4. Total Adjusted Monthly Income1944.375. Base Rent (30% of line 4)583.3 16. Add PScale45.007.Total RGI Rent (Rounded down if below 50 and$628.00$628.31(Rounded up
if above 50)
EXAMPLE 3 - EMPLOYMENT INCOME
AND CHILD OF HOUSEHOLD

A father lives with his 32 year-old son. The father earns $18,000 per year and the son earns $15.00 per hour and works 20 hours per week. The son has
always lived with his father, he is not married and he has no children. The utilities charge for their unit is $55.00.
Family Unit
Monthly Income Father
Employment income ($18,000 a year + 12 = $1,500)
Total Monthly Income$1,500.003. Employment-Related Income Deduction- 150.004. Total Adjusted Monthly Income$1,350.005. Base Rent -Father(30% of line 4)$
405.00
Monthly Income Son (son meets the definition of Child of the Household)
Employment income
($15.00/hr x 20 hr/week = $300.00 x 4.33 = $1299./month)

Multiply first $1,000 by 15%
150.00
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Multiply remaining amount by 30%
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($299. x 30% = 89.70)
+ 89.70
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Base Rent - Son
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($150.00 + 89.70)
$239.70
Base Rent for the Household
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(Add the base rent for the father and for the son)
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Add P-Scale+ 55.00
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Total RGI Rent
(over 50, round up)
$699.70
$700.00
$644.70
$1299.00
EXAMPLE 4 - INCOME FROM ONTARIO
WORKS, EMPLOYMENT, CHILD
SUPPORT
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A single parent with 3 children is in receipt of Ontario Works. She also works part-time and
earns $500.00 per month and receives child support of $200.00 per month. The P-Scale
(utilities charge) for her unit is $60.00.
Benefit Unit
The calculation would look like this:
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Use Table 3 - Ontario Works Rent Scale for a Benefit Unit because this parent has no spouse and
one or more dependents.
Go to Column 1- number of people in the benefit unit - go down to 4 beneficiaries (mom
and 3 children). Follow over to Column 3 - Non Benefit Income Limit - to see if the parent's
non benefit income of
$700.00 ($500.00 employment+ $200.00 child support) is equal to or less
than the limit.
In this case, since the Non Benefit Income of $700.00 is less than the limit of $1051.00, the
rent will be based on the amount listed in Column 2 - Income part of RGI for Benefit Unit,
that is, $269.00.
Base Rent
$269.00
P-Scale
+ 60.00
Total RGI Rent
$ 329.00
EXAMPLE 5 - TWO FAMILY UNITS IN
SAME HOUSEHOLD
A mother lives in a townhouse with her son, her daughter, her daughter's 2 year old
child and the child's father. Her children have always lived with her. Her 17 year old
son is a full-time student. He has a part-time job and he earns
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$600.00/month. The mother is employed and she earns $12.75/hr and works 35
hours/week. The daughter and her partner receive Ontario Works. The partner also works
and earns $950.00 a month. They pay for their own utilities and have a parking space that
costs $50.00/month.
Family Unit
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(The mother and the son are a Family Unit)
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Total Monthly Income (Mother)
(12.75/hr x 35 hrs/week=446.25/wkx4.33=1932.26)$1932.262. Less Employment related
deduction- 150.003. Total Adjusted Monthly Income$1782.26
The son is a Child of the Household and full-time student, therefore, his income is not
included in the rent calculation.
Base Rent (30°/o of $2050.00)
$ 534.67
Benefit Unit
(The daughter, her partner and child are a
benefit unit)
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1. Use Table 4 - Ontario Works Rent Scale for a Benefit Unit because
it applies to an individual with a spouse and one dependent.
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Under Column 1- number of people in benefit unit - follow down to 3
(daughter, partner and child) Follow across to Column 3 - Non Benefit
Income Limit - for 3 beneficiaries and see if the non benefit income
of$950.00 is equal to or less than the limit.

In this case, the non benefit income of $950.00 is more than the limit of
$861.00. This means rent will not be based on the rent scales but will
be based on the gross monthly income and the calculation for a family
unit will be used, i.e., 30% formula. Any amount received from
Ontario

Works will not be included in the rent calculation.
Benefit Unit
(The daughter, her partner and child are a benefit
unit) Cont’d
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Total Monthly Income $950.00
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1. Less employment related deduction- 150.00
2. Total Adjusted Monthly Income$800 .00
3.Base Rent (30°/o of $800.00)$240.00
4.Total RGI Rent for Household (Add mother's base rent of $534.67
$774.67 to the $240.00 base rent for the daughter's family)
5.Add parking charge+ 50.006.
Total Rent for Household$824.67 (Over .SO is rounded up)$825.00
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EFFECTIVE DATE OF RENT CHANGES AFTER A
MID YEAR CHANGE OR AN ANNUAL REVIEW
CHANGE
Annual Review
Effective Date
Mid Year Change
Effective Date
Increase because of
an increase in income
or assets
1st day of 2nd month
after notice given
Reg 298, s.52 (8)
1st day of the 2nd
month after change
occurred
Reg 298, s.53(3)
Decrease because of
decrease in income
or assets
1st day of the month
after notice given
Reg 298, s.52(7)
1st day of the month
after change
occurred Reg 298,
s.53(2)
At Any Time
Effective Date
Household no longer
eligible for RGI but
not because of an
increase in income
1st day of the month
following 90 days notice
of decision (RTA) 60 days
for Co-op (Co-operatives
Corporations Act)
Increase due change
in policy
1st day following 90 days
notice of decision (RTA)
60 days for co-op (CCA)
EFFECTIVE DATE FOR RENT CHANGES AFTER A
REVIEW OF A MID YEAR OR ANNUAL REVIEW
DECISION
If Original Decision was
Review Decision Is
Effective date is
Decrease RGI Rent
No change from the rent that was
charged prior to mid0year or
annual review
Prior rent applies – last notice of
decision is rescinded through
review decision
Decrease RGI Rent
Decrease in RGI Rent by the same
amount or different amount
Date given in the original decision
Decrease RGI rent
Increase in RGI rent
1st day of the month after the
review body issues the decision
Increase RGI Rent
No change of rent from the rent
that was charged mid year or
annual review
Prior rent applies - last notice of
decision is rescinded through
review decision
Increase RGI Rent
Increase in RGI rent by the same
amount or by a lesser amount
Date given in the original decision
EFFECTIVE DATE FOR RENT CHANGES AFTER A
REVIEW OF A MID YEAR OR ANNUAL REVIEW
DECISION CONT’D
If Original Decision Was
Review Decision is
Effective Date is
Increase RGI Rent
Increase in RGI rent by a greater
amount, where the original
decision was the result of an
administrative error
The later of:
1st day of the month after the
review body issues its decision
or
The date given in the original
decision
Increase RGI Rent
Increase RGI rent by greater
amount, where the original
decision was nit the result of
administrative error
Date given in the original
decision
Increase RGI Rent
Decrease RGI Rent
For annual reviews:
1st day of the month after the
housing provider issues the
annual review decision
For mid-year reviews:
1st day of the month after the
decision
WHERE TO FIND INFORMATION
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City of Toronto Rent-Geared-to- Income Guide
(Excellent plain language guide to everything you ever wanted to know about
the HSA and rent calculation, but were afraid to ask .....)
City of Toronto Guidelines
(Mandatory procedures RGI providers (including TCHC!) must follow.)
Toronto Social Housing Unit Newsletter, the "Exchange" for Social Housing
Providers
FAQs - Toronto Social Housing Unit
The Housing Services Act (HSA) and Regulations
HSA Regulation 298/01 - sets out the rules fo r determination of RGI
Assistance
All of the above can be accessed at the City of Toronto's Social Housing Unit
web site:
http://www .toronto.ca/housing/social housing/providers.htm
SOME THINGS WORTH KNOWING ....
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Administrative Error - Rent Calculation
0. Reg. 367/11 s. 64 (1)
[City RGI Guide, Chapter 6, p 32]
If a household paid less rent than they should have because the
housing provider made an administrative error in the rent calculation,
the household may not be required to pay back the difference between
the rent paid and what the higher rent should have been.
Minimum Rent
[City RGI Guide, Chapter 6, p 28]
The minimum rent charge is $85.00. When the minimum rent is based
on zero income, the RGI is $85.00 and includes any charges fo r
utilities. (P-Scale) Charges fo r services such as parking, cable, etc.,
are extra.
SOME THINGS WORTH KNOWING
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Minimum rent is applied to the unit as a whole.
For example , if two tenants share a unit and both have lost their jobs and have no income,
the total RGI rent for the unit will be $85.00. The tenants cannot be charged $85.00 each.
Retroactive Rent Increases
For reasons other than an administrative error, the HSA allows for rent to be increased
retroactively. (For example, if a tenant didn't report an increase in income right away or if El
was received retroactively)
Rent Decreases
(City Guideline 2008-3)
If income is reduced, rent will also be reduced. Tenants do not have to wait until their next
annual review to report a decrease in income. Sometimes tenants are told rent can't be
"adjusted" or, income has to be reduced for 3 months before the rent can be changed , or if
a tenant had no income while out of the country, that they're not eligible for a rent decrease
. This is not the case. A decrease in rent takes effect on the first day of the month following
the change occurs. (ex.)
Income is reduced in April , rent will decrease May 151
SOME THINGS WORTH KNOWING
CONT’D
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Retroactive Rent Decreases
(City Guideline 2008-3) (Reg. 298/01 s. 53( 1)&(2)
A household can report a decrease in income or assets and
submit documents to verify the decrease any time up to the
time of the next annual review . Because a decrease is
effective on the first day of the month following the change in
income, if the decrease was not reported right away, the
decrease in rent will be retroactive to the first day of he month
following he change . (ex. Income is reduced in January and
tenant reports it in June. Decrease in rent will be applied)
retroactively to February 1
SOME THING WORTH KNOWING
CONT’D
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No Provisions in the HSA to Deem Income
[City RGI Guide, Chapter 5, p 3]
Rent can only be based on income actually
received. A housing provider cannot base
rent on income it thinks a tenant should
receive.
SOME THING WORTH KNOWING
CONT’D
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Rent is calculated differently for a "Child of the Household"
"Child of the Household" has a special definition in the HSA and
there's a different way to calculate rent for a "child of the household"
who is not a student and who earns more than $75.00 a month.
There's no age limit - a child of the household can be 40 years old, so
long ass/he meets the definition below:
Is a child of any member of the household
Has always lived a home except for short periods while in full-time
attendance at a recognized educational institution
Is not the parent of a child living in the household
Has never had a spouse or same sex partner
The rent calculation for a child of the household is 15% of the first
$1,000.00 of the gross monthly income and 30% of anything over
$1,000.00.
SOME THINGS WORTH KNOWING
Students
 Full-time attendance means taking at least 60% of a full course load.
For a student with a permanent disability , full-time attendance means
taking 40% of a full course load.
Student Income is not included if:
 A child of the household attends primary or secondary school
 A child of the household is in full-time attendance at a recognized post
secondary educational institution (ex. University, college, vocational
school) and the student has not been out of secondary school for
more than 5 years at the start of her or his study program.
 Housing Providers are NOT to ask a child of the household who
has provided documents to confirm their status as a full-time
student for income documents.
 (City Guideline 2003-12 - Income of Full time Students living with their
Parents)
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SOME THINGS WORTH KNOWING
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Is a student who lives away from home to attend school still a member of the
household?
Yes, if the student meets all of these conditions:
Is a child of a household member
Is in full-time attendance at a recognized educational institution
Lives with the household while not attending school
Depends in whole or in part on the household for financial support
Note: Other than a post-secondary institution (university, college, for ex.) a
school must be within the province of Ontario .
(note: this means a household would not be considered over housed while the
student lives away from home - student can keep her/his bedroom)
If a household sends a minor child abroad to live with family to learn their
language and culture, is the child still a member of the household?
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No. A child living abroad and not attending university or college is not a member of the
household. The household could be considered over housed when the child leaves.
SOME THINGS WORTH KNOWING
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OSAP
Is a loan and not included as income in the rent calculation .
Loans
Are not included as income
Self-employment Income
[City Guideline 2008-3]
Net self-employment income is used to calculate the rent, not gross .
Child or Spousal Support Payments made do not count as Income
Court ordered support payments made by a household member can be deducted from gross income for the purpose of rent
calculation . On the other hand, if child or spousal support payments are received by a household member, they count as
income.
A casual gift or payment of small value is not considered income
A donation from a religious, charitable , or benevolent organization is not
considered income.
Lump Sum Severance Payment
Is not included in the rent calculation .
WINNING A MILLION DOLLAR LOTTERY
$$$$$$$
Lottery winnings are not income for the purpose of rent calculation. But any interest or income earned from investing the
winnings is income.