Been a long time lurker of this sub, and appreciate the input y'all provide to others and hoping I can get a bit of information on a few items for clarification.

Rental Story:

Took possession of my unit on October 1, 2023 at a rate of $4,100 per month.

Provided my LL with a payment of $8,200 to cover first and last months rent

Provided my LL with a $500 damage deposit and a $300 key deposit.

My 1 year lease is coming to an end on September 30, 2024 and my LL and I are in the process of discussing new rental terms. I have intention of staying on as month to month until I've saved enough to buy something.

The listing agent my LL used in 2023 emailed me indicating that my LL wants to discuss a renewal and that they are willing to "renew" my tenancy for 1 year at a rate of $4,000 ($100 discount given the change in the rental market). Note, LL's email address is not on the email. We haven't agreed on anything and I emailed them back saying I want to stay month to month and asked "is that the best reduction you can do, given how much the market changed?" Still waiting for a reply. Oh - I've also asked them for receipts for all the cheques I gave them. They provided a slip of all the cheques and amounts when I first moved in, but figured I would get receipts to be explicit.

My questions are as follows:

1. Because I want to go month to month, and my LL hasn't provided me with a formal written notice of rent change (the listing agent just sent an email about the $4,000 rate), do I just write them a cheque for $4,100 for September 1, 2024, or because I have something written (i.e, via email), can I legally just write them a cheque for $4,000?

2. Interest owed - given the 1 year, $4.1k deposit, I understand I'm entitled to interest on that. Given my rent *may* decrease, I'll be writing to my LL for a payment, especially if my rent goes down. If they don't pay it, am I legally allowed to deduct it from a rent cheque? I.e, on September 1, 2024, I give them a cheque for the $4K or $4.1K, which means they are still holding my deposit from the previous year. Come October 1, 2024, when I write them a new cheque they owe me $102.78 for the preceding 12 months (according to getrently), can I just deduct that amount for the October 1, 2024 rent cheque?

3. Damage and Key Deposit. I've recently learned that damage deposits are illegal. I'll be writing to my LL to get it back. Same question as above, am I legally allowed to just deduct the $500 from a rent payment and inform them of what I'm doing?

4. Payments. Since I don't know how long I plan on living here month to month, I intend to write my LL cheques on the first of every month. My LL doesn't live in the city (they do live in Ontario). Who's obligation is it to collect the cheque? I.e, should I be mailing the cheque to them? Can I request they come pick it up every month? What am I allowed to do?

Thank you in advance for your input.