Ontario’s Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing develops province-wide rules and regulations that protect tenants, and encourages landlords and property managers to maintain and invest in their rental units. Through the Residential Tenancies Act, landlords are responsible for keeping the unit and building in good repair, including fixing anything that breaks and getting rid of pests.
Each municipality can also set specific by-laws that set a standard for rental properties in their jurisdiction. Examples of by-laws include minimum temperature requirements in the winter and what defines a habitable unit.
How to request maintenance
1. Make a service request to your landlord/property manager.
Send a written (e.g. email) request, including photos, if applicable, providing specific details of the maintenance issue. It is important to keep a record of all communications with your landlord.
2. If the issue is not resolved, make a service request to your municipality.
A municipal inspector will visit and investigate the issue. Further direction will be provided by the inspector.
3. If the issue is still not resolved, consider filing a complaint with the Landlord and Tenant Board.
The Landlord and Tenant Board is a provincial tribunal that resolves disputes between landlords and tenants, including those around maintenance issues. The Landlord and Tenant Board provides more maintenance information.
Municipality-specific information and by-laws
- Toronto: Rental housing standards
- Mississauga: Property standards
- Brampton: Property standards
- Oakville: Property standards
- Burlington: Property standards
- Hamilton: Rental properties services
- Vaughan: Property standards
- Richmond Hill: Property standards
- Markham: Property standards
- Pickering: Property standards
- Ajax: Property standards
- Whitby: Property standards
- Oshawa: Property standards
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