Living in rental housing in the Northwest Territories brings unique safety responsibilities for both tenants and landlords. Carbon monoxide is an invisible, odorless gas that can cause serious injury or death; tenants should know how to spot symptoms, where detectors should be located, and what to do if they suspect a leak. This guide explains tenant remedies in the NWT when carbon monoxide hazards arise: immediate safety steps, how to request urgent repairs, what official forms and tribunals handle disputes, and how to document events to support a complaint or claim. Use this information to protect your health, insist on safe habitability, and pursue repairs or compensation when necessary.
What carbon monoxide means for tenants in the NWT
Carbon monoxide (CO) comes from incomplete combustion of fuels — furnaces, gas stoves, hot water heaters, portable heaters and vehicles in attached garages. Symptoms include headache, dizziness, nausea, confusion, or loss of consciousness. Tenants have the right to a safe rental unit: functioning detectors, properly maintained appliances, and timely repairs.
Immediate actions if you suspect carbon monoxide
- Leave the unit immediately and call 911 if anyone is sick or unconscious.
- Do not re-enter until emergency services or a qualified technician declares it safe.
- If safe to do so, open windows and doors to ventilate while you wait outside.
- Contact your landlord or property manager right away to report the suspected leak and request urgent repairs.
- Keep a written log of times you called, who you spoke with, and any responses received.
How to get urgent repairs and report hazards
If your landlord does not act quickly after you report a suspected CO problem, you can file a complaint with the Residential Tenancies Office or request an order from the tribunal to compel repairs or provide rent abatement.[1] When you contact your landlord, be specific: describe symptoms, the appliance(s) involved, and whether detectors alerted you. For guidance on emergency repair rights, see Emergency Situations and Repairs: Tenant Rights and Responsibilities.
Example form and use: "Application to the Residential Tenancies Office" (application form to request a hearing or order). Use it to ask the tribunal for repairs, rent reduction, or compensation if the landlord fails to fix a CO hazard. For example, a tenant files the application after repeated reports about a malfunctioning furnace that produced CO and the landlord did not arrange a certified technician.
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Documenting the problem and building your case
- Take dated photos and videos of appliances, detector locations, and any visible damage or unusual soot.
- Save medical records, hospital notes, and receipts for related expenses (taxi, temporary lodging, medical bills).
- Keep written requests to the landlord and any replies by text, email, or written notes, including dates and times.
- Get professional reports: fire department, certified HVAC or gas technician reports that confirm a CO source or detector failure.
FAQ
- Can my landlord be forced to fix a carbon monoxide hazard?
- Yes. Landlords are generally required to repair health and safety hazards. If a landlord does not act, you can apply to the Residential Tenancies Office or tribunal for an order requiring repairs and possibly rent abatement or compensation.[1]
- What if I need medical help?
- Seek emergency medical care immediately and tell providers you suspect carbon monoxide exposure. Keep all medical reports and receipts as evidence.
- Can I withhold rent or leave the unit?
- Withholding rent or abandoning a unit without legal permission can create risk. Instead, document the hazard, notify the landlord in writing, and apply to the Residential Tenancies Office for an order. If the unit is unsafe, emergency authorities may direct temporary evacuation.
How-To
- Gather your documentation: photos, medical records, dates and times of reports to the landlord, and any technician or fire-department reports.
- Complete the Residential Tenancies application form to request an order for urgent repairs or compensation and include copies of your documentation.[1]
- File the application with the Residential Tenancies Office and note any filing deadlines or hearing dates they give you.
- Attend the hearing (or submit written evidence if allowed) and be prepared to explain the timeline, show documents, and present technician or medical reports.
- If the tribunal grants an order, follow its directions to enforce repairs, rent adjustments, or compensation; if needed, seek help enforcing the order through the appropriate office.
Key Takeaways
- Act immediately: leave if symptomatic and call 911 for suspected carbon monoxide exposure.
- Report hazards to your landlord and keep written records of all communications and responses.
- Document thoroughly and use the Residential Tenancies Office process to request repairs, rent relief, or compensation.
Help and Support / Resources
- Residential Tenancies Office, Government of the Northwest Territories
- GNWT Health and Social Services — health and safety resources
- Health Canada — carbon monoxide guidance and poisoning prevention
