Tenant Maintenance Responsibilities in Nunavut: A Complete Guide

Renting a home in Nunavut means knowing not only your rights but also your responsibilities as a tenant. Maintenance of your rental property—what you are expected to do, what your landlord is required to handle, and how to resolve issues—is a fundamental part of safe, comfortable living. This guide explains maintenance responsibilities for tenants in Nunavut using plain language, official forms, and steps for common scenarios.

Maintenance Responsibilities of Tenants in Nunavut

The Nunavut Rental Office oversees rental housing matters in the territory. Your obligations are set out clearly in the Rental Agreements Act (Nunavut)^[1]. In Nunavut, tenants are expected to:

• Keep the unit reasonably clean and sanitary
• Repair or cover the cost for any damage caused by themselves or guests (excluding normal wear and tear)
• Prevent health and safety hazards in the rental space
• Notify the landlord promptly about any required repairs

Normal wear and tear (for example, faded paint or minor carpet scuffs) is not the tenant's responsibility. Damage beyond regular use, such as broken windows or holes in walls, is typically the tenant's duty to fix or pay for.

What About Routine Repairs and Emergencies?

While landlords are responsible for maintaining the property in a good state of repair, tenants must report issues as soon as they appear. This includes plumbing leaks, electrical problems, or broken appliances. If an emergency occurs—like a burst pipe—notify your landlord immediately and cooperate with any urgent repairs.

Health and Safety in Rental Homes

Keeping your home safe is a shared duty. Tenants must not remove or disable safety devices (such as smoke detectors) and should let the landlord know if any health hazards exist.

For more, see Health and Safety Issues Every Tenant Should Know When Renting.

Official Forms and How to Use Them

The Rental Office provides several forms to support tenants. Here are two that Nunavut tenants may need regarding maintenance and repairs:

• Application to the Rental Officer (Form 1): Use this when you need to resolve a dispute with your landlord about maintenance or repairs.
  Example: If your landlord does not address reported heating issues, you can apply for an order from the Rental Officer.
  Find Form 1 (Nunavut Rental Officer Applications)
• Notice to Terminate (Form 2): If essential repairs are not done and living conditions become hazardous, tenants may be eligible to give notice.
  Example: A persistent water leak results in unlivable conditions—you may provide official notice to end your tenancy.
  Find Form 2 (Nunavut Rental Officer Notices)

What If Repairs Are Not Completed?

Should your landlord neglect necessary repairs that affect your health or safety, you have the right to escalate the issue. Steps can include:

• Sending a written request for repairs (keep a copy)
• Contacting the Rental Office for advice
• Applying to the Rental Officer for an official order using Form 1

Never withhold rent because of repairs—this could risk eviction. Instead, always go through the official process outlined above.

For more on your rights and duties beyond maintenance, see Obligations of Landlords and Tenants: Rights and Responsibilities Explained.

Entry for Repairs

Your landlord can enter your rental home for inspections and repairs, but must give you at least 24 hours’ written notice (except in emergencies). The notice should state when and why entry is needed, in line with the Rental Agreements Act requirements.

Your Rights and Where to Find More Information

Understanding maintenance is just one aspect of renting. Review all your rights and responsibilities as a Nunavut tenant on the Tenant Rights and Landlord Rights in Nunavut page for further details on deposits, rent, evictions, and more.

Looking for a new place to rent? Find rental homes across Canada on Houseme with interactive map search and daily listings updates.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What repairs am I responsible for as a tenant in Nunavut? You must keep your unit clean, promptly report maintenance issues, and fix or pay for any damage you or your guests cause that is beyond normal wear and tear.
2. Can I deduct repair costs from my rent? No. Nunavut’s law does not allow tenants to subtract repair costs from rent unless ordered by the Rental Officer. Always use the official forms and process.
3. What if my landlord doesn’t respond to a repair request? Start with a written (dated) repair request. If there’s no response, you can file an application with the Rental Officer using Form 1.
4. Can my landlord enter without permission to make repairs? Generally, your landlord must give at least 24 hours’ written notice before entering—except in urgent emergencies.
5. Where can I get help if my maintenance issue isn’t resolved? Contact the Nunavut Rental Office, tenant advocacy organizations, or local housing support networks for guidance and support.

Key Takeaways for Nunavut Tenants

• Keep your rental clean and report maintenance problems quickly.
• Never withhold rent over repairs—use official forms and seek help if needed.
• Know your rights: landlords must maintain the unit, but you must cooperate and inform them of issues.

Stay updated and communicate openly with your landlord to prevent misunderstandings and keep your home in good condition.

Need Help? Resources for Tenants

• Nunavut Rental Office — Information, official forms, and dispute resolution.
• Government of Nunavut: Tenants and Landlords — Rights, responsibilities, and tenancy guides.
• Community legal clinics and local housing support workers provide free advice for rental issues.

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1. Rental Agreements Act (Nunavut)
2. Nunavut Rental Office
3. Government of Nunavut, Tenants and Landlords

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