Can Tenants Be Charged for Emergency Repairs in Ontario?

If you're renting in Ontario and faced with an emergency repair—like a burst pipe, power outage, or no heat in winter—you may wonder who pays, what your responsibilities are, and when your landlord can ask you to cover emergency repair costs. Knowing your rights can help you avoid unfair charges and make sure your home stays safe and livable.

Who Is Responsible for Emergency Repairs?

Under Ontario's Residential Tenancies Act, 2006, landlords are required to maintain rental units in a good state of repair, fit for habitation, and compliant with health and safety standards.^[1] This covers both routine and emergency repairs—for example, fixing a broken furnace in winter or addressing water damage from a burst pipe.

• Landlords are almost always responsible for emergency repairs needed to keep the home safe and livable.
• Tenants may only be charged for emergency repairs if they, their guests, or pets directly caused the damage through negligence or willful actions.

For more details on general repair duties, see Obligations of Landlords and Tenants: Rights and Responsibilities Explained.

What Counts as an Emergency Repair?

Emergency repairs are problems that threaten health, safety, or security, or that could cause significant property damage if not fixed right away. Examples include:

• No heat during winter
• Flooding from a burst pipe
• No running water, electricity, or functional toilet
• Broken doors or locks that put your safety at risk

If you're facing situations like these, your landlord must respond promptly.

What to Do in an Emergency: Action Steps for Tenants

If there is an emergency repair needed:

• Contact your landlord immediately. Use phone, email, or your landlord’s preferred emergency contact method. Document your communication.
• If you can't reach your landlord or they fail to respond quickly, you may arrange for the repair yourself if it's urgent (e.g., shutting off water to stop flooding), but keep receipts and records of all attempts to contact your landlord.
• Let your landlord know what was done as soon as possible.

If you need to pay for emergency repairs because you couldn’t reach your landlord, you can ask for reimbursement by providing evidence of the problem and your attempts to notify them.

When Can Your Landlord Charge You for Repairs?

Landlords can only ask you to pay for emergency repairs if you, a guest, or your pet caused the problem through negligence or willful damage. They cannot charge you for repairs due to normal wear and tear or damages resulting from unavoidable events (like a pipe bursting due to freezing temperatures outside your control).

If a landlord tries to invoice you unfairly for a repair you didn’t cause, you can:

• Politely dispute the charge and provide your evidence (e.g., photos, messages)
• File an application with the Landlord and Tenant Board (LTB) if you cannot resolve it

Keep copies of all messages, repair bills, and photos related to the emergency for your own records and potential LTB applications!

Relevant Forms Tenants Might Use

• T6: Tenant Application about Maintenance
  • When to use: If your landlord fails to handle necessary repairs (emergency or otherwise), and you want a remedy (like compensation or an order to repair).
  • How to use: Fill out the T6 form and submit it to the Landlord and Tenant Board.
  • Download T6 Application (PDF)
  • Example: If your building’s front door lock is broken, your landlord won’t fix it, and you feel unsafe, you can file a T6 application to ask the LTB to order the repair and/or compensation.
• Tenant Maintenance Request (Informal)
  • You don’t need a special government form—just a written request by email, letter, or landlord portal.
  • Keep a copy for your records before you escalate to an official complaint or tribunal application.

Health and Safety Considerations

Emergency repairs often relate to your health and safety as a tenant. Ontario law requires all rental properties to meet certain standards for safe living. If repairs are not done quickly, and your health or safety is at risk, you have added legal protections. See Health and Safety Issues Every Tenant Should Know When Renting for more information.

For frequent emergencies, or if you're unsure what counts as "urgent," see Emergency Situations and Repairs: Tenant Rights and Responsibilities.

Summary: What Tenants Should Remember

Landlords must cover the cost of most emergency repairs unless the tenant caused the problem. Your legal right to a safe, well-maintained home is protected in Ontario law. If there's ever a dispute or your landlord tries to charge you unfairly, follow the steps above and consider reaching out for support.

Want more general tips about your rights throughout Ontario? Read Tenant Rights in Ontario.

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Frequently Asked Questions: Emergency Repairs in Ontario Rentals

1. Can my landlord make me pay for emergency repairs?
   Usually, no—unless the emergency was caused by your actions or negligence. Landlords are responsible for repairs due to normal use or unexpected emergencies unrelated to the tenant.
2. What if I can't reach my landlord during an emergency?
   Make reasonable efforts to contact them (call, text, email). If urgent repairs are needed and you can't get a response, you can arrange the repair yourself and seek reimbursement with proper proof.
3. How do I get reimbursed for emergency repairs?
   Keep all receipts and evidence of attempts to contact your landlord. Submit a written reimbursement request. If refused, you can apply to the Landlord and Tenant Board using the T6 form.
4. Which official body handles tenant-landlord disputes in Ontario?
   The Landlord and Tenant Board (LTB) resolves disputes about repairs, maintenance, and other rental issues.
5. Does emergency repair responsibility change if I signed a special lease?
   Your lease cannot override Ontario law—landlords still have the main duty to keep units safe and habitable, regardless of the agreement.

Need Help? Resources for Tenants

• Landlord and Tenant Board (LTB) — Filing maintenance or emergency repair complaints
• Ontario Government — Your rights as a renter
• Advocacy Centre for Tenants Ontario (ACTO) — Legal support for renters

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1. Residential Tenancies Act, 2006. See Ontario’s official Residential Tenancies Act.
2. Landlord and Tenant Board Ontario. See Tribunals Ontario - LTB.

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