Many Ontario renters are surprised to learn their landlord may be billing them for utilities through submetering. Illegal submetering happens when tenants are charged unfairly, billed more than actual usage, or when meters are altered, and it can affect your monthly housing costs and rights as a tenant in Ontario. This guide explains how submetering typically works, what provincial rules protect you under the Residential Tenancies Act, 2006, and practical steps you can take: documenting bills, asking for receipts, requesting landlord explanations, and filing an application with the Landlord and Tenant Board if needed. The goal is to help tenants understand options, deadlines, and the official forms and agencies that can resolve disputes.
What is submetering and when is it illegal?
Submetering is when a landlord installs a meter that measures a tenant's individual utility use (usually electricity or water) while the landlord continues to be billed by the utility company for the building's service. Submetering itself is not always illegal in Ontario, but problems arise when tenants are charged unfairly, billed above actual consumption, or when billing methods and any administrative fees are not clearly disclosed in a lease.
Your rights in Ontario
Tenants in Ontario are protected by the Residential Tenancies Act, 2006 and can apply to the Landlord and Tenant Board to dispute improper utility charges.[1] If your landlord is charging for utilities through submetering, you have the right to ask for clear bills, receipts, the formula used to calculate charges, and copies of any invoices the landlord receives from the utility or submetering company. If you and the landlord cannot resolve the issue, the Landlord and Tenant Board handles applications about charges and billing disputes.[3]
- Collect utility bills, meter photos, lease clauses, payment receipts, and any written communication as evidence.
- Request a written billing breakdown or any billing form from your landlord within a set time so you have a formal record.
- Report tampering or safety concerns about meters to the Electrical Safety Authority or the utility provider immediately.
- Apply to the Landlord and Tenant Board to request a hearing about disputed charges if informal attempts fail.
Official forms and when to use them
The Landlord and Tenant Board provides application forms and instructions for tenants who want to dispute charges, seek rent adjustments, or request orders. The LTB forms index lists the specific form you need for billing disputes and hearings; use the form that matches your issue and follow the filing instructions carefully.[2]
Practical examples:
- If your landlord bills you using a per-unit allocation, request the original invoices and a copy of the allocation formula; if they do not provide them, note the date you requested the documents and continue to collect evidence.
- If you receive a bill that appears much higher than actual use, take dated photos of the meter readings and compare them to the landlord's bill.
- If the landlord sends a written notice charging you for utilities and you disagree, consider filing the appropriate application with the Landlord and Tenant Board to start a formal review.
FAQ
- Can a landlord legally install submeters and bill me separately?
- Submetering can be legal, but landlords must follow the Residential Tenancies Act, 2006 and provide transparent billing; if charges are unfair or undisclosed, you can challenge them at the Landlord and Tenant Board.[1]
- What evidence will help my case?
- Keep copies of your lease, all utility bills, meter photos with dates, receipts, and any written requests or responses from your landlord. Clear records make hearings more effective.
- How do I file a complaint or application?
- Begin by asking the landlord in writing for a billing explanation and copies of invoices. If unresolved, follow the LTB's application process and use the correct form listed on the forms index to request a hearing.[2]
How-To
- Gather documentation: lease, bills, dated photos of meters, and any payment receipts you have.
- Send a written request to your landlord asking for a billing breakdown and copies of invoices; keep a copy of the request.
- If the issue is not resolved, choose and complete the correct application form from the Landlord and Tenant Board forms page and submit it to start a hearing.
- Attend the hearing, bring all evidence, and be prepared to explain timelines, payments, and any attempts to resolve the dispute.
Key Takeaways
- Tenants have rights under the Residential Tenancies Act and can challenge unfair utility billing.
- Collect clear, dated evidence before filing a formal application with the Landlord and Tenant Board.
- Use the official LTB forms and follow filing instructions to request a hearing if informal resolution fails.
Help and Support / Resources
- Call or contact the Landlord and Tenant Board
- Access Landlord and Tenant Board application forms
- Residential Tenancies Act, 2006 (legislation)
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