Ontario Tenant Maintenance & Repairs Guide

Keeping your Ontario rental unit well-maintained is not just a matter of comfort—it's a key legal right for tenants. Whether you’re facing leaky plumbing, broken appliances, or major health and safety concerns, it’s vital to know how the law protects you and what steps you can take to resolve maintenance and repair issues promptly. This comprehensive guide walks Ontario tenants through their rights, landlord obligations, key forms, and action steps when maintenance problems arise.

Understanding Your Rights to Repairs in Ontario Rentals

Ontario's Residential Tenancies Act, 2006 sets clear standards for both tenants and landlords when it comes to repairs and maintenance. Landlords are legally required to keep rental homes in a good state of repair and to comply with health, safety, and housing standards at all times—even if your lease says otherwise.^[1]

• The law covers all essential services: heating, plumbing, electrical, locks, doors, appliances provided in your rental agreement, and pest control.
• Tenants are responsible for keeping the unit clean and repairing any damage they or their guests cause.
• If you have questions about other basic tenant and landlord responsibilities, see the Obligations of Landlords and Tenants: Rights and Responsibilities Explained.

For a full overview of your legal rights, visit Tenant Rights in Ontario.

Common Maintenance & Repair Issues

Many tenants encounter repair issues such as:

• Heating or air conditioning not working
• Water leaks or faulty plumbing
• Broken kitchen or bathroom fixtures
• Infestations (mice, cockroaches, bedbugs)
• Unsafe electrical wiring
• Unaddressed safety concerns (broken locks, non-functioning smoke alarms)

For urgent health or safety hazards, read Health and Safety Issues Every Tenant Should Know When Renting.

What to Do If Something Needs Repair

Step 1: Notify Your Landlord

Contact your landlord or property manager as soon as you notice a problem. Written notice (email, letter, or maintenance request form) is best. Document what’s wrong, when it started, and any attempted fixes or discussions.

Step 2: Wait for a Reasonable Response

Landlords generally have a reasonable amount of time to complete repairs, depending on the severity (for example, no heat in winter is urgent, while a sticky door is not). For pest problems, see Dealing with Pests in Your Rental: Tenant Rights and Effective Solutions.

Step 3: Escalate if Repairs Are Not Completed

If the landlord does not act or the issue is severe:

• Send a second written reminder and keep records.
• Consider involving your municipality for safety/code violations. City inspectors can order repairs if standards are not met.
• For emergencies (e.g., major floods, no heating), see the guide to Emergency Situations and Repairs: Tenant Rights and Responsibilities.

Applying to the Landlord and Tenant Board (LTB)

The Landlord and Tenant Board (LTB) is Ontario’s official tribunal for resolving rental disputes.

If your landlord fails to make required repairs, you may:

• File LTB Form T6 (Tenant Application about Maintenance)
• Request remedies, such as requiring the landlord to repair, a rent reduction, compensation, or authorization to make repairs at the landlord’s expense

Form T6 – Tenant Application about Maintenance

• When to use: If your landlord won’t fix needed repairs (after you’ve given them notice and a reasonable amount of time)
• How to use: Download Form T6 from the LTB, fill it out, and submit it online or in person.
• Example: If your heat isn’t working and the landlord ignores your requests, file Form T6 with copies of your written communications and photos.

The LTB can order repairs, rent abatements, or compensation if your application is successful.^[2]

For minor issues, you may wish to review tips on Routine Repairs in Rental Units: Tenant and Landlord Responsibilities.

Health, Safety, and Local Bylaws

Local bylaws across Ontario set minimum property standards. Municipal property standards officers can inspect units and order repairs for health and safety risks, including mold, pests, and lack of essential services. Contact your city’s bylaw office for urgent property concerns.

Protecting Yourself as a Tenant

• Keep records of all repair requests and landlord responses
• Take photos of the issue and dates
• Do not withhold rent—doing so can lead to eviction, even if you’re waiting on repairs
• For rental listings or to compare properties with better maintenance reputations, Browse apartments for rent in Canada

Moving in soon? Ensure a safe start by doing a thorough inspection: Guide to the Initial Rental Property Inspection for Tenants.

FAQ

1. What can I do if my landlord ignores my repair request?
   If your landlord does not respond to written requests for required repairs, you can contact your municipality for an inspection and/or file Form T6 with the Landlord and Tenant Board to request repairs, rent rebates, or compensation.
2. Am I allowed to deduct costs from my rent if I make repairs myself?
   No. In Ontario, tenants are not permitted to deduct repair costs from their rent unless authorized by the Landlord and Tenant Board. Doing so could risk eviction.
3. Who handles heat, plumbing, and pest control?
   Landlords are always responsible for maintaining heating, plumbing, and pest control in residential units, regardless of your lease’s wording.
4. How do I file a complaint with the Landlord and Tenant Board?
   File LTB Form T6 (Tenant Application about Maintenance) online or in person to request an official hearing.
5. Where can I find more about my rights as a tenant?
   For a full legal overview, see the official Tenant Rights in Ontario resource.

How To: Get Repairs Completed in Your Ontario Rental

1. How do I request repairs from my landlord?
   Submit your repair request in writing (email, letter, or maintenance portal), describing the problem and when you first noticed it. Keep a copy for your records.
2. How do I apply to the LTB if repairs aren’t made?
   Download Form T6, fill it out with details of the issue and your repair requests, and submit to the LTB online or at a ServiceOntario counter.
3. What should I include with my Form T6 application?
   Include copies of your repair requests, dates, photos, and any inspection reports to support your case.
4. How do I get an emergency repair addressed?
   If repairs are needed urgently (no heat in winter, major water leak), contact your landlord immediately, follow up in writing, and notify your municipality if the problem isn’t fixed right away.

Key Takeaways

• Landlords must maintain Ontario rental homes to health, safety, and housing standards
• Always report repair issues in writing and document all communication
• If repairs aren’t made, tenants can contact city authorities or file Form T6 with the Landlord and Tenant Board

Need Help? Resources for Tenants

• Landlord and Tenant Board (LTB) Ontario: Forms, applications, and dispute resolution
• Municipal Property Standards Offices: Contact your city for health/safety inspections
• Ontario Tenant Duty Counsel Program: Free legal help at many LTB locations
• Legal Aid Ontario: Information and tenant support
• Learn the basics of your rights in Tenant Rights in Ontario

1. ^[1] See the Residential Tenancies Act, 2006 (Ontario).
2. ^[2] For forms and official instructions, visit the Landlord and Tenant Board Forms Page.