Ontario Tenant Utilities & Services Checklist: Your Essential Guide

Moving into a new rental can be overwhelming, especially when it comes to setting up and managing utilities and essential services. In Ontario, understanding who is responsible for utilities—and what’s legally required—can help you avoid extra costs and keep your home safe and comfortable. This comprehensive checklist breaks down all you need to know, including your rights, forms, and steps for making sure your rental’s utilities are handled correctly.

Who Pays for Utilities in Ontario Rentals?

Responsibility for utilities like heat, hydro (electricity), water, and internet is determined by your rental agreement. Always confirm in writing which services are included in your rent, and which ones you’ll need to arrange yourself. In most Ontario leases, you’ll see utilities specified by:

• Heat (gas, electric, oil, etc.)
• Electricity (hydro)
• Water and hot water heating
• Garbage collection
• Internet, phone, and cable (typically tenant’s responsibility)

If you’re signing a new lease, discuss and document these details with your landlord. For more about your rights after you sign, check out What Tenants Need to Know After Signing the Rental Agreement.

Setting Up Utilities: Steps for Tenants

If utilities are not included, you must set up accounts with utility providers. This usually applies to hydro, natural gas, and internet. Steps will differ slightly for each type, but generally, you should:

• Contact the utility company before move-in to schedule connection
• Provide identification and a copy of your lease if requested
• Do a meter reading on move-in day to ensure correct billing
• Keep records of account setup and usage

Hydro One and Enbridge Gas are common providers in Ontario, but local municipalities may handle water and waste.

Essential Forms for Utilities and Services

• Ontario Standard Lease Agreement – Clearly outlines which utilities are included. Use the official Ontario Standard Lease Form when renting.
• Form T2 – Application About Tenant Rights – If a landlord turns off utilities or fails to provide agreed-upon services, tenants can apply using Form T2 (LTB) to the Landlord and Tenant Board. For example, if your landlord disconnects water without cause, use Form T2.
• Form L2 – Application to End a Tenancy and Evict a Tenant – While this is typically used by landlords, it’s helpful to know about it if disputes over bills arise.

Utilities Checklist Before You Move In

Before your move, protect yourself by making sure all utilities and services are set up properly:

• Confirm with your landlord (in writing) who pays for each utility
• Get account numbers and provider contact details for setup or transfer
• Take meter readings and photos on move-in day
• Ensure smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, and heating are functional for Health and Safety Issues Every Tenant Should Know When Renting
• Ask about garbage and recycling pickup schedules
• Review any included services (e.g., laundry, parking)

Moving in is a busy time—having a utilities checklist can prevent common problems and disputes once you’re settled.

Common Issues: What to Watch Out For

Tenants sometimes discover unexpected utility bills or service disruptions. Problems may include:

• Being billed for a previous tenant's usage
• Unexpected disconnections
• Undisclosed utility costs
• Unsafe or broken essential services (heating, water, electricity)

If you face a service interruption due to landlord action—such as a utility cut-off not caused by your non-payment—you have the right to file a complaint with the Landlord and Tenant Board under the Residential Tenancies Act, 2006. Always keep written records of communication with your landlord and utility providers.

For guidance on troubleshooting these problems or initiating repairs, visit Common Issues Tenants Face and How to Resolve Them.

Who to Contact for Utilities Support

• For heat or hydro emergencies, call your provider’s emergency line
• Report extended outages affecting health or safety to your city’s bylaw office
• For persistent landlord-related failures, file Form T2 with the Landlord and Tenant Board of Ontario

Summary: Utilities and Services Essentials for Ontario Tenants

Understanding and documenting your utility responsibilities—and knowing your rights—will help you enjoy a stress-free tenancy. Don’t forget to reference Tenant Rights in Ontario for a broader view of your entitlements under provincial law.

Looking for your next home? Browse apartments for rent in Canada for a streamlined rental search experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What utilities are usually included with rent in Ontario?
   Heat and water are sometimes included in the rent, but this should be spelled out in your lease agreement. Electricity, internet, and cable are often the tenant’s responsibility.
2. How can I prove which utilities I must pay for?
   Refer to your lease; Ontario’s Standard Lease Agreement section 6 clearly indicates which utilities are included. Keep copies of all forms and written communication with your landlord.
3. What should I do if my landlord disconnects a utility?
   If your landlord cuts off a utility that they are required to provide, file Form T2 (Application About Tenant Rights) with the Landlord and Tenant Board as soon as possible.
4. Am I responsible for previous tenants’ unpaid utility bills?
   No. As a new account holder, you are only responsible for charges after your move-in date. Document meter readings and notify providers about your move-in date.
5. Where can I find help or file a complaint about utility issues?
   Contact your provider first, then your city’s bylaw office or the Landlord and Tenant Board. Tenant advocacy groups can also help you understand your rights.

How To: Managing Utilities as a Tenant in Ontario

1. How do I set up a new hydro or utility account as a tenant?
   Contact the relevant utility company before you move in, provide identification and your lease, and record meter readings and photos on move-in day.
2. How do I file a Form T2 if my landlord shuts off my utilities?
   Download Form T2 from the Landlord and Tenant Board website, fill it out, attach supporting documents (photos, written complaints), and submit it in person, by mail, or online.
3. How do I check if utilities are included in my Ontario lease?
   Review section 6 of the Ontario Standard Lease Form; if in doubt, ask your landlord for written clarification before signing.
4. How do I handle a utilities billing dispute?
   Start by contacting the company directly to explain the error (with proof), then provide a written summary to your landlord if relevant. Escalate to the LTB if not resolved.

Key Takeaways

• Check your lease for utilities and services responsibility—never assume what’s included.
• Use official forms like the Ontario Standard Lease and Form T2 to protect your rights.
• Document meter readings and always keep copies of correspondence for potential disputes.

Need Help? Resources for Tenants

• Landlord and Tenant Board of Ontario – File complaints, access forms, and understand your legal rights
• Ontario Government – Renting in Ontario – Guides for tenants and landlords
• Local tenant advocacy centres and legal clinics – For support and advice with utility or service disputes

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1. Residential Tenancies Act, 2006 – Read Ontario’s rental law (official government site)
2. Ontario Landlord and Tenant Board Forms – Find forms and instructions
3. Standard Lease Agreement, Ontario – View or download the guide and form

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