Snow, Ice & Sidewalk Repair Duties in Ontario Rentals

Winter brings extra hazards around rental properties. If you rent in Ontario, knowing who is responsible for clearing snow, removing ice and repairing sidewalks helps you stay safe and protect your rights. This guide explains landlord duties under residential tenancy rules and municipal bylaws, what tenants should document and report, and practical steps for asking for repairs or filing an application with the Landlord and Tenant Board. It covers timelines, common disputes, minor and emergency fixes, and examples of the forms and evidence tenants might use. Read on for clear, tenant-focused actions you can take to reduce slip risks and resolve sidewalk maintenance problems without escalating conflict.

Who is responsible for sidewalks and winter hazards?

In Ontario the Residential Tenancies Act, 2006 sets out basic landlord duties to maintain a rental property in a good state of repair and fit for habitation; municipal property standards and local winter maintenance bylaws often add sidewalk-specific duties, so both sets of rules matter ^[2]. Lease language can clarify who clears snow and treats ice, but an explicit private agreement cannot override public safety bylaws. For most multi-unit landlords the responsibility to keep common walkways safe is clear; for single-unit tenancies the lease and local bylaw determine whether the landlord or tenant must clear the sidewalk.

Practical steps tenants should take

• Document the condition with dated photos and a written log.
• Give your landlord written notice describing the hazard and request prompt action.
• If safe to do so, make temporary measures (salt, sand) and keep receipts for reimbursement requests.
• Keep a timeline of responses and follow up within any deadlines stated in the lease or municipal rules.

When to involve the Landlord and Tenant Board

If your landlord ignores written requests and the hazard continues, you can apply to the Landlord and Tenant Board for a remedy; the Board handles many tenant-landlord disputes in Ontario and provides application forms and process information online ^[1]. Before applying, document attempts to resolve the issue and check whether a municipal property standards complaint is also appropriate.

Official forms and how to use them

The Landlord and Tenant Board offers a set of application forms for tenants who need remedies. See the list of forms and instructions on the LTB forms page ^[3]. Two common items to look for are:

• Application about tenant rights (see LTB forms page): used to ask the Board to order repairs or other remedies when the landlord has not fixed a problem. Example: you file this after repeated written notices about an icy common sidewalk and no timely action.
• Supporting evidence bundle: compile dated photos, copies of notices, receipts for temporary fixes, and a log of communications to upload with the application.

Common disputes and reasonable responses

Disputes often arise when lease wording is ambiguous or when municipal bylaws assign duties to property owners but tenants clear snow informally. If you believe a landlord is neglecting responsibilities, start with the lease and municipal bylaw, then follow the documentation and notice steps above. Consider a municipal property standards complaint if the condition violates local safety or bylaw rules; that process is separate from the LTB and can result in municipal orders to the property owner.

FAQ

Who must clear snow and remove ice on sidewalks at a rental property?

Responsibility depends on the lease and municipal bylaws; many landlords and property owners must clear common sidewalks, while private lease terms can assign duties to tenants for specific areas.

Can I clear the sidewalk myself and deduct the cost from rent?

Generally you should not deduct costs from rent without an agreement or Board order; instead keep receipts and ask the landlord in writing for reimbursement or file an application with the Board if refused.

What if I worry about a dangerous icy walkway in winter?

Report it to your landlord in writing, document the hazard with photos, and if the landlord does not act promptly file a complaint with your municipality or apply to the Landlord and Tenant Board.

How-To

1. Document the hazard: take clear dated photos and write a short log describing where and when the hazard appeared.
2. Send a written notice to your landlord (email or letter) describing the hazard and requesting prompt remediation; keep a copy.
3. Allow a reasonable timeframe for the landlord to respond, based on lease terms or municipal bylaws.
4. If the landlord fails to act, file an application with the Landlord and Tenant Board and attach your evidence bundle.
5. Consider contacting municipal property standards or 311 to report hazardous sidewalks that violate local bylaws.

Key Takeaways

• Both the Residential Tenancies Act and municipal bylaws can affect who must clear snow and repair sidewalks.
• Document hazards, give written notice, and keep receipts and dated photos as your primary evidence.
• Use LTB application forms and municipal complaint channels when the landlord does not fix a dangerous condition.

Help and Support / Resources

• Landlord and Tenant Board (Tribunals Ontario)
• Residential Tenancies Act, 2006 (e-Laws)
• Ontario Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing

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1. [1] Tribunals Ontario - Landlord and Tenant Board
2. [2] Residential Tenancies Act, 2006 - e-Laws
3. [3] Landlord and Tenant Board forms and instructions