Ontario tenants rely on functional boilers and HVAC systems for safety and comfort. When heating or cooling fail, you have tenant rights and clear steps to get repairs, request emergency service, and seek remedies if a landlord doesn’t act. This guide explains landlord obligations under provincial rules, how to document problems, what repairs you can request and when to involve inspectors or the Landlord and Tenant Board.[1] It also shows how to use official forms, examples of timelines, and practical tips for temporary fixes, reducing risk, and protecting your tenancy.
What Ontario law requires
Under the Residential Tenancies Act, 2006 tenants are entitled to a unit that is maintained in a good state of repair and fit for habitation. Landlords must repair and maintain heating and ventilation systems so the rental unit meets health and safety standards.[2] If a landlord does not make timely repairs, tenants can pursue remedies through the Landlord and Tenant Board or local municipal enforcement where property standards apply.
Immediate steps to take
- Notify the landlord in writing describing the problem, the date it began and any immediate risks.
- Document the issue with photos, videos, timestamps and a log of dates and communications.
- If there is a safety risk (no heat in winter, suspected carbon monoxide, gas smell), leave the unit and call emergency services first.
- Allow reasonable access for qualified repair technicians after notice is given, unless there is a documented entry dispute.
- If the landlord fails to act within a reasonable time, prepare to file an application with the Landlord and Tenant Board or contact municipal enforcement for urgent hazards.
Temporary fixes, safety and relocation
Short-term measures (space heaters, portable AC units) can reduce risk but must be safe and agreed with the landlord if required by the lease. Do not attempt gas or electrical repairs yourself — use licensed technicians. If repairs will take time and the unit is uninhabitable, ask the landlord about temporary relocation, compensation for hotel costs or early lease termination options.
For urgent assistance and general repair guidance see Emergency Situations and Repairs: Tenant Rights and Responsibilities and consider routine repair responsibilities in Routine Repairs in Rental Units: Tenant and Landlord Responsibilities. You can also search available rentals and know your market when deciding next steps: Find rental homes across Canada on Houseme[3].
Official forms and when to use them
- Application forms at the Landlord and Tenant Board: use the LTB application forms page when you need an order for repairs, reduction in rent, or other tenancy remedies; for example, file an application when a landlord has had repeated written requests but the heating remains non-functional.
- Notice letters and informal templates: start with a dated written notice to the landlord that describes the problem and asks for a repair within a reasonable timeframe (for example, 24–72 hours for no heat in cold weather).
- Receipts and relocation documentation: keep invoices and receipts if you pay for emergency repairs or temporary accommodation to support applications for compensation.
FAQ
- Who is responsible for fixing a broken boiler or HVAC?
- Generally the landlord is responsible for major systems and must keep them in working order. Tenants should notify the landlord in writing and allow access for repairs.
- What if the landlord does not fix heating in cold weather?
- Document your written requests, keep evidence of the problem and any additional costs, and apply to the Landlord and Tenant Board for an order if the landlord does not act. For immediate hazards, contact emergency services or municipal property standards.
- Can a landlord enter my unit to repair the boiler?
- Yes, with proper notice and at reasonable times, unless it is an emergency. If you refuse reasonable access without justification, you may breach your responsibilities.
How-To
- Write a dated notice describing the HVAC or boiler failure and send it to your landlord by email and/or recorded delivery.
- Create a log with photos, videos and timestamps showing the problem and any communication attempts.
- Allow access for qualified repair personnel after reasonable notice and record technician names, dates and actions taken.
- If the condition is dangerous, leave the unit, call emergency services and notify the landlord immediately.
- Contact municipal property standards or public health for urgent code or safety violations if the landlord will not address hazards.
- If repairs are not made within a reasonable time, file the appropriate application with the Landlord and Tenant Board asking for an order, reduction in rent or compensation.
- Keep all receipts and records for any expenses; these support claims for reimbursement or rent abatement.
Help and Support / Resources
- Contact the Landlord and Tenant Board (Tribunals Ontario)
- Read the Residential Tenancies Act, 2006 (e-Laws)
- Ontario Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing
