Tenant Steps for Dealing with Unsafe Employer Housing in Ontario

If you’re a tenant living in housing provided by your employer in Ontario, you have legal rights to a safe and healthy home, regardless of your employment status. This guide explains the action steps and resources for tenants who believe their employer-provided housing is unsafe or unfit to live in.

Understanding Your Rights in Employer-Provided Housing

In Ontario, the Residential Tenancies Act, 2006 (RTA) protects most tenants who live in rental housing supplied by their employer—even if your rent is deducted from your paycheque. As a tenant, your home must meet minimum health and safety standards, with working plumbing, heat, electrical systems, and protection from hazards like mold or pests.¹

Common unsafe conditions may include:

• No heating in winter or no running water
• Dampness, mold, or pest infestations
• Broken windows or doors compromising security
• Unrepaired electrical or plumbing problems
• Fire hazards or blocked emergency exits

For more about typical hazards, see Health and Safety Issues Every Tenant Should Know When Renting.

Recognizing Landlord Obligations

Your employer is considered your landlord if they provide your accommodation. They must:

• Keep the unit in a good state of repair
• Follow all health, safety, and property standards required by law
• Address urgent repairs or emergencies promptly

If unsafe conditions put your health at risk or make the unit unfit to live in, your landlord (the employer) must act, regardless of where you work or your job status.

What to Do When You Face Unsafe Conditions

If you believe that your employer-provided housing is unsafe, follow these steps to protect your rights and well-being:

• Document the conditions: Take photos or videos, and write down issues with dates.
• Inform your employer in writing: State the problems clearly and request repairs (keep copies).
• Contact your municipality for inspection: If things don’t get fixed, ask your local property standards or by-law office to inspect your unit.
• File a maintenance application: If conditions remain unsafe, you can apply to the Landlord and Tenant Board (LTB) for an order requiring repairs.

Read more about your responsibilities and your landlord's duties in Obligations of Landlords and Tenants: Rights and Responsibilities Explained.

Emergency Situations and Repairs

Certain problems (no heat, flooding, major leaks) may be considered essential repairs. The landlord must make these repairs right away. The LTB provides official forms and clear procedures for these cases.

Always report severe conditions—such as exposed wiring, fire hazards, or lack of heat in winter—immediately to your employer/landlord and your local municipality.

Relevant Forms and How to Use Them

• Form T6: Tenant Application about Maintenance
  
  • Use this application (Form T6) if your employer/landlord will not repair unsafe conditions. Clearly state what is unsafe and what repairs are needed.
  • You can find Form T6 on the LTB’s official forms page.
  • Example: If your employer refuses to fix a broken furnace leaving you without heat, you would fill out Form T6 and submit it to the Board, along with your evidence.

For urgent situations, municipal property standards departments often issue orders requiring your landlord to fix problems by a deadline. If they don’t, you can apply directly to the LTB.

Who to Contact: Landlord and Tenant Board

The Landlord and Tenant Board (LTB) hears tenant applications about maintenance and repair issues involving employer-provided housing. You can apply for remedies such as repair orders or rent abatements. Use the LTB’s site for forms, guides, and support in your language.

What About Health and Safety Inspections?

Your municipal government enforces property standards (heating, windows, pest control). If making a request to your employer doesn’t work, you can:

• Find your city or town’s by-law office online or by calling city hall
• Report tenant safety violations for a free inspection

This inspection may result in an official order, forcing your employer to make repairs.

Protecting Yourself if Facing Pressure from Your Employer

It’s illegal for an employer/landlord to evict or threaten you for asking for repairs or reporting unsafe conditions. If you face these problems, gather evidence and speak to a tenant clinic or legal aid as soon as possible. For official legal information about your rights, visit Tenant Rights in Ontario.

Looking for safer housing? Browse apartments for rent in Canada for options in your area.

FAQ: Unsafe Employer-Provided Housing in Ontario

1. Can I file a complaint if I live in employer housing? Yes. If your employer provides your rental housing, you have the same legal rights as any tenant in Ontario. File written complaints and, if needed, use LTB forms.
2. What if my employer threatens eviction if I complain? Landlords (including employers) cannot legally evict or penalize you for asserting your right to a safe home. Seek help from the LTB or tenant clinics immediately.
3. Who do I call if repairs aren't made? After notifying your employer, contact your local municipal property standards office. If repairs are not done after an inspection and order, apply to the LTB using Form T6.
4. Is my unit exempt from Ontario tenancy laws? Most employer-provided housing is covered by the RTA, but exceptions exist. Contact the LTB if you’re unsure, or read Tenant Rights in Ontario for details.

Conclusion: Key Takeaways for Tenants

• Unsafe employer-provided housing must be repaired—your rights are protected by law.
• Document, report, and escalate issues to local authorities and the LTB when necessary.
• Never accept threats or pressure for requesting safe living conditions—support is available.

Need Help? Resources for Tenants

• Landlord and Tenant Board Ontario: Forms, guides, and tenant application support
• Ontario Government LTB Information: Overview and additional resources
• Tenant Duty Counsel and Clinics: Free legal help for Ontario tenants
• For property standards, contact your local city/town hall and ask for Property Standards or By-law Enforcement

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1. Residential Tenancies Act, 2006 – Read the full Act here
2. Landlord and Tenant Board Ontario – Official Tribunal Website
3. Municipal Property Standards Offices – Contact your local city hall

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