Top 5 Utility and Service Rules Every Ontario Tenant Should Know

Understanding utilities and services is crucial for tenants renting in Ontario. Utility costs, service responsibilities, and legal rights can impact both your comfort and your budget. This guide explains what every Ontario tenant should know so you can rent with confidence, manage costs, and handle disputes should they arise.

1. Who Is Responsible for Paying Utilities?

In Ontario, your lease or rental agreement outlines which utilities (like electricity, gas, water, heat) you are responsible to pay directly, and which are included in your rent. As a tenant, carefully review your lease before signing. If a utility is included, your landlord cannot later require you to pay for it, unless you both agree to officially change your lease terms.

• Common utilities include electricity, water, natural gas, internet, cable, and garbage collection.
• Clarify in writing which are included and which remain your responsibility.
• Always ask for estimated monthly costs if you must pay some utilities yourself.

For more insight about your obligations and your landlord’s, see Obligations of Landlords and Tenants: Rights and Responsibilities Explained.

2. Legal Standards: Heating, Water, and Vital Services

Ontario law requires landlords to supply and maintain essential services, meaning heat, hot and cold water, electricity, and fuel (if applicable, like natural gas or oil). It's not legal for a landlord to deliberately shut off or restrict these, no matter the reason, including unpaid rent.

• Between September 1 and June 15, your unit must be kept at minimum 20°C (68°F) per local by-laws.
• If a service is interrupted, you can contact municipal property standards, or the Landlord and Tenant Board (LTB) to resolve the issue.

If you are facing unsafe conditions—such as lack of heat or water—learn more from Health and Safety Issues Every Tenant Should Know When Renting.

3. What to Do If Utilities Are Disconnected or Not Working

Unexpected utility disconnection is stressful. If the landlord is responsible for payment and a service is shut off due to their non-payment, Ontario tenants have the right to prompt repair and may contact the LTB to order restoration.

• File an application (see below) if the landlord refuses to restore essential services.
• Document the outage, communicate in writing, and report major health/safety risks promptly.

If utilities are disconnected due to your own service account or unpaid bills (where you are responsible), contact the service provider directly and review your lease for dispute options.

Relevant Form: Application About Maintenance—Form T6

• When to Use: If your landlord fails to provide or restore utilities or vital services.
• How to Use: Complete Form T6 – Application about Maintenance and file with the Landlord and Tenant Board.
• Example: Your landlord fails to pay the water bill, leading to shutoff. File Form T6 to order the landlord to restore service and possibly get compensation.

4. Setting Up or Changing Utility Accounts

When moving in, clarify responsibility for setting up utility accounts. If utilities are in your name, contact the provider before your move-in date. Record meter readings at move-in and move-out for accuracy. If you require help or reasonable accommodation (e.g., due to a disability), inform your landlord in advance.

• Internet/cable are not vital services, but responsibilities should be documented.
• After the lease ends, promptly cancel or transfer service accounts—this protects you from surprise bills.
• For moving checklist tips, see Essential Tips for Tenants When Moving Into a New Rental Home.

5. Your Rights If Utility Issues Continue

If utility or service issues are not resolved, Ontario tenants have legal remedies:

• Report urgent health and safety matters to your local municipal office or property standards.
• If talking or sending written notice does not resolve the problem, file a T6 application (see above).
• You may request a rent abatement, compensation for losses, or even permission to repair and deduct (with Board approval).

Stay informed of your protections under the Residential Tenancies Act, 2006 and check Tenant Rights in Ontario for an overview of your legal rights and resources.

Frequently Asked Questions About Utilities and Services in Ontario Rentals

1. Are landlords in Ontario required to pay for all utilities? No. The lease should state which utilities (if any) are included. If the lease says utilities are included in rent, the landlord cannot later charge you separately for them.
2. What can I do if my landlord shuts off my heat or water? You can file a T6 Application about Maintenance with the Landlord and Tenant Board and contact your local municipality for urgent restoration of vital services.
3. Can a landlord increase my rent if utility costs rise? Increases must follow Ontario's rent increase guidelines under the Residential Tenancies Act, 2006. Landlords cannot hike rent outside legal limits, even if their utility costs go up.
4. Who do I contact for utility disputes in my rental? Start by writing to your landlord. If unresolved, you may contact the LTB, your municipality, or utility provider depending on the issue.
5. How do I protect myself from surprise utility bills when moving out? Take final meter readings, inform providers of your move-out date, and keep a record of all correspondence and final bills.

How-To: Common Tenant Steps for Utility Issues

1. How do I file a T6 Application if my landlord withholds utilities?
   1. Download Form T6 – Application about Maintenance
   2. Complete all sections, detailing your situation.
   3. Submit the form online or at an LTB office.
   4. Attend the hearing and supply evidence (like outage dates and notices).
2. How do I set up personal utility accounts?
   1. Contact the utility provider at least a week before moving in.
   2. Provide your move-in date and property address.
   3. Record starting meter readings.
   4. Retain all account details for your records.
3. How do I make sure my landlord can't charge me for utilities after moving out?
   1. Give the landlord proper notice of your move-out.
   2. Notify all utility companies of your last date in the rental.
   3. Take final meter readings, and keep a copy for your records.

Summary: Key Takeaways

• Know what utilities are included in your rent and get details in writing.
• Landlords must provide and maintain vital services like heat and water.
• If utilities are disconnected or problems persist, Ontario tenants can take action through the Landlord and Tenant Board using official forms.

Need Help? Resources for Tenants

• Landlord and Tenant Board (Ontario) — official information, forms, and dispute resolution
• Residential Tenancies Act, 2006 — Ontario's main rental law
• Tenant Rights in Ontario — facts, obligations, and additional help
• Community Legal Clinics — free legal advice for low-income tenants (find your clinic via Legal Aid Ontario)

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1. Ontario legislation: Residential Tenancies Act, 2006
2. Landlord and Tenant Board: https://tribunalsontario.ca/ltb/
3. Form T6 Application (official): https://tribunalsontario.ca/documents/ltb/Forms/T6%20Application%20about%20Maintenance%20July%202021.pdf

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