PEI Rental Repairs: 10 Facts Every Tenant Should Know

Maintenance and repairs are a crucial aspect of a safe and comfortable rental experience in Prince Edward Island (PEI). As a tenant, knowing your rights and responsibilities ensures you live in a secure home and helps maintain a positive relationship with your landlord. Whether you're concerned about routine fixes or health and safety issues, it's important to understand the provincial laws and what steps you can take if repairs are delayed or ignored. Here are 10 must-know facts about maintenance and repairs for PEI renters—plus practical action tips to help you stay protected.

Understanding Maintenance and Repairs in PEI Rentals

In PEI, both tenants and landlords have specific duties regarding the upkeep of rental properties, governed by the Prince Edward Island Rental of Residential Property Act. Your safety and comfort depend on understanding these rules and acting quickly if issues arise.

1. Landlord’s Duty to Maintain a Habitable Unit

Landlords must keep the property in a safe, clean, and livable condition. This includes:

• Ensuring the roof, floors, walls, and common areas are in good repair
• Maintaining essential services (heat, electricity, water, plumbing)
• Complying with all building and health regulations

Failure to do so can be considered a breach of the landlord’s responsibilities.

2. Tenant Responsibilities for Cleanliness and Minor Maintenance

Tenants must keep their unit clean and not cause damage beyond normal wear and tear. Small chores—like replacing light bulbs, changing smoke alarm batteries, and unclogging drains—are often the tenant's responsibility.

3. Reporting Repairs: Act Quickly and in Writing

If you spot a maintenance issue, notify your landlord in writing as soon as possible. Written requests protect your interests and provide a record for any future disputes.

4. Emergency Repairs—What Qualifies?

Emergencies are repairs needed to protect your health or prevent serious property damage—such as a broken furnace in winter or a major water leak.

For urgent situations, contact your landlord immediately by phone and follow up in writing. If the landlord doesn’t respond, you may be allowed to arrange repairs and seek reimbursement. Keep all receipts as proof.

5. Routine Repairs—Reasonable Timeframes

Routine repairs, like a leaky faucet or peeling paint, should be addressed by the landlord within a reasonable time. If neglected, tenants may be able to learn more about their rights and responsibilities regarding routine repairs.

6. Dealing with Pest Infestations

If pests, such as bedbugs or rodents, invade your rental, inform the landlord promptly. Hygiene and prompt action help prevent infestations. You can find advice on pest-related issues here.

7. Health and Safety Hazards

If you believe your rental poses a health or safety risk—like mold or faulty wiring—these issues must be fixed promptly. For a deeper look at this topic, see Health and Safety Issues Every Tenant Should Know When Renting.

8. When Landlords Can Enter Your Unit

Landlords in PEI must provide at least 24 hours’ written notice to enter your unit for most repairs, except in emergencies. Entries must occur between 8 a.m. and 9 p.m., unless you agree otherwise.

9. Forms and How to Request Repairs

Use written communication, such as email or a letter, to request repairs. If your landlord doesn’t act, you may apply to the Residential Tenancy Office (RTO) using their official form—Form 9 – Application by Tenant (download Form 9 here). For example, use Form 9 to request an order for repairs if repeated notices to your landlord go unanswered.

10. Filing a Complaint or Seeking Remedies

If issues stay unresolved, submit a complaint to the Residential Tenancy Office (RTO). The RTO can order repairs, reduce your rent, or grant you permission to repair and deduct costs, depending on your situation. Know your rights by visiting Tenant Rights and Landlord Rights in Prince Edward Island.

For more information about your rights and obligations as a tenant—including repair and maintenance duties—explore the Obligations of Landlords and Tenants: Rights and Responsibilities Explained.

For those looking for a new place, you can find rental homes across Canada on Houseme with search features tailored to tenants.

1. What if my landlord won’t make repairs?
   If your landlord delays or ignores necessary repairs, document your requests and escalate by submitting Form 9 – Application by Tenant to the Residential Tenancy Office (RTO). The RTO can order repairs or grant relief.
2. How do I request emergency repairs?
   Contact your landlord immediately by phone, then follow up in writing. If you make repairs yourself due to an emergency, keep receipts and apply to the RTO to recover costs.
3. Who is responsible for pest control in my unit?
   Generally, landlords are responsible for pest control unless your actions directly caused the problem. Promptly notify the landlord of an infestation in writing.
4. Can my landlord enter for repairs without notice?
   Only in emergencies. Otherwise, at least 24 hours’ written notice is required for non-urgent repairs or inspections.
5. Where can I find the repair request forms?
   Form 9 – Application by Tenant is available on the PEI government website and should be used for unresolved repair complaints (download Form 9 here).

1. How do I file a complaint to force repairs?
   Start by requesting repairs in writing. If there's no action, fill out and submit Form 9 – Application by Tenant with supporting evidence to the Residential Tenancy Office (RTO). You may submit it digitally, by mail, or in person. The RTO will review your application and can order the landlord to complete repairs.
2. How can I document a maintenance issue for my claim?
   Take clear photos or videos of the problem, keep copies of all communication with your landlord, and retain receipts for any repair costs you incur.
3. How do I apply for a rent reduction due to unaddressed repairs?
   Using Form 9, you can request an order for a rent reduction if repairs affecting your use of the unit haven’t been made despite proper requests.

• Landlords must keep rental units safe and in good repair according to PEI law
• Report maintenance issues promptly and document all communication
• Unresolved repair disputes can be brought to the Residential Tenancy Office using Form 9

Need Help? Resources for Tenants

• Residential Tenancy Office (RTO) – Inquiries, forms, dispute resolution
• PEI Housing Services – Tenant resources and support
• Legal advice: Contact PEI Legal Aid for guidance if facing a serious maintenance dispute
• Know your rights: Tenant Rights and Landlord Rights in Prince Edward Island

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1. Prince Edward Island Rental of Residential Property Act – The main law covering residential tenancies in PEI.
2. Residential Tenancy Office (RTO) – The official body that deals with rental complaints and applications in PEI.
3. Form 9 – Application by Tenant – Official form for tenants to request orders or repairs.

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