Prince Edward Island Tenant Utilities & Services Guide

As a tenant in Prince Edward Island, questions often arise about who pays for utilities, what to do if your services are interrupted, and how to resolve disputes with your landlord over basic services. This guide helps you understand your rights and responsibilities when it comes to utilities and services in rental homes, according to PEI's laws—and offers practical steps should problems come up.

Understanding Utilities and Services in PEI Rentals

"Utilities" covers services like electricity, heat, water, and sometimes extras such as internet or cable. In Prince Edward Island, your rental agreement should clearly state whether the landlord or tenant is responsible for each service. Always review your lease and ask for clarity before signing.

• Electricity and water: Often the most common services, sometimes included or separately billed.
• Heat: Especially important in PEI's winters. The landlord must ensure adequate heating, but you may be responsible for the bill (check your lease).
• Garbage collection and snow removal: Your lease may specify which party is responsible.
• Internet and cable: Usually the tenant's responsibility unless specifically included in the rent.

If there's ever a disagreement about who pays, check your rental agreement and the law. Learn more about Tenant Rights and Landlord Rights in Prince Edward Island for broader context.

What the Law Says: PEI's Rental of Residential Property Act

The main legislation covering tenancies in Prince Edward Island is the Rental of Residential Property Act^[1]. It says that if a landlord agrees to provide a service (such as heat or water) in your rental agreement, they must not cut it off during your tenancy.

Problems with Utilities: What to Do

If your service is disconnected or not working, these steps can help:

• Check Your Rental Agreement: Confirm if you or the landlord are responsible for the utility.
• Contact Your Landlord: Immediately notify them (in writing, if possible) of the problem and request urgent action.
• Keep Documentation: Save emails, letters, and note dates/times of conversations.
• Consider Reporting: If essential services (water, heat, power) are interrupted and your landlord isn’t acting, you can file a formal complaint.

For common home issues like pests or repairs, see Common Issues Tenants Face and How to Resolve Them.

Essential Services: Landlord Obligations

Landlords are legally required not to withhold or cut off any essential service, even if there’s a dispute. This includes water, heat (during the heating season), and electricity. Failure to supply these may be a breach of the law and grounds for an urgent application to the Island Regulatory and Appeals Commission (IRAC), who oversee tenant-landlord matters in PEI. Learn more at the IRAC's Residential Property Section^[2].

Key Forms for PEI Tenants

Should an issue persist, tenants may need to apply to the IRAC's Residential Property Division. Some important forms include:

• Form 6: Application by Tenant – Used when you need to request an order (for example, to have repairs made or services restored).
  Example: If your landlord refuses to restore heat, you would use this form. Access Form 6 on the official IRAC website.
• Form 4: Notice of Application – After filing Form 6, this notice is given to the landlord, letting them know about your application. See Form 4 details here.

Safety, Health, and Utilities

Reliable utilities are also a basic health and safety issue in your home. Lack of heat or water may make a rental unit unsafe. If you are concerned about unsafe conditions, see Health and Safety Issues Every Tenant Should Know When Renting for tips and steps you can take.

Who Pays? Understanding Your Financial Responsibility

Your lease should spell out who covers each utility. If it’s not clear:

• Ask your landlord before moving in.
• Get agreements about included utilities in writing.
• Record meter readings and take photos where possible during move-in. For more moving-in tips, check out Essential Tips for Tenants When Moving Into a New Rental Home.

Always keep copies of utility bills you pay directly—these can protect you in disputes.

Disconnections and Non-payment

If you fail to pay a utility bill that is your responsibility, the service provider may disconnect your service. If the landlord is responsible but fails to pay, you may be entitled to compensation or action through IRAC.

When looking for a new place, you can Browse apartments for rent in Canada and filter for units with included utilities on Houseme.

FAQ: Utilities & Services in PEI Rentals

1. Can my landlord shut off my water, heat, or electricity?
   No. Landlords cannot legally cut off essential services at any time during your tenancy, even for non-payment of rent or other disputes.
2. What if my lease doesn't mention who pays for utilities?
   If your agreement is not clear, the law may assign responsibility based on what’s “usual” for similar rentals or what you and your landlord agreed upon at move-in. Ask IRAC if you’re uncertain.
3. Where do I go if my landlord refuses to fix a utility problem?
   Contact IRAC’s Rental Property Division and use Form 6: Application by Tenant to start a formal process.
4. Are internet and cable considered essential services?
   No, generally, only heat, water, and electricity are considered essential services under the law. However, check your lease for what's included.
5. How quickly must a landlord fix utility or service outages?
   Essential service interruptions must be addressed promptly. For urgent issues risking health or safety, the expectation is immediate action; file a complaint if the landlord delays.

How To: Resolve Utility Disputes with Your Landlord in PEI

1. How do I formally request utilities be restored?
   Fill out Form 6: Application by Tenant on the IRAC website and submit it along with supporting evidence (bills, your lease, written communication).
2. How do I notify my landlord of a service problem?
   Send a written letter or email describing the issue, include the date and any supporting photos or evidence, and request a written response.
3. How do I apply to IRAC for an urgent hearing?
   Indicate in your Form 6 that this is an urgent application due to loss of an essential service. IRAC may prioritize your case accordingly.

Key Takeaways

• Know your rights: Your landlord cannot withhold or disconnect essential services.
• Always check your lease for utility responsibility and keep written records.
• Use official forms through IRAC if disputes cannot be resolved informally.

Need Help? Resources for Tenants

• Island Regulatory and Appeals Commission (IRAC) – Residential Property Section: Overseeing rental disputes and applications in PEI.
• PEI Government – Services for Tenants: Guides, tenant support, and info on renting rules.
• For in-depth local rights and obligations, see Tenant Rights and Landlord Rights in Prince Edward Island.

---

1. Rental of Residential Property Act (Prince Edward Island)
2. Island Regulatory and Appeals Commission (IRAC) – Rental Property Section

Categories

Tenant Rights & Responsibilities Rent & Deposits Leases & Agreements Moving In / Out Maintenance & Repairs Evictions Roommates & Shared Housing Discrimination & Accessibility Utilities & Services Affordable Housing & Subsidies Dispute Resolution & LTB Safety & Security Privacy & Entry by Landlord Special Tenancy Situations Tenant Insurance & Liability Post-Eviction Resources Landlord Compliance & Penalties Legal Precedents & Case Summaries Mental Health & Tenancy