What to Do If a PEI Landlord Illegally Shuts Off Heat or Water

If you’re renting a home in Prince Edward Island and your landlord turns off your heat or water, it’s not just inconvenient—it’s likely illegal. Knowing your rights under the Prince Edward Island Residential Property Act helps you act quickly to restore your utilities and keep your home safe and livable. This article covers what to do if your landlord has cut off heat or water, how to report it, and your key tenant protections in PEI.

Can a Landlord Turn Off Heat or Water in PEI?

In Prince Edward Island, the law is clear: your landlord cannot willfully or persistently stop or reduce vital services such as heat, water, hot water, or electricity if those are included in your rent. These protections are in place to ensure every rental remains safe and habitable—especially in winter.

• Vital services include heat, water, hot water, electricity, and fuel where provided as part of the tenancy agreement.
• The only exception is for short, necessary repairs, but landlords must provide reasonable notice and restore services promptly.
• Turning off these services deliberately to force a tenant out or punish them is prohibited.

Relevant Law and Tribunal

These rules are covered by the Prince Edward Island Residential Property Act. Any tenancy dispute—including illegal shut-off of utilities—is handled by the Island Regulatory and Appeals Commission (IRAC), specifically the Rental Office.

What Should You Do If Your Landlord Shuts Off Utilities?

If your landlord has turned off your heat or water without a valid reason, you should act quickly. Here’s how to protect your health, safety, and rental rights.

• Keep records of all incidents and communications
• Contact your landlord in writing and ask for immediate restoration
• Report urgent health or safety situations, especially if you have children, seniors, or vulnerable residents
• Apply to the IRAC Rental Office for help if services are not restored quickly

Official Application Forms for PEI Tenants

• Application for Enforcement of Tenant Rights (Form 9):
  • When to use: If your landlord has turned off your utilities and won’t fix it, you can apply to the Rental Office using this form to ask for an order for immediate restoration and, in some cases, compensation.
  • How to use: Fill out Form 9: Application by Tenant for Order (choose option related to restoration of vital services). File online or submit in-person to the Rental Office.

When filling out these forms, be clear and attach all evidence (photos, dated communications, statements from others affected) to support your complaint.

Your Rights and Protections as a Tenant

If heat, water, or other vital services are included in your rent, the landlord is responsible for keeping those utilities working—unless there’s a short-term repair with reasonable notice. Cutting these services to force you out or punish you for complaints is illegal and can result in penalties against the landlord.

• Contact the IRAC Rental Office immediately if your landlord won’t restore services
• Emergency repairs and persistent outages are especially serious—Emergency Situations and Repairs: Tenant Rights and Responsibilities may offer further guidance on urgent repair issues
• Maintaining safe living conditions is the landlord’s duty—see Health and Safety Issues Every Tenant Should Know When Renting

Possible Outcomes

The Rental Office can order your landlord to:

• Restore utilities right away
• Compensate you for damages or additional costs (such as hotel stays or emergency purchases caused by the shut-off)
• Allow you to break your lease if conditions are hazardous and not resolved

If your safety or health is at risk, do not wait—cover your immediate needs (such as temporary shelter) and file your application with IRAC as fast as possible.

To learn more about tenant and landlord laws for your province, read Tenant Rights and Landlord Rights in Prince Edward Island.

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Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can my landlord legally shut off my water or heat if I’m late paying rent?
   No—under PEI law, even if you’re behind on rent, your landlord cannot cut off essential utilities to force payment or make you leave. Only a legal eviction through the Rental Office is allowed.
2. What evidence should I collect if my landlord turns off utilities?
   Keep detailed notes of every incident, take dated photographs or videos, save texts, emails, and record who was affected. Attach this evidence to your application to the IRAC Rental Office.
3. How quickly does the Rental Office respond to urgent complaints like no heat or water?
   In emergency cases, the PEI Rental Office can expedite applications. Make sure to indicate the urgency on your form and follow up by phone after submitting.
4. Who do I contact outside office hours if there’s an immediate health or safety risk?
   For urgent risks to health or safety—such as severe cold or total lack of water—contact local emergency services or Environmental Health at the PEI government immediately, and follow up with the Rental Office at the next opportunity.

Conclusion: Key Takeaways for PEI Tenants

• Your landlord cannot cut off heat, water, or other vital utilities if they are part of your rental agreement.
• If this happens, document everything and apply promptly to the IRAC Rental Office using the proper tenant form.
• Your safety and health are protected under PEI law—emergency support is available.

Speak up and take action as soon as your utilities are affected–the law is designed to help keep your rental safe and livable.

Need Help? Resources for Tenants

• PEI Island Regulatory and Appeals Commission (IRAC) Rental Office – irac.pe.ca/rental-apartments
• PEI Residential Property Act (current legislation): Read the Act
• PEI Department of Health and Wellness (for urgent living condition complaints): PEI Health and Wellness
• Legal support or tenant advocacy: PEI Community Legal Information – legalinfopei.ca

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1. Prince Edward Island Residential Property Act. Available at: PEI Residential Property Act
2. Island Regulatory and Appeals Commission (IRAC) Rental Office. Official forms and tenant information: irac.pe.ca/rental-apartments/rental-forms

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