Tenant Law
What I should know about maintenance and repairs
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Who is responsible for maintaining the rental unit?
It is the landlord's responsibility to maintain the unit and to ensure that it is in a good
state of repair, even if:
The tenant is responsible for keeping the unit clean as well as for repairing or paying
for any damage caused by the tenant, their guests or another person living in the rental
unit.
What should a tenant do if the building or apartment needs repairs?
If repairs or maintenance are required, the tenant should send the landlord a letter
outlining the repairs that need to be made. That letter should include a time frame for
completion of the repairs. Click here for a sample letter. Be sure and keep a copy of
the letter for your files.
If the landlord fails to make the repairs, the tenant may want to contact the local
Property Standards office, depending on the type of problem. The tenant may also
consider filing an application with the Landlord and Tenant Board for a rent abatement
and for an order that the landlord make the repairs.
What temperature does my landlord have to keep my apartment at?
In Cornwall, if heat is included in your rent, the landlord must ensure that rental units
be kept at 21°C during the day and 16°C at night. If you do not live in Cornwall, you
should check with your municipality for their rules regarding heat.
Does a landlord have to renovate or paint a rental unit before a new
tenant moves in? Or, renovate or paint it after the tenant has lived there
a couple of years?
No. The landlord is not required by law to ‘update’ a rental unit with cosmetic
renovations. However, the landlord is responsible for providing and maintaining a
residential complex and the rental units in a good state of repair and fit for habitation.
It is the landlord's responsibility to maintain the unit and to ensure that it is in a good
state of repair, even if:
- the tenant was aware of problems in the unit before moving in,
- the landlord puts into the lease that the tenant is responsible for
maintenance.
The tenant is responsible for keeping the unit clean as well as for repairing or paying
for any damage caused by the tenant, their guests or another person living in the rental
unit.
What should a tenant do if the building or apartment needs repairs?
If repairs or maintenance are required, the tenant should send the landlord a letter
outlining the repairs that need to be made. That letter should include a time frame for
completion of the repairs. Click here for a sample letter. Be sure and keep a copy of
the letter for your files.
If the landlord fails to make the repairs, the tenant may want to contact the local
Property Standards office, depending on the type of problem. The tenant may also
consider filing an application with the Landlord and Tenant Board for a rent abatement
and for an order that the landlord make the repairs.
What temperature does my landlord have to keep my apartment at?
In Cornwall, if heat is included in your rent, the landlord must ensure that rental units
be kept at 21°C during the day and 16°C at night. If you do not live in Cornwall, you
should check with your municipality for their rules regarding heat.
Does a landlord have to renovate or paint a rental unit before a new
tenant moves in? Or, renovate or paint it after the tenant has lived there
a couple of years?
No. The landlord is not required by law to ‘update’ a rental unit with cosmetic
renovations. However, the landlord is responsible for providing and maintaining a
residential complex and the rental units in a good state of repair and fit for habitation.
| 2010 Rent Guideline 2.1% |
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