Key takeaways
- Report problems in writing, with photos, and keep copies.
- Pests, leaks and heating are usually your landlord’s job.
- Do not stop paying rent to force repairs.
- Your landlord can’t take damage costs from your last month’s rent deposit.
In this chapter
12.1 Caring for Your Unit12.2 Requesting Repairs and Maintenance12.3 Handling Emergencies12.4 Dealing with Neighbours and Noise12.5 Changes to the Unit and Making It Your Own12.6 Understanding Your Rights During Daily Life12.7 Final Thoughts on Living in Your RentalIllustrative Examples
Report a maintenance issue
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DocumentDescribe problem and date
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NotifyUse agreed contact method
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Follow upKeep records
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EscalateConsult official Ontario guidance
Once the boxes are unpacked and your furniture is in place, life as a tenant truly begins. Whether you live in a downtown condo, a suburban semi-detached, or a basement suite, living in a rental unit comes with both legal responsibilities and practical routines that affect your quality of life.
This chapter will help you navigate the day-to-day experience of tenancy—from maintaining your home and managing repairs to handling neighbour issues, emergencies, and landlord interactions. Knowing your responsibilities and rights not only helps you avoid conflict, but also empowers you to enjoy your home fully and confidently.
12.1 Caring for Your Unit
As a tenant, you are expected to maintain the property in a reasonable condition. This does not mean performing major repairs, but it does mean treating the unit with respect, following health and safety practices, and reporting problems early.
Ongoing responsibilities include:
- Regular cleaning of floors, kitchen surfaces, and bathrooms
- Promptly removing garbage and recycling as per building or municipal rules
- Avoiding damage from neglect, such as allowing water to overflow, not reporting leaks, or overloading power outlets
- Preventing blockages in sinks, toilets, and drains by not flushing inappropriate materials or pouring grease down the kitchen sink
- Ensuring pets (if permitted) are managed properly and do not damage flooring, doors, or furniture
Tenants are also usually responsible for:
- Replacing light bulbs
- Replacing or cleaning furnace filters (if stated in the lease)
- Not disabling smoke or carbon monoxide alarms, and telling the landlord if one doesn’t work
What landlords are responsible for:
- Repairs to plumbing, heating, and electrical systems
- Replacing or repairing appliances included in your lease
- Fixing damage not caused by the tenant
- Pest control, unless your actions directly caused the infestation
Visual guide · Rentals
Who handles what?
| Tenant | Landlord |
|---|---|
| Everyday cleaning | Plumbing, heat, electrical |
| Light bulbs | Included appliances |
| Damage you or guests cause | Pests, unless you caused them |
| Reporting problems early | Leaks, mould, locks |
12.2 Requesting Repairs and Maintenance
If something breaks, fails, or poses a health hazard, it is the landlord’s responsibility to fix it. As the tenant, it is your job to report it promptly and in writing.
Best practices for maintenance requests:
- Send a clear, polite written message (email or text) describing the issue
- Include photos if appropriate
- State the urgency and suggest reasonable timelines
- Keep a copy of your request and any replies
Some landlords or property managers use online portals for submitting service requests. Use these systems if available, but always save screenshots or confirmation numbers in case of technical failure.
Common issues landlords must address:
- Malfunctioning heating or cooling systems
- Broken locks, windows, or doors that compromise security
- Leaks, mold, or water damage
- Pests such as mice, cockroaches, or bedbugs
Broken appliances that are part of the lease
If your landlord ignores the issue:
1. Send a second written reminder after a reasonable time (e.g., 48-72 hours) 2. Contact your municipal bylaw or property standards office
3. If the problem persists, file a complaint or T6 application with the Landlord and Tenant Board (LTB)
Repair escalation ladder
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Written requestWith photos
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ReminderAfter a reasonable time
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MunicipalityProperty standards
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LTBT6 application
Visual guide · Rental guide
Escalate a repair request
12.3 Handling Emergencies
An emergency in a rental unit requires immediate action. Emergencies may include fire, flooding, electrical failure, broken entry doors, or other serious hazards.
What to do in an emergency:
- Prioritize safety: evacuate if necessary, call 911, and alert other tenants if applicable
- Contact the landlord immediately using all available means
- Take steps to reduce damage if it is safe to do so (e.g., turn off the water at the shut-off valve if a pipe bursts)
- Document everything with photos and videos
If the landlord cannot be reached, you may be allowed to arrange emergency repairs yourself and request reimbursement. This should only be done when the situation is urgent and dangerous, and you should keep all receipts.
Emergency preparation checklist:
- Know the location of fire exits, extinguishers, and alarms
- Have your landlord’s contact information saved and printed
- Post the number for city services (311 in most areas), emergency repair contacts, and building security
Visual guide · Rental guide
Is it an emergency?
12.4 Dealing with Neighbours and Noise
Rental living often involves shared spaces and close proximity to others. Noise and lifestyle differences are common sources of conflict, but many issues can be resolved through clear, respectful communication.
Common concerns:
- Loud music, parties, or yelling
- Smoking or strong cooking smells that affect others
- Pets barking, scratching, or disturbing neighbours
- Parking disputes or hallway clutter
Steps to take:
1. Try to resolve the issue directly with your neighbour in a polite and respectful way 2. If the problem continues, notify the landlord or building manager 3. For serious or repeated violations, contact municipal bylaw enforcement
Most cities have noise bylaws that prohibit loud activity between certain hours (typically 11 p.m. and 7 a.m.). If another tenant is affecting your quiet enjoyment, the landlord has a duty to intervene.
Visual guide · Rental guide
Solve a noise problem
12.5 Changes to the Unit and Making It Your Own
You may want to decorate or make small changes to personalize your rental. Many tenants install shelves, hang art, or change lighting to improve comfort. However, not all changes are allowed, and some could violate your lease or affect your deposit.
Generally allowed without permission:
- Freestanding furniture and bookshelves
- Non-damaging adhesive wall hooks or removable decals
Curtains or blinds (as long as existing rods are not removed)
- Throw rugs and accent lighting
Changes that usually require written approval:
- Painting walls
- Drilling holes or mounting TVs
Installing a dishwasher or laundry machine
- Upgrading fixtures or replacing flooring
- Installing smart locks, cameras, or alarms
Can I change that?
Visual guide · Rental guide
Changes to your unit
| Change | Before you do it |
|---|---|
| Painting | Ask, and get it in writing |
| Shelves and holes | Ask, and plan to repair |
| Changing locks | Get the landlord’s consent |
| New appliances | Ask first |
12.6 Understanding Your Rights During Daily Life
Once your tenancy begins, you have a legal right to enjoy your home peacefully. This is known as the right to quiet enjoyment, and it means the landlord cannot interfere with your day-to-day use of the unit.
Your landlord must:
Provide 24 hours’ written notice before entering (except in emergencies)
- Respect your privacy and not show up unannounced
Address complaints from other tenants fairly and consistently
- Not harass, intimidate, or penalize you for asserting your rights
You have the right to:
- Host guests and visitors (within reasonable limits)
- Use the unit for legal residential purposes
- Expect repairs and services to be handled properly
- File complaints without fear of retaliation
If your rights are violated: Document the incident. Save messages, record dates, and file a T2 application with the Landlord and Tenant Board if needed.
12.7 Final Thoughts on Living in Your Rental
Daily life as a tenant involves far more than paying rent. It requires care, communication, and cooperation. By maintaining your space, staying organized, reporting problems promptly, and respecting the boundaries of your lease, you create a home that is safe and comfortable—for yourself and those around you.
Remember:
- You have responsibilities—but also rights
- Your landlord is not allowed to neglect maintenance, ignore emergencies, or interfere with your personal life
- Building a respectful relationship with your landlord and neighbours goes a long way
The more proactive and informed you are, the more empowered you will feel. With the right balance of communication, care, and legal awareness, rental life in Ontario can be stable, safe, and satisfying.
Case 1: The Leaky Ceiling That Was Ignored
Illustrative Examples: Daily Life, Maintenance and Living Legally
Two weeks after moving into her upper-level apartment, Katerina noticed water dripping from the kitchen ceiling during heavy rain. She reported it by text to her landlord, who responded casually, saying “it’s an old house” and promised to “check it next week.” The following weekend, the ceiling plaster collapsed, damaging her kitchen table and soaking her belongings.
Katerina had no written follow-up or documentation of the landlord’s promise. When she requested reimbursement for her damaged items and rent reduction due to unusable kitchen space, the landlord refused, claiming she hadn’t “officially reported the issue.”
Outcome: With support from a tenant legal clinic, Katerina filed a T6 application with the Landlord and Tenant Board. She presented photos and texts, which helped demonstrate the landlord’s delay. The LTB awarded her a partial rent rebate and $400 in compensation for damages.
Lesson: Always report maintenance issues in writing. If repairs are not made promptly, follow up with a formal email, save screenshots, and take photos.
Case 2: Unauthorized Entry by the Landlord
Marcus had just finished a night shift and was sleeping at noon when his landlord entered the apartment with a contractor. Marcus had not received any notice and felt startled and violated. When he confronted the landlord, he was told that the lease included “inspection rights” and that verbal notice was sufficient.
Marcus later reviewed the Residential Tenancies Act, which clearly states that a landlord must provide 24 hours’ written notice for entry, except in emergencies.
Outcome: Marcus filed a T2 application at the LTB and reported the incident. The Board found that the landlord had violated Marcus’s right to quiet enjoyment and privacy. The landlord was ordered to cease unannounced entries and pay Marcus $1,000 in compensation.
Lesson: Landlords may not enter without 24 hours’ written notice unless there’s an emergency. Even if the lease says otherwise, the law supersedes the lease.
Case 3: Pest Problem Left Unchecked
Three months after moving into a basement unit, Omar and Leila began seeing cockroaches in the kitchen and bathroom. They cleaned thoroughly and used traps, but the problem worsened. They notified the landlord, who told them it was “a basement thing” and suggested buying stronger sprays.
After taking photos and videos, they contacted municipal property standards, who confirmed an infestation. The landlord then arranged treatment, but only after the city became involved.
Outcome: Omar and Leila filed a complaint and later applied to the LTB for compensation due to months of discomfort and property damage from the infestation. The LTB ordered the landlord to reimburse them $650 for affected food, child items, and pest-related stress.
Lesson: Pest control is the landlord’s responsibility. Always report problems early, document with photos, and escalate to bylaw enforcement if the landlord does not act.
Case 4: Neighbour Dispute and Noise Issues
Aisha lived in a high-rise condo where the neighbour directly above her hosted late-night gatherings almost every weekend. Music thumped until 2 a.m., making it difficult for Aisha to sleep. She tried knocking on their door and leaving a polite note, but the noise continued.
She contacted her landlord, who also owned the unit above. The landlord dismissed her complaints and said, “they’re young, let them live.”
Outcome: Aisha filed a noise complaint with municipal bylaw services and copied the complaint to the condo property manager. The building issued a formal warning to the noisy tenants. Aisha also submitted evidence to the LTB that her landlord had ignored her right to quiet enjoyment. The Board awarded her a temporary rent reduction and ordered the landlord to take action to prevent further disturbances.
Lesson: You have the right to a peaceful home. If your landlord ignores noise complaints, report the issue to bylaw services and escalate through legal channels if needed.
Case 5: Making Unauthorized Changes
Bryan decided to mount his flat-screen TV and install wall-mounted bookshelves without asking his landlord. He also replaced the hallway light with a smart fixture that required rewiring. When his lease ended, the landlord noticed the drilled walls, electrical work, and visible patches left behind.
The landlord applied to the Landlord and Tenant Board for $800 to repair and repaint the walls. Bryan disputed this, saying he improved the unit.
Outcome: At the LTB hearing, the landlord provided inspection photos, and Bryan admitted he did not request written permission. The Board found that the alterations caused damage and ordered Bryan to pay the reasonable repair cost.
Lesson: Always get written permission for any changes, even if you think they’re upgrades.
Your landlord can seek the cost through the Board, but can’t simply keep your last month’s rent deposit.
Case 6: Delayed Response to Water Leak
Sofia noticed a leak under her kitchen sink. She emailed the landlord with a photo and a request for repair. Five days passed with no reply. The leak worsened, causing water damage to the cabinet and nearby floor. She followed up with another message, still no response.
She then called her municipal building standards office, who inspected the unit and issued a repair order. The landlord finally responded after receiving the violation notice.
Outcome: Sofia filed a T6 maintenance complaint with the LTB and provided the inspector’s report. The Board ruled in her favour and awarded her a partial rent refund of $300 and ordered the repair completed.
Lesson: Document all requests, escalate to bylaw if needed, and use the LTB process if your landlord refuses or delays essential repairs.
Tenant’s Guide to Addressing Rental Issues in Ontario
When problems arise in your rental unit in Ontario, knowing the proper steps to take can help ensure timely resolution while protecting your rights as a tenant. This guide outlines the systematic approach to addressing maintenance issues, repairs, and other concerns in your rental property.
Document the Issue
Take clear photos or videos of the problem. Create a detailed written record including the date, time, and description of the issue. This documentation will serve as crucial evidence if further action becomes necessary.
Follow Up
If your landlord doesn’t respond or address the issue within a reasonable time, send a follow-up notice referencing your initial communication and establishing a final deadline for resolution.
Send Formal Notice
Send a formal written notice via email or letter detailing the issue, necessary repairs, and a reasonable timeframe for resolution. Be specific about the problem and keep copies of all communications.
File with the LTB
If the issue remains unresolved, file an appropriate application with the LTB (such as a T6 for maintenance failures or a T1 for a refund of illegal charges). Gather all supporting documentation including photos, notices, and your lease agreement.
Timeline Expectations
The severity of the issue should dictate your timeline expectations. Emergency situations like no heat in winter require immediate attention, while minor issues like a leaky faucet may reasonably take a few days to address. Throughout this process, maintaining detailed records of all communications and evidence is essential.
Attending an LTB Hearing
If your case reaches the Landlord and Tenant Board, you’ll need to attend a hearing where you’ll present your evidence before an adjudicator. Prepare thoroughly by organizing your documentation chronologically and being ready to clearly explain the timeline of events. Should the landlord fail to comply with an LTB order, enforcement options include Small Claims Court for money orders and your municipality for repairs.
Remember: Detailed documentation is your strongest asset throughout this process.