| © Copyright 2009 - West End Legal Services | Home | Contact Us | Privacy Policy | Site Map |
| WEST END LEGAL SERVICES of OTTAWA |
| Serving Ottawa's west end since 1981 |
| These Web Pages provide general information only and cannot be relied upon as legal advice. Laws change over time. Applicability of the legal principles discussed may differ substantially in individual situations. You should seek legal assistance for your particular situation. |
Maintenance & Repairs
Home > Tenant Law > Maintenance & Repairs
Home > Tenant Law > Maintenance & Repairs
Who is responsible for maintaining the rental unit?
It is the landlord's responsibility to maintain the unit and ensure that it
is in a good state of repair, even if:
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 repairs are needed to their building or unit?
If repairs or maintenance are required, the tenant should send the landlord a letter outlining whatis needed. 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 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 Ottawa, if heat is included in your rent, the landlord must ensure that rental units be kept at
20 degrees Celsius from 6:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m., and 16.67 degrees Celsius from 11:00 p.m. to
6:00 a.m.
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 it in a good state of repair and fit for habitation.
It is the landlord's responsibility to maintain the unit and 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 |
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 repairs are needed to their building or unit?
If repairs or maintenance are required, the tenant should send the landlord a letter outlining what
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 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 Ottawa, if heat is included in your rent, the landlord must ensure that rental units be kept at
20 degrees Celsius from 6:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m., and 16.67 degrees Celsius from 11:00 p.m. to
6:00 a.m.
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 it in a good state of repair and fit for habitation.
| For additional information about Maintenance & Repairs click on the picture |
| 1301 Richmond Road Ottawa, ON K2B 7Y4 p. 613-596-1641 f. 613-596-3364 www.westendlegal.ca |
| WELS is funded by Legal Aid Ontario |