Renter's Quick Tips
Maintenance and Repairs Tenants Are Responsible For
Many Toronto renters are unaware of what they are responsible for when it comes to maintenance and repairs in their rental unit. Below are frequent questions and answers according to Ontario’s Residential Tenancies Act (RTA).
Are tenants responsible for cleaning the rental property?
Tenants are responsible for cleaning their rental property up to reasonable health, cleanliness and sanitary standards. A tenant cannot be evicted for keeping a rental unit untidy. However according to the RTA, if a rental unit is unclean to a point where it disturbs or becomes a safety hazard for nearby tenants or the landlord, eviction is plausible. For example, if a unit is unkept to a point where it attracts pests or becomes a fire hazard.
Who is responsible for damages in the rental property?
Tenants are responsible for damages they, or their guests cause. This includes damages to common areas such as a hallways, elevators, stairways, driveways, or parking areas. Whether or not intentional, if a tenant or their guests causes damages throughout their rental property, they are responsible for repairs.
Who is responsible for standard fuses in the rental property?
Tenants are responsible for replacing all standard fuses in the rental property, unless it caused by a problem with the electrical system. Tenants are also responsible for making sure all fuses are working properly before the end of a tenancy.
Who is responsible for snow removal at a rental property?
It is the tenant’s responsibility to adhere to civic bylaws such as snow removal in walkways and around the property. This does not apply to apartment or condominium tenants.
Are tenants responsible for changing light bulbs and fuses?
Before moving in, a landlord should ensure all light bulbs and fuses are functional. Once living in the unit, tenants are responsible for replacing light bulbs and standard fuses unless caused by a malfunctioning electrical system. In such cases, the landlord is responsible for the repair.
Is it a landlord’s responsibility to paint?
Landlords are responsible for basic interior painting requirements. Tenants however are responsible for patching and painting damages causes by them or their guests.
In order to properly maintain your rental it’s essential to review your rights and responsibilities with your property manager during your initial lease signing process. This will ensure you, as a renter, do not run into landlord-tenant legality issues.
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