Your Right to Repairs Under Ontario Law
A landlord in Ontario must keep a rental property in a state of good repair. This is not a courtesy or a negotiation. It is a legal obligation set out in the Residential Tenancies Act, 2006. The property must be fit for habitation, which means it must be safe, clean, and have working utilities, heating, plumbing, and structural integrity.
When something breaks or stops working, you have the right to ask for it to be fixed. The landlord must respond within a reasonable timeframe. What counts as reasonable depends on the urgency of the repair. A broken furnace in winter is more urgent than a cracked tile in summer.
You do not have to pay for repairs out of your own pocket and then ask for reimbursement. The landlord pays. You do not have to fix it yourself unless you caused the damage and your lease says you will cover it. Even then, the landlord must approve the repair and the cost in writing before you proceed.
What Counts as a Repair You Can Request
- Heating system failure or inadequate heat (below 20°C in winter)
- Plumbing leaks, backed-up drains, or no hot water
- Broken windows or doors that do not close properly
- Roof leaks or water damage inside the unit
- Electrical problems, non-working outlets, or flickering lights
- Pest infestations or mold growth
These are habitability issues. They affect your health, safety, or the basic use of the home. A landlord cannot ignore them. If you report a leaking roof, a non-functioning toilet, or no heat, the landlord must act.
Minor cosmetic issues are different. A small paint chip, a loose cabinet handle, or worn carpet may not trigger the same urgency. That said, if the carpet is so worn it is a tripping hazard, or the paint is peeling and exposing lead, it becomes a safety issue and the landlord must fix it.
How to Request Repairs Formally
Write it down. This is the most important step. A verbal request is easy to forget or deny later. Send an email, a text message, or a letter. Keep a copy. The landlord or property manager must receive written notice of what is broken and where it is.
Be specific. Do not write "the bathroom is broken." Write "the toilet in the main bathroom is leaking at the base and water is pooling on the floor." Include the date you first noticed the problem. Include photos if you can take them safely.
Send it to the right person. If you have a property manager, send the request to them. If you deal directly with the landlord, send it to the address listed on your lease or the one they gave you for notices. If you are unsure, send it to both.
Keep records. Save every email, text, and letter. Write down the date and time of any phone calls you make. If you report a repair in person, follow up with an email that says "As discussed on [date], I am requesting repair of [issue]." This creates a paper trail.
Know the timeline. For urgent repairs (no heat, no water, no electricity, pest infestation, mold), the landlord must respond and begin work within 24 hours. For non-urgent repairs, the landlord has up to 30 days. Some repairs fall in between and must be done within 7 days.
What Happens After You Request a Repair
The landlord or property manager will contact you to schedule access. They need to enter your unit to assess the damage and arrange a contractor. You must provide reasonable access. "Reasonable" means they cannot show up at midnight or demand entry every day. They must give you notice, usually 24 hours, except in emergencies.
The repair is scheduled. Depending on the urgency and the contractor's availability, this might happen within days or weeks. For urgent repairs, it should be sooner. The contractor will arrive, assess the problem, and fix it or order parts if needed.
You should not be charged. The cost of the repair comes from the landlord's pocket, not yours. If a contractor asks you to pay, refuse and report it to the landlord immediately. If the landlord tries to deduct repair costs from your rent, that is illegal in Ontario.
The repair is completed. Once the work is done, inspect it. Make sure the issue is actually fixed. If the toilet still leaks or the heat still does not work, contact the landlord again and request a follow-up.
If Your Landlord Ignores Your Request
Send a second written request. Reference your first request by date. State that you have not received a response or that the repair has not been completed. Give them another deadline: 7 days for non-urgent repairs, 24 hours for urgent ones.
Contact a property manager if you do not have one. If you are renting from an individual landlord who is slow to respond, a professional property maintenance coordinator can often resolve the issue faster. Many landlords respond better to a formal business.
Document the impact on your life. If there is no heat and you are paying for a space heater, keep your receipts. If mold is making you sick, keep medical records. If the repair is urgent and affects habitability, you may have options.
You can file a complaint with the Landlord and Tenant Board. The Board is part of Tribunals Ontario and handles disputes between landlords and tenants. You can ask the Board to order the landlord to make repairs or to reduce your rent because the unit is not in good repair. There is a filing fee set by the tribunal.
You can also repair and deduct. In Ontario, if the landlord does not fix an urgent repair within 24 hours, you can hire a contractor yourself and deduct the cost from your next rent payment. You must give the landlord written notice of your intent to do this. Keep all receipts and invoices. This is a last resort and must be done correctly or you could face eviction.
Do not withhold all your rent. Stopping rent entirely is not legal and gives the landlord grounds to evict you. Repair and deduct is specific: you pay for the repair and subtract only that amount from rent.
Timeline and What to Expect
In practice, timelines depend on the contractor's schedule, the availability of parts, and the complexity of the work. A new faucet might be installed in a day. A new furnace might take a week to order and install. A roof repair might take longer if weather delays work.
If the repair is urgent and the landlord misses the 24-hour window, you have grounds to file a complaint with the Landlord and Tenant Board. If a non-urgent repair drags past 30 days without progress, you can also file. The Board can order the landlord to pay for the repair and may reduce your rent for the period the unit was not in good repair.
In Brampton and across Ontario, repairs and turnovers are a landlord's responsibility, not a tenant's. If you are renting in a apartment property management, a single-family home, or a multiplex, the same rules apply.
How to Protect Yourself Throughout the Process
Take photos and video. When you report a repair, photograph the damage. If the repair takes weeks, take photos again to show the ongoing issue. Video can be even more convincing. Store these files safely, dated and labeled.
Keep a repair log. Write down every request, every follow-up, every conversation. Include the date, time, who you spoke to, and what was said. This log is evidence if you need to file a complaint.
Use email or text for all communication. Avoid phone calls alone. If you must call, follow up with an email that summarizes what was discussed. Email and text create a written record that holds up in a dispute.
Know your rights. Read the Residential Tenancies Act or visit the Landlord and Tenant Board website. Understand what counts as a repair, what timelines apply, and what remedies are available. Knowledge is your strongest tool.
Do not retaliate. If you file a complaint or request repairs, the landlord cannot evict you in retaliation. Ontario law prohibits it. If the landlord tries to evict you shortly after you request a repair, that is likely retaliation and you can defend yourself at the Board.
Consider tenant resources in your area. Many communities offer free legal advice or tenant advocacy services. In Brampton, local organizations can help you understand your rights and navigate the repair process.