1 minute read
Maintenance Standards
Your landlord is required to follow the maintenance standards set out in the Residential Tenancies Act (RTA). An important tenancy right under the RTA is the right to have a safe living space. Students have expressed that the quality of their living space has a direct impact on their health, well-being and their ability to study.
The RTA includes rules about maintenance and repairs including:
Vital Services: Electricity, clean hot and cold water, gas, proper ventilation and heat must be readily available in your unit.
Structural Elements: For your safety, the structural elements of your rental unit must be in good condition including roofs, floors and walls.
Safety and Security: Every window and exterior door, including a balcony door, should have locks.
General Maintenance: Appliances provided by your landlord should be in working condition. Your rental unit must be kept free of pests, rodents and insects and any holes in your unit should be sealed.
What can tenants do when there is a problem?
It is important to talk to your landlord about any concerns you might have as soon as possible and ask your landlord in writing to address the problem. If your landlord doesn’t fix the problem withiin a reasonable amount of time after being informed, you may report your problem to your city’s By–law enforcement:
