Landlords Self-Help Center

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Frequently Asked Questions

Your first stop for self-help is a review of our FAQs. Take a look at the ever increasing collection of questions asked by Ontario’s small-scale landlords as well as the actual answers provided by Landlord’s Self-Help Centre.

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Who is responsible to remove snow from the tenant’s door step, walkways and tenant car park or driveway, the landlord or tenant?

The issue of snow removal should be clarified in the tenancy agreement. If the tenant did not agree to do it, then it is the landlord’s responsibility.

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My tenants found a mouse in the house and want me to pay an exterminator. Is that my responsibility?

According to the Residential Tenancies Act a landlord is responsible for providing and maintaining a rental unit in a good state of repair and fit for habitation and for complying with health, safety, housing and maintenance standards. When it comes to pest problems, it is usually the landlord’s responsibility to take care of the problem.

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My tenant wants to replace the blinds, am I obligated to pay for the replacement?

If the blinds were in the rental unit when the tenancy agreement was entered into and the blinds are in need of repair then it is the landlord’s responsibility to pay for a replacement.

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My tenant wants to change the baseboards in the rental unit. The existing ones are in good repair. If I allow my tenants to change the baseboards am I required to provide my tenants an abatement of rent?

You are not required to provide your tenants with an abatement of rent if the baseboards are in good repair. You and your tenant can sign an agreement stating that the baseboards are in good repair and tenant may change the baseboards should they wish at their own expense.

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I’ve been renting out a house for twenty years, it’s been infested with mice. Who pays for the exterminator?

According to the Residential Tenancies Act a landlord is responsible for providing and maintaining a rental unit in a good state of repair and fit for habitation and for complying with health, safety, housing and maintenance standards. Therefore, when there is a pest problem in a rental unit, it is usually the landlord’s responsibility to take care of the problem.

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If the tenant obstructs the pipes and I have to call a plumber, who should pay?

If you are able to prove that the tenant is the one that caused the damage either wilfully or through negligence you can ask the tenant to pay for the cost of repairs.

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If the refrigerator fails, is the landlord responsible to pay for spoiled food?

The law does not set out specific provisions on this issue, generally if a problem occurs through no fault of the landlord and the landlord takes care of the problem promptly, the tenant has no claim against the landlord and should try to claim it on their insurance. However, if the tenant feels that the landlord is responsible they may file an application with the Landlord and Tenant Board for a decision.

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If I have tenants in my building that are not getting along, is it my responsibility to try and resolve the issues or should I let them work it out themselves?

As the landlord you have to try and help resolve the issues. The important thing is not to ignore a tenant’s complaints. Ask the tenants to provide their complaints in writing and keep track of when and why tenants are making complaints about other tenants. If you ignore the situation, the tenant may bring an application against you at the Landlord and Tenant Board.

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