Are you a landlord in Ontario? It can be hard to know what falls under your scope and what does not. We’ve taken the time to break down the rules in relation to plumbing and what, as a landlord, is your responsibility.
What does the law say about landlord responsibilities?
As a landlord, it is outlined in the Residential Tenancies Act, that you must maintain the premises in good repair and that tenants have access to essentials like heat and power. Water is also an essential service and therefore cannot be withheld from a tenant. This means that if there is an issue with your property’s plumbing system, it is your responsibility to fix it.
If repairs are needed, it is the landlord’s duty to ensure that any repairs are completed to meet the proper by-law and provincial standards.
What is the tenant’s role in this?
Whether your tenant runs into something small like clogged drains or leaky faucets, or something more serious like a sewer backup or burst pipe, it can be daunting to try and manage. Tenants, legally, must not interfere with the repair arrangements meaning they are required to allow the plumber entry and to complete the work as needed. If your tenant is failing to allow the repair to take place, register a complaint with the Landlord and Tenant Board so it can be recorded and addressed.
As a landlord, you want your tenants to respect the property and to live as comfortably as possible in the home. The Residential Tenancies Act outlines the circumstances in which a tenant is responsible for plumbing repairs. Tenants must repair any damage caused by themselves but were not caused by normal use. Meaning that if they’ve broken a fixture or damaged a sprinkler head, it is their responsibility to contact someone to repair the damage.
How can Wellbrook help?
At Wellbrook we offer our Diamond Club Membership, which is perfect for landlords. A $9.95/month fee means reduced service fees, a discounted rate for repairs, and front-of-the-line service, you can tackle an issue fast and for a good price