What does the Residential Tenancies Act require?
The landlord carries the duty. The Act says: A landlord is responsible for providing and maintaining a residential complex, including the rental units in it, in a good state of repair and fit for habitation and for complying with health, safety, housing and maintenance standards.
(Residential Tenancies Act, s. 20 (1)) A tenant who knew about a problem does not change that: Subsection (1) applies even if the tenant was aware of a state of non-repair or a contravention of a standard before entering into the tenancy agreement.
(Residential Tenancies Act, s. 20 (2))
Do the provincial standards or the city's by-law apply?
It depends on whether the municipality has a property standards by-law. The Act says the prescribed standards apply to a residential complex in a local municipality if there is no municipal property standards by-law that applies to the residential complex
, or if there is a by-law and the prescribed circumstances apply
. (Residential Tenancies Act, s. 224 (1))
The regulation speaks to a by-law that covers only the outside: If there is a municipal property standards by-law applicable only to the exterior of residential complexes or rental units, the maintenance standards in this Regulation that relate to the exterior of residential complexes or rental units do not apply to the residential complexes or rental units in the municipality that are subject to the by-law, but the maintenance standards in this Regulation that relate to the interior of residential complexes or rental units do apply to them.
(O. Reg. 517/06, s. 4) The Board puts it in a line: These standards are set out in municipal bylaws or provincial maintenance standards.
(Landlord and Tenant Board, Maintenance and Repairs)
Where the regulation applies, it is the landlord's job: Except as otherwise provided, the landlord shall ensure that the maintenance standards in this Regulation are complied with.
(O. Reg. 517/06, s. 2 (2)) It also sets a standard for the work itself: All repairs to and maintenance of a rental unit or residential complex shall be carried out in a manner and with the materials that are accepted as good workmanship in the trades concerned.
(O. Reg. 517/06, s. 3)
What are the key provincial standards?
The table picks the ones owners meet most often, with the section of O. Reg. 517/06 for each. The regulation has more, so read the full text for your building.
| Standard | The regulation says | Section |
|---|---|---|
| Plumbing | Plumbing and drainage systems in a residential complex, and their appurtenances, shall be maintained free from leaks, defects and obstructions and adequately protected from freezing. | s. 9 (1) |
| Hot water | The ordinary temperature of the hot water provided must be at least 43 degrees Celsius. | s. 11 (2) |
| Heat | Heat shall be provided and maintainedso that habitable space is at least 20 degrees Celsius, measured as the regulation sets out | s. 15 (1) |
| Electrical | The wiring and receptacles necessary to provide electrical power shall be maintained free of conditions dangerous to persons or property. | s. 14 (2) |
| Doors and windows | Doors, windows and skylights shall be maintained so that they are weathertightand any damaged or missing parts are repaired or replaced | s. 23 (2) |
| Locks | At least one entrance door in a rental unit shall be capable of being locked from outside the rental unit. | s. 29 (2) |
| Guards on balconies and stairs | Guards shall be installed and maintained wherever there is a vertical drop of more than 600 millimetres, including along the open sides of stairs, ramps, balconies, mezzanines and landings | s. 24 (1) |
| Floors, stairs and balconies | Every floor, stair, veranda, porch, deck, balcony, loading dock and every structure similar to any of them, and any covering, guard or surface finishing shall be maintained in a good state of repair. | s. 37 |
| Cabinets and counters | Every cabinet, cupboard, shelf and counter top provided by the landlord of a rental unit shall be maintained in a structurally sound condition, free from cracks and deterioration. | s. 38 |
| Walls and ceilings | Interior cladding of walls and ceilings shall be maintained free from holes, leaks, deteriorating materials, mould, mildew and other fungi.And: A protective finish shall be applied to all repairs made to walls and ceilings. | s. 39 (1) and (2) |
| Common areas | All interior common areas and exterior common areas shall be kept clean and free of hazards. | s. 44 (1) |
What does Hamilton's property standards by-law say?
The City's page says: All property owners must maintain and repair the interior and exterior of their property in accordance with certain standards.
(City of Hamilton, Property Use By-laws, date modified September 3, 2026) For rentals it says: The property owner must make sure all violations of Hamilton's Property Standards By-law No.23-162 are corrected.
It lists what the by-law covers, among them Doors and windows
, Floors and walls
, Plumbing
, Electrical
, Exterior walls and roofs
and Balconies, porches and exterior stairs
. (City of Hamilton, Rental Property By-laws, date modified July 18, 2025)
The same page names two more by-laws for landlords. The Heat By-law: Property owners and landlords of residential rental units are required to supply adequate and suitable heat from September 15 to May 15 of each year.
The Safe Apartment Buildings By-law: Apartment buildings with two or more storeys and six or more rental units must register annually.
(City of Hamilton, Rental Property By-laws) For a property in another town we serve, check whether that town has its own property standards by-law. The provincial standards apply where none does.
What happens when a landlord does not comply?
The municipality hears the complaint and can order the work. The Act says it shall receive any written complaint from a current tenant
about the standard of maintenance, and an inspector may make and give to the landlord a work order requiring the landlord to comply with the prescribed maintenance standard
. (Residential Tenancies Act, ss. 224.1 and 225)
Hamilton adds: If you are not able to meet an Order to Comply under the Yard Maintenance By-law and the Property Standards By-law you will be charged a fee by the City of Hamilton to complete the work.
(City of Hamilton, Property Use By-laws) A tenant can also go to the Board. It lists what a tenant can ask for, including Order the landlord to repair or replace something, or do work by a certain date.
(Landlord and Tenant Board, Maintenance and Repairs)
What does this mean for the owner's job?
Most of the table is ordinary repair work: a leak, a failed lock, a cracked cabinet, a hole in a wall, a loose stair or balcony finish, a worn door. Reborn Renos does income property maintenance on call and at regular set prices agreed with you, and the standards for hallways, stairwells, laundry rooms and balconies fit our common areas and balconies work. A building with many units can put a year of repairs under one service agreement. Between tenants, the same checks go into a turnover.
Is this legal advice?
No. This is a plain summary, not legal advice. The linked law is what counts. The Act, the regulation and the City's and Board's pages were read on 1 November 2026.
How do I book a repair?
Reborn Renos is insured and covered by WSIB. We work in Beamsville, Lincoln, Grimsby, Stoney Creek, Hamilton, St. Catharines, Thorold and Niagara Falls. Call (905) 920-1418, Monday to Saturday, 7 am to 7 pm, or send what is broken, where it is and a photo on the request page.