How do I complain about deficiencies within my apartment or the common areas in my building?
	First, you must inform your property owner / manager in writing about the deficiencies that exist and give him/her reasonable time to correct the problem. You can utilize the Standard Maintenance Request form through this link Maintain copies of your requests After reasonable time has passed, you may contact your local Municipal Licensing and Standards office by telephone or 311 Toronto by e-mail to file a complaint. If the deficiency involves a health and safety issue, you should contact your Municipal Licensing and Standards District Office to file a complaint if immediate steps are not being taken by the property owner / manager to rectify the problem. If the deficiency involves your apartment, you should be prepared to schedule an inspection with the assigned Municipal Licensing and Standards officer.
	What is a reasonable length of time for a landlord/owner to make repairs?
	A reasonable length of time for a repair would depend on the type of repair. For example, if the repair involves painting of walls, replacing floor tiles, counters, etc... within a unit, a reasonable time could be several weeks. However, if the repair involves the lock on a main door, no heat/water/hydro within the unit, this would require immediate attention. Within the context of the Ontario Building Code Act, immediate implies an 'immediate danger to persons' (ex. no heat in the middle of winter). Urgency and the required response will be assessed based on this type of impact.
	I have searched the Apartment Standards Web site and I don't see any violations related to the property I am interested in moving into. Does this mean that this property is perfect?
	No, not necessarily. Generally speaking, Municipal Licensing and Standards investigates complaints from the public, Councillor offices and through limited proactive building audits. The absence of violations on this web site could potentially mean any of following: The information on this Web site will only provide disclosure of orders that have been issued and remain outstanding and those that are complied with for a period of two years from the issuance date. So it is possible that your building has had orders prior to that date. Municipal Licensing and Standards may have received complaints about the building and the property owner then performs the repairs and complies with the by-laws in a timely manner with no need to proceed to the issuance of an order to comply. There may be deficiencies that the property owner has not rectified in the building about which Municipal Licensing and Standards has not received any formal complaints. View the entire Protocol adopted by Council.
	Last month I complained to the City of Toronto that there are some problems with my building's common area. Why don't I see an order on this Web site for that problem?
	Not all complaints will lead to the issuance of an order. If the property owner moves quickly and within a reasonable amount of time brings the deficiency into compliance to the satisfaction of the Municipal Licensing and Standards Officer, other tools may be utilized. Officers will communicate with the property owner to get compliance. Officers may issue a Notice of Violation and give the property owner time to rectify the situation. View the 'Complaint Process for Tenants' page for additional information on the Protocol adopted by Council. You may contact your local Municipal Licensing and Standards District Office for follow up to your complaint if the problem continues for an unreasonable amount of time.
	How can I find out what the responsibilities and duties are for both the property owner and tenants?
	Both the property owners and tenants have responsibilities under various by-laws and specifically under Chapter 629 of the Toronto Municipal Code, Property Standards, as they relate to maintenance of property. You can view these by-laws through the following link: City by-laws
	I understand that the information on this website is a summary of the official orders to comply, excluding any specific apartment numbers for security and privacy reason, but what if I want an actual copy of the order that the property owner received?
	If the order to comply has been issued for your apartment or common areas within your building, you can contact your local Municipal Licensing and Standards District office and request that a copy of the order be sent to you, free of charge. If the order to comply has been issued for an apartment that is not yours, you may also contact your local ML&S District Office for an application to receive the documentation. A charge will apply. However, please be advised that in providing a copy of an order, ML&S will adhere to the rules and regulations within the Municipal Freedom of Information & Protection of Privacy Act(MFIPPA). Visit the Corporate Access and Privacy page for further information.
	Is there any cost to tenants for making a complaint or having an inspection conducted by Municipal Licensing & Standards?
	No, at this time there is no fee/cost to tenants for this service.
	I would like to comment on my experience with the Municipal Licensing and Standards Division. How can I do this?
	You may contact the local District office either by phone, email or mail to make your comments. You should direct your comments to the direct superior of any individual with which you have had dealings.