Bylaw enforcement - apartment standards - deficiencies - maintenance - repairs - complaints

RentSafeTo works to ensure that owners and operators of apartment buildings meet building maintenance standards through initiatives like evaluations. View the City's interactive map for evaluation results of buildings across Toronto.

Residents who are renting an apartment in a building that is not part of the RentSafeTO program, such as a condo building, a townhome, or a unit in a private home (basement or main floor apartment) and are experiencing a problem, should inform the landlord/superintendent, and/or property owner in writing for any apartment deficiencies/maintenance and repair issues and give reasonable time to correct the issue. Keep a copy of the letter for your records.

Important note: If the issue is not repaired within reasonable time, you can submit a service request online at http://www.toronto.ca/311/ , or call 311.

Read additional information about Toronto's Apartment Building Standards.

Note:

  • ML&S actions are generally based on the information received from complainant sources.
  • Complaints are qualified and a follow-up with the individual making the complaint is required. However, ML&S officers cannot divulge any information about a complainants' identity or address.

Responsibilities of Property Owners and Tenants

Both the property owners and tenants have responsibilities under various bylaws and specifically under Chapter 629 of the Toronto Municipal Code, Property Standards.

Generally speaking:

  • An owner of property shall repair, maintain and keep clean the property in accordance with the standards and take immediate action to eliminate any unsafe condition.
  • An occupant's duties include keeping the rental space in a clean and sanitary condition including clear access throughout and to any exits.

Condominiums

If the condominium unit is owner occupied, Municipal Licensing & Standards (ML&S) will not investigate a complaint about the condition of that unit.

If you are a tenant in a condominium unit, contact 311 to submit a service request for investigation by ML&S about conditions in that condo unit or common elements of the building.

Related Information