Whether you’re renting an apartment in Toronto for short or long term, helping maintain the property is an important part of maximizing the enjoyment of your stay as well as keeping a positive relationship between you and your landlord, which could assist you if you ever need a reference for your next rental. That’s why it’s equally important to understand who is responsible for which aspects of rental maintenance.
Communication Is Key
It is the landlord’s responsibility to keep the property in a liveable condition. This includes taking care of furniture or appliances that come with the rental and making sure that the property meets municipal standards. However, as the person living in the apartment, it is the tenant’s job to notice if there are any faults in the unit and communicate them to the landlord as soon as possible, preferably when they first move in or at the time of the incident.
Who Pays For Damages?
Your landlord is responsible for covering damages from regular wear and tear, but if you or your guests cause damage to any furniture or appliances included with the unit, you must pay for those damages. For example, if you notice a leak in the property or an appliance provided by the landlord stops working during regular use, that would be the landlord’s responsibility. However, something like water damage to the floor from a portable air conditioning unit or a tear to the landlord’s furniture from improper handling is preventable by the tenant and therefore must be covered by them.
What If An Emergency Happens?
If an emergency such as a leak in the ceiling or a broken heating system occurs, contact your landlord right away. Make sure to record the date and time you noticed the emergency occur, as well as the date and time of your call if you’re unable to immediately contact your landlord.
How Toronto Furnished Living Helps With Repairs
We at Toronto Furnished Living work as a bridge between tenants and landlords. Part of our work involves managing repairs for all the landlords we partner with, saving money for all parties involved and keeping your apartment’s rent affordable. Our tried and tested procedures allow us to attend to issues within the week they’re brought to our attention. We fully cover repairs that would normally be the landlord’s responsibility so neither you nor the landlord will be charged for them.
When And If A Landlord Needs To Enter Your Unit:
In Ontario, if a landlord needs to enter your unit, the Residential Tenancies Act states they must give you 24 hours prior notice or must otherwise enter between 8 am and 8 pm with the tenant’s consent. You can expect a landlord to do regular inspections of your unit once or twice a year as well as general maintenance such as fire alarm testing at more frequent intervals.
Ontario’s Rental Renovation License
Note that starting Jul 31, 2025, landlords must obtain a Rental Renovation License before doing any repairs or renovations that require a tenant to move out of the unit. They must also provide temporary housing for the tenant for the duration of the renovation or otherwise provide financial compensation in the form of rent assistance and/or a moving fee. At Toronto Furnished Living, our diverse portfolio of apartments means that we can easily find a replacement unit for you in case this does happen. Since our apartments are fully furnished as well, you do not have to worry about a lengthy moving process between units.
In Summary
Keeping a rental property maintained is a collaborative effort between the landlord and tenant. Communicating issues early and taking care of the property means you can enjoy your stay more in the long run. Of course, it helps if your landlord responds to your issues quickly as well.
If you want affordable, well-maintained apartments in Toronto, consider Toronto Furnished Living. We have several one and two bedroom apartments available for rent across the city. Whether you are a newcomer, a student, or someone needing accommodation during a vacation or business trip, we have the right home for you. Book now or contact us for more information at info@torontofurnishedliving.com or +1 (888)-376-4976.
