Under the residential tenancies act, a landlord has some fundamental responsibilities
- Landlords must ensure the rental property complies with the rules and regulations to a minimum standard for all health, safety, housing and maintenance standards.
- Before renting a property, it must meet municipal property standards, zoning bylaws, fire safety regulations and local building codes.
- Maintaining the tenant’s home to be fit for habitation and at the landlord’s expense following the health, safety, housing and maintenance standards.
- Providing an appropriate supply of fuel, electricity, hot and cold water and other utility services such as cable or internet unless the tenant has agreed to obtain and pay for these services themselves.
- Provide quiet enjoyment of the premises by the tenant and the members of their household or guests.
- Not obstruct, harass, threaten, or pressure the tenant.
Penalties
- A person, other than a corporation, who is guilty of an offence under this Act is liable on conviction to a fine of not more than $50,000
- A corporation that is guilty of an offence under this Act is liable on conviction to a fine of not more than $250,000
Exceptions
The carrying out of repairs, maintenance and capital improvements does not constitute harassment or interference with a tenant’s reasonable enjoyment of a rental unit or the residential complex in which it is located unless it is reasonable to believe:
(a) that the date or time when the work is done or the manner in which it is carried out is intended to harass the tenant or interfere with the tenant’s reasonable enjoyment; or
(b) that the repairs, maintenance or capital improvements were carried out without reasonable regard for the tenant’s right to reasonable enjoyment.
Responsibilities of the landlord
