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O. Reg. 517/06: MAINTENANCE STANDARDS
under Residential Tenancies Act, 2006, S.O. 2006, c. 17
Skip to content| current | January 31, 2007 – (e-Laws currency date) |
| November 17, 2006 – January 30, 2007 |
Residential Tenancies Act, 2006
ONTARIO REGULATION 517/06
MAINTENANCE STANDARDS
Consolidation Period: From January 31, 2007 to the e-Laws currency date.
No amendments.
This is the English version of a bilingual regulation.
CONTENTS
PART I | |
Definitions | |
Maintenance standards and compliance | |
Good workmanship | |
Municipal property standards by-laws applicable to exterior | |
PART II | |
Maintenance | |
Structural soundness, etc. | |
Roofs | |
Retaining walls, guards and fences | |
PART III | |
Maintenance | |
Required fixtures | |
Hot and cold running water | |
Washroom requirements | |
Toilets and urinals | |
Supply of electrical power | |
Maintenance of room temperature | |
Fuel and utilities | |
Maintenance of heating systems | |
Air supply and fuel storage | |
Artificial lighting | |
Ventilation | |
Smoke, gases and toxic fumes | |
Rooms that require windows | |
Doors, windows and skylights | |
PART IV | |
Guards | |
Window safety devices | |
Exterior common areas | |
Abandoned refrigerators, etc. | |
Surface of driveways, etc. | |
Locking windows and doors | |
PART V | |
Application | |
Water supply | |
Roads | |
Mailboxes | |
Distance between mobile homes | |
Sewage | |
Electrical supply | |
PART VI | |
Floors, etc. | |
Cabinets, etc. | |
Walls and ceilings | |
Appliances | |
Heat loss | |
Locker and storage rooms | |
Elevators | |
Common areas | |
Garbage | |
Rodents, etc. | |
Interior doors | |
PART VII | |
Inspection charge | |
Invoice | |
PART I
INTERPRETATION AND APPLICATION
Definitions
1. In this Regulation,
“exterior common areas” includes roads, pathways, parking areas, garbage storage areas, grounds for the use of tenants and, in a mobile home park or land lease community, the sites on which homes are situated; (“aires communes extérieures”)
“guard” means a barrier, that may or may not have openings through it; (“garde-corps”)
“habitable space” means a room or area used or intended to be used for living, sleeping, cooking or eating purposes and includes a washroom. (“local habitable”) O. Reg. 517/06, s. 1.
Maintenance standards and compliance
2. (1) This Regulation prescribes the maintenance standards for the purposes of subsection 224 (1) of the Act. O. Reg. 517/06, s. 2 (1).
(2) 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).
Good workmanship
3. 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.
Municipal property standards by-laws applicable to exterior
4. 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.
Maintenance
5. The structural elements in a residential complex shall be maintained in a sound condition so as to be capable of safely sustaining their own weight and any load or force that may normally be imposed. O. Reg. 517/06, s. 5.
Structural soundness, etc.
6. (1) Every floor of a basement, cellar or crawl space, and every slab at ground level, foundation wall, wall and roof shall be structurally sound, weathertight and damp-proofed and shall be maintained so as to reasonably protect against deterioration, including that due to weather, fungus, dry rot, rodents, vermin or insects. O. Reg. 517/06, s. 6 (1).
(2) The site upon which a residential complex is situated shall be graded and drained to prevent the ponding of water on the surface, the erosion of soil and the entrance of water into a building or structure. O. Reg. 517/06, s. 6 (2).
Roofs
7. (1) Every roof shall be watertight. O. Reg. 517/06, s. 7 (1).
(2) The roof and any cornice flashing, fascia, soffit, coping, gutter, rainwater leader, vent or other roof structure,
(a) shall be maintained to properly perform their intended function; and
(b) shall be kept clear of obstructions, hazards and dangerous accumulations of snow and ice. O. Reg. 517/06, s. 7 (2).
Retaining walls, guards and fences
8. Retaining walls, guards and fences in exterior common areas shall be maintained in a structurally sound condition and free from hazards. O. Reg. 517/06, s. 8.
PART III
UTILITIES AND SERVICES
Maintenance
9. (1) 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. O. Reg. 517/06, s. 9 (1).
(2) A residential complex shall be provided with a means of sewage disposal. O. Reg. 517/06, s. 9 (2).
(3) The means of sewage disposal shall be maintained in a good state of repair. O. Reg. 517/06, s. 9 (3).
Required fixtures
10. (1) Subject to subsections (2), (3) and (4), every rental unit shall contain the following fixtures:
1. A toilet.
2. A kitchen sink.
3. A washbasin.
4. A bathtub or shower. O. Reg. 517/06, s. 10 (1).
(2) Subsection (1) does not apply to rental units that share a fixture described in paragraph 1, 2 or 4 of subsection (1) if no more than two rental units share the fixture and access to the fixture from each rental unit is possible without,
(a) passing through another rental unit;
(b) travelling along an unheated corridor; or
(c) travelling outside the building containing the rental units. O. Reg. 517/06, s. 10 (2).
(3) Subsection (1) does not apply to a boarding house or lodging house if,
(a) there is at least one toilet, one washbasin and one bathtub or shower for every five rental units;
(b) all tenants have access to a kitchen sink; and
(c) all fixtures mentioned in clauses (a) and (b) are available in each building containing rental units. O. Reg. 517/06, s. 10 (3).
(4) Subsection (1) does not apply to a residential complex or rental unit that has never been provided with piped water. O. Reg. 517/06, s. 10 (4).
(5) The fixtures required by this section shall be maintained in a good state of repair and in a safely operable condition and shall be supplied with a supply of potable water sufficient for normal household use at a flow and pressure sufficient for the intended use of the fixtures. O. Reg. 517/06, s. 10 (5).
Hot and cold running water
11. (1) Every kitchen sink, washbasin, bathtub and shower shall be provided, by safe equipment, with hot and cold running water. O. Reg. 517/06, s. 11 (1).
(2) The ordinary temperature of the hot water provided must be at least 43 degrees Celsius. O. Reg. 517/06, s. 11 (2).
Washroom requirements
12. (1) Every washroom shall be enclosed and shall have,
(a) a water-resistant floor; and
(b) a door that can be,
(i) secured from the inside, and
(ii) opened from the outside in an emergency. O. Reg. 517/06, s. 12 (1).
(2) The walls and ceiling around a bathtub or shower shall be water-resistant. O. Reg. 517/06, s. 12 (2).
(3) In subsection (1),
“washroom” means an area containing a toilet, urinal, bathtub, shower or washbasin. O. Reg. 517/06, s. 12 (3).
Toilets and urinals
13. No toilet or urinal shall be located in a room used for or intended to be used for sleeping or preparing, consuming or storing food. O. Reg. 517/06, s. 13.
Supply of electrical power
14. (1) A supply of electrical power shall be provided to all habitable space in a residential complex. O. Reg. 517/06, s. 14 (1).
(2) The wiring and receptacles necessary to provide electrical power shall be maintained free of conditions dangerous to persons or property. O. Reg. 517/06, s. 14 (2).
(3) Every kitchen shall have outlets suitable for a refrigerator and a cooking appliance. O. Reg. 517/06, s. 14 (3).
(4) If a rental unit has a meter for electricity for the purpose of billing the tenants of that rental unit, the meter shall be properly maintained and kept accessible to the tenants. O. Reg. 517/06, s. 14 (4).
(5) This section does not apply to a residential complex that has never been connected to an electrical power system. O. Reg. 517/06, s. 14 (5).
Maintenance of room temperature
15. (1) Heat shall be provided and maintained so that the room temperature at 1.5 metres above floor level and one metre from exterior walls in all habitable space and in any area intended for normal use by tenants, including recreation rooms and laundry rooms but excluding locker rooms and garages, is at least 20 degrees Celsius. O. Reg. 517/06, s. 15 (1).
(2) Subsection (1) does not apply to a rental unit in which the tenant can regulate the temperature and a minimum temperature of 20 degrees Celsius can be maintained by the primary source of heat. O. Reg. 517/06, s. 15 (2).
(3) Every residential complex shall have heating equipment capable of maintaining the temperature levels required by subsection (1). O. Reg. 517/06, s. 15 (3).
(4) No rental unit shall be equipped with portable heating equipment as the primary source of heat. O. Reg. 517/06, s. 15 (4).
(5) Only heating equipment approved for use by a recognized standards testing authority shall be provided in a room used or intended for use for sleeping purposes. O. Reg. 517/06, s. 15 (5).
Fuel and utilities
16. (1) Fuel supplied to a residential complex or rental unit shall be supplied continuously in adequate quantities. O. Reg. 517/06, s. 16 (1).
(2) Utilities supplied to a residential complex or rental unit shall be supplied continuously. O. Reg. 517/06, s. 16 (2).
(3) The supply of fuel and utilities may be interrupted for such reasonable period of time as may be required for the purpose of repair or replacement. O. Reg. 517/06, s. 16 (3).
(4) Subsections (1) and (2) do not apply if the tenancy agreement makes the tenant responsible for the supply of fuel or utilities and the supply has been discontinued because of arrears in payment. O. Reg. 517/06, s. 16 (4).
Maintenance of heating systems
17. Heating systems, including stoves, heating appliances, fireplaces intended for use, chimneys, fans, pumps and filtration equipment, shall be maintained in a good state of repair and in a safely operable condition. O. Reg. 517/06, s. 17.
Air supply and fuel storage
18. (1) A space that contains heating equipment that burns fuel shall have a natural or mechanical means of supplying the air required for combustion. O. Reg. 517/06, s. 18 (1).
(2) If heating equipment burns solid or liquid fuel, a storage place or receptacle for the fuel shall be provided in a safe place and maintained in a safe condition. O. Reg. 517/06, s. 18 (2).
Artificial lighting
19. (1) Adequate artificial lighting shall be available at all times in all rooms, stairways, halls, corridors, garages, and basements of a residential complex that are accessible to tenants. O. Reg. 517/06, s. 19 (1).
(2) Artificial lighting shall be provided in exterior common areas to permit these areas to be used or passed through safely, and to provide security. O. Reg. 517/06, s. 19 (2).
(3) Subsections (1) and (2) do not apply to a residential complex that has never been connected to an electrical power system. O. Reg. 517/06, s. 19 (3).
(4) Artificial lighting that has been installed in outbuildings normally used by tenants, including garages, shall be kept in operable condition. O. Reg. 517/06, s. 19 (4).
(5) Artificial lighting shall be maintained in a good state of repair. O. Reg. 517/06, s. 19 (5).
Ventilation
20. All habitable space shall be provided with natural or mechanical means of ventilation that is adequate for the use of the space. O. Reg. 517/06, s. 20.
Smoke, gases and toxic fumes
21. (1) Chimneys, smoke-pipes, flues and gas vents shall be kept clear of obstructions and maintained so as to prevent the escape of smoke and gases into a building containing one or more rental units. O. Reg. 517/06, s. 21 (1).
(2) Parking garages shall be maintained so as to prevent the accumulation of toxic fumes and the escape of toxic fumes into a building containing one or more rental units. O. Reg. 517/06, s. 21 (2).
Rooms that require windows
22. (1) Subject to subsections (2) and (3), every bedroom, living room and dining room shall have a window (which may be part of a door) to the outside of the building. O. Reg. 517/06, s. 22 (1).
(2) A window is not required in a dining room if it has artificial lighting. O. Reg. 517/06, s. 22 (2).
(3) A window is not required in a living room or dining room if,
(a) there is an opening in a dividing wall to an adjoining room;
(b) the adjoining room has a window to the outside; and
(c) the total window area of the adjoining room is at least 5 per cent of the combined floor areas of the living room or dining room and the adjoining room. O. Reg. 517/06, s. 22 (3).
Doors, windows and skylights
23. (1) Every existing opening in the exterior surface of a building designed for a door or window shall be equipped with a door or window capable of performing the intended function. O. Reg. 517/06, s. 23 (1).
(2) Doors, windows and skylights shall be maintained so that,
(a) they are weathertight; and
(b) any damaged or missing parts are repaired or replaced. O. Reg. 517/06, s. 23 (2).
Guards
24. (1) Guards shall be installed and maintained wherever,
(a) there is a vertical drop of more than 600 millimetres (including along the open sides of stairs, ramps, balconies, mezzanines and landings); and
(b) they would be required for a newly constructed or renovated area under the building code made under the Building Code Act, 1992. O. Reg. 517/06, s. 24 (1).
(2) A guard required by subsection (1) shall provide reasonable protection from accidental falls for any person on the premises. O. Reg. 517/06, s. 24 (2).
Window safety devices
25. (1) This section applies with respect to every window in a rental unit that is in a storey above the storey that has,
(a) its floor closest to ground level; and
(b) its ceiling more than 1.8 metres above average ground level. O. Reg. 517/06, s. 25 (1).
(2) At the request of the tenant, each window referred to in subsection (1) shall be equipped with a safety device to prevent any part of the window from opening so as to admit a sphere greater than 100 millimetres in diameter. O. Reg. 517/06, s. 25 (2).
(3) The safety device required by subsection (2) shall not make the window incapable of being opened by an adult without a key or the use of tools. O. Reg. 517/06, s. 25 (3).
Exterior common areas
26. (1) Exterior common areas shall be maintained in a condition suitable for their intended use and free of hazards and, for these purposes, the following shall be removed:
1. Noxious weeds as defined in the regulations to the Weed Control Act.
2. Dead, decayed or damaged trees or parts of such trees that create an unsafe condition.
3. Rubbish or debris, including abandoned motor vehicles.
4. Structures that create an unsafe condition.
5. Unsafe accumulations of ice and snow. O. Reg. 517/06, s. 26 (1).
(2) An inoperative motor vehicle or trailer that has remained in an exterior common area for more than a reasonable amount of time shall be removed. O. Reg. 517/06, s. 26 (2).
(3) Wells and holes in exterior common areas shall be filled or safely covered and the wells shall also be protected from contamination. O. Reg. 517/06, s. 26 (3).
Abandoned refrigerators, etc.
27. (1) An abandoned or inoperable icebox, refrigerator or freezer shall not be left in a common area unless it is awaiting removal. O. Reg. 517/06, s. 27 (1).
(2) An icebox, refrigerator or freezer that is awaiting removal shall have all its doors removed. O. Reg. 517/06, s. 27 (2).
Surface of driveways, etc.
28. Driveways, ramps, parking garages, parking areas, paths, walkways, landings, outside stairs and any similar area shall be maintained to provide a safe surface for normal use. O. Reg. 517/06, s. 28.
Locking windows and doors
29. (1) Every window and exterior door, including a balcony door, that is capable of being opened and that is accessible from outside a rental unit or a building containing a rental unit shall be equipped so that it can be secured from the inside. O. Reg. 517/06, s. 29 (1).
(2) At least one entrance door in a rental unit shall be capable of being locked from outside the rental unit. O. Reg. 517/06, s. 29 (2).
(3) If a rental unit-to-vestibule communication system together with a vestibule door locking release system is provided, it shall be maintained in a good state of repair and in a safely operable condition. O. Reg. 517/06, s. 29 (3).
(4) Parking areas that are intended to be secured, shared locker rooms and shared storage rooms shall be provided with doors equipped with security devices that prevent access to persons other than the landlord and tenants. O. Reg. 517/06, s. 29 (4).
(5) A mail delivery slot that enters directly into a rental unit, and any similar opening for deliveries, shall be located and maintained to prevent access to any door’s or window’s locking or securing mechanisms. O. Reg. 517/06, s. 29 (5).
(6) Subsection (5) does not apply with respect to a mail delivery slot or other opening that has been sealed. O. Reg. 517/06, s. 29 (6).
(7) Mail boxes provided by the landlord shall be properly maintained and capable of being secured. O. Reg. 517/06, s. 29 (7).
PART V
MOBILE HOME PARKS AND LAND LEASE COMMUNITIES
Application
30. (1) Sections 31 to 36 apply to mobile home parks and land lease communities. O. Reg. 517/06, s. 30 (1).
(2) The other sections of this Regulation also apply to mobile home parks and land lease communities. O. Reg. 517/06, s. 30 (2).
Water supply
31. (1) A supply of potable water and water pressure that are sufficient for normal household use shall be available for each rental unit in a mobile home park or land lease community. O. Reg. 517/06, s. 31 (1).
(2) An adequate supply of water and adequate water pressure shall be available for fire fighting. O. Reg. 517/06, s. 31 (2).
(3) Fire hydrants owned by the landlord shall be regularly tested and maintained and kept free from accumulations of snow and ice. O. Reg. 517/06, s. 31 (3).
Roads
32. (1) Roads within a mobile home park or land lease community shall be,
(a) kept free of holes and cleared of snow and obstructions;
(b) maintained to control dust; and
(c) kept passable. O. Reg. 517/06, s. 32 (1).
(2) Excavations made for repairs shall be filled in and the ground returned to its previous condition. O. Reg. 517/06, s. 32 (2).
Mailboxes
33. Mailboxes and the approaches to them shall be kept free of snow and other obstructions. O. Reg. 517/06, s. 33.
Distance between mobile homes
34. Where the distance between mobile homes is three metres or more, that distance shall not be reduced to less than three metres through the addition of a deck or ramp or by any other means, unless a lesser distance provides an adequate degree of fire safety. O. Reg. 517/06, s. 34.
Sewage
35. (1) Sewage holding tanks in a mobile home park or land lease community shall be emptied whenever necessary. O. Reg. 517/06, s. 35 (1).
(2) Sewage connections and other components of a sewage system shall be provided in a mobile home park or land lease community and shall be permanently secured to prevent a discharge of sewage. O. Reg. 517/06, s. 35 (2).
(3) In subsection (2),
“sewage system” means a municipal sanitary sewage system or a private sewage disposal system and includes a sewage system as defined in the building code made under the Building Code Act, 1992 and a sewage works as defined in the Ontario Water Resources Act. O. Reg. 517/06, s. 35 (3).
Electrical supply
36. Electrical supply and connections in a mobile home park or land lease community supplied by the landlord shall be maintained free of conditions dangerous to persons or property. O. Reg. 517/06, s. 36.
Floors, etc.
37. 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. O. Reg. 517/06, s. 37.
Cabinets, etc.
38. 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. O. Reg. 517/06, s. 38.
Walls and ceilings
39. (1) Interior cladding of walls and ceilings shall be maintained free from holes, leaks, deteriorating materials, mould, mildew and other fungi. O. Reg. 517/06, s. 39 (1).
(2) A protective finish shall be applied to all repairs made to walls and ceilings. O. Reg. 517/06, s. 39 (2).
Appliances
40. (1) Appliances supplied by the landlord of the rental unit shall be maintained in a good state of repair and in a safely operable condition. O. Reg. 517/06, s. 40 (1).
(2) In subsection (1),
“appliances” includes refrigerators, stoves, clothes washers, clothes dryers, dishwashers and hot water tanks. O. Reg. 517/06, s. 40 (2).
Heat loss
41. Those portions of a residential complex used for human habitation, including common areas, shall be maintained to minimize heat loss through air infiltration. O. Reg. 517/06, s. 41.
Locker and storage rooms
42. Locker and storage rooms shall be kept free of dampness and mildew. O. Reg. 517/06, s. 42.
Elevators
43. Elevators intended for use by tenants shall be properly maintained and kept in operation except for such reasonable time as may be required to repair or replace them. O. Reg. 517/06, s. 43.
Common areas
44. (1) All interior common areas and exterior common areas shall be kept clean and free of hazards. O. Reg. 517/06, s. 44 (1).
(2) For the purpose of subsection (1),
“interior common areas” includes laundry rooms, garbage rooms, corridors, lobbies, vestibules, boiler rooms, parking garages, storage areas and recreation rooms. O. Reg. 517/06, s. 44 (2).
Garbage
45. (1) In a building containing more than one rental unit, one or more suitable containers or compactors shall be provided for garbage. O. Reg. 517/06, s. 45 (1).
(2) Garbage in a container or compactor provided in accordance with subsection (1) shall be stored and either placed for pick-up or regularly disposed of so as not to cause a risk to the health or safety of any person. O. Reg. 517/06, s. 45 (2).
(3) A container or compactor provided in accordance with subsection (1) shall be maintained in a clean and sanitary condition, shall be accessible to tenants and shall not obstruct an emergency route, driveway or walkway. O. Reg. 517/06, s. 45 (3).
Rodents, etc.
46. (1) A residential complex shall be kept reasonably free of rodents, vermin and insects. O. Reg. 517/06, s. 46 (1).
(2) The methods used for exterminating rodents and insects shall be in accordance with applicable municipal or provincial law. O. Reg. 517/06, s. 46 (2).
(3) Openings and holes in a building containing one or more rental units shall be screened or sealed to prevent the entry of rodents, vermin, insects and other pests. O. Reg. 517/06, s. 46 (3).
Interior doors
47. Every existing interior door shall be maintained so that it is capable of performing its intended function and any damaged or missing parts shall be repaired or replaced. O. Reg. 517/06, s. 47.
Inspection charge
48. The Minister may charge a municipality $265 for each inspection made under subsection 224 (3) of the Act or to ensure compliance with a work order under section 225 of the Act. O. Reg. 517/06, s. 48.
Invoice
49. The Minister shall send an invoice to the municipality requiring the payment of one or more charges and the invoice shall specify for each charge the date of the inspection, the address of the residential complex inspected and the date by which the municipality must pay. O. Reg. 517/06, s. 49.
50. Omitted (revokes other Regulations). O. Reg. 517/06, s. 50.
51. Omitted (provides for coming into force of provisions of this Regulation). O. Reg. 517/06, s. 51.