Who Pays for Repairs — Landlord or Tenant — in Ontario?

Something breaks. Is it the landlord's job to fix it, or yours? In Ontario there are some clear default rules — and a grey zone in the middle where most disputes actually live.

The landlord's core duty

Under section 20 of the Residential Tenancies Act, a landlord must keep the unit and building in a good state of repair and fit to live in, and must comply with health, safety, and maintenance standards. A striking part of this rule: it applies even if you knew about a problem before you moved in. "You saw the broken thing when you signed" is generally not a defence for the landlord.

This typically covers things like:

• Structural elements — walls, roof, foundation
• Essential systems — heating, plumbing, electrical
• Appliances the landlord supplied, like the stove or fridge
• Common areas — hallways, stairwells, shared spaces

The LTB's Maintenance and Repairs brochure is the plain-language summary.

What tenants are responsible for

Tenants have obligations too. Under the Act, you're generally responsible for:

• Damage you, your household, or your guests cause through wilful or negligent conduct (section 34) — that's different from things wearing out.
• Ordinary cleanliness of the unit.
• Telling the landlord promptly when something needs repair.

The grey zone: wear-and-tear vs. damage

This is where most disagreements happen. Normal wear and tear — carpet thinning over years, paint fading — is the landlord's responsibility, not something you pay for. Damage — a cracked door from being kicked, a stain from negligence — can be on you. The line isn't always obvious, and it's fact-specific, which is exactly why documentation matters.

What to do when something needs fixing

1. Report it in writing and keep a copy. A dated email or text creates a record that you asked.
2. Take photos with dates — of the problem, and of the condition generally.
3. Give reasonable time for a genuine repair, but keep following up in writing if nothing happens.
4. Know there's a process. If a landlord won't maintain the unit, tenants can apply to the LTB; the City of Toronto's tenant information and Steps to Justice walk through it.

Keep the paper trail in one place

Repair disputes are won or lost on the record — who asked, when, and what happened. In RentLens you can sign in and track it as a Rental Issue: log the request date, keep your photos and messages together, and get source-backed context on where responsibility generally sits — so if it escalates, your timeline is ready.

This is general information, not legal advice. RentLens can't determine who's responsible for a specific repair in your situation — for that, contact your local community legal clinic, a licensed paralegal, or the Landlord and Tenant Board.