Join the Scotiabank StartRight® Program designed for Newcomers‡ and get up to $2,200* in value in the first year.
Written By
Zain Usmani
Sep 10, 2021
•
When you first move to Canada, it is very likely that you will have a rental house or apartment before you buy a home. Renting a house has many benefits over owning one, especially for newcomers. Not only is renting a home cheaper but it also gives you the flexibility to move to another area. Renting your first home in Canada will also allow you to find the best locations in the city before buying a house.
Even if you rent the home, treat it like you own it to create a happy and pleasant oasis. These maintenance tips will help you keep your rental in top condition. And your landlord plays a key role. A great landlord will ensure that repairs or maintenance jobs are done quickly. Understanding who is responsible for specific maintenance activities can help you to work together and avoid conflict.
While you are renting, keep your home in a liveable condition. While you may not own the rental, you want to make it a pleasant environment. So it’s important to work together with your landlord to keep your rental house in a safe, clean, and livable condition. Remember, the landlord cares about your rental home as much as you do. So it’s in the best interest of both you and the landlord to maintain it well. This will also serve to build a good relationship with your landlord! And a glowing reference from a landlord about how well you take care of their property can be helpful if you move to another rental house in the future.
Keeping your rental house or apartment in good shape requires you and your landlord. Your landlord is responsible for keeping your rental home in good shape, but they cannot do that without your help. For example, if you notice a leak in the ceiling or the washing machine stops working, contact the landlord right away. Your landlord will come within a few days at an agreed time to fix the issue. Small repairs can become expensive problems if not resolved quickly. So your landlord will appreciate you reporting issues early!
Your landlord knows the rental home better than you do. They might have renovated it or even lived in it in the past. Because of this, it is a good idea to allow the landlord to come for regular home inspections. Your landlord might see a major fault that you missed, such as poor drainage that could cause your walls to rot. These faults can easily be avoided ahead of time if spotted, and there is a high chance your landlord will spot one of these faults during an inspection.
Unlock the Secrets to Crafting a Winning Rental Application. Are you a newcomer to Canada searching for your perfect rental home? Look no further! Our comprehensive guide will help you navigate the rental application process confidently and successfully!
GET FREE GUIDEIt is also important to know the responsibilities of your landlord. Knowing this will make sure that the relationship between you and your landlord remains equal and cannot be exploited.
Your landlord is responsible for maintaining your rental home and making sure it remains in a good, liveable condition. This includes making sure that the rental meets municipal standards and has no faults such as plumbing leaks or appliance breakdowns. Your landlord is responsible for completing maintenance jobs as soon as they arise.
Your landlord is responsible for repairing or replacing any appliances that came with the rental home. However, you may have to pay for the cost of repairing any appliances if you or your guests caused the damage. Or if you rent a furnished home or apartment, you are responsible for any damage to the contents. For example, if you break a table that came with the rental home, you will be responsible for fixing or replacing it. However, if the repairs are due to normal wear and tear, the landlord will cover them.
The landlord is also responsible for any heating, plumbing, or electricity repairs in your rental home. Utilities, such as water, electricity, and internet may or may not be covered by your landlord. This is something that you will discuss with your landlord before you move into your rental home. These details will also be outlined in your rental house lease agreement.
Your landlord may ask you to enter your rental home or apartment to inspect its condition or do repairs. As long as they inform you ahead of time, you must legally allow your landlord to enter. However, they must tell you ahead of time, when and why they will be coming. If the timing doesn’t work for you, you can ask to arrange another time.
There are laws concerning tenant rights and giving tenants the freedom to enjoy their rental house without the landlord interfering. However, your landlord does have the right to enter your rental to inspect or do repairs. Each province has slightly different laws, but the idea is the same. As long as your landlord gives you 24-hour notice, they can enter your rental.
And really, even if the law didn’t support it, there is no reason to deny entry to your landlord as long as they have a valid reason. Your landlord wouldn’t want to harm your home. After all, even if your landlord isn’t living in your rental home, they still legally own it. Read more about tenant rights in Canada.
There are times when your landlord may need to access your rental house. Here are two common reasons and what they mean for you, the renter.
A conscientious landlord will conduct home inspections once or twice a year. There could be major faults in your rental house that you do not identify. There is a good chance that your landlord will find one of these faults and arrange a time with you to come fix it.
The most common reason your landlord will want to enter your rental home is for general repairs and maintenance. This could be anything from replacing an outdated appliance to fixing a clogged drain. As mentioned above, the landlord will complete most maintenance jobs. However, some maintenance responsibilities may fall to you as the tenant. To learn more about how maintenance responsibilities are shared in Ontario, click here. Keep in mind that each province has its own rules and regulations regarding laws on maintenance responsibilities. However, most provinces have many common tenant/ landlord laws.
There are laws concerning tenant rights and giving tenants the freedom to enjoy their rental house without the landlord interfering. However, your landlord does have the right to enter your rental to inspect or do repairs. Each province has its own slightly different laws, but the idea is the same. As long as your landlord gives you 24-hour notice, they can enter your rental.
And really, even if the law didn’t support it, there is no reason to deny entry to your landlord as long as they have a valid reason. Your landlord wouldn’t want to harm your home. After all, even if your landlord isn’t living in your rental home, they still own it.
Keeping your rental in top living condition ensures that you are safe, secure, and comfortable. Working with your landlord to achieve this goal provides benefits for both of you!
WRITTEN BY
Zain Usmani
Writer, Prepare for Canada
My name is Zain Usmani and I am a freelance content writer who currently resides in Mississauga, Ontario. I immigrated from Pakistan to Canada 5 years ago and have lived in many cities ever since. I have lived in Calgary AB, Edmonton AB, Regina SK, London ON, and Mississauga ON, while visiting over 40 Canadian cities and towns. I have a great passion for writing and I love helping people through it.
© Prepare for Canada 2025