Whether you’re renting for the first time or familiar with the process, knowing what you and your landlord are responsible for when renting can help save you a lot of headaches.
Landlords are legally obliged to ensure that the rental unit complies with the rules and regulations pertaining to minimum standards for:
- Health
- Safety
- Housing
- Maintenance
Before being able to rent a unit, the property must meet:
- Municipal property standards
- Zoning bylaws
- Fire safety regulations
- Local building codes.
It is the landlord’s responsibility to ensure that acceptable standards are maintained throughout the duration of the tenancy.
Landlords must:
- Maintain the tenant’s apartments in a good state of repair and fit for habitation and at the landlord’s expense comply with health, safety, housing and maintenance standards.
- Not interfere with the reasonable enjoyment of the premises by the tenant and the members of their household, or their guests.
- Not seize, without legal process, a tenant’s apartment for rent default or for the break of any other obligation of the tenant.
- Not harass, obstruct, coerce, threaten or interfere with the tenant.
Tenants must:
- Pay the rent on time.
- Behave well, clean the rental premises, repair damage caused by a willful or negligent act of the tenant or a person whom the tenant permits on the premises.
- Not harass, obstruct, coerce, threaten or interfere with the landlord.
- Contact the landlord as soon as possible when a serious problem arises involving repairs or services.
- Permit entry (with proper notice) for repairs or showing of premises for the next tenant or purchaser.
By understanding what you and your landlord are responsible for, you can make your rental experience that much smoother!
