This is the final part in our four-part series on landlords’ maintenance requirements in Ontario. So far, we’ve covered the law governing maintenance obligations and the recourse options available to tenants, including filing an application with the Landlord and Tenant Board and engaging municipal officials.
Find a Good Landlord
The most effective way to ensure you have a well-maintained apartment is to choose a good landlord to rent from in the first place. A conscientious landlord who is in the business for the right reasons will provide excellent service because it’s the right thing to do — not only because it’s a legal requirement.
Landlords do a lot of due diligence before renting to someone — why doesn’t it work the other way? At GK3 Group we encourage prospective tenants to do their own due diligence and ask us the hard questions. Choosing a place to live is one of the biggest decisions people make.
Do Your Due Diligence
A few steps to make sure you rent from a landlord who takes their obligations seriously: ask about the landlord’s maintenance program; request addresses of other properties they own and drive by them; check references and speak to some of their other tenants; visit all areas of the complex including laundry rooms and common areas; observe the outside of the building (landscaping, curb appeal); and check the landlord’s online reviews.
At GK3 Group we have many five-star reviews on our Google listing, and we’re proud of that — it gives prospective tenants a lot of confidence that they’re signing up with a first-class landlord.
Educate Yourself
We never want a maintenance issue to escalate to the point of involving the authorities. We’ve built our reputation on strong tenant relationships and impeccable maintenance of our buildings. It’s important for you to be educated on your rights — a good landlord won’t be scared of dealing with a well-informed tenant.