The Property Standards By-law helps keep buildings and properties in our community safe, clean, and well-maintained. This protects the health and quality of life for all residents. All property owners must maintain the inside and outside of their property to these standards.
Property Standards by-law
The Property Standards By-law provides the minimum standards for property owners to follow.
Here are examples of standards that are in the by-law:
- Outdoor maintenance: drainage systems, parking lot upkeep, pest prevention, retaining walls, signs, canopies, and awnings, yards and walkways
- Structural standards: balconies, porches, fire escapes, doors, windows, stairs, exterior and interior walls, foundations, roofs, ceilings, and floors
- Systems: electrical systems and lighting, fireplaces and chimneys, heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC), plumbing and sewage
- Facilities and amenities: bedrooms, bathrooms, kitchens, elevating devices, and garages
- Other standards: access to vital services, demolition requirements, garbage disposal, heritage property care, occupancy rules, vacant and damaged buildings
Rental properties
- Building and property maintenance: The rules of the property standards by-law are for all buildings and properties, including rental properties. The landlord must keep the rental property clean and in a good state of repair. The tenant must keep their rental unit clean.
- Fire safety: Landlords must follow all fire safety laws. Tenants cannot risk the safety of the landlord or other tenants by keeping their unit so cluttered that it poses a fire hazard.
- Pests: The landlord must take steps to control rodents, vermin and insects. The tenant must keep their unit reasonably clean so that it doesn’t attract pests.
- Temperature: Landlords must provide heat at a minimum temperature of 20o Celsius from September 1st to June 15th.
- Vital services are hot or cold water, fuel, electricity, gas and heat during certain months of the year. Landlords must ensure each occupied rental unit has a reasonable supply of these services. Landlords can only stop providing vital services if it’s necessary for repairs or changes and only for the shortest time needed to finish the work.
Reporting problems with rental properties
If you're a tenant and believe the rental property is in violation of the property standards by law, start by notifying your landlord in writing.
If your landlord doesn’t fix the problem, contact Municipal By-law Enforcement or call 905-356-7521 x 8000.
How to report a concern
Our Municipal Bylaw Enforcement Officers ensure property owners understand and follow by-laws.
You can file a report and request enforcement by:
To report a violation, you must give your name, address, and phone number. We do not accept anonymous, frivolous, or vexatious reports.
We use your information to look into the complaint. If the complaint leads to legal action, you may have to go to court and speak about what happened. In that case, your name and information may be shared as part of the legal process.
At first, we keep your name and personal details private under the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (MFIPPA). But if the case goes to court, that information can be shared through legal disclosure.
How to appeal a property standards order
If you have been served an order, you may wish to appeal.
Certificates of compliance for property standards
Property owners can ask us for a property standards certificate of compliance. This certificate confirms that the property meets the rules in the Property Standards Bylaw and the Building Code Act.
To request a certificate, email Municipal By-law Enforcement or call 905-356-7521 x 8000. Fees apply.
Check out the City’s Schedule of Fees for a list of property standards fees.
Building and renovating
Building Permits ensure that all building construction governed by a building permit meets the minimum acceptable standard as required by the Ontario Building Code Act.
To find out what kind of work needs a permit visit Do I Need A Building Permit?
Vacant building registry
Property owners must register their vacant buildings and check on them monthly to ensure they meet property standards. This program helps improve safety and keeps neighbourhoods looking their best.
More information about this program will be available this Fall.
