Landlords and tenants
In Ontario, the Residential Tenancies Act sets out the rights, responsibilities, and rules for landlords and tenants.
Tenants concerned about the condition in their rental unit should immediately inform their landlord, superintendent or property owner.
If concerns have not been adequately resolved within a reasonable timeframe, tenants should contact the Rental Housing Enforcement Unit of the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing or your municipality to inquire about applicable property standard bylaws.
Mould |
Mould spores are found everywhere in the environment, and mould will grow indoors when moisture is present. Common sources of moisture are:
Health concerns suspected to be caused by mould exposure should be discussed with a healthcare professional. For more information on mould prevention, removing mould, and health effects, please visit Health Canada. |
Bed bugs |
Bed bugs are small, wingless, biting insects. They have flat, brown bodies and are shaped similar to an apple seed. The eggs are whitish and about 1mm in size. Bed bugs feed on human blood but will also bite other mammals. They feed at night, usually every two to three days. Bed bugs are not known carriers of disease. When they bite, they inject fluid into the host, and this can cause an allergic skin reaction such as itchy welts. Bed bugs can crawl quite quickly and are very good hitchhikers, travelling from place to place in items such as luggage, used furniture, and clothing. They can also travel through small openings, along electrical wires, and along plumbing into other rooms or apartments. How do you know if they have an infestation?Bed bug bites look similar to the bites of other insects, such as fleas and mosquitoes. Therefore, bites alone do not confirm the presence of bed bugs; the bugs themselves need to be identified. If you believe bed bugs are present in your home, look for the bugs in these common places:
Bed bugs can be difficult to eliminate. It is recommended that a licensed pest control company be contacted if you have an infestation, as improper use of pesticides may be harmful to you, your family, and your pets. Incorrect treatment can also result in bed bugs spreading to other area of the home. Follow these tips on how to prevent bed bugs from entering your home. When travelling, it’s important to take the following precautions to avoid bringing bedbugs home as a souvenir. |
Rodents |
Rodents can contaminate food and spread disease through their droppings or bites. How to know if you have a rodent infestationDroppings are the most obvious sign, as rodents tend to hide during the day. Other signs include chew marks on woodwork, hearing scratching noises in the walls, finding burrow holes, and damaged food packaging. How to prevent rodent infestations
How to clean up droppings and nesting materials safely
For more information on how to prevent or get rid of a rodent infestation, follow the Government of Canada guidance. |