What are tenants' rights regarding mold?

Alberta's Residential Tenancies Act does not name mold. The landlord covenant is to meet the minimum housing and health standards, which include basements free from water infiltration and rotted or damaged materials repaired or replaced. Tenants must also keep the premises reasonably clean (s.21(f)) and not cause significant damage (s.21(e)).

Ask the landlord in writing and contact Alberta Health Services Environmental Public Health; the inspector does not reveal who complained. A tenant can apply to the RTDRS or the Alberta Court of Justice for damages, a rent reduction, compensation or termination. The 14-day tenant notice for a landlord's substantial breach applies only after a public health order was issued about the breach. The RTDRS cannot order a landlord to do a repair.

A BC landlord must maintain the rental to health, safety and housing standards and keep it suitable for occupation (s.32(1)). Tenants handle minor mold on windowsills, tubs and showers, and should report water damage immediately. Landlords should fix water damage quickly to avoid more serious issues like mold growth.

Request repairs in writing, then apply for dispute resolution for a repair order, a rent reduction or compensation. Urgent safety repairs can go through the expedited hearing process. A tenant can end the tenancy by giving written notice of a breach of a material term and allowing reasonable time to fix it (s.45(3)).

We found no mold-specific rule in Manitoba. The Act requires a landlord to keep the unit fit for habitation and compliant with standards (s.59(1)). Ask the landlord in writing, then send a Tenant's Request for Repairs to the Residential Tenancies Branch, which can order repairs and redirect rent to pay a contractor, and can award compensation for unreasonable delay.

A tenant can give 5 days' notice if the breach poses a health or safety risk (s.89(3)), and immediate notice if the unit is uninhabitable (s.89(4)). The Branch usually will not proceed while rent is owing unless there is an immediate health or safety risk. For health complaints, contact your local Environmental Health Office.

Saskatchewan's Act does not name mold. The landlord must keep the rental in good repair and fit for habitation (s.49(1)), and the tenant must keep reasonable health and cleanliness standards (s.49(5)). The Saskatchewan Health Authority lists extensive mould among the rental housing issues Public Health Inspectors can investigate on a complaint; it says they do not assist with non-health concerns such as cosmetic updating.

A tenant can apply to the Office of Residential Tenancies, which can order the landlord to comply, order rent paid to the director to fund a repair, award damages or reduce rent. A tenant who makes a good-faith health or safety complaint has relief against retaliation (s.70(11)(a)). Notice to end the tenancy comes after a reasonable time to fix the breach (Form 6a).

Ontario's property standards regulation requires walls and ceilings to be kept free of mould, mildew and fungi (O. Reg. 517/06 s.39). The landlord must keep the complex in good repair and fit for habitation (RTA s.20), and the tenant must keep their unit ordinarily clean (s.33). Municipal property standards by-laws also apply.

Ask in writing first, then apply on a T6 within one year of the conduct. The Board can order repairs by a deadline, reduce rent, or authorize a repair you already made and order its cost paid, among other orders. Keep paying rent; the Board can allow rent to be paid to it. We found no tenant notice right to end an Ontario tenancy early for health or safety.

New Brunswick's Act does not name mold. The landlord must keep the unit fit for habitation and meet health, safety and housing standards (s.3). Where a municipality has adopted the model maintenance code, basements and foundation walls must keep out moisture (s.10(1)) and ventilation is required (s.30(1)); which municipalities adopt it varies, so ask yours.

Make a written complaint; the landlord has 7 days (Reg s.6). Then notify a residential tenancies officer in writing with a copy. The officer may investigate and order compliance, have the work done at the landlord's cost, and on the tenant's application end the tenancy. The officer may also order up to one month's rent in expenses and refund up to one month's rent paid while the unit was uninhabitable.

We found no mold-specific rule in Nova Scotia's Act. The landlord keeps the premises in good repair and fit for habitation, and the tenant keeps the interior ordinarily clean. Halifax's By-law M-200 requires dampness damage to be prevented; other municipalities were not checked. Provincial Environmental Health investigates reported public health hazards, including housing.

A tenant applies to the Director on Form J, which can lead to repairs plus expenses, compensation or rent paid in trust. An emergency hearing request (Form DR9) can be filed after Form J. Rent cannot be withheld. We found no right to end a tenancy by notice just because of mold.

PEI does not name mold in the Act. The Public Health Act Rental Accommodation Regulations require buildings to be free from dampness to the satisfaction of a public health official, and the dwelling to be sound, weatherproof, damp-proof, vermin-proof, safe and sanitary. A breach of those standards may constitute a health hazard.

A tenant applies to the Director on Form 2(A) for compliance, a rent reduction, compensation or termination. The Act gives no notice right to leave early because of poor conditions. The tenant must notify the landlord and give reasonable time; for emergency repairs such as leaks, the landlord reimburses within seven days of a written claim with receipts, or the tenant applies to the Director.

The Residential Tenancies Act, 2018 does not name mold. The landlord keeps the premises in good repair and fit for habitation and must comply with health, safety and housing law. The Occupancy and Maintenance Regulations, which apply only to the municipalities listed in their Schedule, require spaces to be kept free from dampness, moisture and condensation to prevent rot and mildew. St. John's is not on that list. A tenant can also report to the municipality for a building inspector, or to the department of health.

Send a written Tenant's Request for Repairs, then file an Application for Dispute Resolution with the Residential Tenancies Office, attaching the request. Rent must not be in arrears. The Office can order repairs, a rent reduction, rent paid into trust and compensation. A tenant can also give written notice effective immediately where the landlord contravenes the repair condition (s.21(1)).