# Do I need an ESA permit for electrical work in a rental property?

Updated 2026-09-26.

Almost always. The Electrical Safety Authority says most electrical work on a property needs a notification of work, the "permit", whoever does the work and whatever the building type. The person doing the work files it before the work starts or within 48 hours of it starting, and ESA reviews the work before it is closed in.

We only use ECRA/ESA-Licensed Electrical Contractors.

## Who can do the work

ESA says that if you hire a person or company to do electrical work, they must be a Licensed Electrical Contractor. A general contractor cannot do electrical work in a residence unless it holds an electrical contractor licence, so confirm that a licensed contractor does that part of the job. ESA names some exemptions, such as HVAC installers.

The owner or occupant of a home may do electrical work in it, with a notification filed. ESA's definition of occupant includes a tenant, and it tells tenants to check with the property manager first. Friends, family and neighbours cannot do the work.

## What the notification does

It creates a permanent record of the work and triggers ESA's review. ESA says the notification and review are almost always required, even if you have an electrician on staff.

- Work is inspected before it is concealed. Larger jobs may be inspected at the service, at rough-in and at the end.
- Work that does not meet the Ontario Electrical Safety Code gets a defect notice listing the corrections.
- Work that passes gets an ESA Certificate of Acceptance, issued to whoever filed the notification.

A building permit is a separate thing. Some jobs need both.

## Checking the contractor

Ask for the contractor's ECRA/ESA licence number and look it up in ESA's [Find a Contractor](https://licensing.esasafe.com/contractor-locator-tool/) tool. ESA says a contractor who is not listed is not licensed. When the work is done, ask for the Certificate of Acceptance.

## What skipping it risks

ESA warns property owners and managers that unreported work can lead to denied insurance claims and to penalties or charges under the Electricity Act, and puts tenants and visitors at risk.

## How Roundhouse handles it

Roundhouse books a licensed electrical contractor, and any ESA notification or inspection the work needs is part of the scope, not an extra. Entry is by the tenant's consent or 24 hours written notice. See [electrical repairs in Toronto rentals](https://roundhousegroup.ca/services/electrical/) or [request work](https://roundhousegroup.ca/request-work/).

## Related pages

- [Electrical](https://roundhousegroup.ca/services/electrical/)
- [How much notice does a landlord need to enter a rental unit for repairs in Ontario?](https://roundhousegroup.ca/answers/24-hour-entry-notice-ontario/)
- [Appliances](https://roundhousegroup.ca/services/appliances/)

## Questions

### Does a small electrical job in a rental need an ESA notification?

Usually. ESA says most electrical work needs a notification of work, whoever does it and whatever the building type. For a specific job, check with ESA at 1-877-ESA-SAFE.

### Who files the ESA notification?

The person doing the work. On a rental property, ESA says it is filed before the work starts or within 48 hours of it starting. A Licensed Electrical Contractor files it as part of the job.

### Can a handyperson or general contractor do electrical work in a rental?

Not unless they hold an electrical contractor licence. ESA says anyone hired to do electrical work must be a Licensed Electrical Contractor, with some exemptions such as HVAC installers.

### Can a tenant do electrical work in their own unit?

ESA allows an occupant, including a tenant, to do electrical work in the home they live in, with a notification filed. ESA also tells tenants to check with the property manager first.

### What is an ESA Certificate of Acceptance?

The document ESA issues to the person who filed the notification once the work has been reviewed and passed. Ask the contractor for a copy and keep it with the job.

## Sources

- [Electrical Safety Authority, property owner and manager obligations](https://esasafe.com/business-and-property-owners/property-owner-obligations/)
- [Electrical Safety Authority, notifications and inspections](https://esasafe.com/compliance/what-you-need-to-know/)
- [Electrical Safety Authority, who can do electrical work at my property](https://esasafe.com/doing-electrical-work/who-can-do-electrical-work-at-my-property/)
- [Electrical Safety Authority, hire a Licensed Electrical Contractor](https://esasafe.com/compliance/hiring-a-licensed-electrical-contractor/)
- [Electrical Safety Authority, DIY electrical work](https://esasafe.com/compliance/diy-electrical-work/)
- [Electrical Safety Authority, Find a Contractor](https://licensing.esasafe.com/contractor-locator-tool/)