What can a landlord do when a tenant refuses entry for repairs in Ontario?

A tenant may deny entry when the landlord has not met the Act's requirements. So the first step after a refusal is to check the notice:

• It gives at least 24 hours.
• It states the reason, the day, and a time or window between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m.
• It was given by one of the methods in section 191, such as handing it to the tenant or an adult in the unit, leaving it in the mail box, or mailing it.

A window has to be reasonable for the work. Guideline 19 cites the Divisional Court in Wrona v. Toronto Community Housing Corporation, where a nine hour window for a smoke detector inspection did not meet the requirement. Where you control the work and who does it, name a specific time.

The tenant may stay in the unit during the entry, and the entry can go ahead if they are out. Guideline 19 says the tenant must not interfere with the landlord's right of entry or with the landlord's agents, and must take the steps needed to give access to the rooms where the work is, including safely restraining pets.

A superintendent or a person the landlord hires may enter on the landlord's behalf. Guideline 19 says that where someone other than the landlord or superintendent is hired to do the work, the landlord or superintendent should attend with them. Settle who attends before the notice goes out.

Keep the record: the notice, how and when it was given, and what happened at the door. The landlord's repair duty under section 20 continues while the tenant refuses, and the record shows the attempts.

Section 64 lets a landlord give notice of termination where a tenant's conduct substantially interferes with a lawful right, privilege or interest of the landlord. The termination date is at least 20 days after the notice, the tenant has seven days to stop, and the notice is void if they do.

Limit entries to the ones the work needs. Guideline 19 says unnecessary entries can be found to be harassment or substantial interference with the tenant's reasonable enjoyment.

We agree the window with the tenant, or arrange 24 hours written notice with your firm when there is no consent. If a tenant turns the trade away, the job shows as blocked with a named next step, and the notice and what happened stay on the record. See how a job runs or the 24 hour notice rule.