# Property maintenance in Kitchener, with its own gas and water utility Updated 2026-10-03. Kitchener owns its own gas utility. [Kitchener Utilities](https://www.kitchenerutilities.ca/about/) is one of two municipally owned gas utilities in Ontario and has delivered water and gas since 1903; south of the Grand River, Enbridge supplies the gas instead. The [Region of Waterloo](https://www.regionofwaterloo.ca/programs-and-services/water-and-wastewater/drinking-water-supply/) supplies and treats the water, which is hard, and the Region notes scale buildup in pipes and appliances. ## Gas, water and who to call A gas smell is 911 first, then a TSSA registered contractor. A watermain leak is Kitchener Utilities at 519-741-2529. A sewage backup or basement flood is the City at 519-741-2345, at any hour, and an Ontario One Call check comes before anyone clears a blocked lateral ([sanitary sewers](https://www.kitchener.ca/water-and-environment/sanitary-sewer-system/)). Hard water shortens the life of water heaters, dishwashers and washing machine valves, so an appliance call notes the scale it finds. See [appliance repair](https://roundhousegroup.ca/services/appliances/). ## Lodging houses and four unit lots Up to four units are allowed on many residential lots, with a building permit always needed and a zoning certificate for every additional unit except a duplex ([additional dwelling units](https://www.kitchener.ca/building-and-renovating/additional-dwelling-units/)). Lodging houses are allowed in all residential zones but licensed and inspected every year. A repair in a licensed lodging house, a fire door, a smoke alarm, a bedroom lock, is closed out with photos ready for the next inspection. Student rentals near the universities are covered under [student housing](https://roundhousegroup.ca/student-housing/). ## Complaints and the tax roll Tenants are asked to put a repair request to the landlord in writing before filing a [property standards complaint](https://www.kitchener.ca/building-and-renovating/your-home-and-property/property-standards/), and unpaid City repair costs go on the tax roll. A dated work order with photos is the landlord's answer to the first letter. ## Who does the work Plumbing is done by licensed plumbers and drain work by licensed drain contractors. Gas work is done by TSSA registered contractors. We only use ECRA/ESA-Licensed Electrical Contractors. Pest control is done by licensed exterminators. To send a Kitchener job, [request work](https://roundhousegroup.ca/request-work/). ## Kitchener rules in force - From January 1, 2025, every lodging house, a unit where five or more people besides a resident owner rent rooms and share the kitchen, is licensed each year. The licence needs a dedicated responsible person, a posted Lodging House Handbook, individual leases and fire and property standards inspections at application. The 2025 fee was $750. Source: [City of Kitchener, Lodging houses](https://www.kitchener.ca/business-in-kitchener/licences/lodging-houses/) - On April 13, 2026, Council approved a Rental Renovation Licensing By-law that requires a per unit licence for any renovation that needs a tenant to leave, as triggered by an N13 notice. It takes effect January 1, 2027, with a $650 application fee per unit. Source: [City of Kitchener, Key decisions of Kitchener Council, April 13, 2026](https://www.kitchener.ca/news/posts/key-decisions-of-kitchener-council-april-13-2026/) - Up to four dwelling units are allowed on many residential lots where a detached, semi or street townhouse is permitted. A building permit is always required, and a zoning certificate is needed for every additional unit except a duplex. Source: [City of Kitchener, Additional dwelling units](https://www.kitchener.ca/building-and-renovating/additional-dwelling-units/) - Kitchener Utilities owns each water service from the main to the shut-off valve; the rest is the owner's, and repairing or replacing the private side needs a building permit. A watermain leak goes to 519-741-2529. Source: [Kitchener Utilities, Water](https://www.kitchenerutilities.ca/services/water/) - The City answers sewage backups and basement flooding 24 hours a day at 519-741-2345, and asks for a free Ontario One Call check before anyone clears a blocked sewer lateral, in case a gas line crosses it. Source: [City of Kitchener, Sanitary sewer system](https://www.kitchener.ca/water-and-environment/sanitary-sewer-system/) ## Older lots, stretched storm sewers The City's own stormwater page says 75 percent of Kitchener's urban areas lack adequate stormwater management against flooding ([City of Kitchener, Stormwater management](https://www.kitchener.ca/water-and-environment/stormwater/stormwater-management/)). Under the City's Housing for All strategy, lodging houses are allowed in every residential zone but licensed and inspected, and many lots can now hold four units, so a single house can carry several households on one set of services. ## Related pages - [Property Maintenance in Waterloo Region](https://roundhousegroup.ca/areas/waterloo-region/) - [Property Maintenance in Waterloo](https://roundhousegroup.ca/areas/waterloo/) - [Student housing](https://roundhousegroup.ca/student-housing/) ## Questions ### Who do I call about a gas problem at a Kitchener rental? For a gas emergency, 911. Kitchener Utilities, owned by the City, runs the natural gas system in most of Kitchener; the area south of the Grand River is served by Enbridge. ### Does a Kitchener rental need a licence? A lodging house does, every year since January 1, 2025. Kitchener does not license ordinary rented houses and apartments. Council approved a separate renovation licence for N13 renovations on April 13, 2026. ### Who owns the water pipe at a Kitchener rental? Kitchener Utilities owns the service from the main to the shut-off valve. From the valve into the building it is the owner's, and a building permit is needed to repair or replace it. ### Who answers a sewer backup in Kitchener at night? The City of Kitchener, at 519-741-2345, 24 hours a day. A backup on the private side then goes to a licensed drain contractor.