Toronto Renters Forum

Common Tenant Problems => Pests => Topic started by: anonymoustenant on October 02, 2021, 09:19:03 am

Title: Pest Issues
Post by: anonymoustenant on October 02, 2021, 09:19:03 am

I spoke to a city inspector yesterday, and I asked him who do tenants contact regarding pests.

He told me to contact the following numbers:

If anyone is experiencing any issues with Bed Bugs, please contact Toronto Health Connection at 416-338-7600.

For all other pests, (Mice, Cockroaches, Rats...etc) , please contact 311 and ask for a property standards officer or you can also email them directly 311@toronto.ca.  This way you can keep it on record.

Title: Re: Pest Issues
Post by: CoffeeLover on October 05, 2021, 08:30:56 am
Don't you have to let the building know. Otherwise they may not allow an exterminator to come in. Who will be paying the pest control company ??
Title: Re: Pest Issues
Post by: Richard on October 08, 2021, 11:33:34 am
Don't you have to let the building know. Otherwise they may not allow an exterminator to come in. Who will be paying the pest control company ??


Hi CoffeeLover,

If one has an infestation problem, then it is probably a good idea to let your landlord know because they may act to solve the problem on their own (as it is the landlord's legal responsibility to resolve pest issues).

But if the landlord doesn't act, then complaining to Toronto Public Health through the "Health Connection" line, or to "Property Standards", is the next logical step.  Those organizations are able to inspect and legally compel the landlord to resolve the problem.  Their inspectors will deal directly with the landlord and have a lot of power.

Regarding who will be paying - the Toronto Municipal Code and Residential Tenancies Act make it clear that resolving pets is the responsibility of the landlord - so your landlord has to pay for the exterminator, as well as any fines leveled by the city inspectors.