Can a tenant deduct repairs from rent in Canada?
In most provinces the answer is no — unlike some US states, Canadian tenants usually cannot unilaterally 'repair and deduct'. In Ontario a tenant applies to the Landlord and Tenant Board (Form T6) for an order requiring repairs and a rent abatement. Deducting from rent without an order risks an eviction for non-payment.
What is a rent abatement?
A rent abatement is a retroactive reduction in rent to compensate a tenant for a period when the unit was not fully usable or the landlord failed to maintain it. The LTB commonly awards an abatement of 5–50% of rent for the affected period, depending on how severely the problem affected the tenant's use of the unit.
How is the abatement percentage decided?
Adjudicators weigh how essential the affected part of the unit is, how long the problem lasted, and the effect on the tenant. Loss of heat in winter or a non-functioning bathroom draws a high percentage; a cosmetic issue draws a low one. This calculator lets you model a percentage against the monthly rent and duration.
Can a tenant recover the cost of repairs they paid for?
Sometimes. If the landlord failed to repair after proper notice and the tenant reasonably paid to fix an urgent problem, the LTB may order reimbursement. Keep receipts, photos, and written notice to the landlord. The Board decides reasonableness case by case.