OHI | Can My Tenant? · Ontario rental question #47
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Last verified: September 15, 2026
Quick answer: A tenant should not discard, sell or permanently replace a landlord-owned appliance without permission. A tenant may own and use a portable appliance if the lease, electrical capacity, plumbing, safety and building rules permit it. The landlord remains responsible for maintaining supplied appliances where they form part of the tenancy.
Section 20 of the RTA places maintenance obligations on landlords. A tenant may be responsible for undue damage caused wilfully or negligently. Altering plumbing, gas, ventilation or electrical systems can create additional safety and permit issues.
Ownership, storage, installation and what happens at move-out should be documented before a replacement.
What if the supplied appliance is broken?
The tenant should report it and allow lawful repair access. They should not assume an upgrade can be purchased and deducted from rent.
Can the tenant bring a dishwasher or washer?
Portable or connected appliances may overload systems, leak or breach building rules. Written approval and qualified installation may be necessary.
Who owns an agreed replacement?
The written agreement should say who pays, who owns it, whether the old unit is stored, who maintains it and whether it remains after move-out.
What should the tenant do?
- Report defects in writing before replacing anything.
- Obtain written consent for connected or built-in appliances.
- Do not dispose of landlord property.
- Keep invoices, model information and installation records.
What should the landlord do?
- Respond to appliance failures promptly.
- Clarify ownership and maintenance in writing.
- Require qualified installation where systems are affected.
- Document condition before storing or removing an appliance.
Example
A tenant buys a countertop microwave and takes it when moving. That differs from discarding the landlord’s refrigerator and installing a new one without consent.
Related OHI guides and tools
Official sources
- Residential Tenancies Act, 2006
- Landlord and Tenant Board: Renting in Ontario
- Current LTB forms and instructions
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General information only: This article discusses Ontario residential tenancies and is not legal advice. Other laws, bylaws and condominium rules may also apply. Rules and forms change; verify current information with the responsible authority or obtain advice from a licensed Ontario legal professional.