Guides · updated 2026-08-25

Bed bugs and pests in Toronto apartments: who is responsible

In Ontario, pest control in a rental building is the landlord's responsibility — bed bugs, cockroaches, mice — regardless of how the pests arrived. The tenant's obligations are to report promptly, prepare the unit for treatment, and not obstruct it.

The escalation ladder

Report in writing and keep copies. If treatment doesn't happen or doesn't work, call 311 — pest complaints go to Toronto Public Health and Municipal Licensing & Standards, whose inspection results feed the City data shown on building pages here. The LTB route is a T6 application; boards regularly order treatment plus rent abatements for infested periods. Photograph everything and keep receipts for ruined belongings.

Before you rent

Check the building's RentSafeTO score breakdown and its health-hazard record on this site, and look at the state of garbage rooms and hallways on your viewing — buildings that manage waste well manage pests well.

Sources

General information, not legal advice. For your situation, contact a community legal clinic or the Landlord and Tenant Board.