The City of St. Catharines’ Vital Services By-law provides the City authority to force landlords to provide tenants with an uninterrupted supply of vital services, which include gas, heat, fuel, electricity, and hot and cold water.
In accordance with this by-law, landlords are required to maintain the utilities necessary to sustain a healthy and safe dwelling unit for tenants. Unless otherwise documented in a tenancy agreement, landlords are responsible for providing tenants with adequate and suitable vital services.
If a landlord refuses to provide a vital service for a rental unit in accordance with the Vital Services By-law, the City may arrange for the services to be restored and provided. Violators are subject to all costs incurred and an additional 15 per cent by-law enforcement administrative fee or $250 (whichever is greater), with costs having an interest rate at ten (10) percent per year calculated when incurred until paid in full, registered on title as a lien.
The requirement to provide adequate and suitable heat is now in effect as of Oct. 7, 2024.
Vital Services offence penalties
Administrative penalty fees
The by-law includes a progressive administrative penalty fee structure to assist by-law officers with obtaining voluntary compliance. Administrative Monetary Penalties of up to $1,000 per day may be imposed per day for non-compliance.
For assistance
Please contact Citizens First by calling 905.688.5600 to report a Vital Services By-law infraction.