Ontario, Canada – Tree tied to door fell and broke door/fence – could have seriously injured me. What are my rights?

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Location: Toronto, Ontario

Hi everyone, I’m a tenant in Toronto, Ontario, and I rent a basement unit of a house that’s split into two units (main floor and basement). The owner of both units is a corporation. I share the backyard space with the upstairs tenant, and my only entrance to the unit is through a door that leads into that backyard.

When I moved in, the backyard door was already a bit crooked and didn’t close properly. Over time it got worse, and instead of fixing the door, the landlord decided to tie it shut using a ratchet strap to a nearby tree in the backyard. Yes, you read that right – the door was literally being held in place with tension from a strap connected to a tree.

Well, today the tree fell over completely. It took the door and part of the fence with it. Thankfully, I hadn’t opened the door yet or walked out when it happened, but I’m really shaken – this could have easily caused serious injury or worse.

I’ve already taken photos and a video of the damage. I’m wondering:
1. What steps should I take now, legally or otherwise?
2. Should I report this to the Landlord and Tenant Board? Or the city?
3. Would this be considered negligence on the landlord’s part?
4. Can I request compensation or reduced rent given the unsafe condition and the fact that this was my only entrance/exit?

Any advice would be hugely appreciated. I’m not trying to make a big deal out of nothing, but this honestly could’ve been really bad.

Thanks in advance.

Comments

  1. CommitteeNo167 Avatar

    You need to tell the landlord to replace the door, you’re owed nothing more.