Property Maintenance Orders - London Bylaws

Public Safety Ontario 3 Minutes Read · published February 12, 2026 Flag of Ontario

In London, Ontario, property owners and occupants must follow municipal property maintenance requirements to keep buildings and yards safe, sanitary and in compliance with local bylaws. This guide explains how orders are issued, who enforces them, what actions you can take to comply, and where to find official forms and complaint pathways. It is written for owners, property managers and tenants dealing with property standards notices or orders in London.

Overview of Property Maintenance Orders

Municipal property maintenance orders notify an owner or occupant of contraventions such as unsafe structures, vermin, garbage accumulation, exterior disrepair, or inadequate heating and sanitation. Orders set work to be done by a deadline and may require permits or professional remediation. The City of London publishes its property standards information and the process for orders on its official site City of London property standards[1].

If you receive an order, act promptly to avoid escalation and additional costs.

Penalties & Enforcement

Enforcement is carried out by the City of London By-law Enforcement officers or designated municipal inspectors. The municipal process typically includes inspection, issuance of an order to comply, a deadline for corrective action, and follow-up inspections. If the property is not brought into compliance, the city may issue fines, charge for work completed by the municipality, or pursue court prosecution.

Noncompliance can lead to fines, municipal remediation at the owners expense, or prosecution.
  • Enforcer: City of London By-law Enforcement and Building Services; complaints and inspections start via the city reporting page Report a by-law issue[2].
  • Fine amounts: not specified on the cited page; see the municipal page for current penalties and schedules.[1]
  • Escalation: the city may re-inspect and issue repeat or continuing offence notices; specific escalation amounts or daily fines are not specified on the cited page.[1]
  • Non-monetary sanctions: orders to repair, orders for demolition, municipal remediation carried out at owner expense, and prosecution in court are possible remedies.
  • Inspection & complaint pathway: file a complaint or request inspection through City of London online reporting or phone contact; see city reporting link for methods and hours.[2]
  • Appeals & review: appeal routes and time limits are not specified on the cited municipal page; provincial statutes such as the Building Code Act may apply in some cases Building Code Act[3].
  • Defences & discretion: municipal officers normally exercise discretion; defences may include permits issued, agreements for remediation, or demonstrating a reasonable timeline—specific defences are not exhaustively listed on the cited page.[1]

Applications & Forms

The City of London provides online reporting for bylaw complaints and lists related permits or building applications on its website. Specific named forms for appealing property standards orders are not specified on the cited municipal pages; consult the city contacts in Resources for up-to-date forms or instructions.[2]

Common Violations

  • Exterior disrepair: broken windows, crumbling masonry, missing siding.
  • Accumulation of garbage, debris or vermin attractants.
  • Unsafe structures: porches, stairs or roofs in disrepair.
  • Inadequate heating, plumbing or sanitation in rental units.

Action Steps to Comply

  • Read the order carefully and note the compliance deadline.
  • Contact By-law Enforcement or Building Services to confirm required remedial actions and whether permits are needed.
  • Engage licensed contractors where required and keep records, receipts, and before/after photos.
  • If you cannot comply by the deadline, request an extension or submit a remediation plan in writing to the enforcing office.
  • If you dispute the order, ask the city for appeal instructions immediately; time limits for appeals are not specified on the cited page.[1]

FAQ

Who enforces property maintenance orders in London?
The City of London By-law Enforcement and Building Services enforce property maintenance requirements and issue orders.
What happens if I ignore an order?
The city may re-inspect, undertake work and charge the owner, issue fines, or pursue prosecution in court.
How do I report a property standards issue?
File a complaint or request an inspection through the City of London online reporting system or contact By-law Enforcement directly via the city website.[2]

How-To

  1. Read the order: note the scope of work and the compliance date.
  2. Contact the enforcing office to clarify requirements and ask about permits or acceptable contractors.
  3. Arrange repairs, keep documentation, and obtain necessary inspections or permits.
  4. Submit proof of compliance to the city before the deadline or request an extension in writing.
  5. If refused or if fines are issued, request appeal instructions from the enforcing office and meet any deadlines.

Key Takeaways

  • Act quickly on orders to avoid escalation and municipal remediation costs.
  • Use the City of London reporting and By-law Enforcement contacts for inspections and clarifications.

Help and Support / Resources

  1. [1] City of London property standards information
  2. [2] City of London report a by-law issue
  3. [3] Building Code Act (Ontario)

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