Report
Know the landlord, property manager and emergency maintenance contacts.
Renters and tenants
Renters need their own flood plan even when the building belongs to someone else.
The landlord may maintain the building, but tenants remain responsible for personal preparedness, reporting, contents insurance and following emergency instructions.
- Ontario-focused
- Plain-language guidance
- Risk reduction, not guarantees
The essential answer
Know how to report water, understand tenant insurance, keep valuables and documents protected, follow building alerts and avoid unsafe cleanup.
Who this guide supports
Use this page when the property, question or decision matches one of these situations.
- Apartment and basement-unit tenants
- Students and newcomers renting in Ontario
- Families in multi-residential buildings
- Tenants with mobility, medical or pet needs
Understand the system
Four parts of the decision deserve separate attention.
Insure
Ask about tenant coverage for overland flooding, sewer backup and temporary living expenses.
Prepare
Keep documents, medication, chargers and valuables above likely water levels.
Recover
Photograph personal-property damage and follow insurer and public-health instructions.
Guidance 1
Understand the building communication path
Ask how water emergencies, alarms and after-hours maintenance are reported. Save contacts outside the unit and notify management promptly when signs appear.
Repeated moisture, blocked drains or alarm failures should be documented in writing.
- Keep dated photos and messages
- Know alternate exits
- Ask about basement or locker restrictions
- Update contact details
Guidance 2
Protect personal property and records
A landlord’s insurance generally does not protect a tenant’s possessions. Review tenant insurance and maintain an inventory.
Avoid storing irreplaceable documents or electronics directly on basement floors.
- Use raised shelving where appropriate
- Keep receipts and photos
- Back up identification and leases
- Prepare temporary accommodation contacts
Guidance 3
Prioritize safe action
Do not enter flooded electrical rooms, parking garages, basements or sewage-contaminated spaces. Follow building and emergency instructions.
Tenants should not attempt plumbing, electrical or structural interventions beyond safe authorized actions.
- Move to a safe level
- Account for household members and pets
- Contact emergency services for immediate danger
- Preserve evidence from safe locations
Practical workflow
Move from observation to a documented next step.
- 1
Save landlord and emergency contacts
- 2
Review tenant insurance and contents coverage
- 3
Create a portable emergency and document kit
- 4
Learn building alarms, exits and reporting procedures
- 5
Document and report issues before and after storms
Homeowner checklist
Record each completed item and create a follow-up action for anything unresolved.
Continue through the RSM system
Related guidance, programmes and professional pathways.
Official source pathway
Use current public sources for emergency, insurance, programme and technical context.
RSM summarizes and connects information but does not replace the issuing authority. Review the current official page before acting.
Frequently asked questions
Clear limits help homeowners make better decisions.
Does my landlord’s insurance cover my belongings?
Generally no. Tenants should review their own contents and additional-living-expense coverage.
What should I report before a flood?
Leaks, blocked drains, sump or alarm issues, recurring dampness and unsafe storage conditions should be reported promptly.
Can a tenant apply for DRAO?
Tenants may be eligible in an activated area for eligible essential personal property, subject to current provincial rules.
Should I clean sewage-contaminated belongings myself?
Health precautions are required, and some materials may need professional handling. Follow public-health and insurer guidance.
Editorial and review note
This educational page was prepared by Regional Stormwater Management using official public sources and a risk-reduction framework. It does not provide engineering, legal, insurance or municipal approval. Content is reviewed when official guidance changes and on the RSM editorial schedule.
Recommended next step
Build a plan that fits apartment and building conditions
Use the household emergency-preparedness guide.