Why Annual In-Suite Inspections Matter: Supporting Compliance & Safer Communities

With growing attention on residential safety and accountability, the proposed Bill 10 stands to impact how Ontario’s residential buildings — including condominiums and rental apartments — are inspected and maintained. This legislation reinforces the importance of proactive risk management by mandating annual in-suite inspections for residential units. For property owners and managers, the implications are clear: it's time to standardize and prioritize comprehensive inspection programs.

At National Life Safety Group, we recognize the vital role building owners and managers play in ensuring the safety, compliance, and livability of multi-residential communities. Annual suite inspections are not only a legal expectation — they are a powerful tool in managing risks and documenting your compliance efforts.

What Should Be Included in Annual In-Suite Inspections?

Whether your property is a condominium or an apartment building, your annual inspection should go beyond surface-level observations. These inspections serve to identify hazards, ensure life safety systems are operational, and confirm that both owners and residents are maintaining units in alignment with community safety expectations.

Here are key areas that should be addressed during your annual in-suite inspections:

• Evidence of Safety Hazards
  Including hoarding conditions, biohazards, or other environmental health risks that could endanger occupants or neighbours.

• Indicators of Improper or Unauthorized Activity
  Appears inconsistent with safe residential use — illegal activity, unauthorized occupancy, or misuse of the suite. Any concerns should be discreetly reported and escalated according to your organization's safety and security protocols.

• Window Safety Features, locks and Door Locks
  Particularly those that are part of the common element or influence egress in emergencies.

• Suite Entry Door and Closure Devices
  Properly operating fire-rated suite doors are not optional — they are required under Ontario Fire Code.

• Wall, Ceiling, or Floor Penetrations
  Any visible damage, such as holes or structural breaches, must be documented and repaired to maintain fire separations.

• Visible Damage or Tampering with Life Safety Devices
  Including disconnected smoke alarms, painted-over detectors, or signs of physical damage to safety systems.

• Smoke and CO Alarm Presence and Function
  These devices are mandatory and must be installed and operational in accordance with the Ontario Fire Code and Building Code.

Compliance & Risk Mitigation: A Shared Responsibility

For property managers, these inspections not only reduce liability — they help reinforce a culture of safety and accountability. Clear documentation of these inspections also supports the Owner’s due diligence and may reduce exposure to legal or regulatory penalties.

Read the REMI article; Illegal drug activity could ensnare landlords; Proposed Ontario legislation targets permissive space providers

Next Steps

Condominium Boards and Property Management teams should begin preparing now. Review your current inspection processes, and consider implementing a standardized annual suite inspection checklist.

Need help getting started? The National Life Safety Group provides expert guidance, training, and support to ensure your inspection protocols meet both current requirements and emerging legislative changes.

Looking for an inexpensive digital solution? We encourage you to check out Safe Buildings, and join hundreds of other apartments and condomininiums using the application to streamline risk management efforts - easily.

Let’s work together to make our buildings safer. www.nationallifesafetygroup.ca