Renting limits what you can install, but not what you can do. A practical outage checklist for tenants, covering landlord contact and basics.
- Keep landlord, utility and emergency numbers saved on paper and phone.
- Build a portable kit; renters need nothing installed to be ready.
- Never use grills or stoves indoors, and avoid elevators during outages.
Renters face a particular set of outage problems. You cannot wire in a generator, you may share walls and heat with other units, and you often depend on a landlord or building manager for repairs. The good news is that nearly everything that matters can be done with portable, no-install items.
Use this checklist before an outage, during one and after it ends.
Before an outage: paperwork and contacts
- Save your landlord, property manager and building emergency numbers in your phone and on paper.
- Read your lease and any building rules for emergencies, fire panels, elevators and what is allowed on balconies and in common areas.
- Check whether your renters insurance covers spoiled food or temporary lodging. Read the policy or ask the insurer, rather than assuming.
- Find out who owns your heating and hot water systems. Some buildings run on central heat that may or may not keep going.
- Learn the location of your electrical panel, the building shutoff points, stairwells and exits.
Portable basics that need no installation
Build a small kit that stores on a shelf or in a bin:
- Water: about 4 litres (1 gallon) per person per day. See how much water to store.
- Food that needs no cooking, plus a manual can opener. See no-cook foods.
- Headlamps or battery lanterns, with spare batteries.
- A battery or hand crank radio.
- A charged power bank and charging cables.
- Blankets, warm clothes and a sleeping bag.
- First aid supplies and any prescriptions.
The 72-hour checklist has a tick-off version. For apartment specifics, also read apartment and condo outage prep.
During the outage
- Check whether the whole building, the street or just your unit is out. Look at your breaker panel first, then ask a neighbour.
- Report the outage to the utility, and tell your landlord if it looks like a building problem.
- Keep fridge and freezer doors closed. A closed fridge keeps food cold for about 4 hours, and a full freezer for about 48 hours (24 if half full), according to official food safety guidance. See the fridge and freezer guide.
- Use stairs carefully in the dark, and avoid elevators during an outage in case they stop.
- Never use a grill, camp stove or charcoal inside your unit or on a balcony for heat or cooking indoors. Carbon monoxide can drift into the home and shared spaces.
Stay warm or cool without equipment you cannot install
In cold weather, dress in layers, close doors to rooms you do not need, and gather in one space. See how to stay warm without power. In hot weather, close blinds in the day, drink water, and go to a cooled public space if you feel unwell. Our heat wave guide covers warning signs. Do not run space heaters or fuel burning devices unless they are designed for indoor use and you have working alarms.
Check that your smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms have fresh batteries. Many tenants forget that the landlord may be required to supply alarms, so ask if yours are missing.
After power returns
- Check food in the fridge and freezer before eating it.
- Reset clocks and any appliances that lost settings.
- Tell your landlord about anything damaged, and keep photos.
- Keep receipts for spoiled food or lodging in case you can claim them.
Know your rights and limits
Tenant rules vary by province, state and city, so check local rules on heat, repairs and extended outages. Your landlord cannot always fix a grid outage, but they may be responsible for building systems. Keep your messages in writing so there is a record.
If you want to get ready step by step, the outage planner gives you a plan for your household size.
Last, talk with your neighbours. In a rental building, people nearby are often your fastest source of information and help, and they may know more about how the building behaves in an outage.
Quick answers
Can a landlord ignore a long outage?
It depends on whether the cause is the grid or a building system, and on local tenancy rules. Document your requests in writing and check local regulations.
Is renters insurance enough?
Policies differ on food spoilage and temporary lodging. Read yours or ask your insurer what is covered.