How does the PSA define 'servicing' or 'maintenance' standards?

• A. Standards relating to landscaping aesthetics.
• B. Standards relating to water, heating, plumbing, sanitation, structural integrity, and exterior maintenance required for safe occupancy.
• C. Standards for tax assessments.
• D. Standards for noise control during nighttime hours.

Answer: (B)

The main concept here is what the PSA means by servicing or maintenance standards. Under the Ontario Property Standards Act, these standards define the essential services and ongoing upkeep necessary to keep a property safe for occupancy. Servicing refers to the core systems that must function for a building to be habitable—water supply and distribution, heating, plumbing, and sanitation facilities—ensuring they are present, sanitary, and in good repair. Maintenance covers the ongoing repair and upkeep of the structure and exterior to prevent hazards, including the integrity of the building itself and the condition of exterior components. Together, they specify that a property must have functioning essential systems and be kept in a safe, sound state for occupants. The other topics—cosmetic landscaping, tax assessments, or noise control—do not address these mandatory safety-related systems and structural upkeep, so they do not fit the definition of servicing and maintenance standards under the PSA.