Reviewed September 4, 2026. These articles provide general planning information. The property, contract, product instructions, professional advice and current authority control each individual case.
The first year in a home is when you learn what changes with rain, heat, leaves, freezing temperatures and spring thaw. A useful maintenance plan records those observations instead of relying on memory.
This calendar is a planning framework. The house, equipment manuals, climate, private-service requirements, insurer and current authority may require different timing.
Begin with the safety and shutoff map
Locate the main water shutoff, electrical panel, heating controls, sump equipment and any private-service components. Record filter sizes, equipment models, manuals, warranties and known service dates.
Confirm which smoke and carbon-monoxide alarms the home requires under current Ontario rules; install, test and replace them according to the law and manufacturer instructions.
Ontario requires working smoke alarms on every storey and outside sleeping areas. Carbon-monoxide requirements depend on features such as fuel-burning appliances, fireplaces, attached garages or certain external fuel-burning heating systems. From January 1, 2026, current rules include alarm coverage adjacent to sleeping areas and on every storey in affected homes.
Observe the property through the seasons
From safe ground-level locations, record drainage, eaves, roof-edge conditions, seasonal moisture and how water moves during rain and thaw. Track sump operation where present. Keep invoices and reports for completed professional work.
Do not climb onto roofs or attempt hazardous electrical, combustion, chimney, structural or similar work from a checklist. Direct inaccessible, regulated or safety-critical questions to qualified professionals.
Give radon enough time
Health Canada says a long-term radon test should run for at least three months. Follow the device instructions and do not treat a short screening result as the long-term result.
Health Canada recommends action when the long-term average exceeds 200 Bq/m³, with higher concentrations addressed sooner. Mitigation and health questions should follow Health Canada and C-NRPP guidance rather than a real-estate diagnosis.
Keep records, not guarantees
A maintenance record can help you explain what was observed and completed. It does not prove code compliance, defect-free condition or future performance. Confirm City permit requirements before renovation work; project scope determines whether permits, inspections or licensed trades are required.
For buying-stage systems questions, read Buying an Older Home in Greater Sudbury. Keep this record with the private seller document file if you later prepare the property for sale.
Sources reviewed September 4, 2026: Ontario smoke and carbon-monoxide alarm rules; Health Canada radon guidance; City of Greater Sudbury permit guidance.
Start your home record today: note the shutoffs, alarm dates, equipment details and first seasonal observations, then book qualified help for anything unsafe or regulated.
Expect Moore for Your Real Estate.
— Chad Moore, REALTOR®
— Lake City Realty Ltd., Brokerage