As an owner or landlord of a residential building, you play an important role in protecting tenants from extreme heat. You can help protect your tenants and prevent heat-related illness by creating a hot weather plan.
Hot Weather Plan
Before the Heat Season:
- Designate an air-conditioned common room in your building as a cooling room for tenants to escape the heat.
- Ensure your Summer Heat Safety Notice is up to date to inform tenants of the location of the cooling room and closest publicly accessible air conditioned space.
- Download and share tips to beat the heat with your tenants. The City has created posters, bookmarks and doorhangers.
During Hot Weather:
- Arrange for building staff to check regularly on tenants that are at an increased risk for heat-related illness (e.g. call or visit, while continuing to follow public health measures).
- Encourage tenants to visit the cool room or another air conditioned space to lower their core body temperature and prevent heat-related illness.
- Remind tenants of the symptoms of heat-related illness and the steps they can take to keep their apartment cool.
- If safe, keep the windows in hallways slightly open to allow cool air to circulate.
Know the risk
Those at greater risk for heat-related illness include:
- Older adults, especially those that are living alone
- Infants and young children
- People with chronic illnesses, such as heart or respiratory conditions
- People with limited physical mobility
- People with certain mental health illnesses
- People on certain medications
- People who work or exercise in the heat
- People experiencing homelessness
