Indoor Temperatures in Apartment Units

Like many cities around the world, Toronto is experiencing more frequent heat events and extended heat waves outside of seasonal norms. Indoor temperatures in apartment buildings are a particular concern, as tenants living in units without air conditioning or other cooling equipment may be at higher risk of heat-related health impacts. As the climate continues to change, the risk of heat-related health impacts are expected to increase.

What the City is Doing

In June 2023, City Council directed City staff to examine and report back on the indoor temperature requirements in Toronto and the feasibility of alternative options to address high indoor temperatures in apartment units.

City staff are now working in partnership with the global C40 Cool Cities Network to identify new policy options and technical measures to address the risks of high indoor temperatures on tenants and residents in apartment units.

There are several initiatives in place to:

Provide education and services to vulnerable groups at increased risk for heat-related illnesses
Work with landlords to meet City requirements
Support building improvements that reduce energy and water consumption.

These initiatives include:

Previous Staff Reports on Indoor Temperature

2019.PH10.4 – Amendments to Chapter 354, Apartment Buildings and Progress Update on RentSafeTO
2018.LS25.1 – Mitigating the Negative Impacts of Extreme Heat in Apartment Buildings
2017.HL19.5 – Reducing Vulnerability to Extreme Heat in the Community and at Home
2015.HL8.5 – Update on Extreme Heat and Maximum Indoor Temperature Standard for Multi-unit Residential Buildings
2015.TD1.3 – Indoor Temperature Standards Review
2014.LS29.1 – Results of Feasibility Review: Maintaining Current Date Ranges for Provision of Heat to Residential Rental Units

Bylaw Requirements

The following requirements are in place when heating or cooling are provided by the property owner.

Property Standards Bylaw

If air-conditioning is provided by the property owner, it must be operated between June 2 to September 14 to maintain a maximum temperature of no more than 26°C.
Property owners are required to maintain existing air conditioning systems in good working condition.
Property owners are not required to install air conditioning or cooling equipment where it does not already exist.
City bylaws do not prohibit window air conditioning units in apartment buildings.
Regarding air conditioning requirements, property owners and tenants should consult their lease agreement and may want to seek legal advice and information on how the Residential Tenancies Act applies.

Learn more about air-conditioning requirements in the Property Standards Bylaw.

Heating Bylaw

If heating is provided at the property owner’s expense, a minimum temperature of 21°C must be maintained between September 15 and June 1.

Learn more about Vital Services in Rental Units and requirements in the Heating Bylaw.

Apartment Building Bylaw

Building owners and operators registered with the City’s RentSafeTO: Apartment Building Standards program are required to post information about an air-conditioned space in the building (if accessible to all tenants) and the details of the nearest location of a publicly accessible air-conditioned place on their tenant notification board.

Learn more about RentSafeTO building owner requirements.

In addition, the City also encourages landlords to create a hot weather plan to help prepare and support tenants during extreme heat.

Submitting an Indoor Temperature Complaint

If you have concerns about your rental unit, speak to your landlord or property manager and submit a service request. Your landlord/property owner is required to respond to urgent service requests (such as vital services) within 24 hours and non-urgent service requests within seven days. If an urgent vital services request (for example, no heat) is submitted via 311, the City will aim to contact you within 24 hours.

Note that the City does not regulate indoor temperatures of apartment units without air conditioning.

If this issue is not resolved in a timely manner, you can report the issue to the City by calling 311 or submitting your request online:

Report excessive heat or temperature in a rental unit with air conditioning.
Report excessive heat or temperature in a rental unit without air conditioning by submitting a non-enforceable service request; this request will not be investigated but could be used to inform the City’s future policy and regulatory considerations.
Property standards and maintenance violations (such as inadequate heat).

Each issue is addressed by the City on case-by-case basis to make sure reasonable, fair and appropriate actions are taken. If there is a possible bylaw violation, the officer may conduct an investigation, which could include education, mediation, and/or enforcement actions.