There is no City requirement for property owners to have air conditioning.
If provided/supplied by the property owner, air conditioning should go on, from June 2nd to Sept. 14th to maintain an indoor temperature of not more than 26 degrees Celsius. The City is unable to take action outside of these dates.
If an air conditioner is supplied by a property owner and is broken, a property owner is required to either repair it or replace it. If you have concerns about air conditioning in your rental unit, you should make your request in writing to the property owner.
If your request is not addressed within a reasonable amount of time, you can submit a service request online at https://www.toronto.ca/311
A building permit is not required to install a window air conditioner in a rental unit or privately owned home. However, if requested or ordered to by the City, it is the property owner’s responsibility to hire a qualified tradesperson to install an air conditioner and provide proof of this to the City. There are no City bylaw provisions allowing property owners to require this proof from tenants.
Tenants should consult their lease agreement to determine if they are permitted to install a window air conditioner or portable air conditioner in their units. For issues regarding requests from the property owner to the tenant to remove an air conditioning unit, the tenant should refer to the lease agreement for any restrictions. This issue does not fall under the Property Standards Bylaw.
For tenants of a commercial property, where air conditioning is supplied by the property owner, contact the property owner regarding any complaints. If the situation is not resolved within a reasonable period of time, you can submit a service request online at https://www.toronto.ca/311 .
Toronto Municipal Code, Chapter 629 - 38 Heating and air conditioning (full details are available on the City of Toronto website)
A. Every heating and air-conditioning system or unit shall be kept in good repair and maintained in good working condition at all times relevant to the operation of that system.
F. All air-conditioning systems shall be operated from June 2 to September 14 so as to maintain an indoor temperature of not more than 26 degrees Celsius.
G. All air conditioners and other water-cooled equipment shall be equipped with proper devices for the prevention of condensation drainage or discharge onto sidewalks, walkways, driveways, and entrance areas, or other areas used for pedestrian or vehicular traffic.
H. The devices provided under Subsection G shall be configured so as not to cause damage to the walls or foundations or other parts of a building.