Toronto’s Updated Heating and Cooling Bylaws: What Property Owners and Landlords Need to Know

As of April 30, 2025, Toronto’s Property Standards Bylaw has been amended to tighten indoor comfort requirements for rental units. Landlords must now maintain a minimum indoor temperature of 21°C from October 1 through May 15, and, if air conditioning is provided, must operate it from June 1 through September 30. These changed heating and cooling periods reflect City Council’s efforts to protect tenant health during both cold snaps and summer heatwaves.

Background of the Change

Historically, Toronto’s minimum-heat period ran from September 15 to June 1, with no mandatory cooling standard for equipped units. Growing concerns over tenant well-being, heightened by climate variability, prompted a review of Chapter 629 of the Municipal Code, culminating in the April 2025 amendments. Extended summertime heat events pose serious health risks, especially in multi-unit residential buildings with limited ventilation and green spaces.

Key Changes in the 2025 Bylaw

Minimum Heating Requirement

The required period to provide heating has been expanded. Owners/landlords must provide heat from October 1 to May 15, an extension from the previous September 15 to June 1 window. Indoor air must register at least 21°C at all times during this period. If outdoor warmth naturally keeps units at or above 21°C, landlords may reduce or turn off heating, but must restore it if temperatures fall below the threshold.

Mandatory Air Conditioning Operation

A cooling period was specified; for units equipped with air conditioning, systems must run from June 1 to September 30 each year. Of note, landlords are not obligated to install AC, nor to maintain maximum indoor temperatures in units without cooling systems; however, if provided, the equipment must be in good working order and turned on within the specified window, to cool to a maximum of 26°C. 

Compliance Requirements and Responsibilities

Owners/landlords must ensure all heating and air-conditioning equipment is kept in good repair and maintained in good working condition. 

Complaints about inadequate or no heat and non-functioning AC are considered urgent requests and you must respond within 24 hours. Repairs must be completed within a reasonable period. Landlords should track and keep requests, along with copies of all responses in relation to the service request.

Enforcement and Penalties

Failure to comply may trigger City inspections and orders to remedy the violation. Tenants experiencing inadequate heating or cooling can file a service request with 311 Toronto. Municipal Licensing and Standards (MLS) officers investigate complaints. Confirmed violations may result in orders to landlords, administrative penalties, and fines. Individuals face up to $50,000 for a first offence and $100,000 for a subsequent offence, while corporations risk up to $500,000 for a first offence and $1,500,000 for a subsequent offence. Repeat non-compliance risks escalated enforcement, including prosecution.

Best Practices

Proactive Equipment Maintenance

Landlords should schedule annual HVAC servicing and equipment tune-ups before each heating and cooling season to verify that boilers, furnaces, compressors, and air-conditioning units are in good working order and comply with Toronto’s indoor temperature standards. Upgrading aging equipment to energy-efficient models not only reduces operational costs but also minimizes the risk of breakdowns during extreme weather events. 

Monitoring and Documentation

Landlords must install programmable or smart thermostats with logging capabilities to create an auditable temperature record, demonstrating that units remain at or above the required 21°C minimum from October 1 to May 15 and that air conditioning operates from June 1 to September 30 where provided. Detailed maintenance records, including service invoices, inspection reports, and compliance certificates, should be retained for at least two years to address tenant inquiries and defend against possible orders from Municipal Licensing and Standards. 

Tenant Communication and Support

Clear tenant communication is essential: provide written advance notice at least two weeks before each season’s temperature-control period begins, outlining when heating or cooling systems will be active and how tenants should report service issues. 

Establish robust emergency protocols, listing 24/7 hotlines or using app-based reporting tools, to guarantee that urgent repairs are addressed within 24 hours and fully resolved within a reasonable timeframe. 

Benefits of Partnering with a Property Management Company

Partnering with a property management company ensures that tenant communications are tracked and managed through a centralized digital platform or app, enabling instant submission and real-time monitoring of maintenance requests. These portals can shorten response times dramatically and reduce back-and-forth emails or phone calls, boosting tenant confidence and satisfaction.

A good property management company not only logs every service request but also provides reminders and status updates, keeping both landlords and tenants informed at each step. It can also ensure essential notifications and scheduled maintenance reminders are posted, and that no request slips through the cracks.

Finally, they can conduct routine inspections to uncover minor issues before they escalate into costly repairs and ensure properties will meet Toronto’s requirements. In the event of system failures or emergency breakdowns, property management companies can facilitate and expedite urgent repairs, so they are addressed within the 24-hour response window.

Marco Property Management offers Toronto investment owners and landlords a turnkey solution encompassing all of the above. With a maintenance app for tracking and responding to tenant requests, certified HVAC and property inspections in line with municipal requirements, and a network of pre-qualified contractors for emergency repairs, Marco ensures compliance and tenant comfort year-round. Our in-house team also handles all tenant communications and detailed reporting, offering complete peace of mind.