Under the Toronto heat bylaw, landlords who supply heat must keep rental units at a minimum of 21°C from October 1 to May 15, with some flexibility in the shoulder weeks of September 15 to October 15 and May 1 to June 1. Since June 1, 2026, the rules sit in the renamed Indoor Temperature Standards Bylaw, which also covers air conditioning where it exists. Here is what tenants and landlords need to know, how to measure your temperature and how to file a complaint through 311.

What the Toronto Heat Bylaw Requires

The City of Toronto’s indoor temperature rules apply when the property owner controls or pays for the heat. In that case, the owner must keep the air temperature in each unit at or above 21°C during the heating period. The rule applies to apartments, rented rooms, basement units and other rental housing, not just large towers.

These details come from the City of Toronto’s published guidance on indoor temperatures. Always check the City’s website for the latest version of the bylaw.

Who Is Responsible: Landlord or Tenant?

The landlord’s duty depends on who controls the heat. If heating is included in the rent or the building has a central system, the landlord must meet the 21°C minimum. If the tenant pays for heating directly and controls it with their own thermostat, the tenant decides the temperature, but the landlord still must keep the heating equipment in good working order under Ontario’s maintenance rules.

The Residential Tenancies Act also requires landlords to maintain units in a good state of repair and to provide vital services such as heat, hot water and electricity. Our guide to Ontario tenant rights and the Landlord and Tenant Board explains how those provincial rules work alongside city bylaws.

How to Measure the Temperature in Your Unit

1. Use a reliable thermometer, ideally a digital one, rather than the thermostat display.
2. Measure in the centre of the room, about 1.5 metres above the floor, away from windows, exterior walls and heat sources.
3. Take readings in several rooms, including bedrooms, at different times of day.
4. Record date, time and temperature each time, and take photos showing the thermometer.
5. Note the outdoor temperature for context, especially during cold snaps.

A clear log makes it much easier for a bylaw officer to understand the situation and for you to show a pattern if the problem keeps coming back.

How to Complain About No Heat in Toronto

The City asks tenants to follow these steps:

1. Speak with your landlord or property manager first and submit a written service request. Keep a copy.
2. If the issue is not resolved within 24 hours, contact 311 by phone or submit a service request online. Lack of heat in winter is treated as a vital-services issue.
3. A bylaw enforcement officer may investigate, educate the landlord or take enforcement action.
4. Keep documenting temperatures and communications until the problem is fixed.

According to the City, failing to maintain the minimum temperature can lead to a $500 ticket, and a conviction after a summons can bring much higher fines. Tenants can also apply to the Landlord and Tenant Board for remedies such as a rent abatement when vital services are not provided.

Checklist for Tenants Before Winter

• Find out whether heat is included in your rent or billed separately.
• Test your heating in early October, before the first cold snap.
• Bleed radiators or clear baseboard heaters of furniture and curtains.
• Report drafty windows and doors to your landlord in writing.
• Buy a simple digital thermometer to monitor your unit.
• Keep 311 and your property manager’s contact information handy.
• Review your tenant insurance in case of frozen pipes or water damage.

Winter costs can add up quickly in the city; our Toronto cost of living guide helps you plan your monthly budget.

What About Summer Heat and Air Conditioning?

For years, tenants complained that the old heating rules made some landlords keep the heat on during warm spring days. The City has since clarified the shoulder seasons and added cooling rules. If your landlord provides air conditioning, it must operate from June 1 to September 30 to keep the unit at or below 26°C. Landlords are not required to install air conditioning where none exists, but from June 1, 2026, RentSafeTO apartment buildings that do not cool every unit and that have a suitable indoor amenity space must keep that space at or below 26°C during the summer period, with some exemptions. Window air conditioners are allowed as long as they are installed and maintained safely.

Tips for Landlords and Property Managers

• Inspect boilers, furnaces and controls before October 1 every year.
• Communicate the heating schedule and emergency contact number to tenants.
• Respond to no-heat calls quickly; the City expects urgent requests to be addressed within 24 hours.
• Use the shoulder seasons wisely to avoid overheating units in warm weather.
• Post required information on the tenant notification board in RentSafeTO buildings.
• Keep maintenance records in case of an investigation.

Staying Warm Safely

If your unit is cold while you wait for repairs, use space heaters carefully: keep them at least one metre from curtains, beds and furniture, plug them directly into a wall outlet, and never leave them on when you go out or sleep near them unattended. Never use a stove, oven or barbecue to heat your home, as this can cause fires or carbon monoxide poisoning. Make sure your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms work. If extreme cold makes your home unsafe, the City opens warming centres during cold weather alerts; call 311 to find the nearest location. For more winter preparation, read our guides to snow clearing in Toronto and things to do in Toronto in winter.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the minimum temperature for apartments in Toronto?

Where the landlord supplies heat, rental units must be kept at a minimum of 21°C from October 1 to May 15, according to the City of Toronto.

Can my landlord turn off the heat in May?

Between May 1 and June 1, and between September 15 and October 15, landlords can turn the heat down or off if units stay at 21°C without it.

Does Toronto require landlords to provide air conditioning?

No. Landlords who already provide air conditioning must keep it running to maintain 26°C or less from June 1 to September 30, but they do not have to install it where none exists.

Who do I call if I have no heat?

Contact your landlord first. If the problem is not resolved within 24 hours, call 311 or submit a service request online.

Does the bylaw apply to basement apartments?

Yes, the indoor temperature rules apply to rental units where the landlord supplies the heat, including basement units and rented rooms.

This article provides general information and is not legal advice. For your specific situation, contact the City of Toronto, the Landlord and Tenant Board or a legal clinic.