City bylaw requires your landlord to keep the heat at 21°C all winter long

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As temperatures continue to dip in Toronto, everyone is cranking up their thermostats at home.

At least, those who can.

In Toronto, some rental units have landlord-controlled thermostats, which means it’s not up to the tenant how warm the apartment is. (Note: if you pay for your heat, this does not apply to you.)

But as the frigid temperatures continue, it’s important to note that there is a bylaw in Toronto when it comes to the minimum temperature in an apartment.

According to the Municipal Code Chapter 497 Article 1,

“A landlord shall provide heat to a dwelling unit that is rented or leased and that is normally heated at the landlord’s expense so that a minimum air temperature of 21 degrees Celsius is maintained in all areas of the dwelling unit from the 15th day of September in each year to the 1st day of June in the following year.”

This means, if your thermostat at home doesn’t read 21°C, you can actually contact the City and let them know.

Any landlord who is guilty of not providing this is liable to a fine of not more than $5,000.

Be sure to check that thermostat!

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