# What temperature does a Toronto landlord have to keep a rental unit at?

Updated 2026-10-03.

At least 21 degrees Celsius, measured 1.5 metres above the floor, in all areas of the unit from October 1 to May 15, wherever the unit is normally heated at the landlord's expense. That is Chapter 497, Indoor Temperature Standards, section 497-2.1 A of the Toronto Municipal Code (By-law 1511-2025, in force June 1, 2026).

## What changed in 2025 and 2026

The heating period used to run from September 15 to June 1. By-law 1395-2024 moved it to October 1 to May 15, from April 30, 2025. On June 1, 2026, By-law 1511-2025 replaced Chapter 497, Heating, with a new Chapter 497, Indoor Temperature Standards. It keeps the dates and the 21 degrees, now measured 1.5 metres above the floor, and moves the air conditioning rule into the same chapter. Anything in a lease, a notice template or a building procedure that still quotes the old dates or section 497-1.2 is out of date.

## Who the rule covers

Only units heated at the landlord's expense (section 497-2.1 A(2)). Chapter 497 defines the landlord to include anyone managing the property or receiving the rent, as agent or otherwise, so the property manager is inside the definition. Where the unit is already at 21 degrees, section 497-2.1 A(3) says the landlord does not have to run the heating.

## The heating system itself

Section 629-38 of Toronto's property standards requires every dwelling unit to have a heating system capable of 21 degrees at 1.5 metres above the floor in all habitable rooms, bathrooms and toilet rooms, kept in good repair at all times it is needed. Auxiliary heaters cannot be the permanent source of heat.

## The provincial rule underneath

O. Reg. 516/06 makes heat a vital service from September 1 to June 15, at a minimum of 20 degrees. Both rules apply. In Toronto the city's 21 degrees is the higher bar from October 1 to May 15; in September and from May 16 to June 15, the provincial 20 degree floor still stands.

## When a tenant calls

A tenant can complain to the City through 311, and an officer may enter to check the temperature. In a RentSafeTO apartment building, a loss of heat is an urgent service request under Chapter 354, and the owner or operator must respond within 24 hours.

Gas furnace and boiler work goes to a TSSA registered contractor. See [heating and cooling for rentals](https://roundhousegroup.ca/services/hvac/), or check a reading against the rule with the [heat and cooling checker](https://roundhousegroup.ca/tools/heat-and-cooling-checker/).

## Related pages

- [Does a Toronto landlord have to provide air conditioning?](https://roundhousegroup.ca/answers/air-conditioning-rules-toronto-rentals/)
- [What is a landlord responsible for maintaining in an Ontario rental?](https://roundhousegroup.ca/answers/landlord-maintenance-obligations-ontario/)
- [What does an Ontario landlord have to do about smoke and carbon monoxide alarms?](https://roundhousegroup.ca/answers/carbon-monoxide-and-smoke-alarms-ontario-rentals/)

## Questions

### Does the Toronto heat by-law apply if the tenant pays for heat?

No. Section 497-2.1 A(2) applies the 21 degree minimum only to a dwelling unit that is normally heated at the landlord's expense.

### Can a landlord turn the heat off after May 15?

The Toronto minimum ends May 15, but O. Reg. 516/06 keeps heat a vital service until June 15, with a floor of 20 degrees Celsius. Neither rule requires running the heat when the unit is already warm enough; Chapter 497 says so directly at 21 degrees.

### Can a space heater be the heat source for a unit?

Not permanently. Section 629-38 D of Toronto's property standards says auxiliary heaters shall not be used as a permanent source of heat.

### Is a property manager a landlord under the heat by-law?

Chapter 497 defines landlord to include an owner of a rental unit and any person managing or receiving the rent of the premises, whether on their own account or as agent or trustee of another person.

## Sources

- [City of Toronto By-law 1511-2025, Chapter 497, Indoor Temperature Standards, in force June 1, 2026](https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/bylaws/2025/law1511.pdf)
- [City of Toronto By-law 1395-2024, which moved the heating season to October 1 to May 15](https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/bylaws/2024/law1395.pdf)
- [Toronto Municipal Code Chapter 629, Property Standards, section 629-38](https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/municode/1184_629.pdf)
- [City of Toronto, indoor temperatures in apartment units](https://www.toronto.ca/community-people/housing-shelter/rental-housing-rights-information/housing-property-standards/indoor-temperatures-in-apartment-units/)
- [O. Reg. 516/06 under the Residential Tenancies Act, section 4, heat as a vital service](https://www.ontario.ca/laws/regulation/060516)
- [Toronto Municipal Code Chapter 354, Apartment Buildings, section 354-3.1](https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/municode/toronto-code-354.pdf)

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