Served Ajax
Property maintenance in Ajax under the 2026 temperature by-law
Ajax replaced its rental heat by-law this year. The Rented Dwelling Temperature By-law 19-2026 was passed on February 17, 2026, and it covers the summer as well as the winter, as Whitby's Rental Unit Vital Services By-law also does.
Checked 2026-10-03
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Coverage
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Central air is now part of the lease duty
The cooling rule reaches only central systems a lease provides, in units where the landlord supplies or pays for the electrical power. That makes the building's equipment list matter: a house with leased central air and landlord paid power has a by-law standard from June 1 to September 14, while a unit with a tenant owned window unit does not. We note which kind the unit has on the first work order, so the next summer call is triaged the right way. See heating and cooling.
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Heat from September 15
The heating season runs September 15 to May 31, at 20 C. A furnace or boiler repair in that window is a heating failure, answered 24/7.
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Who answers for water
The Region of Durham runs water and sewers for Ajax. A watermain break or sewer backup goes to 311 in the region or 905-668-7711. For the private side, we book a licensed drain contractor.
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A town named for a ship
Ajax grew up around a Second World War munitions plant and was named after HMS Ajax, and many of its streets carry the names of the ship's officers and crew (Town of Ajax history). Its Lake Ontario waterfront runs six kilometres of parkland with a paved section of the Waterfront Trail (Town of Ajax).
Plumbing is done by licensed plumbers and drain work by licensed drain contractors. Gas work is done by TSSA registered contractors. We only use ECRA/ESA-Licensed Electrical Contractors. Pest control is done by licensed exterminators.
To send an Ajax job, request work.
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Local rules
Where the landlord pays for heat, a rented unit must be kept at 20 C or more from September 15 to May 31 (section 3.1 of the Rented Dwelling Temperature By-law 19-2026, passed February 17, 2026). It repealed By-law 47-2017.
Source: Town of Ajax, Rented Dwelling Temperature By-law 19-2026
Where a rented unit is equipped with a central air conditioning system by its lease and is normally serviced with electrical power supplied by or at the expense of the landlord, the landlord keeps it at 26 C or less from June 1 to September 14 (section 3.2). Portable and window units do not count toward the rule.
Source: Town of Ajax, Rented Dwelling Temperature By-law 19-2026
The Property Standards By-law 46-2017 requires a heating system capable of the heat the temperature by-law sets (section 6.5(d)).
Ajax zoning, as amended by By-law 23-2025, allows up to three accessory dwelling units per lot and basement apartments, subject to parking, floor area and zone rules and a building permit.
Source: Town of Ajax, Common by-laws
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Common services in Ajax
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Questions
When did Ajax's new rental temperature by-law take effect?
The by-law sets no separate start date. Council passed By-law 19-2026 on February 17, 2026, and it replaced the old By-law 47-2017.
Does an Ajax landlord have to cool a unit in summer?
Only where the lease equips the unit with central air conditioning and the landlord supplies or pays for the unit's electrical power. Then it must hold 26 C or less from June 1 to September 14. Window and portable units do not count.
When is the heating season in Ajax?
September 15 to May 31, at 20 C or more, where the landlord pays for the heat.
How do I report a property standards problem in Ajax?
Call the Town at 365-282-6100, email By-law Services at bylawservices@ajax.ca, or use Report an Issue on heyjax.ca.
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