# Property maintenance in Ajax under the 2026 temperature by-law

Updated 2026-10-03.

Ajax replaced its rental heat by-law this year. The [Rented Dwelling Temperature By-law 19-2026](https://ajax.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/By-law-19-2026-Rented-Dwelling-Temperature-By-law.pdf) 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.

## 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](https://roundhousegroup.ca/services/hvac/).

## 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.

## Who answers for water

The [Region of Durham](https://www.durham.ca/en/living-here/water-billing.aspx) 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.

## 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](https://ajax.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Town-of-Ajax-History-In-The-Beginning.pdf)). Its Lake Ontario waterfront runs six kilometres of parkland with a paved section of the Waterfront Trail ([Town of Ajax](https://ajax.ca/explore/parks-recreation/beaches-waterfronts-conservation/)).

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](https://roundhousegroup.ca/request-work/).

## 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 It repealed By-law 47-2017.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](https://ajax.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/By-law-19-2026-Rented-Dwelling-Temperature-By-law.pdf)
- 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](https://ajax.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/By-law-19-2026-Rented-Dwelling-Temperature-By-law.pdf)
- The Property Standards By-law 46-2017 requires a heating system capable of the heat the temperature by-law sets (section 6.5(d)). Source: [Town of Ajax, Property Standards By-law 46-2017](https://ajax.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/By-law-46-2017-Property-Standards-Remediated.pdf)
- 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](https://ajax.ca/town-hall/governance-accountability/by-law/common-by-laws/)

## Related pages

- [HVAC, heating and cooling](https://roundhousegroup.ca/services/hvac/)
- [Does a Toronto landlord have to provide air conditioning?](https://roundhousegroup.ca/answers/air-conditioning-rules-toronto-rentals/)
- [Landlords](https://roundhousegroup.ca/landlords/)

## 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.