Toronto rental maintenance calendar

• Heat is a vital service from September 1 under O. Reg. 516/06, at 20 C. Toronto's 21 C minimum starts October 1.
• Confirm heating equipment has been serviced ahead of the October 1 deadline.
• Order any furnace or boiler parts on back order before the season starts.

• Heating season begins October 1. Toronto requires at least 21 degrees Celsius, measured 1.5 metres above the floor, in all areas of a unit where the landlord supplies the heat, through May 15 (Chapter 497, section 497-2.1 A).
• Confirm thermostats and any building wide heating controls are set for the season.

• Check eavestroughs and downspouts are clear before freezing weather.
• Inspect exterior taps and any exposed pipe runs for freeze risk.

• Respond to no heat calls as a priority during the coldest months.
• Check common area doors and weatherstripping for drafts.

• Mid winter check on any building with a known freeze risk area.

• Begin scheduling air conditioning and heat pump service ahead of the June 1 season.

• Test sump pumps and backwater valves before spring rain.
• Check window wells and grading around the building.

• Toronto's 21 C minimum ends May 15. Heat stays a vital service under O. Reg. 516/06 until June 15, at 20 C.

• Cooling season begins June 1. Where air conditioning is installed, the unit must not exceed 26 degrees Celsius through September 30 (section 497-2.2).
• A RentSafeTO apartment building that does not cool every unit keeps at least one existing indoor amenity space at 26 C or less over the same months, unless only construction could achieve it (section 497-2.3).

• Respond to no cooling calls as a priority during the hottest months.
• Check exterior grounds and irrigation.

• Smoke and carbon monoxide alarms tested at each tenancy change and at least once a year.
• Vacant units checked on a schedule between tenancies, especially over winter.

See HVAC, heating and cooling and vacant unit winter checklist.