Toronto Renters Forum

This section is for renters to discuss issues regarding Heat in your apartment.

For apartments in Toronto where the landlord controls the heat, the City of Toronto Municipal Code requires your landlord to provide a minimum temperature of 21 degrees Celsius in all areas of your apartment, between September 15 and June 1.  You can read the bylaw here (see section “497-1.2. Minimum temperature.”):  Toronto Municipal Code, Chapter 497

If your landlord breaks this rule, then you can call the city at 311 and file a complaint.  Generally the city takes complaints about the heat seriously, and they have the legal authority to compel your landlord to respect this bylaw and to provide heat.

Note that other jurisdictions within Ontario have different heat bylaws, for more information see FAQ Question 7 at the Ontario Tenants Rights website: My apartment is too cold. What heating must the landlord provide?

In addition to this forum there are some terrific information resources available on this topic:

• From The City of Toronto, Bylaw enforcement - Low or No Heat/Other Vital Services in Rental Units

• From the Federation of Metro Tenants' Associations, Heat/vital services