Bill 64: Ontario's New Cooling Requirements for Landlords
Starting May 15, 2025, Ontario landlords must keep common areas cool—specifically, 26°C or less. It's a new rule for summer. Here's exactly what you need to do to pass inspection.
What is Bill 64?
Think of Bill 64 (the Housing Equity and Rental Transparency Act, 2025) as the summer sibling to the winter heating rules we all know. For decades, landlords have had to keep units warm in winter (20°C minimum). But until now, there wasn't a legal limit on how hot a building could get in the summer.
That changed this year. Under the new amendment to the Residential Tenancies Act, if you own a residential complex, you are now legally responsible for keeping common areas at or below 26 degrees Celsius between May 15 and September 15.
Quick Facts
Effective Date: May 15, 2025
Annual Period: May 15 - September 15
Temperature Limit: 26°C or less in common areas
Enforcement: Municipal bylaw offices
Why Did This Happen?
Climate change. Ontario summers are getting hotter, and extreme heat isn't just uncomfortable—it's a health hazard, especially for seniors and the vulnerable. Many older concrete high-rises turn into ovens in July and August.
The government stepped in because people were getting sick in their own lobbies. The logic is simple: if you provide a hallway, it shouldn't be a heat trap.
What Common Areas Are Covered?
The 26°C cap isn't about your tenant's living room; it's about the shared spaces you control. Specifically:
- Hallways and corridors
- Building lobbies and entrance areas
- Elevators (and the waiting areas)
- Stairwells and fire exits
- Laundry rooms
- Rec rooms or gyms
Crucial distinction: This rule does NOT apply to individual rental units. You are not legally required to air condition a tenant's specific apartment (unless their lease says otherwise). The law focuses solely on the spaces you manage.
Does This Apply to My Property?
This is for "residential complexes"—basically apartment buildings and condos with shared zones. If you rent out a detached house or a duplex with no shared hallway, you can likely ignore this.
How to Hit 26°C Without Going Broke
The law sets the target (26°C), but it doesn't tell you how to get there. You don't necessarily need a massive AC overhaul if you can find smarter ways to cool down.
Options on the Table
The Heavy Lifter: Central AC
Obviously the most effective, but also the most expensive. Necessary for glass-heavy lobbies or south-facing corridors.
The Air Mover: Enhanced Ventilation
Sometimes stagnant air is the real culprit. Industrial exhaust fans or cross-ventilation strategies can drop the ambient temp by a few critical degrees.
The Simple Fix: High-Velocity Fans
For smaller lobbies or stairwells, industrial drumming fans can keep air moving and meet the requirement on all but the hottest days.
The Passive approach: Heat Blockers
New blinds, reflective window film, or white roof coatings. Stop the heat before it gets inside.
The Watchdog: Sensors
Don't guess. Put a $20 smart sensor in the hallway. You need to know if you're failing before the city does.
Enforcement: When the Bylaw Officer Knocks
This isn't an LTB matter usually—it's a municipal one. That means it moves faster than an LTB hearing.
The Process
1. The Complaint: A tenant sweats in the hallway, gets annoyed, and calls 311 (or local bylaw).
2. The Visit: An officer shows up with a thermometer. If it reads 27°C, you're failed.
3. The Order: You get a work order. "Fix this by Tuesday."
4. The Pain: Ignore the order? Fines. Potential legal escalation. And now you're on the radar for every other little infraction in the building.
Note: Municipal punishment varies. In Toronto, the fines are steeper than in smaller towns. But in every city, a work order is a headache you don't want.
It's a Bylaw Issue
Your local bylaw office holds the stick here, not the LTB adjudicators. This means reduced wait times for enforcement—and quicker fines for you.
Tenant Rights
Tenants have the right to not melt in the elevator. Under Bill 64:
- They can demand temperature checks.
- They can call bylaw if it hits 27°C.
- They can expect you to act fast.
Can they withhold rent? No. Can they break a lease? Not directly. But consistent failure to maintain the building could build a case for "interference with reasonable enjoyment" (T2 application) or maintenance failure (T6), which costs you money in the long run.
Strategies for Landlords
Don't wait for the heatwave.
Action Plan
Walk the Building
Go to the top floor hallway on a sunny afternoon. If it feels stifling now, it'll be illegal in July.
Log the Data
A cheap digital thermometer log is your best defense. "Officer, here is our log showing 25C all week."
Budget the Fix
If you need a new chiller or A/C unit, order it in March. Waiting until June guarantees you pay a premium.
Talk to Residents
Let them know you are monitoring it. A tenant who sees you checking the temp is less likely to call the city out of frustration.
Exemptions? Not Many.
- Single-Family Homes: You're safe. No common areas.
- Small Multi-plexes: If it's a duplex with private entrances, you're likely exempt.
- Heritage Buildings: It's tricky. You can't just smash a hole in a 100-year-old brick wall for AC. But you still have to try—fans, blinds, portable units. You don't get a free pass just because the building is old.
Frequently Asked Questions
Related Resources
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