Do Ontario Landlords Have to Provide Air Conditioning?

Tenants in Ontario often wonder if landlords are legally required to provide air conditioning in rental units. While the Ontario Building Code (OBC) has undergone recent updates, primarily focused on ventilation and mechanical systems, it still does not designate air conditioning as a mandatory component under provincial rental law. Instead, cooling remains a matter of lease agreements, local bylaws, and landlord choice.

Updates to the Ontario Building Code

In February 2023, the OBC (via O. Reg. 30/23) clarified provisions around HVAC systems, though mostly concerning smoke and fire dampers in high-rise residential and institutional buildings, not cooling requirements in homes. Shortly afterward, the 2024 edition (effective January 1, 2025) reorganized Part 9 by splitting ventilation into “heating season” and “non‑heating season” requirements under Section 9.32—highlighting emphasis on fresh air delivery but still not demanding active cooling systems. These changes reflect a broader move toward airtight, energy-efficient homes with effective ventilation—but air conditioning remains optional in the Code.

Landlord Responsibility: When AC Is Provided

Provincially, the Residential Tenancies Act mandates landlords provide vital services, such as heat, water, electricity, and ventilation, ensuring units are “fit for habitation.” Air conditioning, however, is not included. In municipalities like Toronto, though, local bylaws such as RentSafeTO require landlords to maintain landlord-installed AC (central or window units) during the cooling season, ensuring safe operation and indoor temperatures not exceeding around 26 °C. If AC is present, landlords must repair or replace it promptly at no extra charge.

Tenant Options: Installing Your Own Air Conditioner

Tenants may choose to install portable or window air conditioners on their own, as long as they comply with lease terms, don’t damage the property, and safely install the units (e.g., using drip pans or brackets). Even if leases prohibit AC outright, tenants, especially those with medical needs, can request landlord consent or appeal to the Landlord and Tenant Board. Ontario doesn’t forbid tenant-installed AC, and landlords cannot unreasonably deny such requests or impose excessive fees beyond reasonable cost recovery.

In summary, the updates to the Ontario Building Code have enhanced ventilation requirements but do not mandate air conditioning in rental units. Cooling remains optional unless explicitly provided by the landlord or required by local bylaws and lease terms.