What are the rules about air conditioners?

Starting July 1, 2026, there are new rules for air conditioners in rental units.

If your home includes air conditioning

If your landlord provides air conditioning in your home, then your landlord must maintain it and keep it in good working condition. For example, you might live in a building or house with central air conditioning, or your apartment might have come with a window unit already installed.

Your municipality might have a by-law about the maximum temperature in your home. If so, the landlord must make sure the air conditioner they provide can cool your place to that temperature.

If there's no local by-law about this, Ontario law says your home must be “fit for habitation”. The law is not clear about what this means for cooling. If you think your place is not livable in hot weather and your landlord does nothing about it, try to get legal help.

If you want to use your own air conditioner

If your landlord does not provide air conditioning, you can install your own window air conditioning or portable unit. You can do this even if your tenancy agreement or your landlord does not allow air conditioners. Step 1 explains the legal rules that you have to follow.

However, if your rental unit is in a mobile home park or land lease community, these rules may not apply to you.