Home & Property
Adequate Indoor Temperature in Rental Homes
Hamilton to pilot Ontario’s first Adequate Temperature Bylaw in 2027
A pilot to protect renters during extreme heat.
As climate change continues to increase the frequency, intensity and duration of extreme heat events, communities across Canada are facing new challenges in protecting residents from heat-related health risks. Hamilton is expected to experience more days above 30°C, longer heat waves and warmer overnight temperatures in the decades ahead, conditions that can have significant impacts on health and wellbeing, particularly for older adults and other vulnerable populations.
In response, the City of Hamilton is piloting Ontario's first Adequate Temperature Bylaw to explore how indoor temperature standards in rental housing can help protect residents during periods of extreme heat. Developed through public engagement and consultation with community partners, the pilot will help the City evaluate potential benefits, implementation challenges and impacts on renters and landlords before considering a future city-wide approach. The initiative builds on Hamilton's existing extreme heat response measures and supports the City's broader efforts to strengthen community resilience as the climate continues to change.
Implementation details and contact information to be provided in Spring 2027.
Ward 2 Pilot
The Adequate Temperature Bylaw pilot will test a maximum indoor temperature standard of 26°C in at least one habitable space within a rental unit during the summer months.
The pilot is intended to:
- Improve understanding of how indoor temperature standards can help support resident health and safety.
- Assess impacts on renters and landlords.
- Identify implementation and enforcement considerations.
- Evaluate costs, compliance challenges and exemption requests.
- Inform future Council decisions regarding a potential city-wide program.
The pilot will be enforced on a complaint basis, similar to the City's existing property standards enforcement process.
What you need to know
The Adequate Temperature Bylaw would be the first initiative of its kind in Ontario.
A pilot approach allows the City to:
- Gather real-world data over two summer seasons.
- Evaluate impacts on renters and landlords.
- Understand compliance and enforcement requirements.
- Assess how a temperature standard can be implemented in different building types.
- Ensure future decisions are informed by evidence, practical experience and community needs.
- October 2026 - Council Approval
- Hamilton City Council approved the Adequate Temperature Bylaw pilot program for Ward 2 (Downtown Hamilton).
- Fall 2026 to Spring 2027 - Program Development and Education
- Develop implementation plans and administrative processes.
- Create landlord and tenant educational materials.
- Establish exemption and enforcement procedures.
- Conduct outreach and awareness activities.
- June 1, 2027 - Pilot Launch
- Adequate Temperature Bylaw pilot comes into effect in Ward 2.
- Summer 2027 - Year One Monitoring
- City staff monitor implementation, compliance and operational considerations.
- Public education and stakeholder engagement continue.
- Summer 2028 - Year Two Monitoring
- Continued evaluation of pilot outcomes and lessons learned.
- Data collection and analysis continue.
- September 15, 2028 - Pilot Concludes
- End of pilot period.
- 2029 - Evaluation and Reporting:
- Staff review pilot results and report findings to Council.
- Council considers next steps and any potential future expansion of the program.
Hamilton's existing Property Standards By-law applies only when a landlord already provides air conditioning. In those cases, the air conditioning system must be maintained in good repair and capable of keeping indoor temperatures at or below 26°C during the summer months.
While both bylaws aim to support safe living conditions in rental housing, they address indoor cooling requirements in different ways.
- Property Standards Bylaw: Applies only where a landlord already provides air conditioning and requires that equipment to be maintained in good repair and capable of keeping indoor temperatures at or below 26°C during the summer months.
- Adequate Temperature Bylaw Pilot: Establishes a maximum indoor temperature standard of 26°C in at least one habitable space within a rental unit, regardless of whether air conditioning is currently provided.
- Cooling Measures: Under the pilot, landlords would be responsible for ensuring the temperature standard is met, subject to approved exemptions where compliance is not feasible due to building or infrastructure limitations.
Pilot Purpose: The Ward 2 pilot will help the City assess implementation, impacts and enforcement considerations before considering a potential city-wide approach.
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