Multi-tenant housing or “rooming houses” are often the cheapest housing option available in the private rental market, making them an important source of affordable housing. On March 31, 2024, the City of Toronto put into place a new by-law to regulate multi-tenant housing across the city.
This resource offers a range of practical information about multi-tenant housing that can be useful for tenants in Toronto and for service providers who support these tenants.
This resource provides information about:
A multi-tenant house, or rooming house, is where unrelated people occupy a building that has been divided so that tenants can rent individual bedrooms and share other rooms, such as a living room, kitchen, or bathroom. Under Toronto’s new Multi-Tenant Houses by-law, it is also defined as a building with four or more rooms occupied or intended for people who do not form a single household. These residences are also known as “rooming houses”, “boarding houses”, “lodging houses”, “dwelling rooms” or “single-room occupancies.”
Under the new by-law, the definition also includes Personal Care Multi-Tenant Housing, where personal care services are provided to individuals as part of their tenancies (not including tenancies where services are provided by a regulated professional). This definition does not include group homes for youth, nursing homes, religious residences, student residences, tourist homes, hotels or refugee houses.
Tenancies in multi-tenant homes are governed by the Residential Tenancies Act (RTA), except for tenants who share a kitchen or bathroom with the building owner or the person they pay rent to.
Before the new by-law came into effect, multi-tenant homes were licensed in limited areas of the city, and only specific types of these homes were allowed in certain neighbourhoods. Overall, licensing was inconsistent, and multi-tenant homes were generally not permitted throughout Toronto.
However, multi-tenant homes still existed and simply operated without licensing and oversight by municipal authorities. Unfortunately, tenants sometimes experienced unsafe living conditions in multi-tenant homes that were unregulated. For instance, some operators would avoid obtaining permits and safety inspections from municipal authorities when renovating these homes, because it could alert authorities that they were operating an unregulated multi-tenant home, which could put the home at risk of being shut down. Additionally, tenants were often hesitant to report unsafe conditions because they feared it could result in losing their housing.
The City of Toronto’s Multi-Tenant Houses by-law came into effect on March 31, 2024. It allows multi-tenant homes to exist as licenced, regulated buildings across Toronto. Some important parts of the by-law are:
By providing clear rules, guidelines and supports, the City hopes that the by-law will encourage operators to create more multi-tenant homes – a critical stock of affordable homes – and preserve the ones that already exist.
Additionally, the new Rental Renovation Licence By-law will cover multi-tenant housing in Toronto once it comes into effect in July 2025.
In Toronto, all new and existing multi-tenant houses must operate in accordance with the new by-law. Operators of existing properties must make renovations where necessary to ensure they comply with the new requirements. Beyond the safety requirements outlined above, the by-law also sets different limits on the number of units allowed in a multi-tenant house, depending on its location within the city (the number of units permitted ranges from 6 to 25). Additionally, it also mandates that properties provide one parking space for every three dwelling rooms. This number is rounded down, so a multi-tenant home with five rooms would require one parking space. It also requires that each building have at least one bathroom – with a sink, toilet, bathtub or shower – for every four dwelling rooms. More information about requirements can be found here: Multi-Tenant House Owners & Operators – City of Toronto
The City has created the Multi-Tenant Houses Renovation & Repair Program, which provides funding to existing operators to help bring their buildings into compliance with the new by-law. If an operator receives this funding, they cannot apply for an Above Guideline Rent Increase (AGI) with the Landlord and Tenant Board related to the renovation.
If an operator fails to comply with any of the by-law requirements, they can be convicted of an offense, and can be fined up to a maximum of $100,000. Operators must obtain and regularly renew their multi-tenant housing license, and the city can refuse, revoke or suspend their license if the operator violates any of the applicable by-laws. The City of Toronto has said that they will not close existing multi-tenant homes unless an immediate health and safety risk is identified during the initial implementation phase of the new by-law.
Operators of multi-tenant homes that are governed by the RTA must:
Operators can only enter a tenant’s unit for valid reasons, during certain times and with proper notice. In a multi-tenant home, the tenant’s unit is an individual room.
Rent can be raised once per year, usually only by the yearly rent increase guideline amount set by the provincial government.
Only the Landlord and Tenant Board can order a tenant’s eviction, and only the Sheriff can enforce that order. Operators of multi-tenant homes cannot change the locks on a tenant’s unit.
Tenants have the right to live in their housing without being harassed or facing discrimination, as outlined in the Ontario Human Rights Code.
The notice board must include:
Most tenancies in multi-tenant homes are governed by the Residential Tenancies Act (RTA) which establishes a range of rights and responsibilities of tenants, property owners, operators and landlords.
However, tenants in multi-tenant homes are not covered by the RTA if they share a kitchen or bathroom with the building owner or the person they pay rent to. This means that, in these situations, landlords are not required to follow the same procedures outlined in the RTA, for example around the eviction process.
If you are a tenant having issues with your rental unit in a multi-tenant house, you should notify your landlord about your concerns in writing.
Make sure your communication is dated, and keep a copy of your written communications.
You can also use this visual service request form to indicate which areas of your unit require attention.
If your landlord does not respond to your written request
Submit a service request to the City of Toronto and request that a City inspector investigate the issue.
To create a service request:
If you have fire safety concerns
Contact Toronto Fire Services to conduct a fire safety inspection.
If you share a kitchen or bathroom with your landlord
Tenants in these living arrangements should get free legal help to understand your rights:
It is a good idea to get legal support if you are having troubles in rental housing.
On this page, find key information about the rent regulation laws in place in your province or territory, including about:
* The information on this page was last updated in February 2025.
Can my landlord increase my rent?
Yes, subject to certain rules.
Does my province have a rent regulation policy?
No, Alberta does not have a rent regulation policy, and there are no limits to how much a landlord may increase the rent. But there are some rules in the Residential Tenancies Act (RTA) on how and when rent can be increased.
What are the rules around rent increases?
Can my landlord increase my rent?
Yes, subject to certain rules.
Does my province have a rent regulation policy?
Yes, British Columbia has a rent regulation policy in the Residential Tenancies Act (RTA) which sets the maximum limits by which landlords can increase the rent every year.
What are the rules around rent increases?
Can my landlord increase my rent by more than what the limit allows?
If a landlord wants to raise the rent beyond the limits allowed in the RTA, they can apply to the Residential Tenancies Branch. The RTA lists specific reasons why a landlord can apply for an above limit which include:
Do rent increase limits apply when renters change?
When a renter leaves a unit, there are no legal limits for how much a landlord can increase the rent for a new renter.
Can my landlord increase my rent?
Yes, subject to certain rules.
Does my province have a rent regulation policy?
Yes, Manitoba has a rent regulation policy in the Residential Tenancies Act (RTA) which sets the maximum limits by which landlords can increase the rent every year. The Residential Tenancies Branch can order a landlord to roll back rents and repay unauthorized rents to renters if they find that a renter has been charged an unauthorized rent.
What are the rules around rent increases?
Can my landlord increase my rent by more than what the limit allows?
A landlord may apply to the Director of Residential Tenancies to be allowed to raise the rent above the annual limit if they can show they have increased operating costs or capital expenses. If a renter objects to the increase, they may file an objection with the Director.
Do rent increase limits apply when renters change?
If a renter moves out of a unit in a building that has four or more units, the rent charged for the new renter may be increased to the average rent being charged for similar units in the same building if notice is given to the new renters. But if a renter moves out of a rental unit in a building that has three units or less, the landlord can increase the rent by any amount that they decide, if they provide notice to the new renters.
Can my landlord increase my rent?
Yes, subject to certain rules.
Does my province have a rent regulation policy?
Yes, New Brunswick has a rent regulation policy in the Residential Tenancies Act (RTA) which sets the maximum limits by which landlords can increase the rent every year. This policy was introduced in 2025.
What are the rules around rent increases?
Can my landlord increase my rent by more than what the limit allows?
Landlords can apply to a residential tenancies officer for permission to raise the rent by more than what is allowed in the RTA, up to a maximum limit. In order to obtain approval to raise the rent above what is allowed in the RTA, landlords must provide proof that they have incurred capital expenditures for renovations.
Do rent increase limits apply when renters change?
When a renter leaves a unit, there are no legal limits for how much a landlord can increase the rent for a new renter.
Can my landlord increase my rent?
Yes, subject to some rules.
Does my province have a rent regulation policy?
No, Newfoundland and Labrador does not have a rent regulation policy, and there are no limits to how much a landlord may increase the rent. But there are some rules in the Residential Tenancies Act (RTA) on how and when rent can be increased.
What are the rules around rent increases?
Can my landlord increase my rent?
Yes, subject to certain rules.
Does my territory have a rent regulation policy?
No, Northwest Territories does not have a rent regulation policy, and there are no limits to how much a landlord may increase the rent. But there are some rules in the Residential Tenancies Act (RTA) on how and when rent can be increased.
What are the rules around rent increases?
Can my landlord increase my rent?
Yes, subject to certain rules.
Does my province have a rent regulation policy?
No, Nova Scotia does not have a permanent rent regulation policy, and there are no limits to how much a landlord may increase the rent. But there are some rules in the Residential Tenancies Act on how and when rent can be increased. The province implemented a temporary rent regulation policy in November 2020 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, which has been extended to December 31, 2025.
What are the general rules around rent increases?
What is the temporary rent regulation policy?
Can my landlord increase my rent?
Yes, subject to certain rules.
Does my territory have a rent regulation policy?
No, Nunavut does not have a rent regulation policy, and there are no limits to how much a landlord may increase the rent. But there are some rules in the Residential Tenancies Act (RTA) on how and when rent can be increased.
What are the rules around rent increases?
Can my landlord increase my rent?
Yes, subject to certain rules.
Does my province have a rent regulation policy?
Yes, Ontario has a rent regulation policy in the Residential Tenancies Act (RTA) which sets the maximum limits by which landlords can increase the rent every year. In Ontario these are referred to as guidelines.
What are the rules around rent increases?
Can my landlord increase my rent by more than what the limit allows?
Landlords can apply to the LTB for permission to raise the rent by more than what is allowed in the guideline. This is referred to as an above guideline increase or AGI. The RTA lists specific reasons why a landlord can apply for an AGI which include:
If the landlord gets approval for an AGI, they must still wait 12 months between rent increases and give 90 days’ written notice to the renter before the rent goes up.
Do rent increase limits apply when renters change?
When a renter leaves a unit, there are no legal limits for how much a landlord can increase the rent for a new renter.
Can my landlord increase my rent?
Yes, subject to certain rules.
Does my province have a rent regulation policy?
Yes, Prince Edward Island has a rent regulation policy in the Rental of Residential Property Act. The Island Regulatory and Appeals Commission decides the maximum limits by which landlords can raise the rent every year.
What are the rules around rent increases?
Can my landlord increase my rent by more than what the limit allows?
If a landlord wants to raise the rent above the limit that is allowed, they must apply to the Office of the Director of Residential Rental Property, and the Director will decide on the increase. A hearing must take place which may be attended by the renter. The Director will consider different factors when making their decision including:
Do rent increase limits apply when renters change?
Rent increases are attached to the unit and not the renter. Rent cannot be automatically increased between different renters. If a new renter moves in, the landlord can only increase the rent according to the rules around rent increases mentioned above. If a landlord wants to increase the rent beyond the limit, they must apply to the Office of the Director of Residential Rental Property.
Can my landlord increase my rent?
Yes, subject to certain rules.
Does my province have a rent regulation policy?
Yes, Quebec has a rent regulation policy, but it only applies if a renter refuses a proposed increase within one month of receiving notice of it. If a renter does not refuse, then a landlord can increase the rent by any amount.
What are the rules around rent increases?
Do rent increase limits apply when renters change?
Rent increases are attached to the unit and not the renter. Rent cannot be automatically increased between different renters. If a new renter moves in, the landlord can only increase the rent according to the rules around rent increases mentioned above. They must disclose in the lease the lowest amount of rent that the previous renter paid within the last 12 months.
Can my landlord increase my rent?
Yes, subject to certain rules.
Does my province have a rent regulation policy?
No, Saskatchewan does not have a rent regulation policy, and there are no limits to how much a landlord may increase the rent. But there are some rules in the Residential Tenancies Act (RTA) on how and when rent can be increased.
What are the rules around rent increases?
Can my landlord increase my rent?
Yes, subject to certain rules.
Does my territory have a rent regulation policy?
Yukon does not have a permanent rent regulation policy. However, a temporary rent regulation policy has been in effect since January 31, 2023. Since this is a temporary policy, the rules around rent regulation might change in future years.
What are the general rules around rent increases?
What is the temporary rent regulation policy?
With over 170 entries, this annotated bibliography represents the first comprehensive collection of grey literature on the right to housing for disabled people in Canada, focusing on four provinces – British Columbia, Manitoba, Nova Scotia and Ontario – as well as Canada-wide and international sources. It aims to fill a significant gap in existing research by providing a resource that captures the evolving landscape of housing rights for disabled individuals over the past 30 years.
This bibliography is particularly valuable because it highlights both progress and ongoing challenges in this area, offering a nuanced view of what has and has not changed. As grey literature often bypasses the lengthy peer review and editorial processes of academic publishing, it can provide more current and diverse insights. This is especially important for underrepresented areas and authors who might lack access to traditional publishing platforms.
Our hope is that it will serve as a crucial tool for both academic researchers and community-based groups, reflecting the lived experiences of disabled individuals and the work of non-profit organizations dedicated to service and advocacy. Ultimately, we envision this bibliography as a catalyst for political and social change, informing efforts to secure and improve the right to housing for disabled people in Canada.
Our aim is continue adding new entries to this annotated bibliography in the coming year. If you would like to make a contribution, please contact us:
Email: research [at] housingrightscanada.com
A note on terminology
* The use of “person-first” language (people with disabilities) vs. “identity-first” language (disabled people) is contentious within disability communities. Identity-first language is generally preferred by contemporary disability activists as it places the focus on societal barriers (i.e., disabled people are disabled by society). However, some others, especially people labelled with an intellectual disability, tend to prefer person-first language. We have used both forms in this paper to respect the preferences of members of these various communities.
This toolkit is designed to help renters in Ontario assert their rights when facing discrimination and harassment in their housing, and provides information and guidance for self-advocacy. Learn about the Ontario Human Rights Code, forms of discrimination and Code-protected grounds, how to navigate the Ontario human rights system, and the steps renters can take to advocate for their rights.
Although this toolkit focuses on information about Ontario housing law, the guidance for self-advocacy is applicable to renters across Canada.
This guide is designed to provide housing providers in Ontario with information about their obligations under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (AODA).
Housing providers are faced with the complex challenge of adhering to municipal and provincial laws and responding to the diverse needs of their renters. The purpose of this guide is to help clarify their requirements under the AODA. It also covers how the AODA works with other legislation and offers useful tips to housing providers on how to ensure that their business practices promote accessibility.
The information on this page outlines rules, renters’ rights and landlords’ responsibilities as laid out in Ontario housing laws such as the Residential Tenancies Act, the Human Rights Code and the Housing Services Act.
Usually, a landlord cannot stop a tenant from hosting guests in their rental unit. In regular tenancies, a tenant has the right to welcome any guest that the tenant wants to visit them in their unit, and for any period of time. If a landlord tries to control which guests a tenant can invite into their home, this may be considered harassment or discrimination.
However, there are some limits to hosting guests. For example, a tenant is responsible for damage that their guests cause to the rental property or if their guests interfere with the landlord’s or other tenants’ interests in or enjoyment of the rental property. A tenant may also be responsible if they allow anyone to commit any illegal acts at the rental building. In these cases, a landlord will sometimes give a tenant’s guest a trespass notice. Although the tenant is still allowed to have that guest visit them in their own unit (if they want to), that guest is not allowed to go anywhere else in the rental property.
In subsidized or Rent-Geared-to-Income (RGI) housing, the guest policies vary but tenants are normally not allowed to have long-term guests and there is normally a limit on the number of days that a tenant can host a guest. For more information on guest policies in subsidized housing, a tenant should consult the policies set out by their landlord.
Typically, a landlord cannot raise rent or charge extra fees when a tenant hosts a guest. Ontario’s Residential Tenancies Act (RTA) prohibits landlords from collecting any refundable or non-refundable fees, except for a previously agreed upon key deposit and/or last month’s rental deposit. However, if a guest damages property, the tenant who invited that guest may be responsible to pay for the damage.
The rules for tenants in Rent-Geared-to-Income (RGI) housing are different. Each RGI housing provider must have a guest policy which allows guests, but the policy will have limitations on how long a guest may visit. Violating a guest policy in RGI housing could result in a rent increase. For more information on guest policies in RGI housing, a tenant should consult their housing provider’s policies.
A roommate or occupant is a person who has not signed a lease, but who lives in the rental unit with the permission of the tenant. Typically, a landlord cannot raise rent or charge extra fees when a tenant adds a roommate or occupant. Ontario’s Residential Tenancies Act (RTA) prohibits landlords from collecting any refundable or non-refundable fees, except for a previously agreed upon deposit for keys and/or one month’s rent. However, if a guest damages the rental property, the tenant who invited the guest may be responsible for the damage.
The rules for tenants in Rent-Geared-to-Income (RGI) housing are different. A tenant must inform their RGI housing provider if they would like to have a person staying with them for longer than the housing provider’s policies allow. If the RGI housing provider agrees to allow the tenant to add a roommate, the tenant will likely be required to provide information about the roommate to the RGI housing provider, and their rent will likely increase. Violating these policies in RGI housing could result in a rent increase. Tenants should consult their RGI housing provider’s policies for more information about guest policies.
Some municipalities set by-laws for the minimum amount of floor area required for each person living in one room. A landlord can apply to evict a tenant for overcrowding a unit if a rental unit has so many occupants that the unit is overcrowded. A tenant should consult their municipal by-laws for more information on what constitutes overcrowding.
The protections for tenants under Ontario’s Residential Tenancies Act only apply to certain types of situations when the facilities of a unit are shared by multiple people.
Generally, RTA protections apply to a tenant who rents a bedroom and shares all other facilities of a unit with other tenants who all have their own leases.
RTA protections do not apply to a tenant who shares a kitchen or a bathroom with the person they rent from – which could include their landlord or another tenant who is the lease holder – or with an immediate family member of the landlord.
In any situation where a tenant shares facilities with other people, they should seek legal advice to confirm whether the protections of the RTA apply to them. Tenants can also consult Community Legal Education Ontario’s (CLEO) resource for more information about their rights in specific housing situations.
Tenants who rent a bedroom and share facilities – and who are protected by the RTA – should be aware that:
In Ontario’s Residential Tenancies Act (RTA), subletting happens when a tenant transfers their entire rental unit to another person or group – known as a subtenant – for a specific period of time, and then the tenant later returns to resume living in their unit, and the subtenant moves out. The original lease agreement between the tenant and the landlord remains in effect. This means that the tenant remains responsible to the landlord for paying rent. Typically, a subtenant pays rent to the original tenant during the subtenancy. However, even if the subtenant pays the landlord directly, the tenant is still ultimately responsible for ensuring that the rent is paid to the landlord. The tenant is also responsible for any damage that the subtenant causes to the unit.
There are some restrictions on subletting a unit. For example, a sublet agreement must specify the time period for the subtenancy. This means that a subtenancy cannot go month-to-month like a tenancy can. Furthermore, a tenant must leave the rental unit while allowing a subtenant to live in the unit. There is no sublet relationship if a tenant does not leave the rental unit while allowing another person to live in the unit. If the tenant lives in the unit at the same time as another person, then that other person is an occupant or a roommate. Read more about the differences between a sublet, an occupant, and a roommate.
The Residential Tenancies Act (RTA) requires a tenant to get their landlord’s permission to sublet their unit. However, a landlord is not allowed to “arbitrarily” or “unreasonably” stop a tenant from subletting the unit. If a landlord refuses to allow their tenant to sublet their unit, the tenant can apply to the Landlord and Tenant Board (LTB) to determine whether the landlord arbitrarily or unreasonably refused to allow them to sublet.
If a tenant gives possession of the rental unit to another person without the landlord’s consent, the sublet agreement is not valid at the LTB and the person who has taken possession could be evicted by the landlord.
Rent-Geared-to-Income (RGI) housing policies normally prevent a tenant from subletting their unit. If an RGI housing provider prohibits subletting, and a tenant sublets their unit anyway, the tenant could be evicted. Tenants who live in RGI housing should consult their housing provider’s policies for more information on subletting.
A tenant who sublets their unit is still entitled to all the benefits of their tenancy agreement, and they also still hold all the responsibilities of that agreement with their landlord. The tenant is also responsible to ensure that their subtenant upholds all the responsibilities of the tenancy agreement with the landlord. For example, this means that the tenant is responsible to ensure that the rent is paid to the landlord, and the tenant can apply to evict their subtenant if the subtenant fails to pay the rent.
During the subtenancy, the subtenant is entitled to the benefits outlined in the sublet agreement as well as in the RTA. The subtenant is also accountable for any responsibilities described in their sublet agreement that do not conflict with the RTA. Typically, landlords do not have any responsibilities towards the subtenant. However, the landlord continues to have responsibilities towards the tenant when that tenant sublets the rental unit. For example, a landlord should continue to maintain the unit and make repairs during a subtenancy. A subtenant can inform the tenant or the landlord of repairs that are needed.
A tenant can “assign” their lease to another person. When a lease is assigned to another person, the original lease agreement ends and a new lease agreement begins. The new lease agreement is between the new tenant (or “assignee”) and the landlord.
As a result, the original tenant (or “assignor”) will no longer have a right to occupy the unit. The original tenant will not owe any rent that is due after the date that the assignment begins. All of the rights to the unit and the obligations to the landlord become the responsibility of the new tenant. The details of the lease remain the same, including the type of lease (yearly, monthly, weekly, daily, or fixed-term), any included amenities or services, and the amount of rent owed.
As noted above, if a tenant chooses to sublet their unit, the lease agreement between the original tenant and the landlord continues. The sublet agreement creates a relationship between the tenant and the subtenant. The tenant becomes the subtenant’s landlord. Often, the subtenant pays rent to the tenant and the tenant pays rent to the landlord. If the subtenant is late paying their rent, the tenant will still owe the landlord that rent.
If a tenant chooses to assign their lease, the new tenant’s lease agreement replaces the original tenant’s lease agreement. The original tenant will owe the landlord rent up until the day before the start date of the assigned lease. At the start date of the assigned lease, the new tenant will owe the landlord rent, and the original tenant will not owe any more. Once the new tenant’s lease begins, the original tenant has no remaining rights to the unit. For example, the original tenant cannot move back into the unit at the end of the new tenant’s assigned lease.
Section 95 of the RTA describes the rules about lease assignments.
A tenant must ask for their landlord’s approval to assign their lease. Usually, the tenant is also responsible for finding a new tenant (the assignee) to take over the lease. However, there are some circumstances where the landlord may want to choose the assignee, for example from their building’s waiting list.
It is up to the tenant to decide whether to ask for their landlord’s approval first and then try to find an assignee, or whether to find an assignee first and then ask for the landlord to approve the assignment and the potential assignee at the same time. Keep in mind that a landlord may refuse to allow the lease assignment and/or refuse to approve a particular assignee suggested by the tenant.
If a landlord refuses to allow a tenant to assign their lease, the tenant may choose to continue living in the unit and keep their original lease agreement. However, if the tenant would still like to move out, they may end their tenancy by giving the landlord an N9 form called “Tenant’s Notice to End the Tenancy”. The tenant must provide this notice within 30 days of the landlord’s refusal, and they must provide the landlord with at least 30 days’ notice before they intend to move out.
A landlord has seven days to respond to a tenant’s request to assign their lease. If the landlord has not replied within seven days, the tenant then has 30 days to give the landlord an N9 form to end their tenancy. The tenant must provide the landlord with at least 30 days’ notice before they intend to move out.
If a landlord consents to a tenant’s request to assign their lease but does not approve the specific assignee chosen by the tenant, the tenant can apply to the Landlord and Tenant Board (LTB). The landlord is not allowed to “unreasonably” or “arbitrarily” refuse an assignee chosen by the tenant. However, if the landlord has a good reason to refuse the request, the tenant will have to find a different assignee.
If the LTB agrees that the landlord “unreasonably” or “arbitrarily” refused to consent to a particular assignee, the LTB may order that the landlord agree to the assignee, that the landlord agree to a different assignment suggested by the tenant, or that the lease agreement between the tenant and landlord be terminated. If a tenant finds themselves in this situation, they should get legal advice about their options.
u003cp style=u0022text-align: left;u0022u003eThe Canadian Centre for Housing Rights (CCHR) provides u003ca href=u0022https://housingrightscanada.com/our-work/our-tenant-services/u0022u003efree, individualized servicesu003c/au003e to renters in Ontario who are facing challenges in their housing.u003c/pu003e
While financially supported by The Law Foundation of Ontario, the Canadian Centre for Housing Rights is solely responsible for all content on this page.
Please note: In June 2023, the Government of Ontario passed changes to the laws affecting air conditioners; however, those laws are not yet in force. The information on this page details the current rules related to air conditioning set out in Ontario’s existing laws. This page will be updated once changes to the laws affecting air conditioning are in force. To receive updates, please subscribe to our newsletter.
Whether or not you can have an air conditioner depends on your lease. Some leases specify the types of air conditioners you can have, extra fees you may be charged, and other requirements, like asking your landlord for permission. Other leases do not specify anything about air conditioners.
If your lease says something about air conditioners, you are required to follow what your lease says.
If your lease does not say anything about air conditioners, you are allowed to have one, but you should talk to your landlord about how best to proceed.
If you are unsure how to approach your landlord, may not have a written lease, or you have any other questions that are not covered in the questions below, contact CCHR for support.
If you rent a place with air conditioning already provided, your landlord is required to maintain or repair that air conditioning at their own cost. An example of this would be if you have central air conditioning or a window unit that was already installed before you moved in.
Your landlord cannot introduce an additional fee or charge you to fix air conditioning that they provided to you.
To learn more about your landlord’s duty to make repairs see our FAQ on maintenance in rental housing.
Take a look at your lease. If your lease does not say anything about air conditioners, then your landlord cannot prevent you from using one as long as it can be safely installed and operated, and does not cause any damage or disturb any other tenants.
Some leases require that the tenant must ask the landlord for permission to install a window air conditioner. Your landlord may be hesitant to allow you to use a window unit as they may want to ensure that it is installed properly and safely. If this is their concern, you could offer to hire a professional to install it or you could offer to use a portable air conditioner, which sits on the floor and does not need to be installed in a window.
Either way, you should try to get permission to use an air conditioner from your landlord in writing.
First, you should review your lease. If you agreed in your lease to pay a fee for air conditioning, then you will have to pay for air conditioning.
If your lease does not say anything about air conditioning, then your landlord cannot charge you extra for having an air conditioner. You should make sure that your air conditioner is installed safely and does not cause damage or disturb your neighbours.
If your lease says that you need permission to have an air conditioner, you should talk to your landlord. If electricity (hydro) is included in your rent, your landlord may be able to ask you to pay an extra fee for air conditioning for the months that you would use it. The amount charged to you cannot be more than the actual cost to your landlord and it must be “reasonable.” You and your landlord could agree that the extra charge should only be applied during the months that you use air conditioning, or that it should be spread out over the year.
Steps to Justice provides this scenario as an example:
“If you and your landlord agree that an air conditioner will add $30 a month to the landlord’s electric bill, and you will use it for 4 months each year, you could spread the total cost of $120 over the full year by increasing the rent by $10 a month.”
Either way, make sure you get the agreement with your landlord in writing.
Under the Ontario Human Rights Code your landlord is obligated to accommodate your disability, which could include permitting you to have an air conditioner. Your landlord is only discharged of their obligation to accommodate your needs if they can demonstrate that making the accommodations you asked for would result in “undue hardship.”
To do that, your landlord would need to prove that:
If you need to request an accommodation, you should give your landlord a written request explaining your need for the accommodation, along with a letter from your doctor explaining why you need air conditioning.
CCHR has a self-advocacy toolkit that walks tenants through the process of requesting accommodation from their landlord. CCHR also provides assistance to tenants throughout this process, including advocating directly with landlords.
If you have made a request and you don’t think it has been properly accommodated by your landlord, you can file an application with the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario.
For more information about how to pursue an application at the Tribunal, reach out to the Human Rights Legal Support Centre:
The Canadian Centre for Housing Rights (CCHR) provides free, individualized services to renters in Ontario who are facing challenges in their housing.
Our collection of printable resources provide basic information about Ontario housing law, human rights in rental housing, and renters’ rights when facing eviction.
We recommend printing a copy of each to keep on hand for quick reference, or to easily share this information with other renters or people in your community.
Printing tip: Each of these resources are 2-page PDFs. If you would like to use only one sheet of paper, follow these instructions to set up double-sided printing.
This printable resource provides information on how Ontario Laws like the Residential Tenancies Act and the Human Rights Code establish certain rights for most renters. This resource is available in several languages.
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This printable resource provides information on Human rights in housing based on the Ontario Human Rights Code.
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This printable resource provides information on what renters rights are when faced with an eviction and the steps that landlords must follow.
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This printable resource provides information on responsibilities of the landlord and tenant when it comes repairs and maintenance. It outlines the types of repair and maintenance work landlords are responsible for, timeframes for entering a unit and completing work, and where to get help with unresolved repair and maintenance issues.
This printable resource provides tips on how tenants can keep a record of interactions they have had with their landlord, in case they need to provide the Landlord and Tenant Board with evidence of their version of events.
As a tenant leader, advocating for tenant communities on the ground will require a fair knowledge of the policies and legal frameworks through which the right to housing is implemented in Canada. This toolbox provides a range of practical resources to support your leadership and advocacy work, with tools to increase your understanding of the right to housing in Canada.
Tenant leaders will usually be the first point of contact for impacted communities – with tenants themselves but also politicians, developers, lawyers and housing service providers. A key aspect of your advocacy work will be information: knowing which laws and policies regulate housing and how to best navigate the housing system will go a long way in preparing your claims and providing support to fellow tenants.
Inside the toolbox you’ll find:
The Canadian Centre for Housing Rights (CCHR) has an online repository of resources on the right to housing in Canada. Below are some key resources on the right to housing, rental housing and the rights of tenants.
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