Repairs
Is my landlord required to provide heat?
In almost all cases, yes. Heat is a 'vital service' across Canada — a landlord generally can't shut it off or let it fail, even if you owe rent. Most cities set a minimum indoor temperature the landlord must maintain during the heating season.
By the LeasePlain Editorial Team · Checked against Ontario's Residential Tenancies Act per our editorial standards·Last reviewed August 2026
Minimum temperatures are set by municipal bylaw: Toronto requires 21°C (Oct 1–May 15), Ottawa 20°C during the day, and Vancouver 22°C. Ontario's provincial floor is 20°C.
If it's too cold, tell your landlord in writing, log the temperatures, and contact municipal bylaw enforcement or your tenancy board if it isn't fixed.