Stay cool, stay safe.

As summer begins, the weather is starting to heat up. While we enjoy the warm weather, extreme heat can also impact our health and comfort. Here are some tips to help you stay safe and cool this summer.

What is a heat warning?

Environment and Climate Change Canada issues heat warnings. They do this when they expect high temperatures for two or more days in a row. High temperatures are 31° Celsius or warmer during the day and 20° Celsius or warmer at night.

Heating and cooling in your building

Toronto Community Housing (TCHC) switches each building from the heating system to the cooling system for the summer. If you are having issues with the temperature in your unit, contact the Client Care Centre.  

TCHC will provide a cooling room in all buildings that do not have air conditioning in all rental units. Cooling rooms will be maintained to 26°C or below. The space will be available to tenants from Monday, June 1 to Wednesday, September 30, 2026. 

We will post the location of your building’s cooling room and/or the closest publicly accessible air-conditioned space on the RentSafeTO bulletin boards. These boards have a blue border and are in a public area in your building, like the lobby. 

You can also find a cool space near you at toronto.ca/cool-space. You can also call 3-1-1. 

Bill 97 and air conditioning in TCHC units

To keep your unit cool, you are encouraged to safely install and use air conditioning (AC) units.  

Effective July 1, 2026, Ontario's Residential Tenancies Act (RTA) was amended under Bill 97. This amendment permits tenants to install their own air conditioning (AC) units in buildings where the landlord does not supply AC.

Under Bill 97, air conditioners must be installed safely, and without damaging the building. For safety reasons, that means:  

• Tenants can install window ACs in their unit only if:  
  • the window AC is installed over a balcony, or
  • their unit is on the ground floor.
• Tenants can use portable floor-mounted AC units as long as they are installed and used properly.  

Fans and ACs can be used if they will not create fire, shock, overload electrical capacity in the unit, or any other risks to you or your neighbours.  

Do you receive Ontario Workers Assistance or Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP)? The City of Toronto may cover the cost of some medical devices, including air conditioners. This is offered directly through the City, so you will need to speak with your case worker to find out how to apply. For more details visit the City of Toronto website or speak to your case worker. 

More tips to stay cool

• Drink water and other fluids to stay hydrated.
• Keep curtains and blinds closed during the day. This will block the sun to help keep your unit cooler.
• Do not leave children or pets in parked cars.
• Visit a community pool or a nearby splash pad across the city. There are also swimming pools at some TCHC properties that tenants can use. Find a list of their locations under the Common areas section of our website.

Want more resources and information? Check out the City of Toronto's tips for staying cool through the summer.