Mississauga Proposes Changes to the Adequate Heat By-Law

Today at General Committee, City of Mississauga Enforcement staff proposed changes to the Adequate Heat By-law, following direction from Council to review the By-law and community feedback. During the review, staff considered unit temperature cooling provisions and the dates that the By-law would be in effect.

In their report, staff indicated that the changes to the By-law will ensure that landlords can be flexible when regulating heat in their buildings during fluctuating and extreme weather patterns. Currently, the By-law states that the owner shall provide the dwelling unit with adequate and stable heat of 20 degrees Celsius from September 15 to June 1.

Staff recommended the following changes to the Adequate Heat By-law:

• Landlords provide adequate heat to maintain unit temperature of at least 20 degrees Celsius.
• Where air-conditioning exists, landlords provide that a maximum temperature of 26 degrees Celsius is not exceeded.
• Remove the temperature range dates (September 15 to June 1) currently found within the existing By-law.

“Enforcement staff met with and received input from the public and stakeholders, including tenants, property management, owners and contractors on recommendations for the Adequate heat By-law,” said Geoff Wright, Commissioner, Transportation and Works. “The proposed changes comply with provincial requirements and responds to changing weather conditions. The changes also addresses many of the concerns that we heard during the public meetings, are easy to understand and will be enforceable.”

The report also cites an education plan to raise awareness and advise residents of the changes. If approved by Council, the By-Law name will change to Adequate Temperature By-Law, come into effect on June 6, 2018 and will be reviewed every three years. For more information visit: Mississauga.ca/bylawenforcement.