Can my landlord stop me from using an AC in Ontario?
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Since July 1, 2026, the answer in most cases is no. Ontario tenants can install a window or portable air conditioner even if your lease says no or the landlord objects, provided you meet the six conditions in the law. If those conditions are met, the landlord cannot refuse. The rules were added as section 36.1 of the Residential Tenancies Act, 2006.
The short version
A window or portable AC is allowed even over a lease clause or a landlord’s objection, as long as you give written notice first and keep it safe. The one thing a landlord can sometimes do is add a seasonal charge, but only in a narrow set of circumstances, described below.
1
The six conditions
Open this section ↓You may install a window or portable air conditioner even if the lease prohibits it or the landlord objects, as long as all six of these are true:
- 1Before installing the air conditioner, you tell the landlord in writing.
- 2If the landlord provides electricity as part of the tenancy agreement, you give the landlord any information available about the energy efficiency of the air conditioner, and about how much you intend to use it.
- 3The installation is not prohibited by any applicable municipal property standards by-law or other applicable laws.
- 4The air conditioner is installed safely and securely.
- 5The installation and maintenance comply with any applicable municipal property standards by-law or other applicable laws.
- 6You make sure the air conditioner, including its installation and operation, does not damage the rental unit or residential complex.
↑ Close this sectionYour written notice before installing also has to say for what periods of time you intend to use it, for example the months of June, July and August. You must also give written notice when the air conditioner is removed or is no longer in use. The landlord may inspect it, but has to give you at least 24 hours’ written notice first.
Already had an air conditioner in before July 1, 2026? The conditions above apply to it too, except conditions 1 and 2.
2
When a landlord can charge for it
Open this section ↓A seasonal rent increase for an air conditioner is only possible for a unit installed on or after July 1, 2026, and only if both of these are true: electricity is included in the cost of rent, and the tenancy agreement does not prohibit rent increases for the use of an air conditioner. Where an increase is allowed, it is tightly limited:
- •It cannot be more than the actual cost of the electricity supplied to operate the air conditioner. If the actual cost cannot be determined, it can be a reasonable estimate based on the efficiency and intended-usage information you provided.
- •It can only be charged for the months the air conditioner is being used. The brochure’s own example: if you use it from July 1 to September 30, the increase should only apply to payments for July, August and September.
- •The rent must be decreased by the same amount when the air conditioner is removed or is no longer in use, for example at the end of the summer.
- •These rules must be followed even if the tenancy agreement has different terms about these kinds of charges.
If your lease already says you can install an air conditioner without a rent increase, the landlord cannot increase the rent for it at all.
This is not a normal rent increase
The LTB is explicit that a seasonal air-conditioner increase works differently from other rent increases. The usual rules under the Residential Tenancies Act, which include giving a 90-day written notice on an LTB-approved form, or waiting at least 12 months since the last increase, do not apply to it. So a seasonal charge appearing without that 90-day notice is not, by itself, a sign the landlord has broken the rules.
The brochure says the landlord should notify you on what dates your rent will be seasonally increased and decreased, and by how much. It does not set an advance-notice period for that, so we do not state one.
↑ Close this section3
If you think the rules were not followed
Both routes below go to the Landlord and Tenant Board, which decides these applications.Open this section ↓Both routes below go to the Landlord and Tenant Board, which decides these applications. Filing one is how you ask the LTB to look at your situation; it is not a decision in your favour.
↑ Close this sectionYou paid too much
If you believe a seasonal increase was too high, or the rent was not reduced once you stopped using the air conditioner, you may file a Tenant Application for a Rebate of the Money the Landlord Owes.
Form T1, at the LTB →You were refused
If you believe the landlord refused to let you install or use an air conditioner even though you met all the conditions above, you may file an Application About Tenant Rights.
Form T2, at the LTB →4
Common Questions
Can my landlord stop me from putting a window AC in my Ontario apartment?Open this section ↓↑ Close this sectionCan my landlord stop me from putting a window AC in my Ontario apartment?
As of July 1, 2026, no, not if you meet the conditions in the law. Ontario tenants can install a window or portable air conditioner even if the lease says no or the landlord objects, as long as all six conditions are met. If they are met, the landlord cannot refuse.
Do I have to tell my landlord before installing an air conditioner?
Yes. You must give the landlord written notice before you install it, and the notice has to say which months you plan to use it. You must also give written notice when the air conditioner is removed or is no longer being used.
Can my landlord charge me extra for using my air conditioner in Ontario?
Only in a narrow case. A seasonal rent increase is possible only for an air conditioner installed on or after July 1, 2026, and only if electricity is included in the cost of rent and the tenancy agreement does not prohibit rent increases for the use of an air conditioner. Even then it cannot be more than the actual cost of the electricity supplied to operate it (or a reasonable estimate based on the efficiency and usage information you gave), it can only be charged for the months it is being used, and the rent must be decreased by the same amount when it is removed or no longer in use. If your agreement says you can install one without a rent increase, the landlord cannot increase the rent for it at all.
My landlord added an AC charge without 90 days notice. Is that allowed?
The LTB says the usual rent-increase rules do not apply to this kind of charge. A seasonal air-conditioner increase is different from other rent increases, and the usual rules under the Residential Tenancies Act, which include a 90-day written notice on an LTB-approved form and waiting at least 12 months since the last increase, do not apply to it. The brochure says the landlord should tell you the dates your rent will be seasonally increased and decreased and by how much, but it does not set an advance-notice period.
Can my landlord ban window air conditioners in Ontario?
Not if you meet the conditions. A tenant has a right to install their own window or portable air conditioner if they meet all the conditions, even if the tenancy agreement states that air conditioners are not allowed or the landlord objects. If you believe you met every condition and were still refused, you may file an Application About Tenant Rights (Form T2) at the Landlord and Tenant Board, which decides the matter.
Can my landlord come in to inspect the air conditioner?
Yes. The landlord can inspect the air conditioner but must give you at least 24 hours’ written notice first.
Do these rules apply to a mobile home park or land lease community?
No. These air-conditioner rules do not apply to mobile home parks or land lease communities.
One exception
These air-conditioner rules do not apply to mobile home parks or land lease communities.
Official sources
Where to go from here
Guidepost is not a law firm, and this is general information, not legal advice. These rules are specific to Ontario and took effect July 1, 2026, for your situation or the latest wording, contact the Landlord and Tenant Board. Full disclaimer. Facts checked September 2026.