Winter Heating and Minimum Requirements under the City of London Vital Services By-Law
If you have any questions regarding fire or electrical safety call the London Fire Services at 519 661 4565.
We are in that in between time. Fall is here but there are nights when it will feel more like winter. Tenants will shiver beneath the covers and wonder when those damn boilers will finally kick in. The City of London has a very strict by-law governing vital services including heat, here goes:
3.4 Maintain heat - September to June - minimum requirements
"Between the 15th day of September of one year and the 15th of June of the following year, a
landlord shall provide a continuous supply of heat to a rented residential unit so that a minimum
temperature of 20 degrees Celsius (68 degrees Fahrenheit) will be maintained between the hours
of six o'clock in the morning and eleven o'clock in the evening of the same day, and a minimum
temperature of 18 degrees Celsius (65 degrees Fahrenheit) at all other times."
3.5 Distribution systems - provide - maintain - repair
"In addition to the heating system referred to in section 3.3 of this by-law, a landlord shall provide,
maintain and repair a system or systems used for the distribution of adequate and suitable vital
services to each part of a building that is used as a dwelling, so that the requirements of this by-law
are met."
Buy a small thermometer and post it on an inside wall. If your temperatures are not reaching the minimum temperatures in the by-law above call the City at 661-2500 Ext. 4969. This is the direct number to the Property Standards Manager. It will get you the most direct action. You can also call 661-2500 and ask for Property Standards and a Customer Rep from that Department will help you.
In my 15 years of renting I have heard every excuse possible from landlords when heat does not come on. Accept no excuses!! In London, it is the Landlords responsibility to make sure the mechanical system is in working order and the minimum temperatures are maintained.
Don't use the oven or stove to supplement the heat in your unit. It's extremely dangerous, especially if you have pets or small children. You can of course buy a small portable electric heater. Make sure that you don't use an extension cord with it and you don't overload an outlet. These small heaters use a great deal of electricity. If you have any questions regarding fire or electrical safety call the London Fire Services at 519 661 4565.
