Starting July 1st, 2026, tenants may install and use their own window or portable AC units if a landlord does not provide air conditioning. Of course, they will still need to follow the rules around safe installation and must notify the landlord.

When landlords do not supply air conditioning, tenants may install and use window or portable air conditioning units, subject to the Act’s conditions and exceptions.

In buildings where landlords pay for electricity, the new rules also let owners make seasonal rent adjustments to help cover the extra power costs from those units.

For building owners and property managers, this isn’t only about compliance, it’s about preparing for this change.

Summers are getting hotter. Tenants are demanding better cooling. Relying on individual tenant-installed units can create real headaches: Higher peak demands, increased maintenance burdens, safety concerns and inconsistent performance across the building.

What’s a smarter and proactive building-wide approach? One that helps owners and management deliver improved tenant comfort, reduce operating costs, and plan for future retrofit needs.

That’s where Innova’s AIO Next Gen PTHP can make a difference. Our All-in-One heat pump solutions offer efficient, scalable ways to provide effective and efficient heating and cooling for all tenants.

Ontario’s Bill 97 does not include any direct heat pump incentives or mandate cooling retrofits. However, it highlights a reality: cooling has become an asset management issue for residential buildings.

If you manage multi-unit properties in Ontario, now is a good time to reach out to our development team.