Can Ontario Landlords Still Ban Window Air Conditioners? The Answer Changes on July 1, 2026

For years, the answer to this question was relatively straightforward. If your lease prohibited window air conditioners or your building had a policy against them, you were generally entitled to enforce that restriction.

Beginning July 1, 2026, Ontario’s Residential Tenancies Act introduces new rules that give tenants greater rights to install window and portable air conditioners. It’s important to bear in mind though that those rights aren't limitless.

A landlord’s legitimate concerns regarding safety, property damage, and increased electricity costs were often ignored by tenants unless there was an order from the Landlord and Tenant Board following a hearing. Most of these concerns are now addressed and laid out in black and white by way of the legislation.  As such a tenant’s right to install these units has legislative limits. Whether or not you can prohibit the installation of these units will also have limits and will depend on what the legislation states.

Does My "No Air Conditioner" Clause Still Work?

It’s important to note that your lease agreement cannot simply contract out of rights granted by the Residential Tenancies Act. Whether or not these clauses hold up will depend heavily on whether they are in contravention of the new rules. Landlords will therefore need to ensure that any restrictions they impose are consistent with the new legislative framework rather than relying solely on a general prohibition.

What Conditions Must a Tenant Meet?

The new law is not a free pass.

Before installing a window or portable air conditioner, tenants must satisfy several important requirements.

Among other things, they must:

• provide written notice to the landlord before installation;

• ensure the unit is installed safely and securely;

• comply with municipal bylaws and other applicable laws;

• avoid causing damage to the rental property; and

• comply with any other requirements established by regulation.

These obligations recognize that landlords have legitimate concerns about building safety, water damage, liability, and maintenance.  Throughout the years these issues have been raised at proceedings before the Landlord and Tenant Board. The above requirements could be seen as codifying the law in this area given that most decisions at the board were indeed phased in a similar manner.

So, can landlords still prohibit window air conditioners?

The answer is yes but landlords must adhere to the precise stipulations within the legislation and not their own policies where these policies are in contravention of the new rules.

Can Landlords Recover Electricity Costs?

Yes.

Where electricity is included in the rent, the amendments allow landlords to charge an additional amount for the electricity consumed by a window or portable air conditioner installed on or after July 1, 2026.

The amount charged cannot exceed the actual electricity cost, or a reasonable estimate if the actual consumption cannot be determined.

This is a significant change because it creates a clear statutory mechanism for recovering additional utility costs that many landlords previously absorbed.

What About Existing Air Conditioners?

The new notice requirements generally apply to air conditioners installed on or after July 1, 2026.

If a tenant already has an air conditioner installed before that date, they are generally not required to provide the new notice.

However, the safety requirements still apply. Air conditioners must remain securely installed, comply with applicable laws, and not cause damage to the property.

What Should Landlords Do Before July 1?

Rather than waiting until a dispute arises, landlords should review their rental practices now.

Consider the following:

• Review your lease agreements to determine whether existing air conditioner clauses should be updated.

• Develop a written process for tenants to provide the required notice before installation.

• Consider how you will calculate and document any additional electricity charges where utilities are included in the rent.

• Inspect existing window air conditioners to ensure they are installed safely and do not create maintenance or liability concerns.

• Stay informed about any regulations that may further clarify when landlords may prohibit installations.

Being proactive now can help avoid misunderstandings and prevent disputes later.