A Major Bylaw is About to Change in Mississauga

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Published March 4, 2018 at 6:20 pm

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When inclement weather strikes–especially when it’s weather of the unexpected variety–everyone suffers.

But sometimes condo and apartment tenants and residents suffer more.

Last year’s unusually hot fall (a surprise after a disappointingly cool summer) prompted complaints from building residents who were suffering in the sweltering heat because the air conditioning had been shut off in compliance with seasonal norms.

In response, the City of Mississauga looked into amending its adequate heat bylaw to ensure landlords can be flexible in cases of unexpected weather.

The current by-law states the following:

  • Every owner of a dwelling unit which is rented or leased and which is to be heated by or at the expense of the owner shall provide the dwelling unit with adequate and suitable heat at the owner’s expense between the September 15 of each year and the first day of June of the following year.

  • For the purposes of determining compliance with (the above subsection) the temperature shall be measured at 1.5 meters above floor level and 1 meter from exterior walls in all rooms intended for normal use by tenants.

  • This by-law provision does not apply to a rented or leased dwelling unit in which the tenant can regulate the temperature provided a minimum of 20degC can be maintained.

So the existing by-law’s wording is quite specific in terms of when the heat needs to be turned out. Therefore, Ward 5 Councillor Carolyn Parrish introduced this motion to amend it, which states:

Now, the city is asking residents to weigh in on the bylaw.  

“The City of Mississauga is seeking input from the public and stakeholders, including tenants, property managers, owners and contractors on recommendations for the adequate heat bylaw,” the city said in a statement. 

Two meetings to discuss views, possible changes and recommendations on the bylaw will take place this month.

The city says it plans to explore the following questions:

  • Should cooling provisions be added to the bylaw at the expense of the owner?
  • Should air conditioning be considered an essential service?
  • Should the dates in the adequate heat bylaw be flexible?

Residents are welcome to attend the following meetings:

Community Workshop: Ideas and Options for the Adequate Heat By-Law

Date: Thursday, March 8
Location: Frank McKechnie Community Centre, Auditorium 1 and 2, 310 Bristol Road East
Time: 7 – 8:30 p.m.

Community Workshop: Review and Test Options for the Adequate Heat By-Law

Date: Wednesday, March 28
Location: River Grove Community Centre Youth/Senior Room, 5800 River Grove Avenue
Time: 8 – 9:30 p.m.

For more information, residents can email [email protected] or call 3-1-1.

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