Tenant Survey

We invite tenants and anyone interested or impacted by the development of an Maximum/Adequate Temperature By-law to participate in this survey to help inform the proposed by-law recommendations that may be included in a report to Council in 2026.

Notice of Collection: The City of Hamilton collects information under authority of Sections 10 and 227 of the Municipal Act, 2001. Any personal information collected for the Adequate Temperature By-Law Survey will be used for this intended to be used to inform potential recommendations to establish an Adequate Temperature By-law. By providing your email address, you are consenting to receiving emails from the City of Hamilton and/or their agents/contractors for purposes related to this survey. Questions about the collection of this personal information can be directed to the Project Manager, Licensing and By-law Services, Planning and Economic Development Department, 330 Wentworth St. N., Hamilton, ON, 905-546-2424 Ext. 4928, Aleah.Whalen@hamilton.ca and/or the Manager of Policy and Programs, Licensing and By-law Services, Planning and Economic Development Department, 330 Wentworth St. N., Hamilton, ON, 905-546-2424 Ext. 2348, Gillian.Barkovich@hamilton.ca.

Tenants

* These questions are mandatory

Are you a tenant in Hamilton?

* required

Yes, I’m a tenant in Hamilton

No, I’m a tenant outside of Hamilton

Other (please specify)

How important is it to you to have access to a cooled space during the summer months?

* required

Select option

Rank the following options in order of importance to you. Assign a number from 1 to 5, where 1 means ‘most important’ and 5 means ‘least important.’ Each number can only be used once.

* required

A rental unit cooled through permanent equipment (E.g. Air conditioning, portable or window air conditioner)

Select

A rental unit cooled through other means (E.g. Ceiling fans, window opening and portable fans)

Select

An amenity room in the building/apartment cooled through permanent equipment (E.g. Air conditioning, portable or window air conditioner)

Select

Access to cooled public spaces (E.g. public library, public swimming pools, public transit etc.)

Select

A cooled space is not important to me

Select

Please tell us why your two most important rankings (Rank 1 & 2) are priorities for you.

* required

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Would you utilize a cooling room (an amenity space such as a party room, basement or common space) if a landlord was required to provide one that was cooled to a threshold of 26°C during the summer months?

* required

Yes

Are you permitted to install cooling equipment (E.g. Portable air conditioner or window air conditioner) in your rental unit/residence?

* required

Yes

Provide any additional feedback on the proposed Adequate Temperature By-law which will consider proposed recommendations to either commence with a phased approach of the proposed By-law to apply to those who are the most vulnerable in the community and those who are considered low income households, to determine the feasibility, costs and assess impacts of the By-law on residents and property owners

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Generally, a proposed Adequate Temperature By-law would impose a mandatory maximum indoor temperature of 26°C and where appropriate, would require the installation of permanent cooing equipment that would keep indoor temperatures below the 26°C threshold.

In consideration that there are additional supports that may be accessible to tenants, including the City of Hamilton's Community Heat Response Strategy and the Special Supports Program administered by Ontario Works, that provide other options for cooling during the summer months, would you like to see the City of Hamilton develop a broad Adequate Temperature By-law to install permanent cooling measures, understanding that the cost of installation and operation can be imposed on tenants pursuant to the Residential Tenancies Act, 2006, that permits this type of cost to be recovered against tenants by a landlord?

* required

Yes

Please Tell us About Yourself

These questions are optional.

How old are you?

Select option

10.

Do you currently live in the City of Hamilton?

Yes

11.

What ward do you live in?

Select option

12.

Which describes your current housing situation?

Select option

13.

Do you have access to one or more of these appliances, that are generally used for cooling? (Select all that apply)

Portable A/C

Window A/C unit

Mechanical A/C (Central A/C)

Windows can be opened

Ceiling fans

Portable fans

Other (please specify)

14.

During a heat warning or extended heat warning, do you participate in...? (Select all that apply)

Open swim programming at a recreational centre

Attend a spray pad

Attend public library

None of the above

15.

Are you aware that under Residential Tenancies Act, 2006, allows landlords to recover the cost of installation of operation of cooling equipment from tenants?

Select option

16.

Are you aware of the Special Supports Program provided by Ontario Works, where eligible applicants of Low-Income Households, residents accessing Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) or Ontario works and who have a pre-existing medical condition may apply to receive a benefit to purchase an air conditioning unit?

Select option

17.

Is there anything else you would like to share with staff for their consideration on the Adequate Temperature By-law?

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