Victoria explores 26 C heat limit for rentals

The City of Victoria is moving toward new protections for renters during extreme heat after councillors voted unanimously to explore a bylaw that would set a maximum indoor temperature standard for rental housing.

Council voted 9-0 to direct staff to examine how the city could require rental buildings to maintain temperatures at or below 26 C during heat events, while also studying funding, enforcement, and consultation with landlords and tenants.

The proposal comes five years after the 2021 heat dome that killed 619 people across British Columbia, including 24 in Greater Victoria.

Tenant advocates say current protections do not go far enough as summers become hotter and heat waves more frequent.

“The fact that we still don’t have any legislation protecting tenants from high heat during the summer is a major lapse of government’s responsibility to protect the safety and well-being of their constituents,” said Harland Bird with the Victoria Tenants Union.

Coun. Matt Dell, who brought forward the motion alongside two fellow councillors, said the goal is to protect residents during future heat emergencies.

“The intention really is to save lives in the next heat wave,” Dell said.

The motion asks staff to investigate rules that would prevent landlords from banning cooling equipment such as air conditioners. It also explores options to ensure renters have access to cooler indoor spaces during dangerous heat events.

“So like a common room or a hallway or making sure that there’s one room in every single unit that’s below 26 degrees,” Dell said.

The proposed framework mirrors steps already taken in New Westminster, which has adopted heat-related protections for renters.

Landlord BC, which represents rental owners and managers, said in a letter to council that it supports the city’s focus on tenant health but warned the proposal could create financial and operational challenges. The association called for consultation and cost-recovery mechanisms for landlords.

Council members acknowledged implementation would likely take time as staff study how a bylaw could be structured and enforced.

Council staff are expected to report back with recommendations on how a heat-protection bylaw could be implemented in Victoria.