Calgary Tenants Battle Extreme Indoor Heat, Raise Habitability Concerns

Calgary Apartments Overheat Amid Cold Weather

A Calgary tenant’s recent report of their apartment soaring to an unbearable 32 degrees Celsius, despite outdoor temperatures hovering near freezing, has sparked community concern. The tenant, whose animal became ill from the heat, attributes the issue to the building's central heating system activating. Even with management citing sun-facing windows, and efforts to cool the unit by opening all windows, the temperature only dropped to 28 degrees, raising serious questions about landlord obligations.

Navigating Habitability in Extreme Temperatures

While provincial laws, like Alberta’s Residential Tenancies Act, typically focus on ensuring minimum indoor temperatures, specific maximum heat regulations are rarely defined. Jurisdictions nationwide, such as Illinois and New York City, mandate minimums often around 20°C (68°F) during colder months. However, the general “implied warranty of habitability” requires landlords to provide safe and livable rental properties. Conditions of extreme, unsafe heat—particularly when posing a health risk to occupants or pets—can indeed be considered a breach of this fundamental obligation. Tenants experiencing such issues should provide written notice to their landlord and may consider contacting local housing authorities for recourse.