Bill 97: What Changes for Landlords on July 1, 2026

What Bill 97 Changes on July 1, 2026

Bill 97 (Helping Homebuyers, Protecting Tenants Act, 2023) received Royal Assent back in June 2023, but its key Residential Tenancies Act (RTA) provisions take effect on July 1, 2026. Three of them matter directly to landlords.

1. Maximum Fines Double (RTA s.238)

• Individuals: $50,000 → $100,000
• Corporations: $250,000 → $500,000
• Applies to offences such as illegal lockouts, bad-faith N12 evictions, and illegal rent increases.

2. Tenants Can Install Air Conditioning

Where the landlord does not supply air conditioning, a tenant may install a safe window or portable unit after giving written notice. If electricity is included in the rent, the landlord may charge a seasonal A/C increase for units installed on or after July 1, 2026. This increase is special: it can be adjusted more than once per 12 months, needs no 90-day notice, and needs no LTB approval — the fee is based on the actual or reasonably-estimated electricity cost.

3. Mandatory LTB Repayment-Agreement Form (RTA s.206)

Rent-arrears repayment agreements between landlords and tenants must use the official LTB-approved form. Informal or handwritten repayment agreements risk being unenforceable.