New Westminster landlords must keep rentals cool this summer
A new bylaw requires at least one living space to stay at or below 26°C between 8 p.m. and 8 a.m., April through October.
The day's top stories, food & events — every morning at 7. Unsubscribe anytime.
New Westminster is shifting the responsibility for tenant cooling onto landlords. On June 8, City Council passed an amendment requiring property owners to keep at least one living space in occupied rental units at or below 26°C between 8 p.m. and 8 a.m., from April 1 to October 31.
The move follows the deadly 2021 heat dome that killed 619 people across B.C., including 33 in New Westminster. Prolonged exposure to temperatures above 26°C poses serious health risks, particularly for vulnerable residents. After that catastrophe, the city directed staff to strengthen tenant protections against extreme heat.
Propertyowners can choose cooling solutions that fit their buildings—thermal curtains, window films, portable AC units, ceiling fans, basic air sealing, and HVAC filter cleaning. The city is encouraging landlords to conduct cooling audits and work with tenants to identify the best approach. In 2025, New West adopted a separate bylaw preventing owners from banning portable cooling devices, ensuring tenants had at least some recourse. This second amendment places the primary duty on property owners themselves.
About 45 per cent of New Westminster residents are tenants. While the B.C. Building Code now requires new residential buildings to maintain one living space below 26°C, older rental buildings remain vulnerable—and that's where most heat-related deaths occurred during 2021.