Licensing, Creating Safer Rentals for All
In Q2 2023, Council directed staff to implement a two-year Residential Rental Licensing (RRL) pilot program in Wards 1, 3, 4, 5 and 7 to deal with the growing number of problem rentals. The pilot program is initially focused on the five (5) ‘central’ wards in Brampton, as City Council directed. These are the wards where most of the violations have historically been located. The objective of the program is:
"To protect the health and safety, and human rights of persons to protect the residential amenity, character and stability of residential areas. To proactively mitigate potential risks that may exist within a particular business sector and provide enforcement mechanism to respond to complaints relating to that sector."
The program's goals include helping to maintain the character of local neighbourhoods, uphold property standard by-laws, and keep individuals and families safe with enforcement of the Ontario Fire Code.
A pilot program is a small-scale version of a larger project. It allows the City to test the roll out of the rental licensing program and identify efficiencies and any inefficiencies with the program should the program be implemented at a larger scale.
The pilot will be evaluated over the next two years to make informed decisions for the program's future.
Residential Rental Licensing Pilot Relaunch - News Release
Program Changes
After careful review and consideration of feedback received since the program’s initial launch on January 1, 2024, the City has made several refinements to streamline the application process.
Owners of rental properties with one (1) to four (4) residential dwelling units are required to obtain a licence through the City Clerk's Office.
Application requirements:
The City has removed the following requirements to simplify the application process:
- Proof of Ownership: Property owners are no longer required to submit proof of ownership.
- Corporate Ownership: Corporate entities are no longer required to provide certificate of status/compliance or corporate profile reports.
- Criminal Record Check: Applicants are no longer obligated to provide criminal record checks.
- Floor Plans: Detailed floor plans are no longer mandatory.
- Electrical Inspection: The need for a separate electrical inspection has been eliminated.
- Gas Inspection: Gas inspections are no longer part of the application process.
- Parking and Storage Plan: Property owners are no longer required to submit parking and storage plans.
Fees:
- To encourage applicants (including registered Additional Rental Units and convertible dwellings) to obtain a license through the program, there is a full $300 fee waiver for the length of the pilot for applications filed prior to June 30, 2024.
- For licenses issued by June 30, 2024, the renewal fee would not be required in January 2025, subject there are no violations issued on the property.
Application process:
The updated application process now includes the following components:
- Fillable Application Form: Property owners must complete a fillable application form. This form collects essential information, including property owner details, an acknowledgment of adherence to the pilot program, and consent for inspections.
- Rental Unit Information (Form A): Property owners are encouraged to provide details about their rental units, including sleeping areas, kitchens, bathrooms, and other relevant information. This fillable pdf form is optional and not required for ARUs that have not modified their unit.
- Property Owner Authorization and Declaration (Form B): This form ensures that property owners authorize the application and declare their commitment to program compliance.
- Insurance Declaration (Form C): Property owners must submit proof of insurance coverage for their rental properties.
RRL Business Licence Fee
The relaunch of the pilot program includes an extension of the full fee ($300) waiver till June 30, 2024. Those that apply by June 30, 2024, will also qualify for an exemption to the renewal fee if the subject property has no violations. Below outlines the fee waiver extension:
- 0-3 months (March 2024 to June 30, 2024): fee waived ($0)
- 4-6 months (July 1, 2024 to September 30, 2024): 50% fee ($150)
- After six months (October 1, 2024, onwards): full fee($300)
Registered second units, unregistered residential rental units, single housing keeping units and
Additional Residential Units (ARUs) will be included in this program. Rental units within the applicable wards will be subject to intelligence-led inspections. Penalties for non-compliance will be announced in 2024.
What is intelligence-led inspections?
Enforcement and other City departments will work together to review all rental units operating within the city and determine when it is appropriate to conduct inspections of units that may be operating unsafely or contrary to existing municipal by-laws.
