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Residential Rental Licensing Pilot Program

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Program Overview

The City of Brampton’s Residential Rental Licensing Pilot Program (RRL) is part of the City’s Rent Safe Brampton framework to support safe, maintained rental housing and will continue until December 31, 2028.

If you own or operate a rental property with one to four residential units in Brampton, you need a Residential Rental Licence before you advertise the rental, collect rent or let anyone move in.

This requirement has applied in all wards since January 1, 2026. Licences must be renewed every year, and it is your responsibility to renew before your licence expires. Applications and renewals are currently free.

Licence Types

Each licensed property is classified based on how it is set up. Your insurance certificate must reflect the same classification.

  • Single Dwelling Units: A whole residence with no additional units, including townhouses
  • Two-Unit Dwellings: A principal residence with one attached Additional Residential Unit
  • Multi-Unit Residential Dwellings: More than one Additional Residential Unit, including triplexes, fourplexes and garden suites

Who Does Not Need a Licence

The requirement to obtain an RRL licence does not apply to operators of:

  • properties with five or more residential units
  • hotels, motels and inns
  • licensed lodging homes or short-term rentals
  • registered supportive housing, long-term care homes and retirement residences
  • certain pre-approved social and affordable housing properties

An Additional Residential Unit (ARU) is a self-contained unit with its own kitchen, sleeping and bathroom facilities. It can be attached (such as a second unit or basement apartment) or detached (such as a garden suite). To be legal, ARUs must be registered with the City of Brampton to ensure they meet Building and Fire Code standards. For more information on the required building permits, visit www.brampton.ca/building.

All ARUs must be registered with the City before an RRL licence can be issued. If your property has an ARU that is not being rented, you must complete a Non-Rental Property Declaration Form. Email rrl@brampton.ca to receive the form.​

How to Apply

  • All ARUs must be registered with the City before applying for an RRL licence to ensure compliance with the Ontario Building Code through required permits and inspections.
  • ARU registration does not replace the licence. A rented ARU requires both registration and a licence. Learn how to register an ARU​.

  • Complete the one-time Landlord Education Module before you apply. You must answer every question correctly and can retry as often as needed. The Study Guide (webpage or PDF) has all the information you need. Your result is saved to your email address for future applications.
  • Submit the online application with your Certificate of Insurance. Be ready to provide:
    • a completed City of Brampton Certificate of Insurance form​ showing at least $2 million per occurence in general liability coverage; or an equivalent document produced by a brokerage or insurance provider containing all of the information requested on the City's form.​
    • the number and location of parking spaces, and confirmation that they are legal
    • lawn care and snow removal schedules, with contact information for any contractors
    • where garbage is stored, and confirmation that the location is permitted
    • declarations on fire safety and occupancy
  • Provide consent for the City to verify that your property meets safety, fire and maintenance standards.
  • Need help? View the step-by-step application guide.

  • Once approved, your RRL licence will be emailed to you.
  • Post the licence in a visible location inside the rental unit.
  • Maintain compliance with licence conditions and renew your licence annually.

Responsibilities as a Licence Holder

Every licence comes with standard conditions that apply throughout its validity period.​

Condition
  
Requirement
Occupancy and use
Follow occupancy limits and only use rooms approved under a building permit for sleeping. Adults sharing a bedroom need at least 14 m² for three people, or 7 m² per person for four or more.
Fire safety
Install, maintain and test smoke and carbon monoxide alarms. Keep exits and fire doors clear and in working condition, and give provide tenants with fire safety instructions.
Parking
Provide only legal parking spaces. Parking is not permitted on grass, roadways, walkways or other unapproved areas.
Maintenance and waste
Maintain lawns, clear snow and store garbage in a permitted location.
Insurance
Maintain at least $2 million in coverage. Provide the City with 15 days' written notice if your policy is cancelled, expires or changes.
Conduct
Follow the Landlord Code of Conduct and do not discriminate on any ground protected by the Ontario Human Rights Code.
Inspections
Allow City inspectors to access the property in accordance with applicable legal requirements.
Changes
Notify the City within seven days of any changes to your application information, including the owner, property manager, contact details or units.
Licence number
Keep your licence posted and include your licence number in rental advertisements and documents such as contracts and receipts.

Licence holders remain responsible for meeting these requirements. The City conducts both scheduled and unscheduled inspections to ensure compliance.

Renewals, fees and selling your property

  • Renewal: Licences must be renewed every year. The City emails you when your renewal window opens. You must file a current Certificate of Insurance, but you do not need to repeat the education module.
  • License Fees: Applications and renewals are currently free.
  • Selling your property: Residential Rental Licences are not transferable between property owners. If you sell your property, the new owner must apply for a new licence.
  • Checking a Property’s Status: Tenants, landlords and prospective buyers can use the Certified Rental Registry to verify a property's licensing or registration status.

Non-Compliance

Where violations occur, enforcement measures, including the administrative penalties outlined below, may apply.​​

Contravention
First
  
Second
  
Subsequent
  
Renting, collecting rent or advertising a rental property without a licence
$750$1,250$1,500
Operating against a City by-law, the Building Code or the Fire Code
$750$1,250$1,500
Providing false information, obstructing an inspection, failing to display a licence or failing to comply with an order
$750$1,250$1,500
Failure to register an Additional Residential Unit (ARU)
$1,000$1,250$1,500
Allowing someone to sleep in an unapproved sleeping area or exceeding permitted bedroom occupancy limits
$1,000$1,250$1,500

Other consequences may include:

  • Fire safety fees: Non-compliant properties under a Fire Safety Inspection Order pay fees of $3,000, $5,000 and $10,000 for the first, second and third instance non-compliance.
  • Court-Imposed Fines: Convictions under a by-law, the Fire Code or the Building Code Act may result in fines ranging from $500 to $1.5 million, depending on the offence and applicable legislation.

Property owners have 15 days from the date of a penalty notice to pay the penalty or request a review. Outstanding penalties may be added to the property's tax account.

Additional Support and Resources for Landlords

The Landlord’s Self-Help Centre (LSHC) is a non-profit legal clinic, funded by Legal Aid Ontario, that supports small landlords across Ontario (It is not part of the City of Brampton or the Landlord and Tenant Board). LSHC provides information and advice on the Residential Tenancies Act, including rent increases, tenant screening, notices and Landlord and Tenant Board (LTB) applications. It also offers tools that are designed to support compliance and reduce costly errors for landlords who manage properties on their own. Visit Landlord’s Self-Help Centre​ to access resources.​

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