​​​​​New escalating fines introduced for operating without a licence and for property standards violations

BRAMPTON, ON (December 12, 2025) – Building on the enhancements introduced earlier this year, Brampton City Council adopted additional measures to further strengthen the Residential Rental Licensing (RRL) Pilot Program​ taking effect on January 1, 2026. 

Expanding to all wards across Brampton

Currently, landlords with one to four units in wards 1, 3, 4, 5, and 7 are required to obtain a Residential Rental Licence to legally rent their property in Brampton. With a city-wide expansion effective January 1, 2026, property owners in wards 2, 6, 8, 9 and 10, with one to four units intended for rental, will also be required to obtain a Residential Rental Licence. This expansion delivers on the City’s commitment to enhance renter safety and ensure rental homes are well-maintained. 

Free Residential Rental Licence applications

To encourage participation and reduce barriers, all new and renewal applications will continue to be free. This measure supports responsible landlords by making compliance easier and more accessible as the program expands city-wide.

​New penalties to strengthen compliance

Brampton City Council also approved increased penalties for various by-law infractions, and additional consequences for landlords who choose to operate rental units without a valid licence. These escalated fines are designed to deter unsafe practices and reinforce accountability across the rental sector.

Under the updated framework, property owners who rent without a mandatory licence could receive:

• First offence: $750
• Second offence: $1,250
• Subsequent offences: $1,500 

Additional enhancements to the Residential Rental Licensing Pilot Program 

In June 2025, City Council approved additional enhancements to the RRL program which will also take effect on January 1, 2026. They include: 

• Extension of the RRL Pilot Program: The RRL Pilot Program will be extended beyond December 31, 2025, to operate for another three years, subject to annual reviews and approval. 
• Educational awareness of landlord responsibilities: As part of the RRL Pilot Program, all new and renewing landlords must complete an online module to showcase their understanding of the City’s rental regulations before being issued a licence. 
• New classifications of licences: Brampton’s rental landscape includes a wide variety of rental housing types. To better reflect this diversity and support housing and enforcement objectives, the City is implementing differentiated licence classifications. A formal classification system will enable the City to track trends and tailor enforcement, inspections and education efforts. It will also support data-informed policy development, funding decisions and partnerships that advance housing affordability, suitability and safety.
• Minimum insurance requirements: Landlords must submit a certificate of insurance showing at least $2 million in liability coverage.

For more information about the program and to obtain a licence, visit brampton.ca/rrl​. 

Quotes

“Brampton is the fastest growing big city in Canada and safe, well-maintained housing is essential to the well-being of our residents and the character of our neighbourhoods. Expanding the Residential Rental Licensing program citywide ensures consistent oversight of rental properties and gives us stronger tools to address safety concerns before they become serious issues. By removing financial barriers for responsible landlords and introducing tougher penalties to deter bad actors, we are building a fair system that protects tenants while supporting those who do the right thing.”​ - Patrick Brown, Mayor, City of Brampton

​“Everyone deserves to feel safe in the place they call home. Expanding this program ensures that families, newcomers and young people renting in Brampton are protected no matter where they live. These changes make it easier for good landlords to continue doing the right thing while giving the City stronger tools to step in when living conditions put people at risk. This is about dignity, fairness and creating a community where every resident can thrive.”- Rowena Santos, Regional Councillor, Wards 1 and 5; Chair, Legislative and Community Services Sections; Member, Residential Rental Licensing Task Force, City of Brampton 

"The safety of our community is our top priority, and these enhancements give our Enforcement and By-law Services team effective tools needed to protect renters and uphold strong standards across Brampton. By clarifying requirements, streamlining processes and closing regulatory gaps, we are making it easier than ever for landlords to comply and operate as responsible partners in providing safe, high-quality housing. These updates support good landlords, strengthen accountability where it’s needed and ensure every resident has a safe place to call home. Our team is ready to deliver on this work and continue building a rental system that works for everyone.” - Robert Higgs, Director, Enforcement and By-law Services, City of Brampton