- Who is exempt from obtaining a licence?
- Why is the City requiring property owners to obtain a business rental licence?
Before the RRL pilot program, rentals of four (4) or fewer units did not have a level of oversight like other types of apartment rentals. Requiring smaller rental operators within the identified areas to obtain a licence ensures compliance with Property Standards By-Laws, Fire and Building Codes and holds landlords accountable to provide safe living accommodations for renters in Brampton.
- What happens if I'm operating a rental property within the pilot program and decide not to obtain a licence?
- Why is annual renewal required and what is the fee?
A renewal fee of $300.00 will be required for those that do not apply for a license by June 30, 2024. The license fee will be applied to the resources required to administer the pilot program. The program's fees will be evaluated should the licensing program be implemented City-wide following the two-year pilot.
- Will I be inspected as part of obtaining a licence and will there be a fee?
During the pilot program the City will be conducting inspections on an as need basis. The two-year pilot includes the inspection fees. However, if the owner refuses an inspection or is a no show they may be subject to fines as specified in the
Business Licensing By-law 184-2023.- Why isn't the City licensing apartment complexes as delegated at the September 20, 2023, Committee of Council Meeting?
Buildings with more than four (4) units are categorized as an apartment dwelling as per the City's zoning, which falls outside the scope of the RRL pilot program.
"Dwelling apartment shall mean a building containing five (5) or more dwelling units which have a common entrance from the street level, and the occupants of which have the right to use common elements."
The City supports tenants of apartment dwellings by providing them access to appropriate resources depending on the tenant complaint as the relationship between tenants and landlords are under the purview of the Province. Building issues related to fire safety and property standards will continue to be addressed by the City to ensure tenant safety and well-being.
The two-year RRL pilot program is focused on Additional Residential Units (ARUs), convertable dwellings and single-family dwelling units operating within the City as rental units may not comply with Property Standards By-Laws, Fire and Building Codes. The main objectives of the RRL pilot program are to identify these smaller rental operators within Wards 1,3,4,5 and 7, ensure there is compliance with Property Standards By-Law, Fire and Building Codes and to hold landlords accountable to provide safe living accommodations for renters in Brampton.
- Why is the City licensing 4 or less units?
The City has no program in place to regulate rentals of four (4) or less units to protect the health and safety of residents.
The City currently licenses lodging houses requiring annual renewal and inspections. The City's zoning defines, lodging house as, "a single detached dwelling in which residential accommodation is provided, or is intended to be provided in which each lodger does not have access to all of the habitable areas of the building and consists of more than four (4) lodging units; or a single detached dwelling in which lodging is provided for more than four (4) persons with or without meals."
- What defines a ‘dwelling unit’?
A dwelling unit means one or more habitable rooms designed or capable of being used together as a single and separate housekeeping unit by one person or jointly by two (2) or more persons, containing its own kitchen and sanitary facilities, with a private entrance from outside of the unit itself. The unit may be in any part of the dwelling, including the basement, as well as located elsewhere on the property as a Garden Suite (
registered ARU). This also applies to single housing keeping units in which an occupant has exclusive possession of any part of the unit that is being rented (i.e. the entire house).
- How does this program benefit landlords and tenants?
Licensed properties allow tenants seeking rental housing to feel confident that a unit meets building codes and the Ontario Fire Code. Landlords have an advantage within the marketplace by offering their legally registered units as complying with building and fire codes.
- How did the City determine the licensing fee?
The licensing fee of $300 was determined based on the staff resources required to review each application. The fee includes the cost of inspections that will occur, covering the inspection cost of fire and property standards inspections.
For applicants applying after June 30, 2024 the pilot program renewal fee will remain at $300 to cover any loss revenue from the fee waiver.
Click here to view the licensing fee breakdown.
- Does renewal require the same information/documents to be uploaded?
No, at renewal time, the City will ask for owner and property address information, along with insurance declaration and confirmation the rental unit has not been modified.
- Why isn’t the City requiring properties with 5 or more units to be licensed?
Buildings with more than four (4) units are categorized as apartment dwellings as per the City's zoning, which falls outside the scope of the RRL pilot program.
- Are condominiums required to obtain a license?
No, condo rental units will not require a rental licence during the pilot program. Condominium unit owners and landlords responsible to a condominium board or authority, are exempt from the pilot.
- Why is a criminal check required?
The requirement for a Level 1 Criminal Check has been removed from the application requirement.
- Is a rental licence required if I have a registered ARU/second unit and why is the same information required?
Yes, a rental license is required for ARUs and convertible dwellings but no additional supporting documentation is required (i.e. floor plans, inspections, etc.)
- Are single detached dwellings being rented required to obtain a rental licence?
Yes, single detached dwellings require a rental licence.
- Do I need to obtain a rental licence for each rental unit?
Licences are required for each rental property. If the landlord owns multiple properties than each property requires a licence.
- Why are some Wards included in the pilot but not all Wards?
The pilot program is initially focused on the five (5) ‘central’ wards in Brampton as Council directed. These are the Wards where most of the violations have historically been located. The pilot will be evaluated over the next two years to make informed decisions for the program's future and whether to extend the requirement City-wide.
- Why is the City having to create another layer of rules for landlords?
The intent of the RRL program is protect the health and safety 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 mechanisms to respond to complaints relating to that sector.
- When will the City announce penalties for bylaw violations?
Penalties are subject to Council approval and will be made public.
- How will the City enforce the rules around Additional Resident Units (ARUs)?
The City will continue to investigate complaints regarding illegal ARUs and advise property owners to register their ARU or apply appropriate fines/ penalties.
- Will inspections be unexpected or scheduled?
Applicable legislation such as the Municipal Act, 2001, the Fire Protection and Prevention Act, 1997 and the Building Code Act, 1992 set out the requirements for inspections, including any notice requirements. The City will generally coordinate with the property owner, when possible, to conduct an inspection.
- Who is responsible for the property maintenance and timely compliance?
The property owner is responsible for ensuring the property is maintained in accordance with the City’s property standards. A notice will be issued to the property owner advising the timeframe to address the issue otherwise, penalties/fines can be issued.
- My parents live with my family in the basement. Do we need a RRL for an in-law suite?
If the parents are living in a legal basement apartment that is registered the program applies to the unit and will need to be licensed. The launch of the pilot includes a fee waiver to reduce financial hardship for those individuals that comply with the City’s requirements.
- Is there a limit on the total number of people allowed in a house? What about the number of cars parked in the driveway?
The RRL Pilot Program does not set occupancy limits on dwelling units, but it helps to confirm that rental units are in compliance with the Building and Fire Codes as it relates to the safety of individuals in a dwelling.
Parking is to comply with the City’s zoning requirements.
- How will the RRL Pilot Program deal with absentee landlords who lease the property with no oversight of occupancy or property upkeep?
The intent of the RRL Pilot Program is to have landlords accountable for their rental properties. The program is meant to have current landlord information so the City can contact the landlord if issues arise. This may not be the case, in some instances and the City will apply fines and penalties.
- How will the RRL make landlords responsible for educating their tenants about property standards and parking?
The RRL Pilot Program offers a resource guide which the landlord can use as reference material to educate their tenants of various property standards. The guide also provides a Tenant Information sheet where details can be provided regarding garbage pick-up, parking etc.
- My legal basement apartment has bad tenants. How is the City going to help me?
The RRL Pilot Program is being established to deals with complying with municipal standards. Issues related between the tenant and landlord is to be directed to the
Landlord Tenant Board.
- Why fine landlords for bad tenant behaviour?
The intent of the pilot program is to provide measures to ensure rental properties are upkept to municipal property standards. If the property owner does not comply, they can be subject to fines and penalties.
- I already submitted my RRL application with the original launch of the pilot program. Do I need to reapply for a licence under the new requirements?
No, you do not need to reapply for a licence. The City Clerk’s Office will continue to process the application on file and issue a licence. Should additional information be needed you’ll be contacted by the Clerk’s Office.
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