BRAMPTON, ON — The City of Brampton is significantly strengthening renter protections by expanding its Residential Rental Licensing (RRL) Pilot Program across the entire city, with new rules and penalties taking effect January 1, 2026. The move builds on enhancements approved earlier this year and reflects Council’s ongoing focus on improving safety, accountability, and housing standards for renters.
Until now, the licensing requirement applied only to landlords with one to four rental units in wards 1, 3, 4, 5, and 7. Beginning in the new year, the program will extend to all remaining wards — 2, 6, 8, 9, and 10 — making a Residential Rental Licence mandatory for all property owners renting one to four units anywhere in Brampton. The city-wide expansion is intended to ensure consistent oversight and safer living conditions for tenants, regardless of where they live.
To support compliance and remove financial barriers, the City has confirmed that all new and renewal Residential Rental Licence applications will continue to be free. Officials say this approach encourages responsible landlords to participate while allowing enforcement efforts to focus on unsafe or non-compliant operators.
Council has also approved tougher penalties to strengthen compliance. Under the updated framework, landlords operating without a valid licence will face escalating fines, starting at $750 for a first offence, increasing to $1,250 for a second offence, and reaching $1,500 for subsequent violations. The enhanced penalties are designed to deter unsafe practices and reinforce accountability across Brampton’s rental housing sector.
Additional improvements to the program, first approved in June 2025, will also come into effect on January 1, 2026. The Residential Rental Licensing Pilot Program will be extended for another three years beyond December 31, 2025, subject to annual review and Council approval. All new and renewing landlords will be required to complete an online educational module demonstrating their understanding of municipal rental regulations before receiving a licence. The City is also introducing differentiated licence classifications to better reflect the diversity of rental housing types, enabling more targeted inspections, enforcement, education, and data-driven housing policy decisions. As part of the strengthened requirements, landlords must now provide proof of at least $2 million in liability insurance.
Mayor Patrick Brown said the expansion reflects the realities of a rapidly growing city and the importance of proactive oversight. “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,” he said. “Expanding the Residential Rental Licensing program city-wide 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.”
Regional Councillor Rowena Santos emphasized the human impact of the changes, particularly for vulnerable renters. “Everyone deserves to feel safe in the place they call home,” she said. “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.”
Robert Higgs, Director of Enforcement and By-law Services, said the updates will significantly strengthen the City’s ability to protect renters. “The safety of our community is our top priority, and these enhancements give our Enforcement and By-law Services team the effective tools needed to uphold strong standards across Brampton,” he said. “By clarifying requirements, streamlining processes, and closing regulatory gaps, we are making it easier for landlords to comply while strengthening accountability where it’s needed most. Our team is ready to deliver on this work and ensure every resident has a safe place to call home.”
More information about the Residential Rental Licensing Program and how to obtain a licence is available at brampton.ca/rrl.