BRAMPTON — The City of Brampton is tightening enforcement on unsafe rental housing, introducing steep inspection fees of up to $10,000 for landlords who fail to meet fire safety standards under its Residential Rental Licensing (RRL) program.
As part of the city’s 2026 budget, landlords found in violation of the Ontario Fire Code during inspections will now face escalating penalties, starting with a $3,000 fee for a first offence. A second violation increases the fee to $5,000, while a third or subsequent violation can result in a $10,000 charge.
City officials say the move is aimed at improving safety and ensuring compliance among rental property owners. The inspections are designed as proactive checks to confirm that rental units meet required provincial fire safety standards, protecting both tenants and surrounding communities.
The RRL program, initially launched as a pilot in 2024, has now been expanded citywide and will remain in effect until at least the end of 2028. Under the program, all landlords with properties containing four or fewer rental units must register with the city, obtain a licence and comply with regular inspections covering fire, health and safety standards.
Landlords are also required to complete an online training module demonstrating their understanding of local rental regulations before being issued a licence.
Those who fail to register their rental units face additional penalties, starting at $1,000 for a first offence and increasing to $1,500 for repeated violations. The city has also significantly raised fines for other bylaw breaches, including occupancy standards, with some penalties increasing by as much as 400 per cent.
City officials maintain that the measures are intended to target non-compliant property owners rather than responsible landlords. Bylaw enforcement leaders have emphasized that the focus is on holding “bad actors” accountable while supporting those who follow the rules.
Mayor Patrick Brown has defended the approach, stating that the majority of landlords comply with regulations and should not bear the burden created by those who do not.
However, the program has faced pushback from some landlord groups, who argue that licensing requirements and increased fees could raise costs for tenants and limit rental housing options in an already tight market.
The Residential Rental Licensing initiative is part of a broader effort by the city to address ongoing concerns about illegal and unsafe rental units, including overcrowded housing and unregulated rooming houses.
With increased enforcement powers and expanded bylaw staffing, the city is signalling a stronger commitment to improving housing safety and accountability across Brampton.