The City of Brampton is set to unveil significant changes to its Residential Rental Licensing (RRL) program, a pilot initiative that has sparked debate among landlords and property owners.
The program requires property owners renting up to four units in designated areas to register annually for a $300 fee. Since its implementation, the city has issued over 600 penalties, collecting more than $83,500 in fines.
The RRL program, currently limited to Wards 1, 3, 4, 5, and 7, has led to the inspection of over 4,700 rental units by Brampton bylaw officers. The city is set to provide an update on Thursday, including details of a “significant enhancement” to the policy.
- The initial $300 annual fee was discounted to $150 until September 2024, but landlords who fail to register their rental units now face fines of $600 to $1,200.
- The city initially paused the program due to landlord backlash, but reinstated it amid concerns over 16,000 unregistered rental units and illegal housing conditions.
- Mayor Patrick Brown has defended the initiative, stating it is a necessary step in cracking down on unsafe and unlicensed rental properties.
When asked about the upcoming changes, Regional Councillor Rowena Santos reaffirmed the city’s commitment to ensuring safe and legal housing in Brampton.
“This rental licensing program is about protecting tenants and ensuring our city has safe, well-maintained housing. We have seen far too many cases of overcrowded, unsafe, and unregulated rental units, which put both residents and the surrounding community at risk. These updates will strengthen enforcement and accountability while supporting responsible landlords who comply with the rules,” said Santos.
The program remains controversial, with some landlords expressing frustration over city council members labeling certain property owners as “slumlords”. Critics argue that the policy unfairly targets small landlords while failing to address the larger issues of housing affordability and illegal rentals.
With the upcoming program update, the city aims to address concerns while maintaining oversight of Brampton’s rental housing market. More details are expected following Thursday’s announcement.