After facing resistance from landlords and a brief pause, Brampton is gearing up to relaunch its two-year rental licensing pilot in March. The program, initially rolled out on January 1, was abruptly halted on January 25 due to administrative challenges, including redundant paperwork requirements such as resubmitting electrical and HVAC certifications.
The relaunch comes after a town hall meeting where residents had the opportunity to provide feedback on the pilot’s implementation. Despite the pause, there will be no changes to the $300 annual fee for the license, although the fee will be waived for applications submitted before June 30.
The pilot aims to tackle issues related to illegal dwellings and address numerous complaints about garbage, rodents, overcrowded parking, and property standards. According to Coun. Rowena Santos, the program also seeks to ensure the health and safety of tenants, particularly in units housing 15 to 20 individuals.
Mayor Patrick Brown highlighted concerns about the prevalence of illegal units in Brampton, estimating that there may be over 100,000 people living in such accommodations. However, only 29 landlords had registered before the pilot was paused.
The decision to relaunch the pilot follows opposition from landlords, with dozens expressing concerns at a council meeting. Some landlords voiced worries about being penalized if they enrolled in the program, citing delays at the Landlord and Tenant Board (LTB) and inadequate mechanisms for addressing tenant misconduct.
In response to the LTB backlog, Brampton City Council voted to send a letter to the province urging action to address delays and improve efficiency. Mayor Brown emphasized the need to fix the LTB to alleviate issues related to overcrowded rental units.
Despite efforts to address concerns, Santos emphasized that the city’s jurisdiction is limited to property standards and safety, with landlord-tenant relations falling outside its purview. The relaunch of the rental licensing pilot is expected to provide a framework for cracking down on illegal units and holding landlords accountable, but challenges remain in navigating the complexities of landlord-tenant disputes and LTB delays.