The City of Brampton is stepping up its efforts to make rental housing safer, more affordable, and easier to navigate for both tenants and landlords. With an expanded Residential Rental Licensing (RRL) Pilot Program and the launch of new digital tools and education initiatives, Brampton is putting tenants first while giving landlords the tools they need to succeed—and comply.
Following months of community feedback, the RRL Pilot Program will now extend beyond its original end date of December 2025. With approval from City Council, the program will operate for another three years, subject to regular reviews, and will now include Wards 2 and 8. Key changes include mandatory landlord training to ensure familiarity with city regulations, a formal classification system to reflect different rental property types, and streamlined integration with the existing Additional Residential Unit (ARU) registry. The City is also strengthening insurance requirements for licensed rentals.
The new changes aim to modernize how rental units are tracked, inspected, and regulated—ensuring enforcement is targeted and informed by real data. Brampton is also taking steps to support responsible landlords by offering clearer licensing pathways, easier-to-use forms, and improved access to educational resources.
In a major digital upgrade, Brampton has launched a centralized web portal, Renting in Brampton, where tenants, landlords, and students can find information on rental rules, safety standards, dispute resolution, and available support services. A new student-specific housing resource—developed in collaboration with post-secondary institutions—aims to address the unique housing challenges faced by international students and youth renters.
Residents can now more easily report rental housing concerns via a simplified online form available through the 311Brampton.ca website and mobile app. They will also receive automatic status updates through text or email, ensuring greater transparency when service requests are submitted regarding additional residential units, short-term rentals, lodging houses, and occupancy issues.
As part of Brampton’s broader Housing Brampton: Strategy and Action Plan, the City continues investing in affordable housing projects and reviewing local bylaws to reduce systemic barriers. Ongoing work includes partnerships with colleges and universities to improve off-campus student housing and education around tenants’ rights. An upcoming survey will gather insights from stakeholders supporting international students, with the goal of designing better policies and co-created resources.
The City is also reviewing its approach to lodging houses—homes with more than four individual renters who share common areas—recognizing their potential to offer safe, low-cost housing for students, newcomers, and those with lower incomes. Through public consultation, Brampton aims to strike a balance between neighborhood character and the growing need for diverse housing options.
City officials stressed that meaningful housing reform requires action from all levels of government. While Brampton continues to lead with innovation and collaboration, Mayor Patrick Brown called on provincial and federal partners to provide targeted funding, enforce institutional accountability, and pursue broader policy reform to support vulnerable renters.
City leaders echoed the urgency and importance of these measures. Regional Councillor Rowena Santos emphasized the city’s proactive steps to curb overcrowded and unsafe housing while supporting both tenants and landlords through education and accessible resources. Councillor Dennis Keenan noted that initiatives like the RRL Pilot Program are already making neighborhoods safer and more livable by improving standards and raising awareness about housing rights and responsibilities.
With these reforms and partnerships, Brampton is sending a clear message: when it comes to rental housing, safety, affordability, and community well-being are not negotiable—they’re essential.