25 students in one basement just some of 100,000 estimated residents in illegal suites in Brampton

A case of more than two dozen renters packed into a Brampton basement is just the latest example of international students living in dangerous conditions, and a sign that something needs to change.

That’s according to Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown, who says the city’s bylaw department recently found some 25 students living in a single basement apartment, he said during a Brampton Committee of Council meeting on Wednesday.

Brown went on to say there could be an estimated 100,000 residents living in illegal rental suites in Brampton – something the city is hoping to crack down on with its controversial landlord registration program.

The mayor has previously sounded the alarm about international students in Brampton living in “third-world conditions” and called for changes to Ontario and Canada’s international student regulations, particularly making appropriate and safe housing a requirement for post-secondary acceptance.

Those calls were answered in part last Friday when the province announced new international student regulations that include a guarantee that housing options are available for incoming international students.

But Brampton’s plans to cut down on some 16,000 estimated illegal units hit a speedbump last week when the city paused its recently launched Residential Rental Licensing Pilot project (RRL).

Dozens of Brampton residents signed up to speak their minds about the city’s now-paused program, which was temporarily put on hold following protests, a petition and concerns from some landlords ranging from costs and duplication of Additional Rental Units (ARU) registration, to the legality of the project.

“This pilot project isn’t going to do anything,” one resident said. “Instead of putting together a new program use the bylaws you have already.”

The program initially required all owners and operators of rental housing units, dwelling or rental housing units with four or less units in Wards 1, 3, 4, 5, and 7 to register with the city.

Now the city says the program is being reworked with “updated program refinements” including removing the requirements for a criminal record check, allowing a property tax bill as proof of ownership, and not requiring condominium apartments or condominium townhouses to obtain a business licence.

Staff told council on Wednesday that the city is also working on streamlining requirements for ARUs, reviewing requirements for inspections, improving the online application process and a possible “incentive program” for landlords in good standing like reduced or waived fees.

Brown reiterated to the council gallery that the program is designed to go after owners operating illegal units, and staff said new measures would add an additional offence of operating without a licence.

The program could come back online within six to eight weeks with more public consultation.