Fines of $600 coming for some landlords under rental licensing program in Brampton

Time is running out for landlords in Brampton to avoid hundreds in fines under the city’s controversial rental registration program.

Brampton’s Residential Rental Licensing pilot program (RRL) was restarted in April after the project was put on hold just weeks after launch following complaints from local landlords.

With many landlords protesting costs related to the added regulations and licensing, the city waived the initial $300 annual fee. But as of Monday, any owners in the pilot areas who haven’t already signed up will be charged a discounted $150 sign-up fee.

Failing to sign up to the RRL by the end of September will lead to a $600 fine, going up to $900 for the second offence and $1,200 for the third.

On top of registration fees, the new RRL program has Brampton Enforcement and By-law Services inspecting rental units “in response to residents’ concerns or where there have been previous concerns of compliance.”

So far the city says nearly 2,000 registrations have been received from property owners in the pilot areas.

Dozens of landlords across Brampton protested the new regulations when they were first announced, leading the city to walk back proof of ownership, corporate ownership and criminal record checks for landlords.

The $300 sign-up fee for landlords was also waived for the entire run of the two-year pilot if property owners registered by June 30.

Mayor Patrick Brown has said there are an estimated 16,000 unregistered rental units in Brampton with at least four people dying in illegal suites during his time as mayor. The program was introduced as a way to hold both tenants and landlords responsible for issues like property standards concerns and rental unit safety.

Some 84 per cent of basement fires in Brampton since 2016 have occurred in non-registered suites, the city says.

“Brampton’s Residential Rental Licensing Pilot Program aims to maintain neighbourhood character, enforce property standards and uphold the Ontario Fire Code for safety to create safer places for renters to call home,” the city said in a release.

With a growing backlog of calls to Brampton’s bylaw services, the city has also greenlit the hiring of dozens of new enforcement officers through a $3.7 million plan to overhaul the department.

Residents in need of By-law Enforcement assistance can submit and track service requests by calling 3-1-1. In-person services are available at multiple locations, and you can also use the 311 Brampton app or visit Service Brampton online.

To register a rental unit and for more information about the program click here.