Hamilton approves landlord-licensing pilot project

A two-year pilot project to license rental landlords around McMaster University and Mohawk College in Hamilton will become reality in about six weeks.

On Tuesday (Aug. 10), the City of Hamilton’s planning committee voted unanimously in favour of a motion raised by Ward 8 city councillor John-Paul Danko and Ward 1 Coun. Maureen Wilson to start the pilot project this fall. The initiative will be tried out in Ward 1 and Ward 8, as well as a section of Ward 14, which is represented by Coun. Terry Whitehead

The planning committee’s vote will be up for ratification at the full council meeting on Friday (Aug. 13). The final bylaw, implementation plan and fee schedule will be set by the same committee at a meeting on Sept. 21. About 85 per cent of the program’s projected $2-million cost will be covered through the licensing fees.

Planning Committee has unanimously approved implementation of a Rental Housing Licensing Pilot for Wards 1, 8 & 14!

My sincere appreciation to @terrywhitehead who got us here, for the support of Committee and of course the residents of Ward 8 for their involvement.

Direction: pic.twitter.com/wthSQMIoc9

— John-Paul Danko (@JohnPaulDanko) August 10, 2021

City staff had recommended waiting until 2023 to begin the pilot project.