$1,000 fine for rental ‘overcrowding’ could be coming to Brampton

Landlords could soon face fines up to $1,000 as city council cracks down on what it calls “excessive subletting” and “overcrowding” in Brampton rentals.

The tweaks to Brampton’s bylaws were proposed in September on the heels of the city’s controversial Residential Rental Licensing pilot project and ahead of incoming provincial changes to additional rental units across Ontario.

With some Brampton rentals making headlines over safety and overcrowding concerns, the proposed changes in Brampton would go beyond Building Code and Fire Code requirements and set limits of 14-square metres for rooms “provided to three persons” and 7-square metres “per person where the room is provided to four or more persons.”

If approved, escalating fines for breaking the updated Property Standards By-law would cap out at $1,000 according to a city report.

Updates to the bylaw in 2022 looked to tackle overcrowding by prohibiting the conversion of rooms for sleeping purposes. But the city says some less reputable landlords have exploited housing demand “by increasing bedroom occupancy levels to maximize rental income.”

There have been 266 penalty notices issued since, totaling some $65,000 in fines, the city says.

“These risks include increased fire hazards, the spread of infectious diseases, poor indoor air quality, and negative impacts on mental health,” the report reads.

The proposed changes would introduce “scaled minimum floor area requirements” to “ensure adequate space per occupant for health and safety.”

Based on data from the city, introducing stiffer fines for breaking the Property Standards By-law could see revenue up to $277,100, depending on the number of fines issued.

Brampton’s rental licensing program was launched as a way to bring an estimated 16,000 unregistered rental units into compliance, and requires landlords renting four or fewer units in Wards 1,3,4,5 and 7 to register with the city.

The program has seen more than 4,700 rental units inspected and more than $83,500 in fines issued since January.

The proposed bylaw changes related to overcrowding will go to Brampton City Council on Wednesday.