Landlord registrations put on hold ‘temporarily’ following rental program push-back in Brampton
Published January 29, 2024 at 10:03 am
Brampton’s new residential licensing program has been put on ice just weeks after launch following petitions and protests from landlords, despite touting the initiative as a way to protect renters.
The city’s Residential Rental Licensing Pilot project just launched on Jan. 1 and introduced new requirements and regulations for property owners in Wards 1, 3, 4, 5, and 7 who want to rent out units.
But the project has already been “paused temporarily” by the city with no notice or warning.
“The city will not be accepting residential rental licensing applications until further notice,” an undated update on the city’s website reads, adding the program will see “enhancements” after hearing from residents.
“Applications required under the two-year pilot program are suspended as the City reviews and streamlines its intake process.”
The city says its “updated program refinements” include removing the requirement for a criminal record check, accepting a property tax bill as proof of ownership, and not requiring condominium apartments or condominium townhouses to obtain a business licence.
Videos
Licensing under the Residential Rental Licensing (RLL) program was supposed to cost $300 annually with fees waived for the first three months of the pilot, but now the city says its extending the full fee waiver to June 30.
The two-year pilot program was introduced as a way to crack down on Brampton’s estimated 30,000 illegal suites and came with an annual $300 fee for landlords who wish to rent out a property with four or fewer units.
But a petition pushed back against the new regulations asking the city to reverse the new rules, saying the added costs are an “economic burden” and could lead to fewer rentals available in Brampton. Some residents also held a protest against the changes, with a video on social media showing people holding signs calling for the program to be scrapped.
Comments posted on the video were mostly in support of the protest and others backing the landlords.
“This is great, no more illegal basement rentals,” wrote one user. “Imagine protesting against doing the right thing,” wrote another.
Over a dozen residents have signed up to share their thoughts on the program with Brampton City Councillors at a committee meeting on Wednesday.
Insauga.com has reached out to the city for details on how and why the pause was put in place but no response was received.
The pilot program is only running in Wards 1, 3, 4, 5, and 7 and applies to any rental property with four or fewer units. Rental units under the program are subject to random inspections, and the city says registered second units, unregistered residential rental units and additional residential units all fall under the new rules.
The new regulations also gave the city more enforcement options when dealing with problem landlords.
A report to council showed landlords caught operating without a licence could be fined $600 for the first offence, $900 for the second and $1,200 for every following infraction. There are also $250 fines for offences like failing to provide adequate waste containers or violating the city’s grass and weed cutting bylaw.
The city expects to recoup $550,000 from fees over the two-year pilot project, leaving a $925,000 shortfall for the program, the report said.
A petition calling for the city to reverse the program has been circulating online and gained more than 6,600 signatures since it was launched on Jan. 9.
“For landlords, this translates into an annual recurring cost ranging from $1,500 to $2,000 per additional or second dwelling unit,” the petition reads, saying the rules put an “economic burden” on property owners.
insauga's Editorial Standards and Policies advertising