Impact Of Residential Rental Licensing

It collective concern and formal objection to the recent initiation of the Residential Rental License (RRL) program by the City of Brampton. While we acknowledge the necessity for regulation and compliance, the current framework, currently in its pilot phase in wards 1, 3, 4, 5, and 7, raises significant apprehensions regarding its impact on landlords and the broader housing landscape.

After carefully reviewing the Residential Rental Licence program requirements, we acknowledge the requests made by landlords and foresee potential inefficiencies. We strongly urge the City of Brampton to reconsider its decision and cancel the RRL.

Whether you are constructing an entire house as a single unit, have a legally registered basement or garden unit, or are renting a single room with a shared kitchen while living in the house, you are required to apply for a rental licence per the city’s directions. We have the following major concerns:

Key Issues with RRL:

1. Targeting Small Landlords: RRL unfairly targets small landlords while exempting corporate rentals and condominiums. City Hall is lobbying for corporate interests over community needs. Big fines will be imposed, once enrolled in RRL. It’s a scam by corrupt politicians to benefit corporate rentals.
2. Ineffective Against Illegal Units: Despite claims, RRL only targets legal unit owners, leaving illegal unit issues unaddressed. City will fine only law abiding landlords, even for the tenants fault or overcrowding caused with tenants without landlords consent or knowledge.
3. Contradicting RTA Guidelines: The program imposes fines on landlords for tenant actions beyond their control, such as overcrowding without consent and forced inspections without proper notice.
4. Misleading Information: The Mayor claims legal unit owners need not worry or pay fees for the license. This is false – RRL requires a $300 yearly fee for maintaining the license.
5. Discriminatory Practices: Regulations on room sharing and occupancy limits may violate the Ontario Human Rights Code. Tenants may sue you for breach of their privacy.
6. Market Impact: The program could reduce available rental units, increase rents, and discourage new home buyers in Brampton.
7. Privacy and Compliance Issues: Random inspections without proper notice infringe on tenant privacy and conflict with existing laws.
8. Garbage Bin Per Registered Unit Instead of Per Property: When the city knows a house is registered as two dwellings, implying two families will be living there and property taxes are increased accordingly, why does the city issue only one garbage collection bin per property address instead of one per dwelling?

Brampton Housing Providers Association (BHPA) Demands:

1. Repeal the Rental License Program: The RRL is ineffective and unfairly targets legal unit owners instead of addressing the issue of illegal units. The council must revoke the RRL immediately.
2. End Misinformation: The Mayor’s claim that legal unit owners will be automatically enrolled without fees is false. Legal unit owners must pay $300 per year for the license. City must not charge any free from legal unit owners. Registration of legal unit owners must be free. 
3. Stop Penalizing Small Landlords: Small landlords are being unfairly ticketed for their tenants’ faults. City must not issue any ticket to landlord for tenants fault.
4. Accountability for Missing Funds: We demand an explanation for the missing $191 million reserve fund over the past three years. Property owners should not bear the burden of this financial mismanagement.
5. Able to Transfer Water Bill on Tenant in Region of Peel: Region of Peel should allow to transfer water bill on tenants name, similar to another bills. This will bring fairness as well for councils efforts to create harmony in rental business for small rental. 
6. All Housing Providers must be in License Scope: All small real operation must be in RRL scope, including REIT, College sourced Student Rental and Condominium Corporation. 
7. Garbage Bin Per Registered Unit Instead of Per Property: Despite a house being registered as two dwellings, the city issues only one garbage collection bin per property address, rather than per individual dwelling. City must issue per bin per unit.