Some Brampton landlords are protesting against the city’s new residential rental licensing pilot program (RRL) which was recently paused for review by the city.
The two-year RRL program began earlier this month in wards 1,3,4,5 and 7 and required landlords of every rental property to obtain a licence to rent out four or less units.
The RRL program was launched on Jan. 1 in an effort to curb illegal rentals, according to the city.
The decision came last December after the city received complaints about lodging houses, illegal basements, excessive weed growth, and overflowing garbage.
Under the pilot program, licensing costs for landlords are $300 annually and registered second units, unregistered residential rental units and Additional Residential Units (ARUs) are included in this program.
“The pilot program’s goals include helping to maintain the character of local neighbourhoods, uphold property standard by-laws and keep individuals and families safe with enforcement of the Ontario Fire Code,” according to a media release by the city.
However, the program has since been met with some criticism. Earlier this month, a petition was created asking the city to cancel the program altogether citing reasons such as financial burden, time challenges in document preparation, and conflict with the residential tenancy act, among other reasons.
The petition had nearly 6,700 signatures at time of publication.
And over the weekend, some homeowners protested at Gore Meadows Community Centre against the program.
Last week, the city said it was temporarily pausing the program to review and streamline its intake process. Currently, applications for the program are not being accepted until further notice.
In addition, the city said it is updating the program by removing the requirement for the criminal record check, accepting the property tax bill as proof of ownership, not requiring condominium apartments or condominium townhouses to obtain a business licence and lastly, extending the full fee waiver period from Mar. 31, 2024 to June 30, 2024.
Previously, the waiver period was between April 1, 2024, to June 30, 2024.
Furthermore, the city is also working on streamlining the business licence requirements for registered ARUs, reviewing the requirements for inspections and improving the online application process.
The city did not say how long the program would be on pause for.
