Building on the enhancements introduced earlier this year, Brampton City Council adopted additional measures to further strengthen the Residential Rental Licensing (RRL) Pilot Program, taking effect on January 1, 2026.
“Everyone deserves to feel safe in the place they call home. Expanding this program ensures that families, newcomers and young people renting in Brampton are protected no matter where they live. These changes make it easier for good landlords to continue doing the right thing while giving the City stronger tools to step in when living conditions put people at risk. This is about dignity, fairness and creating a community where every resident can thrive.”
– Rowena Santos, Regional Councillor, Wards 1 and 5; Chair, Legislative and Community Services Sections; Member, Residential Rental Licensing Task Force, City of Brampton
Expanding to all wards across Brampton
Currently, landlords with one to four units in Wards 1, 3, 4, 5, and 7 are required to obtain a Residential Rental Licence to legally rent their property in Brampton. With a city-wide expansion effective January 1, 2026, property owners in Wards 2, 6, 8, 9, and 10 with one to four units intended for rental will also be required to obtain a Residential Rental Licence.
This expansion delivers on the City’s commitment to enhance renter safety and ensure rental homes are well maintained.
Free Residential Rental Licence applications
To encourage participation and reduce barriers, all new and renewal Residential Rental Licence applications will continue to be free. This measure supports responsible landlords by making compliance easier and more accessible as the program expands city-wide.
New penalties to strengthen compliance
City Council also approved increased penalties for by-law infractions and additional consequences for landlords who operate rental units without a valid licence. These escalated fines are intended to deter unsafe practices and reinforce accountability across the rental sector.
Under the updated framework, property owners who rent without a mandatory licence could receive:
- First offence: $750
- Second offence: $1,250
- Subsequent offences: $1,500
Additional enhancements to the Residential Rental Licensing Pilot Program
In June 2025, City Council approved further enhancements to the RRL Pilot Program, which will also take effect on January 1, 2026. These include:
- Extension of the RRL Pilot Program: The program will be extended beyond December 31, 2025, to operate for an additional three years, subject to annual reviews and Council approval.
- Educational awareness of landlord responsibilities: All new and renewing landlords must complete an online education module demonstrating their understanding of the City’s rental regulations before a licence is issued.
- New classifications of licences: Differentiated licence classifications will be introduced to reflect Brampton’s diverse rental housing types. This will support targeted enforcement, inspections, education efforts, and data-informed housing policy decisions.
- Minimum insurance requirements: Landlords must provide a certificate of insurance confirming a minimum of $2 million in liability coverage.
For more information about the program and to obtain a licence, visit brampton.ca/rrl.
Additional Quote
“Brampton is the fastest growing big city in Canada and safe, well-maintained housing is essential to the well-being of our residents and the character of our neighbourhoods. Expanding the Residential Rental Licensing program citywide ensures consistent oversight of rental properties and gives us stronger tools to address safety concerns before they become serious issues. By removing financial barriers for responsible landlords and introducing tougher penalties to deter bad actors, we are building a fair system that protects tenants while supporting those who do the right thing.”
– Patrick Brown, Mayor, City of Brampton
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