Landlord group’s push to kill Windsor’s rental licence program dismissed

Windsor’s Residential Rental Licensing (RRL) program has prevailed in an Ontario Superior Court challenge by a landlord group. The win is a significant step in Windsor’s efforts to ensure safe and quality rental housing. Ontario Superior Court Justice Kelly Gorman dismissed arguments against the program, allowing it to continue in two city wards.

The initiative mandates landlords to obtain licenses for properties with four or fewer units, ensuring compliance with safety standards. Despite concerns from some landlords about increased costs being passed on to renters, proponents argue it’s necessary for maintaining housing quality. The program, halfway through its two-year pilot, aims to tackle housing issues through enforcement and supply-side measures. Each rental licence initially costs $466 and must be renewed each year. The program also requires landlords to provide a criminal record checks and electrical inspections, which are not covered by the licence cost.