New landlord registration pilot to target illegal suites, predatory rentals
A new pilot program from the City of Brampton could help to curb illegal rental units as the cost of living in the GTA continues to soar.
On March 29, Brampton councillors voted unanimously in favour of the pilot program, which would set a cap on the number of residents allowed in a home, as well as create a system for random inspections and fines for unlicensed rental units.
The program would also explore establishing a Landlord Code of Conduct, as well as assembling a searchable, interactive directory of licensed landlords in Brampton.
A final plan for the pilot program is set to be announced later this year, with an anticipated start date in early 2024. The program would initially only apply to rental properties in wards 1, 3, 4 and 5, areas targeted by city staff due to their high volumes of rental units.
Proponents say the pilot will “safeguard the health and safety of residents” and ensure landlords are maintaining safe, liveable dwellings for their tenants.
The proposed program follows a widespread struggle for affordable housing in Brampton, which is fuelled in part by the area’s large international student population. Last month, Sheridan College released the Brampton Charter for Improving the International Student Experience, which is designed to serve as a “concrete action plan” for improving the lives of international students who study and stay in Peel Region.
Between 2018 and 2022, Peel police received more than 8,800 complaints about inadequate property standards, including issues with contacting landlords for needed repairs. A basement fire made headlines last year after an entire family died, with officials suspecting their deaths were caused by a lack of working smoke detectors.
Brampton isn’t the first city to address the need for more accountability from landlords and property managers. The City of Waterloo requires landlords to apply for a license and renew it annually in order to ensure that units are well maintained.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Trudeau says fall of Assad 'ends decades of brutal oppression' for Syria
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says a new chapter for Syria can begin that's free of terrorism and suffering for its people.
Who is Abu Mohammed al-Golani, the leader of the insurgency that toppled Syria's Assad?
Abu Mohammed al-Golani, the militant leader of the insurgency in Syria, has spent years working to remake his public image, renouncing to ties to al-Qaida.
Trump calls for immediate ceasefire in Ukraine and says a U.S. withdrawal from NATO is possible
Donald Trump on Sunday pushed Russian leader Vladimir Putin to act to reach an immediate ceasefire with Ukraine, describing it as part of his active efforts as U.S. president-elect to end the war despite being weeks from taking office.
Quebec Premier meets with Trump, Zelenskyy and Musk during Paris trip
Quebec Premier François Legault met up with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, U.S. president-elect Donald Trump and billionaire Elon Musk while visiting Paris this weekend.
Baby found dead in south Edmonton parking lot: police
Police are investigating the death of an infant in south Edmonton.
Do you recognize these men? RCMP seek Metro Vancouver grandparent scam suspects
Mounties in Metro Vancouver have released photos of two men alleged to have been involved in “numerous” so-called grandparent scams earlier this year, hoping the public can help identify them.
Pantone names its colour of the year for 2025
Pantone has named an 'evocative soft brown' its colour of the year for 2025, continuing a tradition that has now run for more than a quarter of a century.
Ousted Syrian leader Assad flees to Moscow after fall of Damascus, Russian state media say
Ousted Syrian President Bashar Assad fled to Moscow on Sunday, Russian media reported, hours after a stunning rebel advance took over the capital of Damascus and ended the Assad family's 50 years of iron rule.
A man, a bike and a gun: Police search for evidence to solve the killing of UnitedHealthcare's CEO on the streets of New York
As the investigation into the fatal shooting of a health care executive in Manhattan enters its fifth day, police are missing key pieces of evidence and are combing through what they have gathered for more clues, as the suspect remains on the run.