Richard P. Peralta Business
Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown Moves to Permanently Scrap Landlord Licensing Fee

Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown has pledged to permanently eliminate the $300 application fee for landlords participating in the city’s mandatory Residential Rental Licensing (RRL) program, citing his strong-mayor powers and commitment to removing financial barriers for property owners.

The move comes as the city expands the RRL program citywide, aiming to ensure rental properties meet basic health, safety, and maintenance standards.

Background: The Residential Rental Licensing Program

The RRL program currently applies to landlords managing four or fewer residential rental units in Wards 1, 3, 4, 5, and 7. These property owners are required to obtain a special license and register their units with the city.

During the Nov. 26 general committee meeting, council unanimously approved staff recommendations to phase the program into Wards 2 and 8 first, followed by the remaining three wards in 2026, thereby extending the RRL’s reach across Brampton.

Pilot Program Timeline

Initially launched as a two-year pilot in January 2024, the RRL program was set to expire on Dec. 31, 2025. Earlier this year, council extended the pilot through the end of 2028 to allow for program evaluation and gradual citywide implementation.

In March 2025, council waived the $300 application fee for the remainder of the year to encourage compliance and higher registration rates. By June, council considered whether to extend the waiver as part of the pilot’s long-term budget planning.

Mayor Brown’s Commitment to Removing the Fee

City staff had recommended reinstating the fee in 2027 to help offset program costs and maintain service levels. However, Mayor Brown, leveraging his strong-mayor powers as budget chair, has indicated he will not allow the fee to be reinstated in 2026 or subsequent years.

A city statement clarified:

“While the November council report outlines potential cost-recovery options, property owners are not required to pay licence application fees for the Residential Rental Licensing (RRL) Program. As the budget is presented by the mayor, the mayor has made clear to staff that the city will not include a licence application fee for participation in the program.”

The statement emphasized that the city remains committed to ensuring safe and well-maintained rental housing without imposing financial barriers on landlords.

Landlord Concerns and Opposition

The application fee has been a key concern among landlords since the program’s inception. The Brampton Housing Providers Association (BHPA), a landlord advocacy group, has held multiple protests opposing the RRL program, describing the fee as an unfair financial burden.

BHPA President Azad Goyat welcomed the mayor’s commitment to removing the fee but criticized the program’s expansion and ongoing compliance requirements.

Inspections and Property Rights

Landlords participating in the RRL program are subject to random inspections to ensure compliance with building, fire, and safety codes. BHPA has argued that this requirement infringes on property owner rights, particularly for units that have already passed inspections and received occupancy permits.

“We are the legal house owners. Our units are compliant,” Goyat said. “How can someone enter into a dwelling without permission of the landlord?”

The group also expressed concern that fees could be reinstated or increased in the future, noting that Mayor Brown is up for re-election in 2026.

Enforcement and Compliance

Landlords operating without a license or failing to meet basic health and safety standards face escalating fines:

  • $600 for a first offence

  • $900 for a second offence

  • $1,200 for subsequent offences

Mayor Brown and council have consistently emphasized that the RRL program is not intended as a revenue generator but as a means to protect tenants and maintain safe rental housing stock.

Mayor Brown’s Statement to Council

At the Nov. 26 committee meeting, Brown addressed misconceptions about the program:

“There were some myths about the RRL initially. We had protests here earlier this year saying that … ‘this is a cash cow for the city.’ There is no fee for the RRL.”

He added:

“The RRL simply says to landlords: it’s your responsibility to meet building code and fire codes. It’s a basic level of safety that we believe is the responsibility of the landlord.”

Moving Forward: Program Expansion

As the city phases the RRL program into additional wards, the mayor’s commitment to a fee-free model will apply across all newly incorporated areas. The program’s expansion is intended to ensure all rental housing in Brampton meets consistent safety and maintenance standards, while minimizing administrative and financial burdens for property owners.

The permanent removal of the licensing fee aligns with Brampton’s broader goals of supporting landlords, encouraging compliance, and maintaining high-quality rental housing across the city.