City launches Rental Housing Licensing pilot program

HAMILTON, ON – The City’s two-year Rental Housing Licensing pilot program requires property owners in Wards 1, 8 and parts of Ward 14 to apply for a rental licence for each rented unit annually. Property owners of rental housing units in these wards can begin the rental housing licence application process. A licence is required for every rental property with four or fewer rental units.

Requirements, including the program’s phased-in approach, supporting documents, applicable fees and process, are located on the City’s Rental Housing Licensing pilot program website www.hamilton.ca/rentalhousinglicence.

Quick facts

• In August 2021, Hamilton City Council approved a two-year Rental Housing Licensing pilot program for Wards 1, 8 and parts of Ward 14. 
• The 2014-2018 Rental Housing Sub-Committee received concerns from community members, property owners and students regarding “illegal dwelling units, “absentee landlords”, property standards and yard maintenance complaints. This resulted in the recommendation that Wards 1 and 8 (and now parts of Ward 14) be the focus of a Rental Housing Licensing pilot program.
• Once the evaluation of the two-year pilot program is complete, city staff will provide a report for Council with recommendations for the future of the program, including the potential for city-wide implementation.
• Cost of the pilot program will be recovered through licensing fees charged to landlords.