FAQs

A rental housing unit is defined as a building or part of a building:

• Consisting of one or more rooms;
• Containing toilet and cooking facilities;
• Designed for use as a Single Housekeeping Establishment; and
• Used or intended for use as a rented residential premise

Any rental house that fall within Wards 1, 8 or Parts of 14 require a licence.

A rental housing does not apply to:

• a Multiple Dwelling (defined as a building or part thereof containing 6 or more self-contained units)
• a hotel, motel, inn or bed and breakfast;
• a lodging home; or
• a short-term rental

A licence is also not required if:

Any of following statutes, or their regulations, apply to the Rental House:

• the Homes for Special Care Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. H.12, as amended;
• the Innkeepers Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. 17, as amended;
• the Long-Term Care Homes Act, 2007, S.O. 2007, c. 8, as amended;
• the Retirement Homes Act, 2010, S.O. 2010, c. 11, as amended;
• the Social Housing Reform Act, 2000, S.O. 2000, c. 27, as amended; and,
• Social housing or affordable housing that is not subject to Social Housing Reform Act, 2000, S.O. 2000, c. 27, as amended, but which is subject to an agreement with the City of Hamilton and which has been approved for exemption by the Director

In August 2021, a pilot project for Rental Housing Licensing was implemented within these Wards. Staff used the information from the pilot project to inform Council on the successes and challenges of the pilot project.

In December 2025, Council approved a permanent Rental Housing Licensing program within the pilot wards with the direction to staff to report back on options for an expansion plan to Ward 2 (December 2026) and City-Wide (December 2027).

Whether you are a tenant or neighbour, you can connect with our Licensing team through these channels:

• By email: licensing@hamilton.ca
• By phone: 905-546-2782 Option 2 
• In person: 
  • 71 Main St W, Hamilton (City Hall) Monday to Friday from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm
  • 330 Wentworth St N. Monday & Wednesday from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm