Rental Housing Licensing

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In August 2021, City Council approved a two-year Rental Housing Licensing pilot program for Wards 1, 8 and parts of Ward 14 in Hamilton. The pilot program required property owners of rental housing with those applicable areas to apply for a licence for each rented unit. The application period ran from 2022-2023, with the Pilot starting January 1, 2024 running until December 31, 2025.

In December 2025, through Report PED21097(g), Council approved a permanent Rental Housing Licensing program, beginning within Wards 1, 8 and parts of 14 with the intention of reporting back on expansion to other Wards.

The rental housing licensing program is intented to protect the health and safety tenants and residents by holding landlords and property owners accountable to provide adequate and safe housing options.

We want to hear from you!

Are you a renter in the City of Hamilton? Property owner or manager? How about a resident that lives near a rental property? We need your feedback to ensure a sustainable licensing model is in place that improves delivery of the service, ensures continued compliance with municipal by-laws and provincial legislation, and maintaining safe housing stock within the city.

In August 2021, City Council approved a two-year Rental Housing Licensing pilot program for Wards 1, 8 and parts of Ward 14 in Hamilton. The pilot program required property owners of rental housing with those applicable areas to apply for a licence for each rented unit. The application period ran from 2022-2023, with the Pilot starting January 1, 2024 running until December 31, 2025.

In December 2025, through Report PED21097(g), Council approved a permanent Rental Housing Licensing program, beginning within Wards 1, 8 and parts of 14 with the intention of reporting back on expansion to other Wards.

The rental housing licensing program is intented to protect the health and safety tenants and residents by holding landlords and property owners accountable to provide adequate and safe housing options.

We want to hear from you!

Are you a renter in the City of Hamilton? Property owner or manager? How about a resident that lives near a rental property? We need your feedback to ensure a sustainable licensing model is in place that improves delivery of the service, ensures continued compliance with municipal by-laws and provincial legislation, and maintaining safe housing stock within the city.

  • Tenant/Renter Survey

    34 responses

    Are you a tenant/renter in Hamilton? We want to hear from you!

    Survey deadline: August 24, 2026

    Notice of Collection: The City of Hamilton collects this information under the authority of sections 10 and 227 of the Municipal Act, 2001, as well as Business Licensing By-law 07-170, Property Standards By-law 23-162, Snow Removal By-law 03-296, and Yard Maintenance By-law 10-118. Any personal information collected through the Rental Housing Licensing Survey will be used to support a public report to City of Hamilton Council on the effectiveness of the Rental Housing Licensing Program and to identify any improvements or efficiencies that may be needed. Personal information will be removed or redacted before any information is included in the public report. Questions about the collection of this personal information can be directed to the Acting Manager Licensing, Licensing and By-law Services, Planning and Economic Development. 330 Wentworth St N., Hamilton, ON, L8L 5W3. 905-546-2424 ext 1789,Tiffany.Gardner@hamilton.ca.

    Take Tenant/Renter Survey
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  • General Public Survey

    20 responses

    Are you a resident that lives near a rental property? We want to hear from you!

    Survey deadline: August 24, 2026

    Notice of Collection: The City of Hamilton collects this information under the authority of sections 10 and 227 of the Municipal Act, 2001, as well as Business Licensing By-law 07-170, Property Standards By-law 23-162, Snow Removal By-law 03-296, and Yard Maintenance By-law 10-118. Any personal information collected through the Rental Housing Licensing Survey will be used to support a public report to City of Hamilton Council on the effectiveness of the Rental Housing Licensing Program and to identify any improvements or efficiencies that may be needed. Personal information will be removed or redacted before any information is included in the public report. Questions about the collection of this personal information can be directed to the Acting Manager Licensing, Licensing and By-law Services, Planning and Economic Development. 330 Wentworth St N., Hamilton, ON, L8L 5W3. 905-546-2424 ext 1789,Tiffany.Gardner@hamilton.ca.

    Take General Public Survey
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  • Landlords/Property Management Companies Survey

    9 responses

    Are you a Property Owner or Manager in Hamilton? We want to hear from you!

    Survey deadline: August 24, 2026

    Notice of Collection: The City of Hamilton collects this information under the authority of sections 10 and 227 of the Municipal Act, 2001, as well as Business Licensing By-law 07-170, Property Standards By-law 23-162, Snow Removal By-law 03-296, and Yard Maintenance By-law 10-118. Any personal information collected through the Rental Housing Licensing Survey will be used to support a public report to City of Hamilton Council on the effectiveness of the Rental Housing Licensing Program and to identify any improvements or efficiencies that may be needed. Personal information will be removed or redacted before any information is included in the public report. Questions about the collection of this personal information can be directed to the Acting Manager Licensing, Licensing and By-law Services, Planning and Economic Development. 330 Wentworth St N., Hamilton, ON, L8L 5W3. 905-546-2424 ext 1789,Tiffany.Gardner@hamilton.ca.

    Take Landlords/Property Management Survey
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Page last updated: 28 Jul 2026, 04:45 PM