Joyce Byrne, Broker
SRS, ABR, HBA, MA


Landlord Licensing By-law Takes Effect in London Ontario March 1, 2010


The City of London passed the Residential Rental Units Licensing By-law on September 21, 2009 and it came into effect on March 1st, 2010. The by-law applies to buildings with four or fewer rental units and converted dwellings. The by-law does not apply to a rental unit in an apartment building, a townhouse or a stacked townhouse.

A unit is also exempt if all of the following conditions are met:

  • the rental unit consitutes the principal residence of the registered owner
  • the rental unit is temporarily rented by the registered owner for a period of time no greater than 12 consecutive months in any 24 month period
  • the rental unit was occupied by the registered owner immediately prior to its rental

  • the registered owner of the rental unit is temporarily living outside of the municipality
  • the registered owner intends to reoccupy the rental unit upon termination of the temporary rental.

The by-law requires an application form and a self-certification check list be completed for each rental unit. If you are not the owner of the unit, the owner must complete an Owner's Authorization form. The cost is $25 per building per year as of 2010.  Of course this fee may go up.

A recent fire inspection (within the past two years - 2008, 2009) is also required.  If an inspection has not been completed, the City will accept your licence application and request a fire inspection on your behalf.  The Fire Prevention Office will contact you to schedule the inspection.  There is no cost for the initial fire inspection but there is a fee for re-inspections.

A copy of the licence is required to be posted inside the front entrance of the rental unit.  The maximum fine for not obtaining a licence is $25,000 for an individual and $50,000 for a corporation for the first offence.  The fines can be doubled for any subsequent convictions.

Information about how to apply for a Residential Rental Unit Licence, the registration forms and the self-certification check list are now available on the City of London's website: 
http://www.london.ca/d.aspxs=/Planning_and_Development/Land_Use_Planning/rentallicensing.htm

Joyce Byrne, Broker
Sutton Group Preferred Realty Inc., Brokerage
Independently Owned & Operated

181 Commissioners Rd W • London ON Canada • N6J 1X9
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