A guide to London's
Residential Rental Units Licensing By-Law

	What is the purpose of the by-law? Which units require a licence? What date does the by-law come into effect? What is the licence fee? Who pays the licence fee? How does the property owner obtain a licence? What is the self-certification checklist? Fire inspection Property Standards What happens if a property owner does not apply for a licence? Fees - Per Rental Property Payment Options & Contact Information Forms

What is the purpose of the by-law? The Residential Rental Units Licensing By-law has been put into place to: address sub-standard housing conditions in rental units protect the amenity, character and stability of residential areas By licensing rental units, the City will be better able to identify and remedy unsafe and/or unhealthy building conditions in smaller scale residential rental properties.

Which units require a licence? Any building containing four or less rental units (including single detached dwellings, semi-detached dwellings, duplexes, triplexes, fourplexes) and converted dwellings* in the city of London. Rental units in apartment and townhouse buildings are exempt. * A converted dwelling is a building constructed prior to 1993 as either a single detached dwelling, a semi-detached dwelling or a triplex and has since been converted to add an additional unit(s) within the existing structure.
What date does the by-law come into effect? The by-law comes into effect March 1, 2010.
What is the licence fee? Each rental property will be subject to an annual $25 fee.
Who pays the licence fee? Property owner(s).
How does the property owner obtain a licence? The property owner(s) are required to submit the following documents: an application form for each rental property a Self-Certification Checklist for each rental unit a copy of a recent fire inspection report indicating compliance with the current Fire Protection and Prevention Act for each rental property. If an inspection has not been completed, the licence application will be accepted and we will request the inspection on your behalf. The Fire Prevention Office will then contact you to schedule the inspection. The application may also include: if the owner is a Corporation or a Partnership, a copy of the incorporating document if an agent is acting on behalf of the property owner, the signed Owners' Authorization Form
What is the Self-Certification Checklist? The checklist is designed to assist property owners in determining whether their properties comply with the City of London Property Standards By-Law. Each item on the checklist must be verified as being "in compliance" or marked as "non-applicable". The checklist gives the owner opportunity to explain proposed actions to address non-conforming items. One Self-Certification Checklist must be completed for each rental unit and tenants should be provided a completed checklist. Some of the items required for inspection include: interior maintenance exterior maintenance electrical/HVAC windows ceiling heights
Fire inspection As part of the application process, a fire inspection must be completed. If an inspection was conducted within the past two years, submit a copy of the approved inspection report with the licence application. If a recent inspection has not been completed, the licence application will be accepted and we will request the inspection on your behalf. The Fire Prevention Office will then contact you to schedule the inspection. There will be no charge for the initial fire inspection; however, there will be a fee for subsequent re-inspections. London Fire Services Fire Prevention Division 400 Horton Street East London, Ontario N6B 1L7 Telephone Number: 519 661-4565 Fax Number: 519 661-8419
Property Standards Rental properties will be subject to periodic random inspection by the City to verify compliance. Approximately one month prior to the scheduled inspection date, the property owner(s) and tenant will receive a notice listing the date and time of the inspection. Tenants will have an opportunity prior to the inspection to advise their landlord of any deficiencies they require be addressed and will have the opportunity to speak with the City inspector during the time of their inspection. If violations are found during these inspections, the property owner will be given a specified time period to remedy the violations. If violations are not corrected before the compliance date, a re-inspection fee of $95 will be issued. Where violations are found which are commonly dealt with by partner enforcement agencies - such as mould (Health Unit) or smoke alarms (Fire Prevention) - the partner agencies will be contacted.
What happens if a property owner does not apply for a licence? Any person who contravenes any provision of the by-law is subject to a fine upon conviction. The maximum fine for a person upon first conviction is $25,000 and for a corporation is $50,000. The maximum fines for subsequent convictions are double the maximum initial conviction.
Fees - Per Rental Property Initial rental property application $25.00 Annual licence renewal $25.00
Payment Options Mail-in applications: Cheque (payable to the City Of London) or money order only In-person during regular business hours: Completed applications can be brought to City Hall, 7th Floor Cash, Master Card, Visa, Cheque, Money Order Contact Information City of London Mailing Address: City of London Attention: Building Division P.O. Box 5035 300 Dufferin Avenue London, ON N6A 4L9 Building Division 300 Dufferin Avenue, 7th Floor London, ON N6A 3R2 Office Hours of Operation Monday - Friday 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Excluding Holidays Tel: 519 930-3515 Fax: 519 661-2332
Forms (Adobe Acrobat Reader version 8 or higher is required for the following files) Application Instructions (pdf) Application Form (pdf) Self-Certification Checklist (pdf - prints best duplexed and on legal sized paper) Owner's Authorization (pdf)