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The Waterloo Rental Bylaw
Rules and Regulations
As a potential investor in Waterloo Region’s growing student housing and investment property market, it is vital that you be able to operate in this environment from the outset with a keen understanding of tenant rights and any applicable bylaws or legislation.
With my many years of personal experience in investing in property and student housing in Waterloo Region, I serve as a fantastic resource if you’re seeking answers to any and all questions related to residential rental licences in Waterloo Region. Please don’t hesitate to contact me with any such concerns – I’d love to be able to put my knowledge and experience to work for you today!
However, becoming acquainted with the basics of Waterloo’s rental bylaws is an important first step, not only to understanding tenant rights and landlord responsibilities, but also to protecting your own rights once you have decided to get involved in Waterloo’s exciting investment market. To that end, this page is intended to serve as a resource for potential investors, providing quick links to relevant content from the City of Waterloo. For any further in-depth analysis of what these regulations mean to you, or to discuss becoming involved in the local investment property market, simply get in touch!
The City of Waterloo – residential rental licences homepage:
https://www.waterloo.ca/en/government/residentialrentallicences.asp
The Rental Housing Licences Application:
https://www.waterloo.ca/en/living/resources/Building--Renovating/Residential-Rental-Licenence-Application.pdf
Required Supporting Documentation:
• Criminal record check
• ESA (Electrical Safety Authority) report
• Floor plan
• HVAC certificate
• Insurance certificate
• Parking plan
• Particulars of tenancy
• Proof of ownership (transfer agreement or deed)
• Property maintenance plan
Rental Licencing Fees:
https://www.waterloo.ca/en/living/residential-rental-licences.aspx#Townhouses
Additional FAQ’s:
Applications: https://www.waterloo.ca/en/living/residential-rental-licences.aspx
Violation & Enforcement: https://www.waterloo.ca/en/government/resources/Documents/By-law/Residential-Rental-License-bylaw.pdf
Key Points:
• Any low-rise building containing three or fewer rental units (including single detached, semi-detached, duplex, triplex, converted dwellings), must be licenced. Additionally, any owner renting out four or less bedrooms in their own residential unit must be licenced.
• Licences may be obtained from Protective Services, Enforcement Division, City Hall, 100 Regina Street South, 1st Floor. Applications must be submitted in person, or by an agent representing the owner of the building in question.
• Initial licence fees range from $400 to upwards of $650, which are assessed upon the size of the rental unit.
• Rental Licences must be renewed on an annual basis – due by April 1st • Renewal fees range from $220 to over $350
• Certain inspections are required for renewal – HVAC (Heating, Ventilation Inspection Certificate) required annually. All other inspections required every fifth year.
• All rental properties are subject to periodic random inspection by municipal bylaw officers and the fire department.
