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Multi-Tenant House Licensing Tribunal

The Multi-Tenant House Licensing Tribunal (MTHLT) is an independent quasi-judicial body with the authority to hear licence applicant appeals and referrals from City staff. The Municipal Licensing and Standards (MLS) Division will receive and review applications for a multi-tenant house licence and will have the ability to refuse an application where the applicant has failed to meet criteria set out in the by-law. Applicants may appeal a refusal to the tribunal.

Tribunal responsibilities

The Tribunal conducts itself in accordance with the Statutory Powers Procedure Act, R.S.O. 1990Opens in new window, and the City of Toronto Municipal Code, Chapter 575, Multi-Tenant HousesOpens in new window.

The Multi-tenant House Licensing Tribunal has the power to issue, refuse, suspend, revoke or add conditions to the licence. The MTHLT’s role is confined to hearing matters appealed to by an Operator or referred to it by the Executive Director, Municipal Licensing & Standards Division (MLS).

Term of office

The term of office for public members is four years. Public members continue to serve until their successors are appointed.

Composition

The Multi-Tenant House Licensing Tribunal consists of a minimum of 6 members, inclusive of a Chair and Vice-Chair. City Council appoints the tribunal’s chair.

Qualifications

In addition to the general eligibility requirements in the Public Appointments Policy, members must demonstrate:

  • a good understanding of the mandate of the Tribunal
  • a good understanding of the Multi-Tenant House By-law and the Statutory Powers Procedure Act
  • understanding of a field related to business licensing and sensitivity to the various interests and issues
  • familiarity with the concepts of natural justice/fairness
  • excellent listening skills, open-mindedness, sound judgement, and tact
  • ability to mediate
  • ability to organize and analyze written and oral evidence
  • a demonstrated ability to write a clear, well-reasoned decision that takes into account the evidence, the submissions and applicable law
  • a commitment to public service and to uphold a high standard of ethics
  • good interpersonal skills, including the ability to work in a team
  • the ability to work under time pressures
  • a technical proficiency in commonly used word processing, business communications and virtual meeting software
  • a flexible work schedule
  • willing and available to attend training programs once appointed
  • have professional experience or have been a consumer of the Toronto rental housing sector
  • a demonstrated knowledge of the Toronto rental housing and affordable housing sectors and City of Toronto housing priorities
  • may have lived experience as and/or working experience with Indigenous, Black or other equity-deserving group (s) disproportionately represented in Toronto’s rental housing sector

In addition to the above qualifications for public members, the qualifications for the Chair include:

  • an understanding of the governance structure for City tribunals
  • previous experience in an adjudicative role
  • leadership and coaching experience
  • the administrative skills to organize, schedule and arrange appropriate support for hearings
  • excellent communications skills, both oral and written, to articulate issues and decisions to staff, Committees of Council, the press, and the public
  • a willingness and ability to represent the Tribunal publicly and perform speaking engagements

Former members of Council who served in the immediately preceding term of Council are ineligible for appointment as public members.

Meetings

As the Multi-Tenant House Licensing Tribunal is a new City tribunal, the number of hearings per year is not known. It is replacing the current Rooming House Commissioner that holds approximately 27 hearings per year. Hearing numbers are expected to increase over time as more multi-tenant houses come into compliance with the new Toronto Municipal Code Chapter 575 – Multi-Tenant Houses. Hearings are held virtually and may be held in-person if requested by either the Operator or the Executive Director of Municipal Licensing and Standards. Location for in-person hearings will be at one of the following addresses.

  • City Hall – 100 Queen Street West, Toronto, ON, M5H 2N2
  • East York Civic Centre – 850 Coxwell Avenue, Toronto, ON, M4C 5R1
  • Etobicoke Civic Centre – 399 The West Mall, Toronto, ON, M9C 2Y2
  • Metro Hall – 55 John Street, Toronto, ON, M5V3C6
  • North York Civic Centre – 5100 Yonge Street, Toronto, ON, M2N 5V7
  • Scarborough Civic Centre – 150 Borough Drive, Toronto, ON, M1P 4N7
  • York Civic Centre – 2700 Eglinton Avenue West – Toronto, ON, M6M 1V1

Please note that hearings may be held in-person at other City locations.

Remuneration

The chair receives an annual stipend of $25,000, plus full-day per diem of $460 and half-day remuneration (3.5 hours or less) of $275 for attendance at hearings, business meetings and training.

Tribunal members receive an annual stipend of $1,500, plus full-day per diem of $460 and half-day remuneration (3.5 hours or less) of $275 for attending hearings, business meetings, and training.

Related links

Membership

The current and historical Appointments for this body.

Apply now

Thank you for your interest. City Council appointed 2 public members to the tribunal at its March 2024 meeting. Applications are always being accepted for future vacancies and will be kept on file for two years from the date submitted.