A multi-tenant house, previously known as a rooming house, consists of four or more rooms that are rented out to separate people, who share a kitchen and/or washroom and do not live together as a single housekeeping unit.
Multi-tenant houses are permitted in all areas of Toronto that permit residential uses. All operators are required to obtain a licence.
In the former cities of Toronto, East York and York multi-tenant houses may have up to 12 or 25 rooms.
In the former cities of Etobicoke, North York and Scarborough the maximum number of rooms for all multi-tenant houses is six. More information about zoning can be found on the City of Toronto website.
All multi-tenant houses need to be licensed by the City’s Municipal Licensing and Standards (ML&S) division. An application and a fee will need to be submitted to ML&S through our online licensing portal.
Multi-tenant houses are required to comply with all applicable bylaws including annual inspections conducted by ML&S and/or Public Health and Fire Services.
Multi-tenant house licenses are not transferable. A new multi-tenant house licence application must be submitted before you sell or transfer your property or business.
More information on the new regulations can be found on the City of Toronto website.
Renewals
Multi-tenant house licences need to be renewed annually. A renewal notice is sent out to the applicant about three months in advance of the renewal date.
Changes to a multi-tenant house building or property
If there are any changes to your application and/or licence (i.e. legal information) please contact ML&S.
If you wish to make physical changes to the layout or use of the multi-tenant house, you will need to apply for a building permit.
Renovation and Repair Program
The City is currently developing a Multi-Tenant House Renovation and Repair program. The goal of the program is to preserve affordable multi-tenant houses. The program will provide funding and financial support to selected operators to offset some costs of compliance with the new licensing framework. More information on the program will be provided to operators directly when the program launches in spring 2024.
Related information: