Residential rental licences

Low-rise residential rental units require an annual licence to ensure safe accommodations. Full details are in the rental licensing bylaw page.

If you think someone is renting without a license, submit a complaint online or contact the bylaw department at 519-747-8785.

Short term rentals, like Airbnb’s, require a residential rental licence if they are located in a low-rise residential building.

Share your ideas to help improve our rental licensing rules on our Engage website. Help us get ready for a growing population and a changing rental market.

First time applicants

If you're applying for the first time, complete the required documentation:

Application form (PDF)
Electrical system inspection form (PDF)
Gas or oil heating appliance inspection form (PDF)
Declaration of no gas or oil fuelled appliances (PDF)
Insurance declaration (PDF)
Owner authorization (PDF)
Floor and parking plans (can be hand-drawn provided they are to scale, see Section B of the application form for further details)
Proof of ownership by transfer agreement of deed (see Section B of the application form for further details)
Police criminal record check within 12 months of application date

If you have questions about document requirements or would like a sample application, contact 519-747-8587 or rental@waterloo.ca.

Watch our video on everything you need to know on residential rental licences

What you need to renew your licence

You will receive a renewal notice in the mail before the licence expiry date. You must submit an up-to-date gas or oil heating appliance inspection (PDF) or declaration of no gas or oil-fueled appliances (PDF) and insurance declaration form (PDF) every year.

You must submit an updated police criminal record check and electrical system inspection form (PDF) every five years.

Application and renewal process

Online

Submit complete applications or renewals using our online application.
Pay applicable fee with credit card (find costs below).

In person

Submit complete applications or renewals in person at the municipal enforcement counter on the first floor of city hall.
Pay applicable fee with cash, cheque, money order, debit or credit (find costs below).

First time application fees

Single/semi detached, duplex, triplex and accessory apartment

Type	# of Bedrooms	Fee
Class A	4	$554.35
Class A	3	$521.09
Class A	2	$498.91
Class A	1	$476.74
Class B & E	4	$487.82
Class B & E	3	$465.65
Class B & E	2	$443.48
Class B & E	1	$421.30
Class C	N/A	$720.65
Class D	2	$665.22
Class D	1	$665.22
Class Z	4	$554.35
Class Z	3	$521.09
Class Z	2	$498.91
Class Z	1	$476.74
Class Z	Premium	$55.43 / bedroom

Townhouses

To be eligible for a block townhouse license, property owners are required to own multiple units within the same block. For example, for a townhouse block license for 4 to 10 units, property owners need to own between 4 to 10 units within the same block.

Townhouse blocks # of units	1 bedroom	2 bedroom	3 bedroom	4 bedroom
4 - 10	$443.48	$443.48	$465.65	$498.91
11- 20	$443.48	$443.48	$465.65	$498.91
21 - 30	$443.48	$443.48	$465.65	$498.91
31 - 40	$443.48	$443.48	$465.65	$498.91
40 -50	$443.48	$443.48	$465.65	$498.91
50 +	$443.48	$443.48	$465.65	$498.91

Renewal Fees

Late licence renewal fees applications are subject to a $50.00 late fee.