Oshawa’s rental housing licence: what landlords need to know
If you rent out a house or unit near Durham College or Ontario Tech University in north Oshawa, the City of Oshawa requires you to hold a Residential Rental Housing Licence. Here's what the licence covers, what it costs and how to get through the inspections without surprises.
Fees and rules below are taken from the City of Oshawa's Residential Rental Housing page as of October 2026. Always check the City's current page before you apply.
Which properties need a licence?
The licence applies to residential rental properties in the licensing area around Durham College and Ontario Tech University, including the Simcoe Street corridor. The City publishes a map of the area. If your rental is inside it, you need a licence whether you rent to students or not.
What it costs
- A $50 application fee applies to all licences.
- Class A (individually owned dwelling units, such as a rental house): $275 plus $75 per bedroom.
- Class B (multi-unit buildings under single ownership): $275 plus a dwelling unit fee that starts at $400 for 3 to 25 units.
- Licences are valid for two years.
For example, a three-bedroom house under Class A would be $50 + $275 + 3 × $75 = $550 for two years, before any extra inspection charges.
The inspections
Inspectors from Licensing and Standards and from Fire Services inspect the property. The initial inspection is included in the fee, plus one more if needed. Each additional inspection is $110, and a missed inspection is also charged $110. Inspections are booked Tuesday to Thursday in four-hour morning or afternoon windows.
Your tenants are entitled to proper written notice before the inspectors come in: at least 24 hours, stating the reason, with entry between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m.
What the inspectors look for
The property has to comply with the Fire Code, Electrical Code, Building Code, Zoning By-law and Property Standards By-law. Before you book, check:
- Smoke alarms on every storey and outside all sleeping areas, tested and working.
- Carbon monoxide alarms outside all sleeping areas and, according to the City's page, on all storeys of the dwelling from January 1, 2026.
- Electrical: the City requires an Electrical System Inspection Form every four years, or after electrical work or renovations.
- Exits and bedrooms: clear exits, and bedrooms that meet size and window requirements for their use.
- Basic repair: no leaks, broken windows, missing handrails or damaged stairs.
Paperwork
You'll complete a Declaration in support of your application. If someone else, like a property manager, will deal with the City for you, there's also an Agent Authorization form.
Keeping it simple
Put the renewal date in your calendar now, keep a folder with the licence, inspection results and electrical form, and test alarms at every tenant turnover. If we manage your property, we coordinate the inspections, give tenants notice, meet the inspectors and follow up on anything they flag. The licence is still issued to you as the owner.