Multi-tenant housing (MTH) or “rooming houses” are often the cheapest housing option available in the private rental market, making them an important source of affordable housing. To preserve and protect this housing type, Toronto City Council adopted the new regulatory framework for multi-tenant houses in 2022. This framework came into effect on March 31st, 2024. It introduced a new approach to permit multi-tenant housing across the city, a new licensing bylaw, and a phased approach to licensing and enforcement.
This page offers a range of information and resources about multi-tenant housing in Toronto that are useful for MTH renters, service providers who support them and community advocates. We also share recommendations and ways to advocate to the City for a human rights-based approach to implementing the MTH framework.
Planning and Housing Committee Meeting
On December 3, 2025, City staff will update the Planning and Housing Committee on the MTH framework. The staff report provides an overview of activities and outcomes from the first year of the framework’s implementation, including operations, licensing and enforcement data, collaboration across City divisions, findings from a land economics study, and community engagement.
Take Action
Make your voice heard at the upcoming December 3, 2025, Planning and Housing Committee meeting by submitting a letter or requesting to speak. We’ve developed a letter template that community partners, MTH renters, and service providers can send to the Planning and Housing Committee to support our recommendations for preventing MTH renter displacement and affordable housing loss.
We encourage you to adapt this letter to reflect your experiences with MTHs. Submit a letter or request to speak to the Committee by emailing phc@toronto.ca or by phone at 416-397-4579 by December 2, 2025 at 4:30PM.
Our Recommendations
- Year One of the Multi-Tenant Houses Framework: Recommendations to the City
- Letter to Planning & Housing Committee (December 3, 2025) – Multi Tenant Houses Regulatory Framework Implementation Update
Resources
- City of Toronto webpage: New Framework for Multi-Tenant (Rooming) Houses
- Toronto’s rules for Multi-Tenant Houses (Rooming Houses)
- Why Multi-Tenant Housing Matters for the Right to Housing