Tenant Information
The following information provides resources for tenants currently living in units/buildings managed and/or owned by the City of Brantford, Housing and Homelessness Services Department.
When to contact your Key Holder |
If you are locked out of your unit your key holder may be able to let you in, otherwise, tenants should not go directly to the key holder. Housing Services staff may ask the key holder to check on something, or grant access to the tenant or a contractor. If your residence does not have a keyholder, please contact our office at 519-759-4150 during regular hours, or the after-hours service at 519-759-3330 (press 1) if your matter is urgent. |
When to contact your Property Management Assistant (regular business hours: 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m, Monday to Friday, except holidays) |
Maintenance requests (maintenance emergencies after hours please contact 519-759-3330, press 1)
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When to contact your Property Manager (regular business hours: 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m, Monday to Friday, except holidays) |
Complaints about neighbours
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Rent |
Rent is due on the first of each month. Preferred method is pre-authorized payment. You will need to complete a form with your banking information and give Housing Services permission to charge your account (provide a void cheque or the form with the account info, from the bank). Payments can be made by e-transfer, cheque, money order or post-dated cheques. To pay with a debit card, an appointment must be made with your Property Manager. There is also a drop box at select residential buildings and at City Hall, 58 Dalhousie Street. Mark your payments “Attention Housing Department.” Do not put cash in the drop box. Rent-Geared-to-Income (RGI): Rent-Geared-to-Income is calculated based on formulas established by provincial legislation, the Housing Services Act, 2011. A Notice of Assessment (NOA), specifically line 23600, or a proof of income statement are the primary tools for verifying income as it applies to RGI rent. RGI rates are generally calculated based on 30% of the household’s income. In general, RGI rent is based on the most recent taxation year, with the additional factors: if the review is started between January and June, RGI is based on net income from the tax year before the previous year. If the review is started between July and December, RGI is based on net income from the previous tax year. For example: If the income and RGI review was started in January 2025, the 2023 tax assessment would have been used. If the income and RGI review was started in July 2025, the 2024 tax assessment would have been used. A household member who has income from social assistance, specifically from Ontario Works (OW) or Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) must also provide the following:
ODSP recipients who also receive income from CPP-D or OAS Spouse's Allowance, must also provide the following:
As applicable, household members must also provide the following:
Tenants must inform their Property Management Assistant of changes that may impact RGI within 30 days of the change including changes to monthly income or the number of people living in the unit. |
Pursuit of income |
Tenants must make an effort to pursue income: support, employment assistance and social assistance. Tenants are not required to be employed to be eligible for rent subsidy. |
Transferring to a different unit |
Reasons for internal transfer
To qualify for an internal transfer the following must apply:
Tenants wanting to internally transfer must speak with their Property Manager who will provide them with a transfer request form is appropriate. Tenants wanting to move for reasons other than those listed above must complete a new community housing application to be added to the waitlist. |
Tenant Etiquette |
Respect your neighbours and keep noise to a reasonable level at all times. Supervise your children and guests to be sure they don’t bother your neighbours or their property. |
Guests |
Tenants can have guests for up to a total of 14 nights per year, unless otherwise specified in your lease agreement. If a guest is planning to stay more than 14 nights, approval must be obtained from the Property Manager. |
Damages |
Tenants will be invoiced for damages beyond normal wear and tear. |
Content and liability insurance |
Tenants are encouraged to purchase a tenant insurance policy to cover their personal property and liability. Brantford Housing and Homelessness Services Department insurance does not cover tenants' belongings. |
Pets |
Tenants can have pets but they are responsible for their pet's behaviour and must follow all provincial and municipal by-laws (stoop & scoop, etc.). |
Internal review |
Tenants can request an internal review (appeal) for:
Before requesting an internal review, the tenant should discuss the situation with the person who issued the letter (PMA or PM). If the issue can't be resolved, then put in a request for an internal review. |
Repairs |
During the day tenants should speak to their PMA about needed repairs. The work will be issued based on priority. If there is an emergency after hours (uncontrolled flooding, loss of heat, faulty smoke alarm) call the after-hours number at 519-759-3330 (press “1). If the building has on-site maintenance a non-emergency request can be put in the maintenance slot. You could also try these things first:
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Emergency |
For fire, criminal activity, etc. call 911. Then let your Property Manager know. |
Alterations to the unit |
Window air conditioners must be installed according to policy and have Property Manager approval. Satellite dishes must not be attached to the building. You can use a tripod but must have Property Manager approval. |
Pests |
Brantford Housing and Homelessness Services wants to know if you think you have bed bugs or other pests. We will have the unit inspected and if you do have bed bugs, we will have your unit treated. You will be required to prepare your unit to allow for successful treatment. |
Complaints |
Complaints should be put in writing. The Property Manager or Housing Stability Worker can help if necessary. Most complaints should go to the Property Manager first. If the tenant is still not satisfied after a reasonable time has passed, the complaint should go the Manager, Housing Operations. |
Fire and life safety |
If you hear an alarm from your smoke alarm, check for fire. If you suspect fire, leave the area, closing doors behind you. Sound the main alarm (in apartments). Call 911 from a safe location. If you hear an alarm from your carbon monoxide detector and you have a headache, dizziness, nausea or vomiting, everyone must leave the home immediately and call 911. If no one feels sick, open windows and turn off the furnace. Then reset the alarm. If the alarm (smoke and/or carbon monoxide) continues to sound Housing and Homelessness Services will replace the alarm. Do not disconnect your alarm. It is against the law, and you could be fined. |
Moving out |
You must provide 60 days written notice, and the last day of tenancy must be the last day of a month. The tenant is responsible for the rent until this date. Units must be left clean, all garbage removed, dark paint colours primed a light colour and any damages repaired to Housing Services' satisfaction. The tenant may be charged for damages beyond normal wear and tear. The charges will remain on the provincial arrears database and will be forwarded to collections. This could affect the tenant's credit rating. All keys and access cards must be returned to Housing Services. |
Forms |
For tenant forms, visit the tenant forms page. |