Frequently asked questions
Common questions about Vancouver rental licensing and our services.
When do I actually have to register?
You must register for 2026 sometime between January 1, 2026 and February 15, 2027. However, if you register by around March 30/31, 2026, you get the fee waived for 2026. Ongoing renewals: fees are due by February 15 every year starting in 2027.
Does this apply if I only rent a single house or duplex?
Yes. The program is citywide and scale-agnostic: A single rental house, a duplex, or an ADU all count and must register if they're long-term rentals within city limits.
Are room rentals in my own home included?
City materials say owner-occupied single-family housing, including renting out a bedroom, is exempt from the licensing requirement. If you move out and rent the whole home, it would then be considered a rental subject to registration.
What if I own income-restricted housing?
You must still register, but units legally restricted to households at or below 60% AMI are exempt from the fee.
Do I need to complete an inspection before I can register?
No. The registration program stands alone at first. Inspections will be layered on later (mid–late 2027) after the city finalizes its inspection program.
How will inspections work once they start?
Based on the city's habitability program proposal: Private inspectors conduct inspections using health-and-safety-focused standards (HQS). Sampling for large properties; shorter inspection cycles for older or previously failing properties. Failing units must be repaired and re-inspected within set timelines. Persistent non-compliance can trigger city inspections, code enforcement, fines, and relocation obligations in severe cases.
What happens if I ignore the program?
The proposal and ordinance materials outline several consequences: Annual penalties (e.g., a proposed $500 per year per property for failing to license). Turning unresolved accounts over to collections (fees, penalties, interest). Code enforcement inspections for properties that fail to provide inspection certificates. Daily fines for failing to correct health/safety violations. In severe cases, orders to vacate and tenant relocation assistance obligations.
How will tenants know whether a unit is registered?
Landlords must post the registration at the property. The city plans to maintain a public list of registered properties on its rental registration website.
Still have questions?
Contact us or start your order to begin the rental licensing process.