Milton Considers New Rules to Regulate Rooming Houses

Milton councilors are raising alarms about the growing number of detached homes being converted into rooming houses — some housing four or more groups of unrelated tenants — and fear even more may be on the way.

At the Sept. 8 council meeting, Ward 3 Councilor Adil Khalqi introduced a successful motion directing town staff to create regulations for rooming houses, also known as boarding or lodging homes. The motion defines a rooming house as a building with at least four rooms rented to individuals who do not form a single household.

Khalqi said the town has seen an increase in detached houses being used as rooming houses without proper change-of-use permits. “With a growing student population, we’re seeing more multi-tenant housing appear in the community. That can bring challenges — whether it’s property standards or other issues,” he noted.

Residents have complained about illegal parking, noise, and property congestion tied to these homes. Currently, Milton’s bylaws distinguish between Additional Residential Units (ARUs) and rooming houses. ARUs — permitted in certain zones — are self-contained units with full amenities, while rooming houses typically involve shared spaces such as kitchens and are not yet specifically regulated.

Town staff will now explore new tools to manage and enforce rules for these properties, including standards for amenities such as the minimum number of washrooms.

Ward 2 Councilor John Challinor said both he and Khalqi have received complaints from residents about rooming houses. “We’ve both had issues in our wards, and I suspect they exist elsewhere too. It’s not pleasant. The neighborhood gets very upset, and we need a framework to address this going forward,” he said.

The issue is expected to grow as the Milton Education Village develops along Tremaine Road. Once completed, it will host campuses for Conestoga College and Wilfrid Laurier University, accommodating roughly 12,000 residents, 5,000 jobs, and 15,000 students across 400 acres.

A report outlining potential regulations for rooming houses is scheduled to return to council in late 2026.

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