Markham CHAPTER 121: RENTAL PROPERTIES § 121.25

(A) Prior to engaging in the business of renting any dwelling unit to the public or operating a rental dwelling unit(s), every owner of a rental property, whether occupied or vacant, shall file with the city a completed rental registration license application for the unit(s) including the appropriate fee for each rental property and unit(s).


(B) Application for license registration renewal must be filed at least 30 days prior to the registration expiration date. Failure to renew an existing residential rental registration license will result in a penalty and/or citation(s).


(C) New rental units. Any rental unit must be registered within 30 days of construction, conversion from owner-occupancy or change from any other non-rental status.


(D) Sale of licensed residential rental unit.


(1) A residential rental license is non-transferrable to another person or to another rental dwelling unit.


(2) Every person holding a residential rental license must give notice in writing to the city within five business days after having legally transferred or otherwise disposed of the ownership or legal control of any licensed rental dwelling. Such notice must include the name, address and contact information of the person succeeding to the ownership or control of such rental dwelling or dwellings.


(3) New owner application . Any person becoming an owner of an existing residential rental unit shall file a complete residential rental license application within 30 days of the property transfer and must attend a “Crime-Free Housing” training seminar within three months of property ownership.


(E) Residential rental license applications shall be completed pursuant to Chapter 110 of this code and must also contain:


(1) A description of the premises by street name and number and property tax identification number;


(2) The name, address and a copy of the government issued identification of the property owner. If the property is held in a land trust, the names and addresses of all beneficiaries must be disclosed;


(3) A copy of the current or proposed lease and copies of current identification documents for all tenants or proposed tenants over the age of 18;


(4) An original signature crime free housing addendum. Electronic signatures are prohibited;


(5) Where the owner has engaged in a management company to manage the property, a copy of the signed management agreement must be provided;


(6) When a residential rental unit is owned by more than one individual, or is owned by an entity that is not a natural person, an owner's agent must be designated.


(a) The owner shall provide the name, address and 24 hour contact information of the owner's agent;


(b) The agent shall be authorized by the owner in writing to accept service of any city notices on behalf of the owner, including appointment letters, notices of code violations, court process or any other communication or correspondence in connection with the administration and enforcement of this and other city codes and ordinances;


(c) The city shall be notified in writing within ten days of any change of the owner's agent;


(d) An owner with a designated "owner's agent" who is found not to be customarily available or able to perform the duties as defined shall designate a different individual who is able to properly fulfill the requirements within ten days of being notified of the deficiency;


(e) For the purposes of an emergency response to a residential rental property the owner or owner's designated agent must be located within 30 miles of the city corporate limits for building and tenant emergencies;


(f) The agent must be listed on the license application and readily accessible to the unit tenant, city, police and/or the city's Fire Protection District; and


(g) The application shall be signed by the owner or the owner's agent.


(Ord. 17-O-2162, passed 1-18-2017; Ord. 24-O-2388, passed 5-15-2024) Penalty, see § 121.99