London Vacant Property Registration - City Bylaw

Housing and Building Standards Ontario 3 Minutes Read · published February 12, 2026 Flag of Ontario

London, Ontario requires owners of long-term vacant properties to register and comply with municipal property standards and vacant-building rules. This guide explains the online registration process, who enforces the rules, how fees and inspections typically work, and the steps to report or appeal orders under London city bylaws and property standards. It draws on official City of London resources and directs owners, property managers and neighbours on practical actions to meet obligations and resolve disputes.

Register early to avoid enforcement delays.

Registration process

Owners must contact the City of London to determine whether a vacancy triggers registration or additional requirements; procedures and any published registration form are maintained by the City’s property standards or by-law enforcement office.[1]

  • Determine vacancy status and eligibility for registration by contacting By-law Enforcement or Property Standards.
  • Complete any city registration form or online submission if provided by the municipality; see official instructions.[1]
  • Pay any applicable registration or administrative fees as directed by the City (fee amounts are set or posted by the City).
  • Keep records of occupancy status, inspection dates and correspondence in case of disputes or appeals.
Owners are responsible for maintaining vacant properties to municipal standards.

Penalties & Enforcement

Enforcement of vacant-property and property-standards requirements in London is managed by the City’s By-law Enforcement and Property Standards teams. For official contact and complaint submission, use the City of London by-law or property standards contact pages.[2]

  • Fines and administrative fees: not specified on the cited page.[1]
  • Escalation: first, repeat and continuing offence ranges are not specified on the cited page; the City’s enforcement practice may include progressive orders and fines.[1]
  • Non-monetary sanctions: orders to comply, remediation notices, boarding or securing structures, and court actions are tools the City may use; exact authorities and remedies are set out in municipal bylaws and property standards provisions.[1]
  • Enforcer and inspections: By-law Enforcement and Property Standards conduct inspections after complaints or as part of proactive monitoring; submit complaints via the City contact page.[2]
  • Appeals and review: specific appeal routes and statutory time limits are not specified on the cited page; refer to the City’s notices/orders for listed appeal procedures and deadlines or contact the office directly.[1]
If a fine or order is issued, act quickly to meet compliance deadlines or to file any appeal.

Applications & Forms

The City posts any required registration forms, applications or payment instructions on its property standards or vacant-building information pages; if no form is published, the City requests contact through its by-law enforcement page for case-specific direction.[1]

Common violations

  • Failure to register a qualifying vacant property: penalty amount not specified on the cited page.[1]
  • Poor maintenance leading to property-standard orders (boarding, pests, structural issues): remedies and fines not specified on the cited page.[1]
  • Ignoring remediation orders or deadlines: escalation procedures not specified on the cited page.

Action steps

  • Contact By-law Enforcement or Property Standards to confirm whether registration is required and ask for the current form and fee schedule.[2]
  • Submit the registration, pay fees and retain receipts and confirmation emails.
  • Arrange inspections and respond to orders promptly; seek clarification in writing if timelines or remedies are unclear.

FAQ

Do I have to register a vacant property in London?
Contact the City’s By-law Enforcement or Property Standards office to determine whether your vacancy meets municipal registration requirements; details and any registration form are posted by the City.[1]
How much are the registration fees?
Fee amounts are set by the City and must be confirmed on the official registration page or by contacting By-law Enforcement; fee amounts are not specified on the cited page.[1]
Who inspects vacant properties and how do I report a problem?
By-law Enforcement and Property Standards handle inspections and complaints; submit reports via the City’s by-law enforcement contact methods.[2]

How-To

  1. Confirm vacancy status and registration requirement with City staff.
  2. Obtain and complete the City’s vacant-property registration form or follow the City’s online process.
  3. Pay any required fees and keep proof of payment.
  4. Arrange access for inspection and respond to any orders within the stated deadlines.
  5. If you disagree with an order, request the City’s appeal instructions and file within any time limits provided by the City or the governing bylaw.

Key Takeaways

  • Contact the City early to confirm registration requirements and avoid enforcement.
  • Fees and penalties are set by the City; check the official pages or contact By-law Enforcement for exact amounts.

Help and Support / Resources

  1. [1] City of London - Vacant and Derelict Buildings
  2. [2] City of London - By-law Enforcement

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