What questions can landlords ask tenants?

Finding a reliable tenant starts with asking the right questions at the right time. The goal at each stage is to gather enough information to assess fit without overstepping — landlords cannot ask questions that violate provincial human rights codes, and consent must be obtained before running a credit check.

This guide covers the key questions to ask at three stages of the screening process: initial contact, the showing, and before signing.

Stage One: Initial Contact

Before scheduling a showing, ask questions that allow you to quickly identify whether a prospective tenant is a realistic fit for the unit. These questions filter out mismatches early and save time for both parties.

What move-in date are you hoping for? If their timeline does not align with yours, it is better to know immediately.

How many people will be living in the unit? This affects wear on the property and may be relevant to building or strata rules.

What do you do for work? A brief sense of employment status helps gauge whether the tenancy is financially viable before going further.

The rent for this unit is $X — does that fit your budget? This is the most direct way to avoid showing a unit to someone who cannot afford it.

Stage Two: The Showing

At a showing, the goal shifts from filtering to understanding. Ask open-ended questions that give you a sense of the person's rental history, communication style, and reasons for moving. A good tenant is also asking you questions — this signals they are serious and approaching the decision thoughtfully.

Why are you moving, and why are you leaving your current place? The answer can reveal how they relate to landlords and whether there are any patterns worth exploring.

How long have you lived at your current residence? Longer tenancies generally indicate stability.

What attracts you to this neighbourhood? This opens a natural conversation and gives you a sense of their priorities.

How long have you been searching for a rental? A very long search may suggest they have had difficulty getting approved elsewhere.

Do you have previous landlord references? References from past landlords are valuable, particularly for longer-tenancy units.

If I need to run a credit check, does that work for you? You must obtain a prospective tenant's consent before running a credit check. Confirming this at the showing stage avoids any awkwardness later.

If the applicant is a student, newcomer, or first-time renter without a Canadian credit history, ask how they plan to cover rent — part-time employment, scholarships, family support, or savings. Adjusting your questions for their situation helps you assess their situation fairly.

Checking References

Before offering a lease, contact previous landlords if available. Useful questions include:

• Can you confirm the tenancy dates and address?
• How were they as a tenant overall?
• Did they pay rent consistently and on time?
• Why are they leaving?
• Were there any issues with noise, damage, or complaints from neighbours?
• Will you be returning their deposit in full?

For applicants without previous landlord references, employment references or personal references from employers, teachers, or community contacts are a reasonable alternative.

Stage Three: Before Signing

Once you are ready to move toward a lease, clarify the remaining practical details before both parties commit.

Do you have a car, and do you require parking? If parking is included or limited, this needs to be resolved before the lease is drafted.

Do you smoke? If your unit is non-smoking, confirm this directly rather than relying on the lease addendum alone.

Do you have or plan to get pets? If your building or strata has pet restrictions, this must be addressed upfront.

Do you have any questions about the lease? Encouraging the tenant to ask questions at this stage reduces the likelihood of misunderstandings after signing.

If the unit is in a strata building, provide the tenant with the strata rules before signing and confirm they are able to comply with them.

Using liv.rent to Screen Tenants

liv.rent's Trust Score combines employment and income verification, social media verification, and an Equifax credit report into a single credibility rating visible on every renter's profile. Landlords can use the Landlord Dashboard to compare applicants, track applications, and keep all rental documents in one place.

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