What can a landlord ask for on a rental application in Ontario?
In Ontario, rental application screening is regulated by tenancy law and human rights protections that define what landlords can request and how they can assess applicants.This guide covers Ontario tenancy law only. For other provinces, see our [rental laws guides].
In Ontario, what a landlord can ask for on a rental application is governed by the Residential Tenancies Act, 2006 and the Ontario Human Rights Code. Landlords can collect information to assess whether a tenant is likely to pay rent and care for the property, but there are clear limits on what they can request.
What Can a Landlord Ask For?
Ontario landlords can ask for full name and contact information, current and previous addresses and rental history, proof of income or employment, landlord and personal references, and consent to run a credit check. Landlords may ask to see photo ID to verify identity in person, though they should not retain copies of sensitive documents, according to tenantrights.ca. They may also ask whether the applicant has pets and how many people will live in the unit.
What Cannot a Landlord Ask For?
Landlords cannot ask for a Social Insurance Number (SIN). While a tenant may voluntarily provide it for a credit check, it is not required. Landlords cannot ask questions that touch on protected grounds under the Ontario Human Rights Code, including race, ancestry, place of origin, colour, ethnic origin, citizenship, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, marital status, family status, or disability, according to tenantrights.ca. Full banking details and immigration status are also not permissible requests.
Can a Landlord Charge an Application Fee?
No. Application fees are prohibited under the Residential Tenancies Act. A landlord cannot charge any fee for reviewing or processing a rental application.
Can a Landlord Refuse an Application?
Yes. Landlords can decline based on legitimate criteria such as insufficient income or poor rental history. However, a landlord cannot refuse an application based on any protected ground under the Ontario Human Rights Code. Complaints can be filed with the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario.
What Can Tenants Do if Asked Improper Questions?
Tenants can decline to answer questions that are not legally required or that touch on protected grounds. If you believe a landlord has discriminated against you during the application process, you can file a complaint with the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario.
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