Published 16 September 2026 · By Jatin Dua, Broker of Record, RE/MAX Quantum Realty
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Advertise the unit clearly, show it well, then screen consistently: application, income verification, credit check with consent, employment and previous-landlord references, and identification. The Ontario Human Rights Code prohibits refusing tenants based on protected grounds such as family status, disability or receipt of public assistance. Use the mandatory standard lease, and remember that only a rent deposit (last month’s rent) and a key deposit are generally permitted.
A screening process that holds up
| Step | What to do |
|---|---|
| Application | Same form for every applicant |
| Identification | Verify identity |
| Income | Pay stubs, employment letter or self-employment records |
| Credit | Run with written consent |
| References | Current and previous landlords, plus employer |
| Decision | Apply the same criteria to everyone and document it |
What you cannot do
- Refuse someone based on protected grounds under the Human Rights Code, including family status, disability, age, ancestry or receipt of public assistance.
- Ask for illegal deposits such as damage deposits or post-dated cheques as a condition.
- Require more than the permitted rent and key deposits.
Price the unit right first
Screening is easier when the rent matches the market. Check your unit value or rent with the tools.
Free tool — AI condo value estimator
Condo Valuation
What’s your condo
worth today?
Three quick steps. Condos don’t price like houses — your floor, your view, and whether you own parking move the number more than anything else. This weighs all of them.
Reading recent condo sales…
Estimated market value
—
$0–$0
Most likely $0 · about $0 per square foot
What moved the number
Starting from what comparable units in your area sell for, here’s what your specifics added or subtracted.
Market context
—
—
Two units, same floor plan,
$90,000 apart.
That happens constantly in condos — one has the parking, the right exposure, or a board that keeps the reserve fund healthy. A model can’t see your status certificate. I can.
Paperwork that protects you
- Use Ontario’s mandatory standard lease for most residential tenancies.
- Collect the rent deposit properly and apply it to the last rental period.
- Do a written move-in inspection with photos.
- Keep records of every payment and communication. See standard lease clauses.
Where I fit
I am Jatin Dua, Broker of Record at RE/MAX Quantum Realty. I handle leasing for owners across Toronto and the GTA, from pricing and marketing to showings, screening and paperwork.
The takeaway
Screen every applicant the same way: application, ID, income, credit with consent, and references. Follow the Human Rights Code, use the mandatory standard lease, and keep deposits within what Ontario permits. Good paperwork at the start prevents most disputes later.
Talk it through with me
Need help leasing your unit?
Tell me about the property and timing. I will send a pricing opinion and handle the screening if you want.
I will come back to you personally, usually the same day. If it is urgent, call or text 833-330-1925.
Frequently asked questions
How do I screen tenants in Ontario?
Use a consistent process: application, identification, income verification, credit check with consent, and landlord and employer references.
What can landlords not ask in Ontario?
You cannot refuse applicants based on protected grounds under the Human Rights Code, such as family status, disability or receipt of public assistance.
Can I ask for a damage deposit in Ontario?
No. Generally only a rent deposit equal to one rental period and a refundable key deposit are permitted.
Do I have to use the standard lease?
Most residential tenancies in Ontario require the mandatory standard lease form.
Can I run a credit check on a tenant?
Yes, with the applicant’s written consent.
How much rent deposit can I collect?
Usually the equivalent of one rental period, applied to the last period of the tenancy.
Sources
- Ontario — renting in Ontario: your rights — Residential Tenancies Act rules for landlords and tenants. Accessed 16 September 2026.
- Ontario Human Rights Commission — housing — protected grounds and rental housing obligations. Accessed 16 September 2026.
- Real Estate Council of Ontario (RECO) — public register of registrants, registration categories and disciplinary decisions. Accessed 16 September 2026.
Related reading
- Landlord Insurance in Ontario: Coverage, Gaps and What It Costs You to Skip
- Standard lease clauses
- How much rent can I charge?
- Best realtor for investors
- Fixed-term leases
About the author — Jatin Dua, Toronto and GTA real estate broker
I am Jatin Dua, Broker of Record and co-founder of RE/MAX Quantum Realty Inc., Brokerage, Unit 101, 799 The Queensway, Etobicoke. I work with buyers and sellers across Toronto and the GTA, with deep local knowledge of the west end. Four-plus years of active GTA transactions and over $100 million in sales volume. Every market figure here comes from TRREB’s published tables and every rule from RECO or Ontario legislation, so you can check all of it without asking me.
Reach me at connect@jatindua.com or 833-330-1925, or book a call.