Published 2 November 2026 · By Jatin Dua, Broker of Record, RE/MAX Quantum Realty
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The best condos to rent in Pickering and Ajax for 2027 are Universal City, San Francisco by the Bay, The Millenium at Discovery Place, The Hamptons and 44 Falby Court. A Pickering one-bedroom condo leased for an average of $1,946 a month and a two-bedroom for $2,574 in Q2 2026, according to TRREB.
This guide is for renters who want a condo in Pickering or Ajax in 2027, whether you commute on the GO train, work locally or just want more space for your money than Toronto offers. You get my five picks, what each building is really like for a tenant, what condos lease for here, and what to check before you sign.
How did I choose the best condos to rent in Pickering and Ajax?
I looked at these buildings the way a tenant should. How close is the GO train or a frequent bus? What does the monthly rent actually include? How big are the suites? How many units come up for lease, so you have real choice? And is the unit covered by Ontario’s rent increase guideline? That last point matters more than most renters realize, and I explain it below.
This is my own shortlist, not a paid ranking. Building facts come from the sources listed at the end. I do not publish rents for individual suites, because a single listing can mislead you.
| # | Building | Address | Built | Why renters like it |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Universal City | 1480 Bayly St and 1455 Celebration Dr, Pickering | First move-ins 2023 | Newest suites, a short walk to Pickering GO |
| 2 | San Francisco by the Bay | 1215 and 1255 Bayly St, Pickering | 2017 to 2020 | Indoor pool and concierge, close to the GO |
| 3 | The Millenium at Discovery Place | 1000 The Esplanade N, Pickering | 1999 | Larger suites, heat and hydro in the condo fee |
| 4 | The Hamptons | 189 to 195 Lake Driveway W, Ajax | 1991 | Four-storey low-rise in south Ajax with a pool |
| 5 | 44 Falby Court | 44 Falby Crt, Ajax | 1976 | Big two- and three-bedroom suites, utilities in the fee |
Source: UrbanToronto and public condo listing pages for each building, read November 2026.
1. Universal City, Pickering
What it is like: Universal City is Chestnut Hill Developments’ master-planned community beside Pickering GO station, designed by Kirkor Architects Planners. UrbanToronto reported that the full plan has seven towers. The first phase was three towers of 17, 28 and 31 storeys with about 928 units in total. UrbanToronto reported that the 17-storey first tower was finished and residents were moving in by March 2023, while the taller towers were still rising. More towers are planned on the site.
Getting around: By my straight-line measurement on OpenStreetMap, 1480 Bayly Street is roughly 530 metres from Pickering GO station. That makes it one of the easiest places in Durham to live without a daily drive to Toronto.
Who it suits: Commuters, students and couples who want a new suite near the train. Most units are one-bedrooms, one-plus-dens and two-bedrooms, so it is less suited to larger families.
What to check: Units here were first occupied after 15 November 2018, so they are exempt from the provincial rent increase guideline. Your landlord can raise the rent by more than 1.9% at renewal, as long as the 12-month rule and 90-day written notice are followed. Later towers are still planned on the site, so ask which side your suite faces and whether construction is next door.
2. San Francisco by the Bay, Pickering
What it is like: This is Chestnut Hill’s earlier tower group on Bayly Street, just west of Universal City. The second phase at 1215 Bayly Street is an 18-storey building with 160 suites from about 539 to 1,226 square feet, completed in 2017. Its listing page shows an indoor pool, concierge and gym, and a condo fee that covers air conditioning and parking. The newest phase, at 1245 and 1255 Bayly Street, was completed in 2020 and rises 26 storeys with 263 suites from about 466 to 1,920 square feet.
Getting around: By my OpenStreetMap measurement, 1255 Bayly Street is about 350 metres in a straight line from Pickering GO.
Who it suits: Renters who want GO access and a pool, with a bit more choice of suite sizes than the newest towers.
What to check: Rent control can differ from tower to tower here. The 1215 Bayly building was registered in May 2017, so units there were occupied before the 2018 cut-off and the guideline normally applies. The 2020 phase was finished after the cut-off, so units there are likely exempt. Ask the landlord which applies to your unit and get it in writing.
3. The Millenium at Discovery Place, Pickering
What it is like: Tridel completed this 16-storey tower in 1999. It has 252 suites from about 680 to 1,306 square feet, which is roomy by today’s standards. The listing page shows a gym, pool, concierge, games room and security, and a condo fee that includes heat, hydro, water, air conditioning and cable.
Getting around: The building sits between Highway 401 and Kingston Road near Pickering Town Centre, with Durham Pulse bus routes 900 and 916 stopping at Kingston Road and Glenanna Road.
Who it suits: Tenants who want a real two-bedroom, shopping and services nearby, and a predictable monthly cost.
What to check: Because the owner’s fee already covers hydro and heat, the rent should include them too. Confirm it in section 5 of the Ontario standard lease, which lists every service included in the rent. As an older building, it is covered by the rent increase guideline.
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.
4. The Hamptons, Ajax
What it is like: The Hamptons is a 1991 four-storey condo complex on Lake Driveway West in south Ajax. It has 285 suites from about 711 to 1,098 square feet. Amenities listed include a pool, gym, party room, sauna, games room and tennis court. Rotary Park is about a six-minute walk away, according to its listing page.
Getting around: A bus stop on Lake Driveway at Hawkins, served by route 224, is steps away. If you drive, confirm whether a parking space comes with the suite and whether it costs extra.
Who it suits: Renters who prefer a quiet low-rise near the lake over a tower, and people who work in Ajax, Pickering or Whitby.
What to check: The listed condo fee covers water but not heat or hydro, so expect separate utility bills. Ask for the last few months of hydro costs before you sign.
5. 44 Falby Court, Ajax
What it is like: This 17-storey tower near Harwood Avenue and Bayly Street was built in 1976 and has 198 suites. Recent listings were two- and three-bedroom suites from about 1,000 to 1,599 square feet, far more space than most new condos. The fee covers heat, hydro, water, air conditioning and cable, and amenities include a pool, gym, games room, tennis court and car wash.
Getting around: A bus stop is steps away and a No Frills grocery store is about a four-minute walk, according to its listing page.
Who it suits: Families and roommates who need three bedrooms without paying townhouse rents.
What to check: Suites in a 50-year-old tower vary a lot inside, from original kitchens to full renovations, so view the unit in person. Ask the landlord for a copy of the building’s rules before you sign.
How much does it cost to rent a condo in Pickering and Ajax?
The most recent quarterly lease figures are in TRREB’s Rental Market Report for the second quarter of 2026. When I checked trreb.ca on 10 November 2026, the third-quarter report was not yet posted.
| Condo apartments, Q2 2026 | 1-bedroom | 2-bedroom | Units leased |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pickering | $1,946 | $2,574 | 205 |
| Ajax | Too few leases | $2,588 (8 leases) | 9 |
| Durham Region | $1,948 | $2,533 | 482 |
| City of Toronto | $2,316 | $3,154 | 15,388 |
Source: TRREB Rental Market Report, Q2 2026, average lease rates for condo apartments leased on MLS. Ajax had very few condo leases, so treat its figure with caution.
A Pickering two-bedroom leased for about $580 a month less than one in the City of Toronto. Ajax has very few condo towers, so most Ajax renters end up in townhouses or houses. My Durham Region rent guide covers those home types.
Supply was ahead of demand. Pickering had 251 condo apartments listed for rent in the quarter and 205 leased, which leaves room to negotiate on the start date, parking or a longer term. Three-bedroom condos are rare: Pickering recorded only five leases, averaging $2,980.
Should you rent or buy a condo in Pickering or Ajax in 2027?
Condo prices here have fallen. From January to October 2026, the median condo apartment sold for $470,000 in Pickering, down 13.6% from the same period of 2025, and $437,500 in Ajax, down 14.0% (TRREB MLS data via REALM). Pickering recorded 117 condo apartment sales in those ten months but 205 condo leases in a single quarter, which tells you how much of this market is rental.
If you plan to stay in Pickering or Ajax for five years or more and have a steady income, run the numbers on buying, because prices are well below 2024 levels. If your job or plans could change in the next two years, renting keeps you flexible. Either way, compare like with like: a newer exempt unit can see larger rent increases, while an older unit under the guideline gives you more certainty. My picks of the best condos to buy in Pickering and Ajax cover the ownership side.
What should you check before signing a condo lease in Pickering or Ajax?
- Use the standard lease. Ontario requires the standard form of lease for most residential tenancies. Read section 5, which lists what the rent includes, such as parking, hydro and internet.
- Know the deposit rules. Under the Residential Tenancies Act, the only security deposit a landlord can collect is a rent deposit of no more than one month’s rent, applied to your last month. A refundable key or fob deposit is allowed, but a damage deposit is not.
- Ask about rent control. The 2027 guideline is 1.9%, but it does not apply to units first occupied after 15 November 2018. See my 2027 rent increase guideline explainer.
- Read the condo rules. A no-pet clause in a lease is void under the Act, but the Condominium Act requires occupants to follow the building’s declaration and rules. My guide to condo rules on pets and smoking explains the difference.
- Plan the move. Ask the landlord for the building’s move-in rules early, including elevator booking and parking for the moving truck.
Rental scams copy real listings and ask for a deposit before a viewing. Never send money until you have seen the unit, confirmed the landlord owns it and received a signed lease. Pay by a traceable method and get a receipt.
What to do next
- Decide on your must-haves: GO access, parking, bedrooms and whether you want utilities included.
- Shortlist two or three of the buildings above and ask each landlord whether the unit is exempt from the rent increase guideline.
- Compare the rent you are quoted with the TRREB averages for Pickering and Ajax before you negotiate.
- Read the full standard lease, confirm the deposit is no more than one month’s rent and check the condo’s pet and move-in rules.
- If you are weighing renting against buying, run your numbers with a local agent before you sign a long lease.
Need help with this? Talk to me.
I’m Jatin Dua, Broker of Record at RE/MAX Quantum Realty, and I’m the best agent to do this kind of work for you in Toronto and across the GTA. Over $100 million in GTA sales and 100+ families helped sell. Feel free to contact me any time: call or text 833-330-1925 or email [email protected].
Frequently asked questions
How much is a condo to rent in Pickering in 2027?
A one-bedroom condo in Pickering leased for an average of $1,946 a month and a two-bedroom for $2,574 in the second quarter of 2026, based on 205 leases in TRREB’s Rental Market Report. These are the latest quarterly figures available heading into 2027. Newer suites near Pickering GO often ask more, and older buildings with utilities included can be better value.
How much does it cost to rent a condo in Ajax?
Ajax had only nine condo apartment leases on MLS in the second quarter of 2026, and the eight two-bedrooms averaged $2,588 a month, according to TRREB. That sample is too small to be precise. Ajax has few condo towers, so expect limited choice in 2027 and compare against Pickering, where a two-bedroom averaged $2,574.
Which Pickering condos are closest to the GO station?
Universal City and San Francisco by the Bay on Bayly Street are the closest condo communities to Pickering GO station. By straight-line measurement on OpenStreetMap, 1255 Bayly Street is about 350 metres from the station and 1480 Bayly Street about 530 metres. Walking routes are longer than straight lines, so test the walk before you sign a lease.
Are new condos in Pickering and Ajax rent controlled?
No. Units first occupied for residential purposes after 15 November 2018 are exempt from Ontario’s rent increase guideline, so a landlord can raise the rent by more than the guideline at renewal. The 12-month rule and 90 days’ written notice still apply. In Pickering, this covers most suites at Universal City and the newer San Francisco by the Bay phases.
What is the rent increase guideline for 2027 in Ontario?
Ontario’s rent increase guideline for 2027 is 1.9%, which applies to increases taking effect from 1 January to 31 December 2027. It covers most older rental units, including condos in Pickering and Ajax first occupied before 15 November 2018. Landlords must wait 12 months between increases and give at least 90 days’ written notice.
Can a landlord in Ontario ask for a damage deposit on a condo rental?
No. Under the Residential Tenancies Act, the only security deposit a landlord may collect is a rent deposit, and it cannot be more than one month’s rent. It must be applied to the last month of the tenancy. A refundable key deposit is allowed, but a damage deposit for a Pickering or Ajax condo is not.
Do condo rentals in Pickering include utilities?
It depends on the building. At The Millenium at Discovery Place in Pickering and 44 Falby Court in Ajax, the condo fee covers heat, hydro and water, so rents there often include them. At The Hamptons in Ajax, the fee covers water only. Always check section 5 of the Ontario standard lease, which lists the services included in your rent.
Is rent cheaper in Pickering than in Toronto?
Yes. In the second quarter of 2026, a two-bedroom condo leased for an average of $2,574 in Pickering versus $3,154 in the City of Toronto, according to TRREB. That is about $580 a month less. Factor in GO train fares or driving costs before you decide, since many Pickering renters commute to Toronto.
How much is a three-bedroom condo to rent in Pickering?
Three-bedroom condo apartments are rare in Pickering. TRREB recorded only five three-bedroom condo leases there in the second quarter of 2026, averaging $2,980 a month. Three-bedroom condo townhouses were more common, with 24 leases averaging $2,820. In Ajax, older towers such as 44 Falby Court are one of the few places to find three-bedroom condo suites.
Sources
- UrbanToronto: Occupancy Underway at Universal City in Pickering (March 2023)
- San Francisco By The Bay 2, 1215 Bayly St, Pickering (building page)
- San Francisco by the Bay 3, 1245-1255 Bayly St, Pickering (building page)
- The Millenium at Discovery Place, 1000 The Esplanade N (building page)
- The Hamptons, 189-195 Lake Driveway W, Ajax (building page)
- 44 Falby Court, Ajax (building page)
- TRREB Rental Market Report, Q2 2026
- Residential Tenancies Act, 2006 (Ontario e-Laws)
Related reading
- Top 5 Best Neighbourhoods to Live in Mississauga in 2027
- Top 5 Best Neighbourhoods to Live in Brampton in 2027
- Top 5 Best Neighbourhoods to Live in Markham in 2027
- Top 5 Best Neighbourhoods to Live in Oakville in 2027
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, Toronto. I work with buyers and sellers across Toronto and the GTA and have helped more than 100 families sell. Four-plus years of active GTA transactions and over $100 million in sales volume.
Reach me at [email protected] or 833-330-1925, or book a call.