Applying for a rental in Ontario? Landlords may need information about your identity, rental history, references, income, and ability to pay rent. However, privacy protections and human rights rules limit what they can request. This guide explains what landlords can ask for, what information you do not have to provide, and what to do if an application question feels irrelevant or discriminatory.
What Landlords Can Ask For on an Ontario Rental Application
Landlords can request information that helps them assess whether you are able to pay rent and whether you are likely to follow the tenancy agreement. Common requests include:
- Full name and contact information: Your legal name, phone number, and email address.
- Proof of identity: A landlord may ask to see photo ID. Landlords should not keep copies of personal documents such as driver’s licences. Showing your ID in person is common.
- Current and previous addresses: Your current address and rental history.
- References: Contact information for previous landlords or personal references.
- Proof of income: Pay stubs, employment letters, or benefit statements may be requested to show your ability to pay rent.
- Credit check: A landlord may ask to run a credit check, but must obtain your written consent.
Only provide information that is relevant to the rental application. You can ask why a particular document or detail is needed and how it will be used.
Information Landlords Cannot Ask For
Privacy and human rights protections apply when you apply for a rental. Landlords cannot use application questions to discriminate based on race, gender, age, disability, religion, family status, or other protected grounds under the Ontario Human Rights Code.[1]
Landlords cannot ask for:
- Your Social Insurance Number (SIN): You may choose to provide it for a credit check, but it is not required.
- Direct questions about protected or private matters: This includes marital status, sexuality, nationality, family planning, or religion.
- Personal banking information: Banking information should not be requested unless it is for direct rent payments and you consent.
- Immigration status: This cannot be requested except in limited circumstances and only as it relates to legal eligibility to rent.
These protections help ensure fair treatment and privacy for rental applicants in Ontario. See Tenant Rights in Ontario for more information about tenant protections.
Rental Deposits: What Is Allowed?
Ontario law permits landlords to collect a rent deposit, usually for the last month’s rent. Landlords cannot collect a security deposit or damage deposit. For more information, see Understanding Rental Deposits: What Tenants Need to Know.
Consent Forms and Official Documents in Ontario
Most landlords use a written rental application form to collect information. There is no government-mandated form for rental applications. If a landlord wants to run a credit check, they must obtain your written consent.
- Written rental application: This is used to collect your information and obtain permission for background and credit checks.
- Credit check consent: The request should be clear and explained. You can ask how your information will be used.
After you are accepted and reach the lease-signing stage, you will be asked to sign the official Ontario Standard Lease form, also known as the Residential Tenancy Agreement (Form 2229E). You can view and download the Standard Lease form from the Ontario government. The form outlines your rights and responsibilities and those of your landlord under the Residential Tenancies Act, 2006.[2]
Ontario’s Tribunal for Rental Issues
Rental housing disputes, including privacy complaints or discrimination on a rental application, are handled by the Landlord and Tenant Board (LTB). The LTB enforces the Residential Tenancies Act, 2006, which covers tenant and landlord rights and responsibilities.
For information about what changes after you are accepted and sign your agreement, see What Tenants Need to Know After Signing the Rental Agreement.
Across Canada, there are many places to look for apartments and rental listings. Browse apartments for rent in Canada using nationwide search options.
FAQs About Ontario Rental Applications
- Can a landlord require my Social Insurance Number (SIN)?
No. A landlord may request your SIN for a credit check, but you are not required to provide it. Other ways are available to verify your creditworthiness.[3] - What information should I never give to a landlord?
Never share passwords, banking logins, or personal identification for the landlord to keep. Provide only information that is essential for your application and protect sensitive information. - What can I do if a landlord asks illegal or discriminatory questions?
If you believe a landlord has violated your privacy or discriminated against you, you can file a complaint with the Ontario Human Rights Tribunal or apply to the Landlord and Tenant Board for a remedy. - Can landlords ask about pets or criminal records?
Landlords in Ontario may ask whether you have pets, subject to local laws. They cannot reject applicants based solely on a criminal record unless it relates directly to the tenancy.
What Tenants Should Remember
- Landlords can ask for information related to your ability to pay rent and your tenancy history.
- Landlords cannot require your SIN, ask for unnecessary sensitive information, or discriminate based on protected grounds.
- A landlord must obtain your written consent before running a credit check.
- You can ask why information is needed and how it will be used.
- If your rights are violated, you can contact the Ontario Human Rights Tribunal or the Landlord and Tenant Board.
Understanding what landlords can ask for can help you protect your privacy and make informed decisions during the Ontario rental application process. Review Tenant Rights in Ontario for more information about your legal protections.
Need Help? Resources for Tenants
- Ontario Landlord and Tenant Board (LTB) – For tenancy disputes and applications.
- Official Ontario Tenant Rights Guide – Guidance from the provincial government.
- Ontario Human Rights Code – Anti-discrimination protections for tenants.
- Ontario Human Rights Code, available at: Ontario Human Rights Code
- Residential Tenancies Act, 2006, available at: Residential Tenancies Act, 2006
- Government of Ontario: Rental Application and Tenant Screening
