Before You Sign A Lease In Ontario, Ask Your Landlord These 20 Questions First
Finding the perfect place to call home can be an exciting experience, but it’s important to make an informed decision before signing a lease agreement. It’s easy to get caught up in the excitement and overlook some crucial details that could impact your living situation down the line.
To avoid any surprises or unexpected issues, it’s a good idea to ask your potential landlord or property manager a series of questions before committing to a lease agreement. These questions can cover a range of topics, such as rental terms, maintenance policies, utilities, parking, and more.
By asking these questions upfront, you can ensure that you have a clear understanding of what you’re getting into and avoid any potential conflicts or misunderstandings in the future.
In this article, we will cover 20 important questions to ask before signing a lease, so you can feel confident in your decision and enjoy your new home to the fullest.
Preface - Don't Be Afraid To Ask The Landlord Questions
When you begin your search for a condo or apartment to rent, you might be intimidated to ask a landlord questions. It might seem easier said than done, but don’t be afraid to ask the landlord or their real estate representative questions. At the end of the day, you’re the one who’s going to be leasing the unit and they want you to rent from them.
Most of the time, these landlords have been asked these questions countless times. Don’t feel like you’re prying for information no one else is asking – because you’re not. Many seasoned real estate agents and renters are already familiar with the leasing process and what questions to ask.
As you go through your own leasing journey, you’ll begin to get more comfortable asking questions and even think of new questions to ask specifically related to your needs. If you’re still hesitant about what to ask or how to handle the leasing process, consider acquiring the services of a rental agent.
If you’ve been wondering, “Should I use a real estate agent to help find a rental?“, the answer to your question is you definitely should. Most leasing agents like Marco Pedri, a real estate broker with Shoreline Realty Corp., Brokerage offers free leasing services to prospective tenants looking to rent in Toronto and the Greater Toronto Area. You can learn more about this service at the end of the article.
If you decide on tackling the leasing process alone, I’ve put together a list of 20 questions to ask when renting a house.
Let’s begin.
1 - What Is The Asking Price?
It might seem like a redundant question to ask since you may already know the answer if you found the listing online. Many rental listing sites such as Zumper or Rentals.ca require the landlord to post the asking price.
The reason you want to ask, “What is the asking price?” is the landlord may offer additional information you may not know.
For example, they may let you know that there is a rent discount where the first month of rent is waived.
Additionally, they may let you know about additional fees on top of the base rent you’ll need to pay such as utilities, renter’s insurance and other added costs like laundry or parking.
2 - Have There Been Any Offers Yet?
If you’re viewing a property through the landlord’s hired real estate agent, they are obligated to disclose to you if there have been any offers registered on the property.
This will help you gauge the interest in the property.
3 - When Was The Unit Built?
This is an important question to ask as it may affect your rent if you decide to continue your lease after the initial lease term has passed.
In Ontario, landlords are allowed to increase the rent every 12 months. Each year, the government of Ontario sets out the maximum percentage increase a landlord can charge. In 2023, the Ontario rent increase guideline was set at 2.5%. This means if you were charged a rent of $1,000 a month, the landlord can increase your rent by only $25 a month.
However, there are some exceptions.
New buildings, additions to existing buildings and most new basement apartments that are occupied for the first time for residential purposes after November 15, 2018 are exempt from rent control.
This means a landlord may increase the rent by as much as they want.
4 - Who Manages The Building?
Not all landlords will be your primary contact should you need maintenance done to your unit.
If a landlord has a large real estate portfolio, they will likely hire the services of a property management company to handle the day-to-day maintenance of the property. If your fridge stops working or there is a small leak in your apartment, you’ll reach out to the property management company to open a maintenance ticket.
By finding out who manages the building, you can do your research and check online to see reviews of the property management company.
On the other hand, smaller landlords may take a more hands-on approach and manage the building themselves. Regardless of who manages the building, this is something you need to know.
5 - What Are The Neighbours Like?
The last thing you’d want is to move into a house and find out you have horrible neighbours.
Even though the answer to this question relies on the honesty of the landlord, it’s still a good one to ask.
If you feel hesitant, take time either before or after your showing to walk around the building or the neighbourhood to get a feel of the area.
6 - Is There A Security Deposit or Other Deposits? Are They Refundable?
In Ontario, the only deposit a landlord can ask for is last month’s rent and a refundable key deposit.
Non-refundable deposits other than the last month’s rent are not allowed. If you have unknowingly provided a security deposit, you may take recourse and get your deposit back by submitting a claim to the Landlord and Tenant Board.
By asking if there is a security deposit, you can gauge the honesty of the landlord.
7 - What Is The Lease Term?
Not all lease agreements are the same.
Some landlords may want a short-term lease of 6 months while others may want a more long-term option such as a minimum 1-year lease.
This will help you plan accordingly should you need to break the lease in the future.
8 - What Utilities Are Included In The Rent?
Asking what utilities are included in the lease agreement will help you budget your monthly expenses.
The most common utilities you should inquire about are:
- Water
- Electricity (Hydro)
- Heating (Electric or Gas)
- Internet
Budgeting will help give you peace of mind so you’re not stretching your finances out to the max every month.
9 - What Are The Approximate Costs Of Additional Utilities?
Now that you know which utilities are included and which ones are not, you should ask what the approximate costs of the additional utilities are.
When you’re given the approximate cost, it may also be a good idea to find out who was living in the unit prior. Was it a single individual, a couple or a family? If you’re given the approximate costs for utilities when the prior tenant was a single individual and you’re a couple, you should take into consideration the additional utility usage another person will add to the monthly payments.
10 - How Is The Neighbourhood?
The difference between a good neighbourhood and a bad neighbourhood will affect your quality of life, even if you don’t plan on leaving the house all that much.
Ask the landlord their opinion on the neighbourhood and the type of lifestyle it caters to. Depending on what lifestyle you’re looking for, the neighbourhood could make or break your decision.
Go a step beyond and take a moment after or before your showing to walk around the neighbourhood and immerse yourself in the community. Think to yourself, “Is this a place I could see myself living in for the next year or so?”
Be honest with yourself. You want to make sure you know whether you’ll be happy or not.
11 - When Is The Occupancy Date?
If a unit is vacant, landlords will try to get it on the market as early as possible to avoid bearing unnecessary holding costs. This means the unit will be available for occupancy immediately.
Additionally, if a landlord receives notice from an existing tenant that they are planning to vacate the unit, the landlord will begin to advertise the unit for rent. This could be 60 days in advance of the move-in date.
Don’t assume the rental unit is available for the beginning of the following month. Always ask when the expected or preferred occupancy date is.
12 - Is There A Pet Policy Or Are There Any Pet Restrictions?
Pets are great companions to have and many families include a furry member.
When looking at places to rent, inquire if there is a pet policy in place. Although a Landlord can’t deny you purely on the basis of you having a pet, there are a few exceptions which apply.
If the unit shares ventilation with other units and another occupant has allergies, you could be denied.
Another exception is condos that have an outlined pet policy as part of the condominium’s rules and regulations. For example, 965 Inverhouse Drive located in the Mississauga neighbourhood of Clarkson does not allow pets. These rules and bylaws of the condominium supersede the rules of the Residential Tenancies Act and you would not be allowed to have a pet.
13 - What Supporting Documents Are Needed?
Depending on how hot the real estate market is, having your supporting documents ready to go will help you secure a place faster.
At a minimum, most landlords require the following:
- Rental Application
- Credit Check
- Letter of Employment
- References
In some instances, the landlord or their real estate representative may ask for more supporting documents other than the ones listed above. By being proactive, you can start working on obtaining all the supporting documents required.
14 - What Payment Methods Will You Accept For Rent?
Each landlord will have their own preferred method of collecting rent payments.
Mature and more traditional landlords still prefer handwritten cheques issued from your bank. Many young professionals don’t use chequebooks these days and would need to order cheques from their bank.
By asking early on what the preferred method of payment is, you can order the cheques well in advance if needed.
15 - What Furnishing Or Appliances Are Included In The Rent?
Most rental units come unfurnished.
But, it’s a good idea to ask what furnishings or appliances will remain in the unit. Most real estate agents and landlords have begun staging rental units to give potential tenants an idea of how the room can be used.
If the landlord has staged the place with their own furniture and you like something, you may even be able to negotiate it to stay in the unit for you to use. For example, a kitchen table or bar stools.
16 - Is There Parking For Myself Or Guests?
As you move closer to the city centre, parking becomes harder to find.
If you commute to work or own a car, knowing the parking situation is critical. Not all units come with parking. Even if parking is available, you may need to pay additional fees. This doesn’t even take into consideration guest parking.
17 - What Is The Application Process?
Asking about the application process will help give you transparency on what the next steps are.
If you are viewing more than one unit, knowing the application process can help you strategize which unit to make an offer on first. If you aren’t successful in obtaining the first unit you’re interested in, you’ll be able to effectively pursue the next.
18 - How Will A Lease Renewal Be Handled?
In Ontario, once a lease term has been completed, the lease automatically converts to a month-to-month tenancy.
The landlord or yourself may prefer to re-sign a lease for an additional 12 months, 6 months, or whatever is mutually beneficial to both of you. Although neither party is obligated to re-sign, it does come with its own advantages.
19 - What Is Your Subletting Policy?
Should you need to move out for part of the lease, for example a month, you might want to consider subletting your place.
If this is something you foresee happening, asking your landlord ahead of time will unveil any policies they may have in place. Don’t forget, the landlord must approve the sublet before you sign a sub-lease agreement.
The landlord may request the prospective sublease tenant also provide the same supporting documents and meet the same calibre as yourself.
But, be cautious of who you sublease to. Ultimately, you’ll still be the one responsible for keeping the space in good condition.
20 - Can I Decorate My Apartment?
Even though renting is oftentimes a short-term commitment in the grand scheme of life, you want your space to feel like your own. One way to do this is by decorating it.
Think of how you would want to decorate your place. Any alteration to the place needs to have the approval of the landlord such as painting.
Alternatively, investigate renter-friendly decor ideas you can take advantage of.
Consider Using A Leasing Agent
If you’ve gone through this article and feel overwhelmed, I sympathize with you.
Leasing a home can be just as difficult, if not more difficult than buying a home. You might be a young professional entering the real estate market for the first time, moving from your parent’s house, a new immigrant to Canada or relocating to a new city you know nothing about. If you find the whole leasing process to be too much, consider using a leasing agent.
A great place to start is contacting an experienced real estate broker such as Marco Pedri who has helped countless families call Toronto and the surrounding area home. Using Marco Pedri as a leasing agent in Mississauga, Oakville or the Greater Toronto Area is great because it’s completely free. You don’t pay anything since the commission is paid by the listing brokerage/landlord. You get all the benefits and resources of working with a professional real estate agent for free. From the initial search for a rental property to the moment you’re ready to sign the lease, Marco Pedri will be with you every step of the way.
Ready to get started? Contact Marco Pedri today to discuss your leasing needs.
