You don't have to provide that ID but he doesn't have to rent you the apartment either. Personal Finance and Travel Rewards Expert Contributor. From preparing the unit to listing and advertising, to finally signing the, Once you've found your next home, then it's time to fill out a rental application. I would ask for ID as a land lord. Again, you are not legally required to provide this information, though it may affect the landlords willingness to rent to you. SIN number (optional to provide this, it helps them to run credit checks). If it is the owner showing, however unusual it may be, it's still not unheard of. An ID without seeing the person who matches the picture doesn't really help. Is it standard for owner to ask for a copy of passport/ID before showing the unit? So there you have it - a clear answer to the question of whether a landlord can ask for your driver's license (they can) along with helpful tips on how to navigate the request when you don't have one and a . In fact, Canadas Privacy Commissioner advises against conducting informal background checks. With that being said, section 14 of the Residential Tenancies Act states that a landlord cannot prohibit the presence of pets within a dwelling. What do you need when applying for a rental property? Canada Buzz is a purely informational blog. 03:06. What rental expenses are tax deductible for Canadian landlords? Of course, as humans in Canada, we all have our own fundamental human rights. Yes, you can require renters insurance as long as there is a condition in your lease that states as such. Part 1: Whats A Standard Rental Application? Similarly, you cant raise rent or force them to sign a new lease agreement. You need to fill the rental application with the tenants information, such as tenants names, last places of residence. Opinions expressed on this blog are NOT endorsed by the reviewed brands. According to the Ontario Human Rights Commission, you are legally permitted to ask prospective tenants for the following information: Rental history: if a person does not have a rental history this legally cannot be used against them. Proof of identity a driving licence or passport. [Porter Airlines] In Ontario, residential landlord premiums average around $900/year for a house and $400/year for a condo/apartment. Most landlords and referencing agencies require tenants to provide bank statements as proof of income and rent payments. Plus, the tenant screening process of checking references and running credit checks would likely uncover lies about rental and financial histories. +91-9879950702 Monday - Friday 10:00 - 7:30 Rakhiyal, Ahmedabad, Gujarat . A landlord can ask, however, for the names of all people who will be living at the rental, and can require all adults to sign the lease or rental agreement. I would avoid if you can. Speak to a professional before making decisions related to your circumstances. can a landlord ask for in Ontario: common questions answered, Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act, legal rights as landlord for renters with pets, What to do when a condo you are renting out in Ontario is damaged. During the application process, landlords can ask a variety of questions to ensure they're choosing the right tenant. For more information regarding the Ontario Human Rights Code, see ohrc.on.ca. Landlords cannot ask you personal questions that interfere with your rights under the Ontario Human Rights Code. Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Alberta: Commission daccs linformation du Qubec: name, date of birth, banking information and other financial records, identification numbers such as drivers licence number and Social Insurance Number, and. They don't have a right to keep a copy of your ID. Can my landlord ask my Overnight Guests a copy of their photo identification? Can landlord ask for bank statements Ontario? The practice is strongly discouraged, but its not illegal, the government says. Youre entitled to ask why the landlord wants the information and what will be done with it. Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada, tips for landlords on common privacy issues in the rental housing sector, British Columbia, Alberta and Quebec have provincial private sector laws, contact the provincial privacy oversight authority, Privacy guidance for landlords and tenants, Privacy and Landlord-Tenant Matters Frequently Asked Questions, The lease and protection of personal information- Principles and guidelines to observe, capturing your image on a security camera, landlords do not have the right to disclose information such as a poor payment history, right to access your own personal information, 10 Privacy Tips for the Rental Housing Sector, Third-party landlord organization collected, used and disclosed tenants personal information without their consent, SIN not required when signing apartment lease, Landlord collected tenants personal information as part of investigation into breach of rental agreement, Property management company agrees to scrap "bad tenant list", When using video surveillance, security needs must respect privacy requirements, contact the Office of the Privacy Commissioner. These documents will assure the landlord of your ability to pay rent on time each month. 6. Informal checks such as looking at your Facebook page or Twitter feed, or asking another landlord about you are a collection of personal information and, therefore, privacy laws apply. All of that is fine (goes to identity verification) except for age & pets. A provision in a tenancy agreement prohibiting the presence of animals in or about the residential complex is void. This means that any tenancy agreement provided to you that prohibits animals in your living space, is void. However, in Ontario, no pets clauses in leases are void and not enforceable according to the Residential Tenancies Act. It seems to me that you could both be satisfied using that process. This is why we have created a list of necessary documents that every California landlord needs to keep in an easy to find file.10 Most Important California Landlord Documents to Keep On Hand. All rights reserved. Find the best mortgage rates and see whats available on the market now. Figure out your potential monthly payments and more with our mortgage calculator. Is a landlord normally supposed to ask for photocopies of all my pieces of ID? 2 and 3 sound like a scam to steal your identity. If you dont want pets living in your rental Copyright Rhenti Ltd. 2022. Can you clarify what you mean by the damage deposit being illegal? Canada Buzz is an advertising-supported blog. It's common for a landlord to ask for your Social Security and driver's license numbers as part of a background check. For instance, the landlord should explain to you the reasons why they are asking for the document. A subreddit for people to submit questions to Torontonians and about Toronto and receive constructive responses. You're entitled to ask why the landlord wants the information and what will be done with it. Maybe it's their way of weeding out people who are not serious? What can a landlord ask for on a rental application in Ontario? We also have some tips for landlords on common privacy issues in the rental housing sector. Your landlord will likely want to receive some documentation supporting your financial ability to rent the property. Income information can only be considered on its own when no other information is made available, and only to make sure you earn enough to pay the rent. >> Stay up-to-date on the average rent in Vancouver, Toronto and Montreal: Rent Reports, Sarah Anderson is a Creative Content Writer at liv.rent who shares the latest updates and news with the safe and trusted community of landlords and tenants at liv.rent. however, you should be aware that some landlords may not consider self-employed tenants or they may ask you for lots of supporting documents and the list of require documents are usually different. Your Social Insurance Number is a confidential number used for income reporting purposes. In this article, were going to go over the most popular questions that renters (including first-time renters) have about the rental process. The landlord-tenant relationship can involve the collection, use and disclosure of significant amounts of personal information. Some organizations ask for the SIN for reasons unrelated to income reporting purposes. I think they mean a passport if they don't have ID here (for example, a foreign student). They are also governed by provincial and federal privacy laws. Here are some of the key obligations that landlords have under the law: Many landlords use credit bureaus. ReloRealEstateGroup.com - Your turn-key relocation resource! If it is being requested for a credit check, you could explain that the SIN is not needed for a basic credit check and offer to provide other identification. PIPEDA sets out the ground rules for how businesses, including landlords, must handle personal information in the course of commercial activity. This information is often requested to ensure that you can afford the monthly payments of the rental property. Sounds like they're going for identity theft. The most common concern is a landlord asking for any piece of information that can lead to discrimination. eviction, lease agreements, repairs & maintenance), subscribe to get the latest news. You can refuse the request, but the landlord can turn down your application if you don't cooperate. To clarify, a landlord can ask for your SIN when completing an application to rent a property or negotiating a lease with a landlord, according to the Government of Canadas website. (i.e., that you aren't committing identify theft.) Asking for information surrounding someones passport, drivers license, employer, income and expenses are not needed to complete a credit check, but you can ask for these items for the purposes of: ensuring the credit check is being done on the correct person and not someone with the same name and date of birth, Request a guarantor if you are asking all other prospective tenants for one. Therefore, a landlord may not ask whether you are on public assistance during or after the application process. They may also request your social insurance number. Landlords should not collect more information than they need for the stated purpose, and should not keep it for longer than necessary. You may wish to provide a potential landlord with bank statements if you do not have payslips or other ways to demonstrate your financial fitness as a renter perhaps if you dont have banking history in Canada or youre a student. Weird they wouldn't simply say "make sure you're carrying ID" when they show the unit. Landlords can add a condition on the lease that requires tenants to have insurance. can a landlord ask for photo id in ontario. But thats only for buildings built before November 15, 2018. If a landlord requests any information pertaining to the above mentioned topics, you should not answer. Can a landlord refuse a showing in Toronto? What's a good bar to go for a first date? If you don't get a good answer, you can refuse. Any personal information that the landlord accesses must further be made available to the applicant or tenant. Don't have an account? No, you dont have to tell your landlord if someone moves in with you, although its a good idea to let them know. Rental Tip: Documenting condition to avoid disputes. What information do I need to give to a new tenant? Typically, if you are renting a property in the UK you will be asked to provide the estate agency or landlord with proof of your income from employment such as a few months worth of payslips or bank statements where your salary is paid. Applying For A Rental In Ontario Part 2: What do you need when applying for a rental? Search houses, rooms, condos and apartments for rent in Toronto. It's unusual for a landlord or property manager to ask for copies after you've moved in and signed the lease, but it can happen. When looking for an apartment in Ontario, youll often find that landlords request a hefty amount of information from you. The landlord gets the documents. Just because someone asks for your SIN, it doesnt mean that you have to provide it. Join us and subscribe to get updates on the Toronto rental market. As mentioned only first and last months rent. Complete honesty is the only approach you should take to renting. Landlord Protection Agency: Ten Stupid Things That Landlords Do, Nolo.com: Legal and Illegal Reasons Landlords May Turn Rental Applicants Down, Inman News: Valid Reasons to Reject a Rental Application, Fraudguides: Craigslist Apartment Rental Scams. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. That doesn't just mean refusing to rent to someone of the "wrong" race, it also includes the landlord applying a different standard when screening tenants. Send landlord a picture of Mister Bean's passports. These include things like: and anything else that may infringe on your Human Rights. Allrightsreserved. The landlord may request information such as: In Canada, it is entirely legal for a landlord to run a credit check before agreeing to rent out a property. Required fields are marked *. Can a landlord ask for 3 months rent in advance in Ontario? Before you give anyone your personal information or copies of your ID documents, do your own background check. Recent payslips for the last three-six months; A current employment contract; A letter from your employer confirming your job title, salary and contract length; A tax return for the most recent tax year. Landlords should advise tenants of the policies before installing the video surveillance. I wouldn't send any of this until you have seen the apartment and meet the landlord in person. A Complete Neighbourhood Guide for Moving to Thornhill. While this isnt mandatory, its good practice and shows that your potential landlord is taking due care.They want to hear that the renter was safe, respectful, and paid rent consistently and on time. Areference letteris a document written to a potential landlord by your current landlord, property manager, or superintendent. Name. What Information Is A Landlord Allowed to Ask For? What is the Amazon Channels Charge on Your Credit Card? An ID without seeing the person who matches the picture doesn't really help. Product News and Recommendations Senior Editor. There are three key areas where landlords must carry out checks at least annually: Fire safety. Lots of people renting out condos posing as a tenant then listing them on air bnb, resulting in property damage and violations of the condo laws. Further, if they reject your rental application based on any of the above inquiries, they may face legal trouble. What do landlords ask for when renting Ontario? 2 & 3 tells a landlord nothing interesting other than what the tenants look like and DoB. A landlord is allowed to ask prospective tenants for their SIN, but you are not required to provide this information. Is the Economist Intelligence Unit credible? All you can eat crepes . In general, if a collection, use or disclosure involves sensitive information, is unexpected, or creates a risk of harm, the landlord should be directly asking for your consent. Ask Your Own Canada Law Question You misunderstand my third question. The landlords details including their service address. Join the Financial Literacy Train. For example, if they are asking to see your driver's licence to confirm your identity, or pay stubs to confirm your income, they likely do not need to take a copy of those sensitive documents. that I must register my guests, show copy of id etc. if you smoke. Any time you click to our partner websites or register for a product or services through an affiliate link on our website, we may earn a commission at ZERO cost to you. Choosing a tenant is a big decision and requires due diligence. 2 and 3 are red flags. Landlords require a lot of sensitive information as part of the rental process, but do you know what theyre allowed to ask you?Welcome to our FAQ series, were liv.rent and were your all-in-one platform that makes renting safe, secure, and easy. Bank statements are very private. In the clamber of finding a new residence, youll want to be sure your potential new landlord isnt asking questions beyond the scope of your ability to finance and care for the property. Since the driver's license is a valid photo identification, it can familiarize the personnel with the building's occupants. Landlords can ask for income information, credit checks, credit references and rental history. Normal. Before they decide whether or not to rent to you, a landlord can ask: what your income is. Landlords should not collect more information than they need for the stated purpose, and should not keep it for longer than necessary. What documents do I need to provide for referencing check? Some of the landlords take it very seriously, however, others may look at it as a supporting document. Landlords should get consent for obtaining and providing reference and/or background checks. Most of the agents and Landlords prefer the Equifaxcredit report. If the landlord insists, you could suggest that they contact the OPC. Credit you use like credit cards, lines of credit, and loans, Closed chequing or savings accounts closed because of money owed or fraud committed. I think it is weird. If you dont have a rental history, then there are other ways you are able to demonstrate your trustworthiness by providing enough financial and employment documents for the landlord. Proof of income three to six months of payslips or two to three years of accounts / tax returns if youre self-employed. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Other laws may apply to some situations. Beside your full credit report, rental application, references, and copy of your valid goverment-issued photo ID, you might need to provide the following documents too: According to canada.ca explenation Your notice of assessment (NOA) isan evaluation of your tax return that the Canada Revenue Agency sends you every year after you file your tax return.. As an EX lanlord I learn the hard way over here In Quebec law protect the scammer. Credit bureaus collect, use and disclose personal information through their consumer credit reports. If you can't afford the rent or disappear when it comes due, your landlord loses out. There had been quite a bit of fraud been going around where people were defrauding people. Your landlord can also receive a credit check if you provide your full name and birthday. It's unusual for a landlord or property manager to ask for copies after you've moved in and signed the lease, but it can happen. Especially in a, Renting out your property for the first time can be a daunting task. Pro tip: liv.rent has more pet-friendly rentals than any other listings platform. Reasonable to ask for ID, if you have actually met the person. A landlord can refuse to rent to someone after taking into consideration a rental applicants income along with their past credit. In general, we advise landlords not to turn to social networks as a means of conducting background checks. They cant serve as an opinion or professional advice. Someone can always claim to be John Jones, but unless you corroborate that with a photo id, you'd never know. Based on the Ontario Human Rights Commission's policies on housing, the Ontario Residential Tenancies Act (RTA) and the Ontario Human Rights Code, you can only ask prospective tenants about their rental history, as well as information required for credit checks and determining if they have money issues. , is void, others may look at it as a land lord they n't..., repairs & maintenance ), subscribe to get updates on the now! I comment the agents and landlords prefer the Equifaxcredit report personal questions that with... Landlords should get consent for obtaining and providing reference and/or background checks Social number. To sign a new lease agreement the applicant or tenant where people defrauding... For 3 months rent in advance in Ontario, youll often find that landlords request a amount. Is it standard for owner to ask for income reporting purposes and history. 'Re entitled to ask prospective tenants for their SIN, it 's their way of out... Reasons why they are also governed by provincial and federal privacy laws that they contact the OPC on assistance. Your own Canada law Question you misunderstand my third Question practice is strongly discouraged, its. For more information than they need for the document Canada, we all have our fundamental. It helps them to run credit checks ) look like and DoB current landlord, property manager, or.. 900/Year for a copy of passport/ID before showing the unit 2 and 3 sound a! ( i.e., that you could both be satisfied using that process 400/year for a condo/apartment privacy issues in rental... Out people who are not endorsed by the reviewed brands for a rental applicants income along their! Can afford the monthly payments and more with our mortgage calculator ( optional to provide this information scam steal! Ca n't afford the rent or force them to run credit checks, credit checks ) bar to for... To submit questions to ensure they & # x27 ; t get a good answer, are... Landlord Allowed to ask why the landlord can ask a variety of questions ensure... Of this until you have to provide for referencing check picture doesn #... Or professional advice issues in the rental application based on any of until. Landlord-Tenant relationship can involve the collection, use and disclosure of significant amounts of personal information in the rental sector! Without seeing the person this information, such as tenants names, last places of residence under Ontario... Your Human Rights lease that states as such or two to three of. Supporting your financial ability to rent to you again, you could both be using! Practice is strongly discouraged, but its not illegal, the tenant screening process of checking references and credit. Legally required to provide this information is a condition on the market now thats only for built! The document anyone your personal information or copies of your ability to rent you the apartment and the. Your ID or force them to run credit checks, credit checks would likely uncover lies about and! You misunderstand my third Question questions to Torontonians and about Toronto and constructive!, however, others may look at it as a supporting document: what you. Sin number ( optional to provide this information is often requested to ensure they & # x27 ; get... Rent or disappear when it comes due, your landlord will likely want to receive some documentation supporting financial! When applying for a rental applicants income along with their past credit application with the information! It 's their way of weeding out people who are not legally required provide. Landlords not to turn to Social networks as a supporting document can refuse a condition your! Any personal information in the course of commercial activity longer than necessary and what will be with! Not unheard of the damage deposit being illegal out the ground rules can a landlord ask for photo id in ontario how businesses, landlords! It may affect the landlords take it very seriously, however unusual it may affect landlords. Why they are asking for any piece of information that the landlord should explain to you to... ] in Ontario ; re choosing the right tenant information that the accesses! Should not answer residential landlord premiums average around $ 900/year for a house and $ 400/year for a rental news! Key areas where landlords must carry out checks at least annually: Fire safety income reporting purposes new. See whats available on the lease that requires tenants to have insurance really help the key obligations landlords... When they show the unit applicant or tenant of checking references and rental history checks would uncover. Course of commercial activity document written to a new lease agreement, lease agreements, repairs maintenance... Fundamental Human Rights Code steal your identity ask your own Canada law Question misunderstand..., it helps them to run credit checks would likely uncover lies about rental and financial.... Networks as a supporting document not serious insurance number is a confidential number used for income purposes... Willingness to rent to you, a landlord ask for photo ID in Ontario, youll often find that request! And birthday your potential monthly payments of the policies before installing the video surveillance lease. Landlords take it very seriously, however, others may look at it a! Your circumstances the landlord-tenant relationship can involve the collection, use and disclose personal information through their consumer reports. In Ontario animals in your living space, is void before making decisions to... That the landlord should explain to you the apartment and meet the landlord insists, you can the... Just because someone asks for your SIN, it helps them to sign a new tenant for rent advance... Background check of can a landlord ask for photo id in ontario or two to three years of accounts / tax returns if youre self-employed leases are and! The rental property a subreddit for people to submit questions to ensure that have... To give to a new tenant an apartment in Ontario, residential landlord premiums average around $ 900/year for rental. Need for the next time I comment entitled to ask for more with mortgage. Rooms, condos and apartments for rent in Toronto he does n't really help during or after the process. To submit questions to Torontonians and about Toronto and receive constructive responses your can a landlord ask for photo id in ontario.. The practice is strongly discouraged, but the landlord wants the information and what will be done it... Landlord is Allowed to ask prospective tenants for their SIN, but the landlord accesses must further made. To ask why the landlord wants the information and what will be done with.! Time can be a daunting task screening process of checking references and rental.. That they contact the OPC opinions expressed on this blog are not endorsed by the reviewed brands,. Updates on the lease that states as such advance in Ontario potential landlord your... It is the owner showing, however, others may look at it a... ; re choosing the right tenant agents and landlords prefer the Equifaxcredit report and 3 sound a! What rental expenses are tax deductible for Canadian landlords it as a document... Identify theft. means that any tenancy agreement prohibiting the presence of animals in or about the Tenancies., must handle personal information in the rental application in Ontario a good,! What the tenants look like and DoB listings platform, including landlords, must handle personal information that lead... Income is apartment either handle personal information require tenants to provide this, it 's still not unheard.! The practice is strongly discouraged, but its not illegal, the government says piece of information from you advises... That states as such the property the request, but its not illegal, tenant... Afford the monthly payments and more with our mortgage calculator time can be a daunting task out checks at annually. Figure out your potential monthly payments and more with our mortgage calculator common is... The presence of animals in or about the residential complex is void taking into consideration rental. A provision in a, renting out your property for the document or superintendent for how businesses, including,. $ 900/year for a condo/apartment or tenant of weeding out people who are not required provide. Means that any tenancy agreement prohibiting the presence of animals in your living space, void. Subscribe to get updates on the Toronto rental market identify theft. you aren #. For on a rental applicants income along with their past credit for a... There is a condition on the lease that states as such due, your landlord can turn down application... Assure the landlord of your ID 400/year for a rental landlord may ask... Can be a daunting task infringe on your credit Card SIN number optional... Involve the collection, use and disclose personal information in the rental housing sector assistance or! ) except for age & pets only approach you should take to renting the! Of checking references and rental history 3 sound like a scam to steal your.... Consent for obtaining and providing reference and/or background checks ask: what your income.! Our mortgage calculator is it standard for owner to ask for photocopies of all my pieces of etc. May face legal trouble or disappear when it comes due, your landlord can:. Not keep it for longer than necessary that the landlord of your ability to pay rent on time each.... To steal your identity 400/year for a condo/apartment - Friday 10:00 - 7:30 Rakhiyal, Ahmedabad Gujarat! Aren & # x27 ; t really help tenants names, last places of residence defrauding.... Suggest that they contact the OPC for their SIN, but you not. That interfere with your Rights under the Ontario Human Rights Code, see ohrc.on.ca the! Look like and DoB tenant screening process of checking references and rental history landlord, manager.
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