Finding a home to rent in Toronto

Before you start

• A budget that covers the first month's rent and a deposit
• Proof of income or savings, such as a job offer, pay statements or bank statements

Documents you need

• Passport (identity)

  required

• Job offer or employment letter

  optional

• Bank statements showing savings

  optional

Step by step

1. 1

   Step 1: Set a realistic budget

   Statistics Canada's experimental asking-rent data put the average asking rent for a two-bedroom apartment in Toronto at $2,660 a month in Q1 2026, 1.1% lower than a year earlier. Asking rents are what landlords advertise to new tenants; existing tenants often pay less because of rent control. In October 2025, CMHC reported that the purpose-built rental vacancy rate in the Greater Toronto Area had risen to about 3%, and that rents for units changing tenants fell by 2.5%, while the vacancy rate for rented condominium apartments stayed low, at about 1%.

   Budget separately for the move-in: the first month's rent, a rent deposit (usually the last month's rent), and utilities and internet if they are not included.

2. 2

   Step 2: Decide what kind of rental you want

   Common options in Toronto are units in purpose-built rental apartment buildings run by a landlord or management company, condo units rented out by individual owners, basement or secondary suites in houses, and rooms in shared homes. The tenancy rules are broadly the same, but check:

   • When the unit was first occupied. Units first occupied after November 15, 2018 are not covered by the annual rent increase guideline.
   • What the rent includes: heat, hydro (electricity), water, parking, laundry.
   • For apartment buildings with three or more storeys and 10 or more units: the City's RentSafeTO program publishes evaluation scores.
3. 3

   Step 3: Prepare your rental application

   Landlords commonly ask for a rental application, ID, proof of income or employment, references and a credit check. Newcomers often have no Canadian credit history, so bring what you can: a job offer or employment letter, recent pay statements, bank statements showing savings, references from previous landlords, and a credit report from your previous country if you have one.

   A landlord cannot refuse you because of your race, place of origin, citizenship, religion, sex, age, disability, family status or other grounds protected by Ontario's Human Rights Code.

4. 4

   Step 4: View in person and confirm the landlord

   Always view the unit (or have someone you trust view it) before you pay anything. Confirm that the person you are dealing with owns the unit or is authorized to rent it, for example by meeting them at the unit and checking that they have keys and access. Be very cautious with listings whose rent is well below similar homes, landlords who say they are abroad, or requests to pay a deposit by e-Transfer or gift card to "hold" a unit.

5. 5

   Step 5: Check the lease and deposits before you sign

   • The lease should be on the Ontario Standard Lease form. If it is not, you can ask for it in writing; if the landlord does not provide it within 21 days, you may withhold one month's rent.
   • A landlord may collect a rent deposit of no more than one rental period (one month's rent if you pay monthly), used for your last month, and a key deposit of no more than the cost of replacing the key.
   • Damage deposits and pet deposits are not allowed, and a landlord cannot require post-dated cheques or automatic debits.
   • Get a receipt for every payment, and take dated photos when you move in.
6. 6

   Step 6: Set up the home

   Arrange electricity, gas or internet if they are not included, and consider tenant insurance for your belongings and liability; some landlords require it in the lease. Update your address with your bank, employer, IRCC (for your PR card or if your status requires it) and ServiceOntario.

Temporary accommodation

Help with housing problems

Watch out

Common mistakes

• Signing for a unit first occupied after November 15, 2018 without realising that rent increases are not capped by the guideline.
• Not checking whether utilities are included when comparing rents.
• Moving in without photos of the unit's condition.

Tips

• Shortlist areas by commute: compare subway, streetcar and bus options with a trip planner before viewings.
• Keep a folder with your ID, employment letter, bank statements and references ready to send quickly.

Frequently asked questions

Editorial answers written by our team, based on the sources below.

Official links

In your plan

• Find and rent a long-term homeAdd to plan
• Estimate your Toronto budget, including move-in costsAdd to plan
• Book temporary accommodation for your first weeksAdd to plan
• Shortlist the Toronto neighbourhoods that suit youAdd to plan

Sources

Written and checked by HomiStart editorial against the official sources below. Next scheduled check: 6 Jan 2027.