Renting, step by step.
Renting in Toronto can feel like a sprint you weren't trained for. It doesn't have to be. Here's how the process actually works, and what to do at each stage.
STEP 1
Figure out your real budget.
Most landlords look for tenants with monthly income at least 3 times the rent. For a $2,500 a month apartment, that's roughly $7,500 a month gross or $90,000 a year. Beyond meeting that ratio, don't stretch beyond 35 percent of your after-tax income on rent. The number you can afford isn't just the rent. Add utilities (some buildings include heat and water, some don't), internet, transit or parking, and renter's insurance. That total is what you actually budget for housing each month.
First and last is real money
In Ontario, landlords can collect first month's rent and last month's rent at lease signing. Last month is technically a deposit applied to your final month of tenancy. No additional security deposits, damage deposits, or pet deposits are legal, even if a landlord insists otherwise. You'll need both first and last available before you sign, which for a typical Toronto two-bedroom means $4,000 to $6,000 ready to transfer.
STEP 2
Pick the right neighbourhood.
Your neighbourhood shapes your daily life more than the apartment itself. Spend time walking the streets at different hours before signing anywhere. A block that feels lively at 11am Saturday can feel completely different at 11pm Tuesday. Look at subway and streetcar access, grocery stores, parks, gyms, and whether the restaurants you'd actually use are within reach. Future you either thanks or resents present you based on this choice.
Honest beats aspirational
A lot of first-time renters chase neighbourhoods they think they should want, like downtown core, the Annex, or the Beaches. Many end up not using the things those neighbourhoods offer because work and commute eat the week. Be honest about how you actually spend your time. If you don't go out at night, you don't need a "vibrant" area. If you work from home, quiet and natural light might matter more than walkability.
Browse neighbourhoods →STEP 3
Set up your search.
hombek.com carries all the MLS rental listings, which covers most professionally managed apartments and houses. Beyond that, Kijiji and Facebook rental groups have many landlords listing privately. Each source has trade-offs. MLS listings are vetted and represented by a brokerage, so contracts and processes are more standardized. Private listings on Kijiji or Facebook have more variety but require more verification on your end.
Move fast, but not blindly
Good rentals in Toronto move in days, sometimes hours. Set up search alerts and check listings the morning they go live. But speed shouldn't override basic checks. Always tour the place before sending any money. Ask to see ID and confirmation that the person showing you the unit is actually the owner or authorized property manager. Scams target fast-moving renters.
Browse rentals →STEP 4
View places strategically.
Don't burn a weekend viewing 20 apartments. After 5 or 6 tours, you'll have a clear baseline for what your budget gets you in your target area. Take photos and short notes on each one. Check the natural light at the time of day you'll be home, water pressure, window quality and noise, the state of appliances, signs of mold or pests, and what utilities are actually included. Ask which floor, what direction the unit faces, and whether the building has had pest issues.
Red flags to walk away from
Landlords who refuse to meet in person. Showings that feel rushed or chaotic. Anyone asking for a deposit before you've toured. Listings way below market price (often scams using stolen photos). Demands for sensitive personal info like SIN or a full credit report before there's any real commitment. Cash-only requirements. The Toronto rental market has enough volume that you can afford to walk away from anything that feels off.
Found a place you want to tour? A Saint Aubyn Hill agent can book showings, vet listings, and represent you on the application. The landlord pays the commission.
STEP 5
The application.
Most landlords ask for the same set of documents. Proof of employment (recent pay stubs or a letter from your employer), proof of income (the same plus a recent Notice of Assessment if requested), a credit check from Equifax or TransUnion (the free version is fine), references from past landlords or employers if you don't have past landlords, and basic ID. Pack all of this into a single PDF before you start touring. The applicant who's prepared usually wins.
Co-signers and guarantors
If you're new to Canada, just starting your career, or self-employed without strong income history, expect to be asked for a co-signer or guarantor. That person promises to cover the rent if you can't, and signs a separate agreement. Most landlords accept a Canadian-based co-signer with strong income and credit. Ask upfront whether a guarantor is required before you apply so you can line one up.
STEP 6
The standard lease.
In Ontario, most residential rentals use the Standard Form Lease (Form 2229E from the province). If your landlord doesn't provide one, you can request it in writing. If they still refuse, you can legally withhold one month's rent. Before signing, read every section. Pay attention to the rent amount, what utilities are included, parking arrangements, smoking and pet policies, and the term length (usually 12 months, then month-to-month).
Your rights override the lease
The Residential Tenancies Act sits above whatever the lease says. If your landlord writes something into the lease that contradicts the RTA (like "no overnight guests" or "tenant pays for major repairs"), that clause isn't enforceable. Your core protections include limits on yearly rent increases, eviction protections, and the right to a safe and well-maintained home. Keep a copy of the RTA basics somewhere accessible.
Learn your rights →STEP 7
Move-in day and after.
Before you take possession, do a walk-through with the landlord or property manager. Document the condition of every room with photos, dated. Note any pre-existing damage in writing and have the landlord sign or initial the list. This protects you when you eventually move out and the landlord tries to deduct from your last month's rent (which is illegal in Ontario, but happens). Keep all signed paperwork in one folder.
The first 30 days
Set up utilities and internet on day one. Forward your mail with Canada Post. Update your address with the CRA, banks, and ServiceOntario. Take a few hours to walk your new neighbourhood. Learn the closest grocery, pharmacy, transit stops, and LCBO. The faster a place feels like home, the easier the year ahead gets.
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