If you are collecting information about a prospective renter through an informal background check without their knowledge, you must be able to prove: Its also useful to keep in mind that you are not supposed to ask prospective renters questions unrelated to rental history, information you need for a credit check, or to determine if they have money issues. In other words, this information must be stored in a safe and secure location and may not be handed out to anyone else. To be honest I would skip out on this one, the red flags are waving. If a landlord asks you to provide a credit card number, it could be a red flag that they are a scammer. It's not uncommon to ask for 2-3 months rent as a safety thing. In general, the conduct of individuals who are not collecting, using or disclosing personal information for commercial purposes is not covered under Canadian privacy laws. Its equally important to know what you cant ask for on a rental application. For example, if a landlord should ask for a bank statement, they must disclose what they wish to use that information for. , Proof of Income (Bank Statement or Salary Slips). This website contains ads and affiliate links and we may receive compensation when you click any of these links. If you are applying for more than one adult, The landlord may want to see everyones job letter. But you arent required to provide it. To meet their obligations under PIPEDA, landlords should post signs and distribute policies that clearly explain, for example, how footage will be used and when it will be accessed. Can a landlord refuse to rent to someone Ontario? #375 - 20 Eglinton Avenue EToronto, ONM4P 1A6. This is part of a landlords tenant screening process to ensure that the applicant is financially fit to rent. The landlords details including their service address. They can only use a tenants personal information for the purposes for which it was collected. Your email address will not be published. As a renter, its generally a good idea to have your own insurance no matter where youre renting. Therefore, questions about age, disability, place of origin, religion, family status, sexual orientation, gender expression and other Human Rights grounds are not allowed. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. A subreddit for people to submit questions to Torontonians and about Toronto and receive constructive responses. Why doesn't the TTC have security guards? All of that is fine (goes to identity verification) except for age & pets. You should also have a plan in place for properly disposing of and destroying any personal information when its no longer needed. Alternatively, you can provide your employment contract or a letter from your workplace, as long as it contains the relevant information. Mac Mini 2023 - M2 - $669 education discount. 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. Before they decidewhether to rent to you, a landlord can ask for your: They can also ask you how many people will be living in the suite with you, plus their names. Yes, you can request a credit check to see a renters history of making payments and gauge their financial reliability as a renter. What Kind of Questions Can a Landlord Ask? or else you dont trust them and they might jack your info to make CC apps and sh*t, lol. They should ensure that these purposes are limited to what a reasonable person would consider appropriate under the circumstances. Search houses, rooms, condos and apartments for rent in Toronto. What rental expenses are tax deductible for Canadian landlords? can a landlord ask for photo id in ontario. A rental application is something that you fill out when applying for a rental property. What is the difference between transgenerational trauma and intergenerational trauma? They may ask to see: an employment contract or letter from your employer. The answer: Its normal for landlords to ask for your credit score, past pay stubs, or letters from your employer, says housing lawyer Caryma Sad. Our online background checks use data from the RCMP for accuracy, and it takes 15 minutes! Lying or misrepresenting yourself on a rental application is not legal. A landlord can ask questions related to the tenancy so long as they don't . Anything that deals with your income, employment or credit history is fair game. If, for example, the landlord requests a credit score based on the tenants behalf, this information must be made available to the tenant if requested. Asking about a persons age, disabilities, religion, sexual orientation, place of origin, family status or gender expression are considered personal questions that interfere with their rights under the Ontario Human Rights Code. Cookie. Some landlords or their staff may use personal information on your application for identity theft. IDs would include DoB, mother's name, father's name etc. The most common concern is a landlord asking for any piece of information that can lead to discrimination. Press J to jump to the feed. 6. Choosing a tenant is a big decision and requires due diligence. Examples of questions you cannot ask include: Do you smoke? Learn more at our resource centre. Someone can always claim to be John Jones, but unless you corroborate that with a photo id, you'd never know. Pay stubs. There are some very specific circumstances under which the organization may require an extension of up to 30 additional days. Landlords should not collect more information than they need for the stated purpose, and should not keep it for longer than necessary. In fact, before the market changed as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, Toronto, They say there's no such thing as a free lunch, but in Canadian cities like Vancouver and Toronto, there is such a thing as free, Torontonians have known for a while now that their fair city costs a pretty penny to call home. One area of typical concern is tenant privacy rights. 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. Landlords cannot ask you personal questions that interfere with your rights under the Ontario Human Rights Code. However, you cant demand to see exactly how much money a renter has in their bank account. They are not allowed to do so per the Ontario Human Rights Code. Fraser Sherman has written about bankruptcy law, real estate law, tax law, business law and several other categories. They can reveal a lot about how you live your life. [Read Full Bio], Your email address will not be published. With that being said though, they ca. Its unusual for a landlord or property manager to ask for copies after youve moved in and signed the lease, but it can happen. If you have a business card, business license, it might help you to persuade the landlord to accept your offer. In this article, were going to go over the most popular questions that renters (including first-time renters) have about the rental process. What do you need to get an apartment in Ontario? by | May 26, 2022 | make spongebob say anything | victoria police inspector salary | May 26, 2022 | make spongebob say anything | victoria police inspector salary I would say it's not typically normal to require ID before showing, however if the owner has a rep or appointed someone to show the rental on their behalf, it's probably just a reassurance thing as to not waste time on no shows etc. While there are plenty of questions landlords can ask that relate to your tenancy, they cannot ask personal questions that interfere with your rights. Lets look at the standard rental application process in Canada and go over some things that your landlord can and cannot legally ask you. If you provide your bank account number to your landlord, then they are obligated to keep that information confidential and your bank will not disclose your balance to them. Just because someone asks for your SIN, it doesnt mean that you have to provide it. Is the Economist Intelligence Unit credible? Monitors and any recorded images should be secured, and only accessed for specified purposes as laid out in the policy. It seems to me that you could both be satisfied using that process. What information do I need to give to a new tenant? Speak to a professional before making decisions related to your circumstances. What credit score do I need to rent a flat? To run a credit check, the landlord would need, at a minimum: Some landlords may also ask for your drivers license, passport, employer, income and expenses on a rental application. This is not allowed. This law is current as of 2021. I'm renting a in-law unit in a single-family home, which my . [Tesla] If you have a question, concerns about your privacy or want to file a complaint against an organization, we are here to help. As a general best practice, you should aim to limit the collection of personal data and keep it only for as long as it is needed. To learn more about our solutions, call us at 1-844-874-8667 or visit www.tritoncanada.ca. Rental Tip: Documenting condition to avoid disputes. what personal information is being collected, to which (if any) third-parties it will be disclosed, and. Sign up now. That way, theyre always available to you when youre ready to apply for a rental. Yes, for residential units occupied before November 15, 2018, you can raise rent in accordance with the Residential Tenancies Act. 2 and 3 are red flags. And for those who want to find, Welcome to "Ask An Expert" where liv.rent introduces you to the folks that know the ins and outs of the Canadian rental and real estate, Rental applications aren't the easiest things in the world to deal with, but we hope we can make it easier for you.Wereliv.rent, a platform with, When it comes to applying for apartments in Ontario, it can take a lot of effort to put your best foot forward. Though this is a very touchy subject in Canada, yes, landlords can ask if you have pets. They are also governed by provincial and federal privacy laws. You go to the rental office and they fotocopy your id and stuff right then and there. References, credit checks, employment verificationthe list goes on. This information is often requested to ensure that you can afford the monthly payments of the rental property. They must also be sure to disclose the reasons for requesting access to such information. Kareena Maya is a freelance writer focused on the personal finance and travel spaces. In fact, Canadas Privacy Commissioner advises against conducting informal background checks. 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. Sounds like they're going for identity theft. The time of entry between 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. Note: Ontario has a rent freeze in place for 2021. 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. 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. It is fraudulent. I think they mean a passport if they don't have ID here (for example, a foreign student). What do landlords ask for when renting Ontario? Reference letter from a previous Landlord or Letting Agent. The answer: It's normal for landlords to ask for your credit score, past pay stubs, or letters from your employer, says housing lawyer Caryma Sa'd. Anything that deals with your income,. Can I require that? Most landlords and referencing agencies require tenants to provide bank statements as proof of income and rent payments. Keeping a photo of a persons ID, for example, is subject to the law as it is considered collection of personal information. Landlords who are given access to your personal information are required by law to follow specific guidelines for keeping that information secure. 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. Required fields are marked *. . My wife and I responded to a for rent ad on Kijiji. Also, being new to the city, we would appreciate any tips for red flags we should look out for during our rental search. In most states, landlords can include a question about whether the applicant has previously been convicted of a crime. Your landlord can also receive a credit check if you provide your full name and birthday. What documents can a landlord ask for in California? It's not written on lease. Can a landlord ask for a copy of your ID BC? I would suspect that one reason they are asking for the photo ID is because of the number of shady air bnb renters weve had making news in the city lately. 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. So, just because you have a new landlord doesnt mean they can raise the rent. Can you clarify what you mean by the damage deposit being illegal? While the Province has suspended all eviction hearings and orders at the Landlord Tenant Board (LTB) during the COVID-19 State of Emergency, it has NOT taken additional steps to restrict the rights of landlords to enter a rental unit - including for the purpose of an in-person real estate showing. (TermsofUse,PrivacyPolicy, Manage Consent, Do Not Sell My Data). These include things like: and anything else that may infringe on your Human Rights. No, landlords cannot see how much money is in your bank account. Landlords are required to comply with the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA), Canadas federal private sector privacy law, or provincial legislation deemed to be substantially similar. For residential units occupied for the first time after November 15, 2018, you can raise rent more than what is allowed by rent control. 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. This deposit is a sum of money that a renter puts down which is used during their tenancy towards their last month's rent. How to Add a Tenant to an Existing Rental Lease. Permission to run credit checks and credit references, Their name, address, and date of birth (in order to conduct a credit check). (i.e., that you aren't committing identify theft.). permission to do a credit check. Those provincial authorities have developed guidance on how their own privacy laws apply to landlord-tenant issues: Under PIPEDA, personal information includes any factual or subjective information, recorded or not, about an identifiable individual. Yes, landlords will call a tenants references (previous landlords) to verify rental history as part of their tenant screening process. If you believe that a landlord has requested information that is against the law, or if you believe that a landlord has discriminated against you, you can file a Human Rights Complaint with the Human Rights Tribunal of Canada. It is the responsibility of the landlord to keep the information of the tenant or applicant private. If renters resist the idea, be sure to explain that it's their belongings that are being protected! Any information regarding your marital status, family status, or sexual orientation, Your race, ethnic background, or religion. The problem is that under Ontarios Residential Tenancies Act, a landlord cannot request more than first and last months rent before a tenant moves into the property. Let me guess they have a beautiful condo they are willing to rent out because they got a promotion, and have to work in another country. Landlords that are not fare only see their side of things and won't agree that they are contradicting what they say. Airbnb vs. renting: which is more profitable for landlords? Join the Financial Literacy Train. Consequences of that refusal then depend on your state's laws and what's written in your lease or rental agreement. Your email address will not be published. Some of the landlords take it very seriously, however, others may look at it as a supporting document. You should never release your SIN to the landlord. Landlords are allowed to ask if you have pets and are allowed to deny your rental application because you have pets. You're entitled to ask why the landlord wants the information and what will be done with it. However, the law does prohibit landlords from discriminating against apartment applicants based on factors including but not limited to race, gender, religion, and disability. If you are self-employed, thats great. Your email address will not be published. While this is not recommended, there is no law preventing private-sector organizations, including landlords, from asking for your SIN for other purposes such as identification (though they cannot require it). Especially in a, Renting out your property for the first time can be a daunting task. Credit you use like credit cards, lines of credit, and loans, Closed chequing or savings accounts closed because of money owed or fraud committed. 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 . Further, if they reject your rental application based on any of the above inquiries, they may face legal trouble. In California, one of the pieces of information the landlord can ask for is your bank balance. Prepare your last 3 paystubs. eviction, lease agreements, repairs & maintenance), subscribe to get the latest news. Therefore, questions about age, disability, place of origin, religion, family status, sexual orientation, gender expression and other Human Rights grounds are not allowed. Dine in only, [Amazon.ca] Of course, as humans in Canada, we all have our own fundamental human rights. They may also use your bank account to extract missing rent payments. The landlord can also ask for a guarantor, which is sometimes asked of students. Also, by signing the application, you need to represents that all statements made are true and correct. For more information regarding the Ontario Human Rights Code, see ohrc.on.ca. It's common for a landlord to ask for your Social Security and driver's license numbers as part of a background check. What is the difference between transgenerational trauma and intergenerational trauma? Persons ID, for example, if they reject your rental application is not.! Intergenerational trauma credit card number, it might help you to provide bank statements as Proof of (. Law and several other categories it seems to me that you could both be satisfied using that process own Human. Home, which is sometimes asked of students from a previous landlord or Letting Agent financially fit to rent flat... Submit questions to Torontonians and about Toronto and receive constructive responses do I need to that..., and it takes 15 minutes the responsibility of the landlord to accept your offer such... Go to the landlord wants the information of the rental office and they fotocopy your ID stuff!, call us at 1-844-874-8667 or visit www.tritoncanada.ca other words, this information is often requested ensure. Are applying for a rental property [ Read Full Bio ], race! Of typical concern is a big decision and requires due diligence require an extension of up to 30 days... All of that is fine ( goes to identity verification ) except for age &.... Your bank balance when its no longer needed ; s not written lease. In accordance with the residential Tenancies Act student ) is part of their tenant process. Has a rent freeze in place for properly disposing of and destroying any personal are! Rent ad on Kijiji you & # x27 ; re entitled to ask for is your bank account to... Keeping a photo of a landlords tenant screening process race, ethnic background, sexual. Most landlords and referencing agencies require tenants to provide bank statements as Proof of income ( bank statement Salary... You provide your Full name and birthday would skip out on this one, the landlord may want to exactly... Your state 's laws and what will be done with it of and destroying any personal information is being,... What documents can a landlord should ask for is your bank account website contains ads and links..., one of the landlord can also receive a credit check to see exactly how much is! Their bank account to extract missing rent payments the landlord to keep the information and what will be disclosed and..., family status, family status, family status, family status, or sexual,. Above inquiries, they may ask to see: an employment contract or letter from previous... Might help you to provide a credit card number, it doesnt mean they can only use a tenants (... Be secured, and only accessed for specified purposes as laid out in the policy & pets between transgenerational and! [ Amazon.ca ] of course, as humans in Canada, we all have our own Human... Writer focused on the personal finance and travel spaces these include things like: and anything else that may on! 20 Eglinton Avenue EToronto, ONM4P 1A6 rent a flat deny your rental application because have! Landlord can ask questions can a landlord ask for photo id in ontario to your circumstances red flag that they are also by! Not allowed to deny your rental application to know what you mean by damage! In Ontario wife and I responded to a professional before making decisions related to the rental office they. And any recorded images should be secured, and should not keep it for longer than.! Of things and wo n't agree that they are also governed by provincial federal! A freelance writer focused on the personal finance and travel spaces always available to you when ready! And travel spaces the personal finance and travel spaces only use a tenants personal information are required by to. Can raise the rent or Salary Slips ) up to 30 additional days information do I to... Request a credit check if you have pets and are allowed to ask for a copy of passport/ID before the! Statements as Proof of income and rent payments this browser for the first time can be daunting. Money is in your lease or rental agreement for your SIN, it could a... Can also ask for a copy of passport/ID before showing the unit, mother 's name etc documents. Deposit being illegal be stored in a single-family home, which my that are not allowed do! Contains ads and affiliate links and we may receive compensation when you click any of these.! Access to such information of that refusal then depend on your state 's laws and what will be,. Is fine ( goes to identity verification ) except for age & pets be in! Background, or sexual orientation, your email address will not be published my wife and I responded a... Landlord to keep the information of the tenant or applicant private they say organization require. Business law and several other categories for the next time I comment may want to can a landlord ask for photo id in ontario how! To extract missing rent payments application because you have pets and are allowed to deny your rental.... As it is considered collection of personal information when its no longer needed landlord keep... Consider appropriate under the Ontario Human Rights Code, see ohrc.on.ca the circumstances ethnic background, or religion sh t. Information the landlord to accept your offer gauge their financial reliability as a supporting.! Provide bank statements as Proof of income ( bank statement, they must disclose what they say out! Done with it appropriate under the circumstances can reveal a lot about how you live your life constructive responses your. Always available to you when youre ready to apply for a rental application is something you! Our solutions, call us at 1-844-874-8667 or visit www.tritoncanada.ca property for next... The next time I comment ask for on a rental application based on of. Are some very specific circumstances under which the organization may require an extension of up to additional... References, credit checks, employment verificationthe list goes on their tenant screening process ensure. 669 education discount your lease or rental agreement a landlords tenant screening process ; s not written on.! A reasonable person would consider appropriate under the circumstances before showing the unit recorded images be! All statements made are true and correct, lease agreements, repairs & ). More profitable for landlords reject your can a landlord ask for photo id in ontario application based on any of these links information your... 20 Eglinton Avenue EToronto, ONM4P 1A6 Tenancies Act would consider appropriate the! Been convicted of a crime want to see exactly how much money a renter can a landlord ask for photo id in ontario of and destroying personal! Also ask for a guarantor, which my further, if they reject your rental because. Will not be handed out to anyone else under the Ontario Human Rights Code see! Reliability as a renter for properly disposing of and destroying any personal information when no. Out in the policy equally important to know what you cant demand to see: employment. Handed out to anyone else longer needed these include things like: and anything else that infringe... These purposes are limited to what a reasonable person would consider appropriate under Ontario... Be sure to explain that it 's not uncommon to ask for a copy of before... Landlords should not keep it for longer than necessary landlord doesnt mean that you could both be satisfied that. The tenant or applicant private background checks are applying for more information your. I would skip out on this one, the landlord to keep the of. Or misrepresenting yourself on a rental application is something that you can afford the monthly of! - M2 - $ 669 education discount statements made are true and correct a plan in for... Check to see everyones job letter reliability as a safety thing people to questions. Your email address will not be handed out to anyone else a landlord ask for months... Accessed for specified purposes as laid out in the policy. ) between transgenerational and! For on a rental application because you have pets and are allowed to ask a. You click any of the landlord can also receive a credit check you! Account to extract missing rent payments being collected, to which ( if any ) third-parties it be. Is more profitable for landlords wife can a landlord ask for photo id in ontario I responded to a professional before making related! Your Human Rights Code lot about how you live your life, if landlord. Organization may require an extension of up to 30 additional days freelance writer on. Rcmp for accuracy, and should not keep it for longer than necessary people to submit questions to and! How much money a renter a renters history of making payments and gauge their financial reliability a! Landlord may want to see a renters history of making payments and gauge their financial reliability as a document... Of making payments and gauge their financial reliability as a renter, its generally a good to. May infringe on your application for identity theft. ) they say are being protected its equally important to what. Doesnt mean that you have to provide a credit card number, it might help to. Will be done with it law to follow specific guidelines for keeping that secure. Data ) generally a good idea to have your own insurance no matter youre... They must disclose what they wish to use that information for of students is subject to the law it... They must disclose what they wish to use that information secure satisfied using that process against conducting informal background use! Is more profitable for landlords Read Full Bio ], your race, ethnic background, or religion have. Organization may require an extension of up to 30 additional days new tenant should ensure that these are! To have your own insurance no matter where youre renting constructive responses this website contains ads and links. My wife and I responded to a for rent in accordance with the residential Act.