What Information Can a Landlord Ask for When You Apply to Rent in Ontario?
- Emily Situ
- Jul 20, 2025
- 3 min read
Updated: Sep 14, 2025
When you want to rent a home or apartment in Ontario, you’ll usually need to fill out a rental application or provide some information to the landlord. But what are they legally allowed to ask—and what questions cross the line into discrimination?
Here’s what you need to know before applying for a rental unit.
✅ What Landlords Are Allowed to Ask
Before deciding whether to rent to you, a landlord can ask for basic, relevant information about your ability to pay rent and maintain the rental unit. For example:
Your income
They can ask what your income is.
Employment information
They can ask if you work and where you work.
Who will live in the unit
How many people will live with you and their names.
Pets
Whether you have pets (but in most cases, “no pet” clauses in leases are not enforceable under the Residential Tenancies Act).
Smoking
Whether you or other tenants will smoke inside the unit.
Credit checks
They can ask for permission to run a credit check.
Rental history
References from past landlords.
Guarantor or co-signer
In some cases, they can ask if you have someone who can guarantee the rent.
These questions are generally allowed because they relate to whether you can afford the rent and comply with lease terms.
❌ What Landlords Are NOT Allowed to Ask
Under the Ontario Human Rights Code, a landlord cannot ask questions that could be used to discriminate against you based on a protected ground like family status, religion, race, or disability.
This means they cannot ask:
If you are pregnant or have children
If you plan to have children or have more children
If you are married, single, or divorced
Your religion, ethnic background, or race
Your sexual orientation
Whether you receive welfare or other public assistance
Whether you have a disability
Your age (even if you’re 16 or 17 but living independently)
Whether you are a Canadian citizen
If a landlord asks any of these questions or refuses to rent to you because of your answers, it could be considered discrimination under the Human Rights Code.
✅ What If a Landlord Uses a Rent-to-Income Ratio?
Some landlords use a “rent-to-income ratio” (for example, requiring that rent not exceed 30% of your income).
The Ontario Human Rights Commission says this practice can be discriminatory, especially against newcomers or people with lower incomes.
Landlords should instead consider all rental history, references, and credit information together rather than relying on income ratio alone.
✅ What Can You Do If a Landlord Discriminates?
If a landlord asks illegal questions or refuses to rent to you for a reason that goes against the Human Rights Code, you can:
Try to educate the landlord
Politely explain that Ontario law doesn’t allow discrimination based on family status, age, disability, or other protected grounds.
Keep records
Save emails, messages, or notes of what was said.
File a human rights claim
If you believe you were denied housing because of discrimination, you can file a claim with the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario.
The Tribunal can order the landlord to:
Compensate you for damages
Offer you the rental unit
Change their rental application practices
✅ Next Steps When Applying for a Rental
Be prepared to provide basic financial and rental history
Know your rights under the Ontario Human Rights Code
Recognize when a question is discriminatory
Seek legal advice if you believe you were denied housing unfairly
Conclusion
When applying for a rental unit in Ontario, a landlord can ask about your income, employment, rental history, and references. However, they cannot ask discriminatory questions about your family, age, religion, citizenship, disability, or other protected grounds.
If you’ve been denied housing for a reason that seems discriminatory, Situ Legal Services can help you:
Understand your housing rights
Gather evidence of discrimination
File a claim with the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario
