ONTARIO HOME INTEL · RENTAL TOOL
Ontario Rental Application Checklist
Use this checklist to organize a residential rental application in Ontario. It is designed to help landlords collect relevant information consistently and help applicants understand what documents may reasonably be requested without turning the process into discriminatory screening.
Application Information
Financial / Screening Documents
Human Rights & Privacy Check
Before Approving the Tenancy
What Can Ontario Landlords Consider?
The Ontario Human Rights Code permits landlords to use tools such as income information, credit checks, credit references, rental history, guarantees and similar business practices, but they must be used in a bona fide and non-discriminatory way. Screening criteria cannot be used arbitrarily to exclude people because of protected Code grounds.
Avoid Unnecessary SIN Collection
The Ontario Human Rights Commission recommends using methods other than Social Insurance Numbers to conduct credit checks because SIN information can reveal information unrelated to tenancy eligibility and may create discrimination concerns.
Credit & Background Screening Resources
Need to verify an application? Continue with the Ontario Tenant Screening Checklist for Landlords for a step-by-step workflow covering consent, identity, credit, income, references, public records and the final decision.
Our How to Screen Tenants Legally in Ontario guide explains the legal framework, while the Best Tenant Screening Services in Ontario comparison covers free and paid options including OpenRoom, CanLII, SingleKey and FrontLobby.
Also see the Ontario Standard Lease guide, Ontario Landlord Resources and Landlords & Tenants hub.
Important: This checklist is a general planning aid. It is not a rental application form, legal advice or a guarantee that a screening process complies with every applicable human-rights, privacy or tenancy requirement.