OREA Form 410.
Rental Application.
The standard rental application used across Ontario. Here's how to fill it out — section by section — and what landlords are actually looking for.
The OREA Form 410 is the standard rental application form used by real estate brokerages and agents across Ontario. It was created by the Ontario Real Estate Association and is the most widely recognized rental application in the province.
If you're applying for a rental through a licensed real estate agent or brokerage, you will almost certainly be asked to complete this form. Some private landlords use it as well.
The form collects personal information, employment and income details, rental history, references, and your consent for a credit check. It gives landlords a standardized snapshot of who you are as a tenant.
Below is a section-by-section walkthrough of the form, with tips on what landlords are actually looking for in each part.
Personal Information
Fill in your full legal name, current address, date of birth, phone number, and email address. The form may also ask for your Social Insurance Number (SIN) — but you are not legally required to provide it. Landlords can run a credit check with your consent and name alone. If you're uncomfortable sharing your SIN, leave it blank or provide your own credit report instead.
Tip: Use the exact same name that appears on your government-issued ID. Mismatches cause delays.
Employment & Income
Enter your current employer, job title, length of employment, employer's phone number, and annual gross income. If you're self-employed, write your business name and attach your most recent Notices of Assessment (NOAs) from the CRA as proof of income.
Tip: If you have a co-applicant (partner, spouse, or roommate), include their employment and income details as well. Combined income strengthens the application and shows the landlord you can comfortably cover rent.
Rental History
List your current and previous addresses, the name and phone number of each landlord, how long you lived there, monthly rent paid, and your reason for leaving. Most forms ask for at least two previous addresses.
Tip: Make sure your most recent landlord's phone number is current and working. Agents will call to verify your rental history — an unreachable landlord reference is a red flag that slows down approvals.
References
Provide personal and professional references — typically one or two people who are not family members. Include their name, relationship to you, phone number, and email address. Colleagues, former supervisors, professors, or mentors are all good choices.
Tip: Choose references who will answer the phone and speak positively about you. Let them know they may receive a call so they're prepared.
Vehicle & Pet Information
Enter your vehicle make, model, year, and licence plate number if applicable. For pets, list the number of pets, type (dog, cat, etc.), and breed.
Important: Under Section 14 of the Residential Tenancies Act, no-pet clauses in leases are void and unenforceable in Ontario. A landlord cannot legally refuse your application solely because you have a pet. Be upfront about your pets — honesty builds trust.
Emergency Contact
Provide the name, relationship, and phone number of an emergency contact. This is standard and straightforward — choose someone who can be reached quickly if needed.
Credit Check Authorization
By signing this section, you're consenting to a credit check. The landlord or their agent will pull your credit report from Equifax or TransUnion. This is standard practice for virtually all rental applications in Ontario.
Important: Under the Residential Tenancies Act, landlords cannot charge you a fee for running a credit check or processing your application. If anyone asks you to pay, that is illegal.
Tip: Know your credit score before you apply. If it's below 650, consider attaching a brief explanation or offering additional documentation. See our Credit Score & Renting guide for more.
- Complete every field — blank fields are red flags to landlords and agents. Even if a field seems optional, fill it in.
- Attach supporting documents — pay stubs, employment letter, credit report, and ID. See our Supporting Documents checklist for exactly what to include.
- Include a cover letter or introduction — a brief, professional note explaining who you are, why you want the unit, and why you'd be a great tenant. Personal connection matters in competitive markets.
- Provide references who will respond quickly — agents move fast. If your references don't pick up the phone, your application gets moved to the bottom of the pile.
- Have your guarantor's information ready — if your income or credit is borderline, a guarantor with strong financials can make the difference. See our Guarantor Guide.
- Respond to agent follow-ups within hours, not days — speed signals seriousness. The fastest, most complete applicant usually wins the unit.
Ontario's Human Rights Code and Residential Tenancies Act protect tenants during the application process. Knowing your rights helps you apply with confidence and identify unprofessional practices.
A professional landlord or licensed agent will never pressure you to provide information or payments that violate these rules. If they do, it's a warning sign.
For a full breakdown of your legal protections as a renter in Ontario, see our Tenant Rights guide.
The OREA Form 410 is the standard rental application used by most Ontario real estate brokerages and agents, but it is not legally mandated. Some private landlords use their own application forms. However, if you're applying through a licensed agent or brokerage, you will almost certainly encounter the Form 410.
No. Your SIN is optional on any rental application in Ontario. While some landlords request it to run a credit check, you can consent to a credit check without providing your SIN. You can provide your own credit report directly or use alternative consent methods. Never feel pressured to share your SIN.
No. Under Ontario's Residential Tenancies Act, landlords cannot charge application fees, processing fees, or credit check fees. The only legal upfront payment is a last month's rent deposit, and that is only collected after you've been approved and are signing the lease.
At minimum, attach government-issued photo ID, proof of income (pay stubs or employment letter), and consent for a credit check. To strengthen your application, also include bank statements, previous landlord references, a personal cover letter, and proof of renter's insurance. See our Supporting Documents guide for a complete checklist.
No. Under Section 14 of Ontario's Residential Tenancies Act, no-pet clauses in leases are void and unenforceable. A landlord cannot refuse to rent to you solely because you have a pet. The only exceptions are if the pet causes damage, excessive noise, or severe allergic reactions in other tenants. See our Tenant Rights guide.