How to Rent an
Apartment in Toronto.

The Real Cost of Renting in Toronto

If you've heard of the 30% rule — the idea that you should spend no more than 30% of your gross income on housing — you should know that it's outdated for Toronto. With average one-bedroom rents hovering around $2,400 per month, you'd need a gross annual income of roughly $96,000 to hit that 30% target. The reality is that many Toronto renters spend closer to 35-45% of their income on rent, and while that's not ideal, it's the market you're working with.

That said, landlords still use income as a key screening metric. Most landlords want to see gross monthly income of at least 3x the monthly rent. If the unit you're applying for is $2,400 per month, you should ideally be earning at least $7,200 per month gross — or roughly $86,400 per year. Some landlords, particularly those managing purpose-built rentals and luxury condos, may require even higher income multiples for premium units.

The biggest upfront cost you need to prepare for is first and last month's rent. Under Ontario law, a landlord can legally collect a deposit equal to one month's rent (which is applied to your last month of the lease). Combined with your first month's rent payment, you're looking at an upfront outlay of roughly $4,800 for a $2,400 unit. This is the single largest financial barrier for most renters, and it's non-negotiable — every landlord in Ontario will require it. No other deposits are legal in Ontario, which means damage deposits, security deposits, and pet deposits are all prohibited under the Residential Tenancies Act.

You should also budget for renter's insurance, which typically costs between $20 and $30 per month. Many landlords and property management companies now require proof of renter's insurance before handing over keys. Even if it's not required by your landlord, it's one of the smartest financial decisions you can make as a tenant — it covers your personal belongings, liability if someone is injured in your unit, and additional living expenses if your unit becomes uninhabitable due to fire, flood, or other covered events. Read our complete renter's insurance guide to understand what's covered and how to get the best rate.

Beyond rent and insurance, there are several other recurring costs you should factor into your monthly budget. The total cost of renting in Toronto goes well beyond the number printed on your lease agreement, and underestimating these expenses is one of the most common mistakes new renters make.

Hidden Costs Most Renters Miss

The rent on your lease is just one piece of your total monthly housing cost. Toronto renters frequently underestimate these additional expenses, and they can add hundreds of dollars to your actual monthly outlay. Budget for all of these before you sign a lease.

• Parking: $150–$300/month. If you own a car, parking in downtown Toronto is expensive. Condo buildings typically charge $150 to $250 per month for an underground spot, and some newer luxury buildings charge $250 to $300 or more. Street parking permits vary by neighbourhood but are limited and competitive. If you're moving to a neighbourhood with strong TTC access — particularly near a subway line — seriously consider whether you actually need a car. Between transit, bike-share, and ride-hailing, many downtown Toronto renters find they can get by without one and save thousands per year.
• Storage lockers: $50–$150/month. Many condo rental units don't include a storage locker, and Toronto apartments are notoriously compact on closet space. If you need additional storage for seasonal items, sports equipment, or anything that doesn't fit in the unit, expect to pay a separate monthly fee to the building. Purpose-built rental buildings are more likely to include a locker, but always confirm before signing your lease.
• Utilities: $80–$200/month. Some rental units include hydro (electricity) and water in the rent. Many don't — and the listing doesn't always make this clear. If utilities are not included, budget $80 to $150 per month for hydro and $30 to $50 for water and gas, depending on the unit size and your usage. Always ask the landlord — and get it in writing in the lease — which utilities are included. The difference between "utilities included" and "tenant pays utilities" can add $150 or more to your monthly cost.
• Laundry: $50–$80/month. If your unit doesn't have in-suite laundry and you're using coin-operated or app-based machines in the building's shared laundry room, expect to spend $50 to $80 per month depending on how often you do laundry. For couples or families, this number can be even higher. In-suite laundry is a significant quality-of-life feature — if it's important to you, prioritize it during your search even if it means paying slightly more in rent.
• Internet: $60–$80/month. Internet is almost never included in rent. Budget $60 to $80 per month for a standard plan from providers like Bell, Rogers, or a reseller like TekSavvy, Beanfield, or Start.ca. Pro tip: check which internet providers service your building before signing the lease — some buildings are locked into exclusive agreements with a single provider, which limits your options and can mean higher prices or slower speeds than you'd get elsewhere.
• Tenant insurance: $20–$30/month. As mentioned above, this is increasingly required by landlords and always recommended. Companies like Square One, Sonnet, and Intact offer competitive rates for Toronto renters. A basic policy covering $30,000 in personal property and $1 million in liability typically runs $20 to $30 per month. It's a small price for significant peace of mind.

When all these costs are factored in, the true monthly cost of renting a one-bedroom apartment in Toronto often lands between $2,800 and $3,200 — even when the listed rent is $2,400. Know your full number before you start looking, and make sure your budget accounts for the complete picture, not just the headline rent.

Major Rental Platforms

Toronto's rental market is spread across several major platforms, and no single site has every listing. To maximize your options and find the best fit, you should be searching across multiple platforms simultaneously. Here's where to look and what to expect from each one.

• Realtor.ca (MLS): The gold standard for agent-represented listings. These are condos and houses where the landlord has hired a real estate agent to list the property on the Multiple Listing Service. Listings on Realtor.ca tend to be higher quality, professionally photographed, and come with a licensed agent on the other end managing the showing and application process. If you're working with your own rental agent, they'll be pulling primarily from MLS listings. This is where you'll find most downtown condos, mid-rise apartments, and mid- to high-end rental properties across the GTA.
• Kijiji: Canada's largest classified ads platform and a staple for private landlord listings in Toronto and across Ontario. You'll find basement apartments, rooms for rent, and some full units listed directly by owners who are managing the process themselves. Kijiji requires more caution — always verify the landlord's identity, never send money before seeing the unit in person, and be wary of listings that seem too good to be true. The upside is that private landlords on Kijiji may be more flexible on credit requirements, income thresholds, and screening criteria than managed buildings.
• Facebook Marketplace & Groups: Increasingly popular for rental listings, especially among younger landlords and in specific neighbourhood communities. Facebook groups like "Toronto Apartments for Rent," "Toronto Rentals Under $2000," and neighbourhood-specific groups can surface listings you won't find on any other platform. The downside is that it's unstructured — there's no standardized listing format, no verification process, and you'll need to sift through more noise to find legitimate opportunities. Always exercise the same caution as with Kijiji.
• Rentals.ca, Zumper & PadMapper: Aggregator platforms that pull listings from multiple sources into a single searchable interface. Rentals.ca is Canadian-focused and includes both agent-listed and private listings, making it a good one-stop shop for scanning the market. Zumper and PadMapper have clean, modern interfaces and allow you to set email or push-notification alerts for new listings matching your criteria. These are great for getting a broad view of the market, tracking average rents by neighbourhood, and catching new inventory the moment it's listed.

The key across all platforms is speed. In Toronto's market, desirable units — particularly well-priced one-bedrooms in popular neighbourhoods — often receive multiple applications within 24 to 48 hours of being listed. Set up alerts on every platform, check them daily (or multiple times a day for your target areas), and be ready to book a viewing immediately when something catches your eye. Having your documents pre-assembled is critical — we cover exactly what you need in the next section.

Why Work With a Rental Agent

One of the best-kept secrets in Toronto's rental market is that working with a rental agent is completely free for tenants. The landlord pays the agent's commission — typically equivalent to one month's rent — so you get full professional representation at zero cost to you. There is no catch, no hidden fee, and no obligation. This is how the system works across Ontario for MLS-listed rental properties.

Here's what a rental agent does for you and why it matters in a competitive market like Toronto:

• Early access to MLS listings: Agents see new listings on the MLS system as soon as they're posted — often before they appear on Realtor.ca or aggregator sites like Rentals.ca and Zumper. In a fast-moving market where the best units go within 24 to 48 hours, even a few hours of lead time can make the difference between landing a unit and losing it to another applicant who saw it first.
• Viewings booked and coordinated for you: Instead of messaging a dozen landlords and listing agents individually, coordinating schedules, and driving across the city between viewings, your agent handles all of it. They book viewings in efficient clusters — multiple units in the same neighbourhood on the same day — so you're not wasting time on logistics. Your only job is to show up and evaluate the units.
• Professional application preparation and submission: Your agent assembles your complete application package, ensures every document is in order and properly formatted, and submits it directly to the listing agent with a professional cover note. A well-presented application from a licensed agent carries significantly more weight than a direct tenant application — listing agents know the deal will close smoothly, the tenant has been pre-screened, and there's a professional point of contact for any questions.
• Lease negotiation: Your agent can negotiate lease terms on your behalf, including rent price, parking and storage fees, move-in date, and any special conditions or accommodations. They know what's standard, what's negotiable, and how to frame your position to get the best possible outcome. Negotiation is much more effective when it comes from one professional to another.
• Lease review and protection: Before you sign anything, your agent reviews the entire lease to ensure it's the Ontario Standard Lease, that all terms are correct and match what was agreed upon, and that there are no illegal or problematic clauses buried in the additional terms section. This review alone can save you from serious legal and financial issues during your tenancy.

At TheRentalMarket.ca, every client is matched with a local, licensed agent who specializes in their target neighbourhood and property type. We book viewings within 24 hours of onboarding, handle your entire application from preparation to submission, and guide you through every step from search to keys in hand — all at zero cost to you. See exactly how our process works or start your rental profile today.

Documents You Need

In Toronto's competitive rental market, your application is your first impression. Landlords and listing agents receive multiple applications for every desirable unit, and the ones that get accepted are almost always the most complete, the most professional, and the fastest to arrive. Having every single document ready before you start viewing means you can submit within hours of finding the right place — and in this market, that speed is what separates successful renters from those who keep losing out.

Here is the complete list of documents you should prepare before you start your apartment search:

• Government-issued photo ID: A valid driver's licence, passport, or Ontario photo card. Landlords need to verify your identity as a basic part of the screening process. Two forms of ID are ideal, but one government-issued photo ID is the minimum. Important: landlords cannot require your Social Insurance Number (SIN). Never provide it — it's not needed for a credit check or any part of the rental application process, and providing it to a stranger creates unnecessary identity theft risk.
• Letter of employment: A letter on company letterhead from your employer confirming your position title, annual salary, employment type (full-time, contract, part-time), and your start date. This should be recent — ideally dated within the last 30 days. If you're self-employed, provide a letter from your accountant or your most recent Notices of Assessment from the CRA showing your annual income for the past two years. Freelancers should also include bank statements showing consistent income deposits.
• Three months of pay stubs: Your most recent three consecutive pay stubs verifying your income. These should align with the salary stated in your employment letter — inconsistencies between the two documents will raise questions. If you're paid irregularly or are self-employed, bank statements showing consistent income deposits over the past three to six months are an acceptable alternative that most landlords will accept.
• Credit report: Pull your own credit report before you start apartment hunting. You can get a free report from Borrowell (which uses Equifax data) or Credit Karma (which uses TransUnion data). Having your report ready shows preparedness and transparency, and lets you address any issues proactively. Most landlords will also run their own credit check as part of the screening process, but providing yours upfront demonstrates that you have nothing to hide. Read our complete credit score guide to understand what landlords look for and what to do if your score is low.
• References from previous landlords: Contact information — name, phone number, and email address — for your one or two most recent landlords. If you're a first-time renter without rental history, professional references (a manager or supervisor) or personal references (a mentor, professor, or community leader) can substitute — but landlord references carry the most weight because they directly speak to your reliability as a tenant. Reach out to your references in advance so they know to expect a call or email from a potential landlord.
• Proof of renter's insurance: While not always required at the application stage, having a quote or proof of coverage from a provider like Square One, Sonnet, or Intact shows landlords you're organized, responsible, and already thinking about move-in logistics. Many managed buildings and condo landlords require proof of insurance before they'll release keys, so getting this in order early saves you a last-minute scramble. Learn what renter's insurance covers and get a quote.

Compile all of these documents into a single, well-organized PDF package. A clean application file that a listing agent can review in under five minutes is far more likely to be taken seriously — and ultimately approved — than a scattered collection of individual files, blurry phone photos of documents, or an email with six separate attachments. Your rental agent will help you assemble and format this package as part of the onboarding process.

What Makes You Stand Out

When a landlord or listing agent receives ten applications for the same unit — and in Toronto, that's common for any well-priced rental in a desirable neighbourhood — they need a reason to choose yours over the other nine. The difference between an application that gets reviewed first and one that gets passed over often comes down to three factors: completeness, speed, and professional presentation.

• Completeness is everything: A complete application is the single most important factor in getting approved. When every document is present, accurate, and up to date, it signals that you're organized, responsible, and genuinely serious about the unit. Incomplete applications — missing pay stubs, no credit report, an outdated employment letter from six months ago — are the number one reason applications get passed over in favour of other candidates. Landlords and listing agents don't have time to chase down missing documents, and they won't wait for you to get organized when nine other applicants are ready to go.
• Speed wins in a competitive market: In Toronto, the first strong application often wins. If you view a unit at 10 AM and submit your complete application by noon, you're ahead of the renter who sees the same unit at 2 PM and then needs two more days to assemble their documents. Speed doesn't mean rushing or being careless — it means being prepared before you start looking. When your application package is pre-assembled and ready to go, you can submit within minutes of deciding you want a unit. That's how you win.
• Professional presentation matters: A neatly formatted PDF, a brief cover note introducing yourself and your situation, and a clean, logical document structure all signal professionalism and attention to detail. Listing agents and landlords review dozens of applications every week — the ones that are easy to read, well-organized, and clearly formatted rise to the top of the pile every time. Small details make a big difference.
• Agent representation adds credibility: Applications submitted through a licensed rental agent carry significantly more credibility with listing agents and landlords. When a listing agent sees that your offer comes from a fellow licensed professional, they know the deal is more likely to close smoothly — the tenant has been pre-screened, documents have been verified, and there's a professional point of contact for any questions, negotiations, or issues that arise during the process. This is a competitive advantage that direct applicants simply don't have.

A rental agent submits your application on your behalf, follows up directly with the listing agent to ensure it's been received and reviewed, and actively advocates for your candidacy throughout the decision-making process. In a market where multiple offers are the norm, having someone experienced and connected in your corner is a significant advantage. Here's how our agents work for you at every step.

If you're unsure whether your application package is competitive or if there are gaps that could cost you, we review every client's documents as part of our onboarding process. Fill out your rental profile and we'll assess where you stand — and help you strengthen any weak spots before you start viewing properties.

Ontario Standard Lease & Illegal Clauses

Since April 2018, every residential tenancy in Ontario must use the Ontario Standard Lease — a government-mandated lease form designed to protect both landlords and tenants by standardizing the rental agreement process. If a landlord offers you a custom lease, a lease from another province, or a document that doesn't look like the Standard Lease template published by the Ontario government, that's a red flag. You have the legal right to request the Ontario Standard Lease, and if the landlord refuses to provide it, you can withhold one month's rent until they comply.

The Standard Lease is important because it prevents landlords from slipping in illegal clauses — terms that violate the Residential Tenancies Act (RTA). Even if you sign a lease containing illegal clauses, those clauses are void and unenforceable under Ontario law. However, it's always better to catch problematic clauses before you sign rather than having to fight them later. Here are the most common illegal clauses you should watch for:

• No-pets clauses are void after move-in: Under Ontario law, no-pet clauses become unenforceable once you take possession of the unit. A landlord can include a no-pet clause in the lease, and you can even agree to it during the application process, but once you've moved in, the clause has no legal force. A landlord cannot evict you for having a pet unless the pet is causing actual damage to the property, excessive noise that disturbs other tenants, or severe allergic reactions in other building residents. The one exception to be aware of: if you're renting in a condominium, the condo corporation may have building-wide pet rules that are separate from your lease — those rules are enforceable because they come from the condo's declaration, not from the landlord-tenant agreement. Read our complete guide to renting with pets in Ontario.
• Damage deposits are illegal: Damage deposits, security deposits, pet deposits, and cleaning deposits are all illegal in Ontario. The only deposit a landlord can legally collect is last month's rent — and that deposit can only be applied to your final month's rent, not to repairs, cleaning, or damages. If a landlord asks for any type of deposit beyond last month's rent, they are violating the Residential Tenancies Act.
• Key deposits are limited to replacement cost: A landlord can charge a key deposit, but only up to the actual cost of replacing the keys or access fobs. They cannot use a key deposit as a disguised security deposit, and the deposit must be fully refunded when you return the keys at the end of your tenancy.
• Guest restrictions are unenforceable: Landlords cannot restrict who visits your unit, how often guests visit, or whether guests stay overnight. Clauses limiting overnight guests, requiring guest registration, or prohibiting guests entirely are unenforceable under the RTA. Your home is your home.
• Mandatory move-out clauses are void: A clause requiring you to vacate at the end of the lease term is void. In Ontario, leases automatically convert to month-to-month tenancy at the end of the fixed term under the same conditions. A landlord cannot force you to leave simply because the lease has ended — they need a valid legal reason and must follow the proper notice procedures set out in the RTA.

Your rental agent reviews the lease in detail before you sign to catch any problematic or illegal clauses. For a deeper dive into tenant protections and what landlords can and cannot legally do in Ontario, read our complete tenant rights guide.

Rent Control in Ontario

Rent control is one of the most misunderstood aspects of renting in Ontario, and it's critical that you understand how it applies to your specific unit before you sign the lease. Whether your unit is rent-controlled determines how much your landlord can increase your rent each year — and the difference between a controlled and uncontrolled unit can mean hundreds of dollars per month over the course of a multi-year tenancy.

Here's how rent control works in Ontario as of 2026:

• Units first occupied before November 15, 2018 are subject to rent control. This means the landlord can only increase your rent by the provincial rent increase guideline — which for 2026 is capped at 2.5%. For a $2,400 unit, that's a maximum increase of $60 per month per year. The guideline is set annually by the Ontario government and is typically tied to the Consumer Price Index (inflation). Rent can only be increased once every 12 months, and the landlord must provide at least 90 days' written notice.
• Units first occupied on or after November 15, 2018 are exempt from rent control. This includes most newly constructed condos and purpose-built rental buildings completed in the last several years. For these units, there is no cap on how much the landlord can increase your rent each year. The landlord can raise your rent by any amount, as long as they provide 90 days' written notice and only increase rent once every 12 months. In practice, this means a landlord could raise your rent from $2,400 to $2,800 or more in a single increase with no legal restriction.
• How to verify: Ask the landlord or property management company when the unit was first occupied — not when the building was constructed, but when the specific unit first had a tenant move in. This is the critical date. If they're vague, evasive, or can't provide a clear answer, that's a red flag worth investigating before signing. Your rental agent can help verify this information through property records, building permit databases, and building management inquiries.

The rent control exemption for post-November 2018 units is a major consideration for your long-term budget and housing stability. If you're renting a brand-new condo at $2,400 per month today, your rent could theoretically be raised to $2,700 or $2,900 next year with no legal limit. Factor potential rent increases into your long-term financial planning, especially if you intend to stay in the unit for multiple years.

For rent-controlled units, landlords can apply for an Above Guideline Increase (AGI) through the Landlord and Tenant Board if they've made significant capital improvements to the building — such as new elevators, roof replacement, major plumbing upgrades, or security system installations. AGIs are capped at an additional 3% per year on top of the guideline, and tenants have the right to attend the hearing and dispute the increase if they believe the capital expenditures are not justified or were not properly documented.

Understanding how rent control applies to your unit is essential to making a smart, financially sound rental decision. Read our comprehensive rent control guide for the full breakdown, including how AGIs work, how to challenge unreasonable increases, and how to verify whether your unit is covered.

What to Check During a Viewing

A viewing is your one chance to evaluate the unit in person before committing to a 12-month lease. Don't let excitement override your judgment. Even if the listing photos looked perfect and the location is exactly what you wanted, there are things you can only properly assess by physically being in the space. Bring this checklist with you to every viewing and take your time — a few extra minutes of inspection now can save you months of frustration later.

• Water pressure and hot water: Turn on the taps in the kitchen and bathroom — both hot and cold. Flush the toilet. Run the shower and check the pressure. Low water pressure is a common issue in older buildings and upper floors of high-rise condos, and it's something you'll have to live with for the entire lease. Also check how long it takes for hot water to arrive — in some buildings, you could be waiting 30 seconds or more, which adds up over time.
• Electrical outlets: Count the outlets in each room and test that they work by plugging in your phone charger. Older apartments in Toronto — particularly in pre-war buildings, converted houses, and some older low-rise buildings — may have very few outlets, which means you'll be relying heavily on power bars and extension cords. Check if there's a dedicated outlet near where you'd place your desk, nightstand, and any other essential electronics.
• Appliances: Open the fridge and freezer — check for frost buildup, unusual smells, and whether the temperature feels right. Turn on each stove burner and the oven. Run the dishwasher if there is one. Test the microwave. Note the age and condition of each appliance. Under Ontario law, the landlord is responsible for maintaining and replacing appliances that are included with the unit — but knowing their current condition helps you set expectations and document the state of things at move-in.
• Storage space: Open every closet and check the actual usable space — not all closets are created equal. Measure kitchen cabinet space if you're someone who cooks frequently. Toronto apartments, especially condos built in the last decade, are notoriously compact on storage. If there's no in-unit storage locker included and you have bikes, seasonal gear, luggage, or extra furniture, that's an additional cost you'll need to budget for.
• Cell phone signal: Check your phone signal strength in every room, especially the bedroom and any space where you'd set up a home office. Concrete high-rises and basement apartments can have terrible cell reception, and if you work from home or take calls regularly, weak signal is a dealbreaker that you absolutely need to test in person before signing.
• Noise levels: Stand quietly in the unit for a few minutes and listen. Can you hear traffic? Construction? Neighbours? Elevator machinery? The building's HVAC system? Visit at different times of day if possible — a unit that's quiet at 11 AM might be next to a loud bar, a busy streetcar line, or a construction site that operates from 7 AM to 7 PM. Ask the landlord or listing agent about any current or upcoming construction projects in the immediate area.
• Building common areas: Walk through the lobby, hallways, parking garage, laundry room, gym, and any other amenity spaces. Are they clean, well-maintained, and in good condition? The state of common areas tells you a lot about how the building is managed, the quality of the property management company, and what your day-to-day experience as a resident will actually feel like.
• Laundry facilities: If the unit doesn't have in-suite laundry, check the building's shared laundry room. How many machines are there relative to the number of units? Are they coin-operated, card-based, or app-based? What condition are they in? Shared laundry with too few working machines for the building means long waits, inconvenient scheduling, and general frustration.
• Security features: Check the front entrance — is there a secure buzzer system, video intercom, concierge, or key fob access? Are the parking garage and back entrances secured? For condos, ask about security cameras, building staff hours, and package delivery procedures. For houses and smaller buildings, check the quality of door locks, deadbolts, and whether the entrances are well-lit at night.
• Neighbourhood walkability: After the viewing, spend 10 to 15 minutes walking around the block. Check the proximity to TTC stops (subway, streetcar, or bus), grocery stores, pharmacies, parks, restaurants, and coffee shops. Use Google Maps to calculate your actual commute to work or school from the unit's front door during rush hour. The neighbourhood is just as important as the unit itself — you're not just renting an apartment, you're choosing where you'll live your daily life for the next year or more.

Signing the Lease

You've found the right unit, your application has been accepted, and now it's time to sign. This is the final and most important step in the rental process — do not rush through it, no matter how eager you are to lock down the unit. A lease is a legally binding contract for typically 12 months, and mistakes or oversights at this stage can be costly and difficult to undo once you've signed.

• Confirm it's the Ontario Standard Lease: As of 2018, all residential tenancies in Ontario must use the government-published Standard Lease form. The document has a specific format and structure that you'll recognize once you've seen it. If the landlord presents a custom lease, a document from another province, or anything that doesn't match the Standard Lease template, ask for the correct form. You have the legal right to it, and your rental agent will verify the lease format before you sign.
• Read every clause — including the fine print: Even with the Standard Lease, landlords can add custom terms in the "Additional Terms" section at the end of the document. Read every single word in this section carefully. Watch for clauses about pets, smoking, guests, early termination penalties, parking allocation, storage fees, and any maintenance responsibilities that might be shifted to you. If anything looks unusual, unclear, or potentially illegal, ask your agent to clarify before you sign. As discussed above, certain clauses are void under Ontario law even if you agree to them.
• Confirm the move-in date and lease term: Ensure the lease start date matches the move-in date you agreed upon during negotiations. If there's a gap between your current lease ending and the new one starting, you'll need to plan for temporary accommodation or storage — don't assume dates will just work out. If the move-in date needs to shift for any reason, get the new date confirmed in writing before you sign the lease.
• Verify all included amenities and utilities: Confirm in writing — within the lease itself — which utilities are included (hydro, water, heat, gas, internet), whether parking is included and at what cost, whether a storage locker is included, and exactly which appliances come with the unit. If anything was discussed or promised verbally during the viewing or negotiation process, make sure it's documented in the lease. Verbal promises are extremely difficult to enforce if a dispute arises later.
• Document the unit's condition thoroughly: Before or immediately after signing, do a complete walkthrough of the unit and document everything with high-resolution photos and video — every wall, every floor, every appliance, every window, every fixture, and every existing scratch, stain, dent, or mark. Send these photos and videos to the landlord by email so there's a dated, timestamped record that both parties have access to. This documentation is your single best protection at the end of your tenancy if the landlord tries to claim you caused pre-existing damage.
• Get absolutely everything in writing: Any agreements, promises, understandings, or commitments that aren't documented in the lease or in a signed, dated email effectively don't exist from a legal perspective. If the landlord promises to repair the dishwasher before you move in, get it in writing. If they say parking will be $200 per month with no increase during the lease term, confirm it in the lease. If they agree to paint the unit before your move-in date, get it in an email. Handshake deals and verbal commitments are unreliable — protect yourself with thorough documentation at every step.
• Set up utilities and insurance before move-in day: In the days before your move-in date, contact utility providers to set up hydro and any other accounts in your name. Arrange renter's insurance and have your proof of coverage ready to provide to the landlord or property management company — many buildings require it before they'll release keys or grant building access. Set up mail forwarding through Canada Post from your previous address. The more logistical items you handle in advance, the smoother and less stressful your move-in day will be.

Your rental agent walks you through the entire signing process, reviews the lease line by line, and ensures nothing is missed or overlooked. The goal is for you to sign with full confidence that every term is fair, legal, and exactly what was agreed upon during negotiations.