can a landlord ask for photo id in ontario

Section 10 of the Residential Tenancies Act states that all landlords must comply with the Human Rights Code. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); As a renter, what is the most frustrating part of renting? This helps them verify that you actually have a bank account and youre able to cover the rent. if you have pets. The Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada (OPC) generally recommends that individuals do not give the SIN to a private-sector organization unless there is a legal requirement to do so. They cannot, for instance, tell you that there are no pets allowed. Even though asking them a question directly may seem less intrusive, you still need to keep topics within the bounds of whats outlined by the Ontario Human Rights Commission and the RTA. A landlord can ask questions related to the tenancy so long as they don't . All of that is fine (goes to identity verification) except for age & pets. Can a tenant refuse entry to landlord Ontario during Covid? This website contains ads and affiliate links and we may receive compensation when you click any of these links. Access to your Banking records if you have Open Banking. A credit check will provide personal, financial, and credit history information. Your email address will not be published. For more information, see our resources on privacy and Social Insurance Numbers. What is a landlord allowed to ask for on a rental application? They are not allowed to do so per the Ontario Human Rights Code. Most landlords and referencing agencies require tenants to provide bank statements as proof of income and rent payments. Credit bureaus collect, use and disclose personal information through their consumer credit reports. 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. If you are applying for more than one adult, The landlord may want to see everyones job letter. Dine in only, [Amazon.ca] Landlords should get consent for obtaining and providing reference and/or background checks. Your email address will not be published. Full-time employees will be required to provide payslips from their current employer. 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. Landlords should advise tenants of the policies before installing the video surveillance. Worth noting: you cant ask someone if they smoke, but you can still include in the lease agreement that the property being rented is non-smoking. Never hand out personal information to someone that you do not trust. Just signing, agreeing, and the money. They may also use your bank account to extract missing rent payments. It seems to me that you could both be satisfied using that process. You cannot deny entry into your rental unit to a landlord, authorized broker or salesperson if you received a Notice of Entry. Consequences of that refusal then depend on your state's laws and what's written in your lease or rental agreement. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts, https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/canadian-passports/photos.html. Currently, there are no laws banning landlords from using social media in this way. Documents are faxed or scanned and emailed routinely. Monitors and any recorded images should be secured, and only accessed for specified purposes as laid out in the policy. Build your investment portfolio and save on fees. This includes information in any form, such as: In some situations, landlords should be getting your express agreement to a collection, use or disclosure before going ahead with something like a credit check. Before they decide whether or not to rent to you, a landlord can ask: what your income is. Some landlords may also ask for your drivers license, passport, employer, income and expenses on a rental application. Some organizations ask for the SIN for reasons unrelated to income reporting purposes. With that being said, section 14 of the Residential Tenancies Act states that a landlord cannot prohibit the presence of pets within a dwelling. Learn more at our resource centre. This information should only be used for completing the application process to verify income or perform a credit check. A credit report has a credit score which could be a number from 300(very poor) to 900(Excellent). They can reveal a lot about how you live your life. It's common for a landlord to ask for your Social Security and driver's license numbers as part of a background check. To clarify, a landlord can ask for your SIN when completing an application to rent a property or negotiating a lease with a landlord, according to the Government of Canadas website. Do not send a copy of passport/ID. Can I require that? They may also request your social insurance number. If an applicants personal information isnt collected or shared the right way, or their privacy is breached, you as a property owner can be held liable. Yes, landlords can refuse to rent to people in Ontario as long as theyre following the Ontario Human Rights Code and Residential Tenancies Act, which afford renters some protections against discrimination based on age, race, family status et cetera. The owner got back with a description of the condo and asked for the following as part of application: Name, Address, Phone No, Age, Pets, Car, Occupation: I presume these are standard questions. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Not only can a landlord ask for photo identification, they should. What information do I need to give to a new tenant? Just because someone asks for your SIN, it doesnt mean that you have to provide it. Can a landlord ask for 3 months rent in advance in Ontario? I would avoid if you can. One exception is in condos where any strata rules banning pets are upheld. This means that there are laws surrounding what a landlord can and cannot ask you. The landlord may ask for a copy of that. Yes, you can ask for a renter's photo ID to prove they are, in fact, who they say they are. Therefore, a landlord may not ask whether you are on public assistance during or after the application process. Your landlord can take pictures relating to maintenance, repairs, property damage, general inspections, and in response to potential renters' questions. , Proof of Income (Bank Statement or Salary Slips). How to protect yourself from rental scams in Canada? Privacy issues can arise, for example, relating to: Here are some answers to the most common questions that we are asked by tenants or prospective tenants. They need to provide individuals with access to the personal information that they hold about them and allow them to challenge its accuracy. Your Social Insurance Number is a confidential number used for income reporting purposes. 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. Lets look at the standard rental application process in Canada and go over some things that your landlord can and cannot legally ask you. So, for example, a landlord could refuse you an apartment because they feel like your income isnt sufficient enough to afford the rent. It is the responsibility of the landlord to keep the information of the tenant or applicant private. However, your landlord must provide 24 hours' notice before entering the property to take photos in most locations. Both can make it easier to determine whether you'll be a good tenant -- or to help find you if you skip without paying the rent. Also a landlord cannot demand postdated cheques. Personal Finance and Travel Rewards Expert Contributor. Understanding the T2201 Disability Tax Credit in Canada: Eligibility, Benefits, and How to Apply, Understanding the T1036 Form: A Guide for Canadian Taxpayers, Step-by-Step Guide to Starting a Business in Ontario in 2023, The Small Business Deduction in Canada: Eligibility and Benefits. Generally, landlords cannot take photos of you or your personal . In Ontario, it is not normal for a landlord to ask for a post-dated check, and the tenant is not under any obligation to provide one if the landlord asks. It's not uncommon to ask for 2-3 months rent as a safety thing. Your landlord can also receive a credit check if you provide your full name and birthday. The Act also states that anything in a lease that violates the Act is void. I dont see the big deal.. many high rise apartment buildings do the same. Your email address will not be published. Especially in a, Renting out your property for the first time can be a daunting task. For a landlord, taking you on as a tenant is a gamble. Any information regarding your marital status, family status, or sexual orientation, Your race, ethnic background, or religion. Can we ask the landlord for a copy of their driver's license and proof of ownership? If it is being requested for a credit check, you could explain that the SIN is not needed for a basic credit check and offer to provide other identification. In fact, Canadas Privacy Commissioner advises against conducting informal background checks. disclosure of tenant information to third parties. Informal checks such as looking at your Facebook page or Twitter feed, or asking another landlord about you are a collection of personal information and, therefore, privacy laws apply. To determine that you have been in good standing with previous landlords, a new landlord may request a references to ensure there is no history of late or unpaid rental payments, damages to previous properties in your name, or other important circumstances to consider relating to your tenant record. If they are just naive landlords, they'll likely just stop asking for it. Maybe it's their way of weeding out people who are not serious? Can I Buy Houses Then Rent Them Out Without a Real Estate License? Can landlords ask for Sin Number Ontario? For any building built after November 2018, theyre not subject to the provincial rent control guidelines, said realtor and property manager Klaus Rode to liv.rent for our Ask An Expert series. Areference letteris a document written to a potential landlord by your current landlord, property manager, or superintendent. A landlord can ask, however, for the names of all people who will be living at the rental, and can require all adults to sign the lease or rental agreement. Anyone else feel like life here is going nowhere? Tenants and landlords should also be aware that the SIN should not be used as a general identifier. That seems reasonable to me. This means that, unless an organization can demonstrate that your SIN is required by law, or that no alternative identifier would suffice to complete the transaction, you cannot be denied a product or service on the grounds of your refusal to provide your SIN. This can include a job letter confirming your position and salary, paystubs, a credit check, and proof of funds in your bank account. However, if a landlord and tenant decide on a mode of payment, you can not alter this agreement until both parties agree. A credit check will give the prospective landlord information about your ability to pay the rent. His website is frasersherman.com. Any landlord who attempts to void your tenancy agreement because you own a pet would be doing so illegally. Required fields are marked *. What's the issue unless you have something to hide? And, theyre allowed to ask whether you have pets or smoke. Proof of identity a driving licence or passport. Pay stubs. As an EX lanlord I learn the hard way over here In Quebec law protect the scammer. Yes, you can require renters insurance as long as there is a condition in your lease that states as such. Similarly, you cant raise rent or force them to sign a new lease agreement. Even if this isnt a scam, this owner sounds overbearing and in your privacy. 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. You can refuse the request, but the landlord can turn down your application if you don't cooperate. In these cases, you are under no obligation to provide your SIN. The landlord must also make a reasonable effort to ensure that you understand how the information will be used or disclosed. While most landlords in Ontario are not able to evict you for owning a pet, they are allowed to reject your rental application for owning a pet. You don't have to provide that ID but he doesn't have to rent you the apartment either. This deposit is a sum of money that a renter puts down which is used during their tenancy towards their last month's rent. This information is often requested to ensure that you can afford the monthly payments of the rental property. Pets is a weird one when it comes to condos. Landlords should not collect more information than they need for the stated purpose, and should not keep it for longer than necessary. Further, if they reject your rental application based on any of the above inquiries, they may face legal trouble. Prior to signing, a pet deposit or monthly pet fee can be discussed with the landlord and negotiated. The most basic tenancy agreement for an AST must include: Theres no set credit score necessary to rent an apartment or house; the criteria for approval will vary depending on the property, location, landlord and other factors. If you have a question, concerns about your privacy or want to file a complaint against an organization, we are here to help. So while a tenant can technically turn away an applicant for having a pet, they legally arent supposed to. Is the Economist Intelligence Unit credible? In the clamber of finding a new residence, youll want to be sure your potential new landlord isnt asking questions beyond the scope of your ability to finance and care for the property. Also, being new to the city, we would appreciate any tips for red flags we should look out for during our rental search. Looking for the right auto insurance plan? Fraser Sherman has written about bankruptcy law, real estate law, tax law, business law and several other categories. Sign up now. Lots of people renting out condos posing as a tenant then listing them on air bnb, resulting in property damage and violations of the condo laws. No. Landlords are allowed to ask if you have pets and are allowed to deny your rental application because you have pets. It's illegal to discriminate against tenants based on demographics -- for example, because of race, color, religion or nationality. 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