A big part of my work is leasing: helping tenants find the right home, and helping landlords find a reliable tenant and set the lease up properly.
For tenants
- Searches for homes for lease that match your budget, area and move-in date.
- Showings, and a strong rental application: what landlords usually ask for, and how to present it.
- The offer to lease and the lease explained line by line before you sign.
- Newcomer with no Canadian credit history yet? We plan how to show you’re a reliable tenant. See newcomers to Canada.
For landlords
- A rent recommendation based on comparable homes recently leased nearby.
- Listing on the MLS® system, showings, and screening of applications.
- An Ontario standard lease prepared correctly, with the deposits the law allows.
- Clear documentation at move-in.
Ontario rules worth knowing
- Most residential tenancies signed on or after April 30, 2018 must use Ontario’s standard lease.
- A landlord can ask for a rent deposit and a key deposit, both limited by law. Damage deposits and pet deposits are not allowed.
- The rent increase guideline is 2.1% for 2026 and 1.9% for 2027. Rent can usually go up once every 12 months, with 90 days’ written notice.
- Units first occupied for residential purposes after November 15, 2018 (the date anyone first lived in the unit, not the date you moved in) are exempt from the guideline.
Want more detail? Read renting in Ontario: the standard lease, deposits and rent increases.
Leasing a space for a business instead? See commercial leasing.
Frequently asked questions
Do tenants pay you?
Usually the landlord pays the leasing commission, but it depends on the agreement. If you’d pay anything as a tenant, I tell you in writing before you sign.
Can a landlord ask for a damage deposit in Ontario?
No. Under Ontario’s standard lease guide, deposits the law doesn’t allow, such as damage or pet deposits, are void and unenforceable. A rent deposit and a key deposit are allowed, within legal limits.
Sources (official pages, checked October 3, 2026)
- Ontario – Guide to Ontario’s standard lease
- Ontario – Residential rent increases (2026 guideline 2.1%)
- Ontario – Renting in Ontario: your rights (2027 guideline 1.9%)
Programs and limits change, often at budget time. Confirm the current rules on the official page before you rely on them.
Talk to me in English or Arabic: call or text (647) 465-3710, message me on WhatsApp, or email Mohieddinrealtor@gmail.com.
General information only – not financial, legal or mortgage advice. Please consult a licensed professional about your own situation.