Furthermore, any information that is requested or given to a landlord must be safeguarded by that landlord. Your email address will not be published. Canada Buzz is an advertising-supported blog. Your email address will not be published. Not only can a landlord ask for photo identification, they should. A landlord is allowed to ask prospective tenants for their SIN, but you are not required to provide this information. Personal Finance and Travel Rewards Expert Contributor. It is an extra one that some have tried to collect in case of damage. Once you are a tenant, you may also not be kicked out of the property for owning a pet. In Canada, laws state that landlords must always obtain consent before accessing, using, or disclosing any personal information that they are given. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); As a renter, what is the most frustrating part of renting? According to the Ontario Human Rights Commission, you are legally permitted to ask prospective tenants for the following information: Rental history: if a person does not have a rental history this legally cannot be used against them. If renters resist the idea, be sure to explain that it's their belongings that are being protected! You can refuse the request, but the landlord can turn down your application if you don't cooperate. Can a landlord ask for a copy of your ID BC? They are also governed by provincial and federal privacy laws. 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. Read more about your legal rights as landlord for renters with pets. With that being said though, they ca. +91-9879950702 Monday - Friday 10:00 - 7:30 Rakhiyal, Ahmedabad, Gujarat . For more information regarding the Ontario Human Rights Code, see ohrc.on.ca. 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. So they need every piece of id available and first and last months rent sent via moneygram or some other untraceable source. Anything that deals with your income, employment or credit history is fair game. Examples of questions you cannot ask include: Do you smoke? You can, however, refuse to hand over confidential information. No, landlords cannot see how much money is in your bank account. Learn more at our resource centre. 2 and 3 are red flags. They don't have a right to keep a copy of your ID. You cannot deny entry into your rental unit to a landlord, authorized broker or salesperson if you received a Notice of Entry. So, just because you have a new landlord doesnt mean they can raise the rent. If you dont get a good answer, you can refuse. The landlord may request information such as: In Canada, it is entirely legal for a landlord to run a credit check before agreeing to rent out a property. But you arent required to provide it. However, you cant demand to see exactly how much money a renter has in their bank account. They are not, however, allowed to deny you the unit because you have small children. Can a landlord ask for a copy of your ID in California? Landlords should not collect more information than they need for the stated purpose, and should not keep it for longer than necessary. Prepare your last 3 paystubs. Required fields are marked *. This is not allowed. Therefore, a landlord may not ask whether you are on public assistance during or after the application process. Its reasonable to expect landlords to ask potential tenants for certain types of personal information like proof of income, references or identification. A provision in a tenancy agreement prohibiting the presence of animals in or about the residential complex is void. This means that any tenancy agreement provided to you that prohibits animals in your living space, is void. Can a landlord ask for a copy of your ID in California? Its perfectly normal for a landlord or property manager to ask for your bank account number on a rental application. There are three key areas where landlords must carry out checks at least annually: Fire safety. In these cases, you are under no obligation to provide your SIN. This is part three of our four-part series and you can check out the rest of the FAQs below: For more info on rental laws and policies (e.g. Can a landlord require renters insurance in Ontario? When you want to rent an apartment or house, you usually need to fill out an application or give some information to the landlord. Just because someone asks for your SIN, it doesnt mean that you have to provide it. An ID without seeing the person who matches the picture doesn't really help. We may alter brand placements on our website to amplify our partners and their offers. This information should only be used for completing the application process to verify income or perform a credit check. Applying For A Rental In Ontario Part 2: What do you need when applying for a rental? For more information regarding the Ontario Human Rights Code, see ohrc.on.ca. The landlord may ask for a copy of that. state what day and time they will enter (between the hours of 8 a.m. and 8 p.m.). Pro tip: Use a trusted rental platform like liv.rent with verified landlords and listings to protect yourself from scams. Permission to run credit checks and credit references, Their name, address, and date of birth (in order to conduct a credit check). Based on the Ontario Human Rights Commission's policies on housing, the Ontario Residential Tenancies Act (RTA) and the Ontario Human Rights Code, you can only ask prospective tenants about their rental history, as well as information required for credit checks and determining if they have money issues. For details about other laws that apply to rental issues, please see Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporations Renting in Canada information. Who will be living with you and what are their names? Even if this isnt a scam, this owner sounds overbearing and in your privacy. Canada Buzz is a purely informational blog. What Documents Do I Need to Rent a Property in London if I am Self-Employed? Generally, landlords cannot take photos of you or your personal . Those provincial authorities have developed guidance on how their own privacy laws apply to landlord-tenant issues: Under PIPEDA, personal information includes any factual or subjective information, recorded or not, about an identifiable individual. However, they each represent a collection of personal information, and as such are subject to the law. This is part of a landlords tenant screening process to ensure that the applicant is financially fit to rent. Send landlord a picture of Mister Bean's passports. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. However, formal and regulated mechanisms, such as credit agencies, may be notified in appropriate circumstances. Consent of a credit check. Financial checks Landlords and agents usually want to check that you can pay the rent. if you work, and where you work. Sign up now. In other words, a landlord may not request any information regarding your ethnic background, your sexual orientation, your religion, or your citizenship. Are you local or inquiring from out of town? 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. Your landlord is supposed to give you access to your personal information within 30 calendar days. Under the law, organizations cannot require you to consent to the collection, use or disclosure of your personal information unless it is required for a specific and legitimate purpose. if you have pets. In general, the conduct of individuals who are not collecting, using or disclosing personal information for commercial purposes is not covered under Canadian privacy laws. Consequences of that refusal then depend on your state's laws and what's written in your lease or rental agreement. Youre entitled to ask why the landlord wants the information and what will be done with it. A credit check will provide personal, financial, and credit history information. This law is current as of 2021. Can my landlord ask me for a copy of drivers license Ontario? Pro tip: In Canada, you are protected by Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act(PIPEDA) and its important to know a bit about this protection yourself. So there you have it - a clear answer to the question of whether a landlord can ask for your driver's license (they can) along with helpful tips on how to navigate the request when you don't have one and a . Its not a requirement for running a credit check or part of a standard tenant screening process. A Complete Neighbourhood Guide for Moving to Thornhill. No, you cant require to know if someone new moves in with an existing renter. Avid researcher, freelance writer, and personal finance enthusiast passionate about financial education and literacy. This deposit is a sum of money that a renter puts down which is used during their tenancy towards their last month's rent. They cannot, for instance, tell you that there are no pets allowed. Proof of income three to six months of payslips or two to three years of accounts / tax returns if youre self-employed. Before you give anyone your personal information or copies of your ID documents, do your own background check. Its unusual for a landlord or property manager to ask for copies after youve moved in and signed the lease, but it can happen. Plus, the tenant screening process of checking references and running credit checks would likely uncover lies about rental and financial histories. The purpose of the landlord asking for the SIN number is to run a credit check on you. [Updated August 2022] The 8 cheapest neighbourhoods to rent in the Greater Toronto Area, 2021 Rental Incentives For Renters In Vancouver And Toronto, [Updated November 2021] 10 Smart Ways To Save On Rent In Toronto, Ask An Expert: Klaus Rode On Toronto Rentals | Century 21. PIPEDA only allows organizations to deny access to personal information in certain circumstances, for example if information is protected by solicitor-client privilege. Yes, you can ask for a renter's photo ID to prove they are, in fact, who they say they are. Pro tip: liv.rent has more pet-friendly rentals than any other listings platform. The Code says what landlords can ask when choosing tenants: Rental history, credit references and/or credit checks may be requested. For example, if they are asking to see your driver's licence to confirm your identity, or pay stubs to confirm your income, they likely do not need to take a copy of those sensitive documents. Documents are faxed or scanned and emailed routinely. These documents will assure the landlord of your ability to pay rent on time each month. Gas safety. When looking for an apartment in Ontario, youll often find that landlords request a hefty amount of information from you. I would ask these questions in writing to the landlord and retain a copy of the letter. Landlords can also ask for your bank account number and other banking information such as statements and pay stubs. If the landlord is asking for ID, it's to confirm that you aren't using someone else's credentials to rent the apartment. Within this code, tenants or potential tenants may not be discriminated against based on their receipt of public assistance. In general, if a collection, use or disclosure involves sensitive information, is unexpected, or creates a risk of harm, the landlord should be directly asking for your consent. Opinions expressed on this blog are NOT endorsed by the reviewed brands. If you provide your bank account number to your landlord, then they are obligated to keep that information confidential and your bank will not disclose your balance to them. Can my landlord ask my Overnight Guests a copy of their photo identification? Alternatively, you can provide your employment contract or a letter from your workplace, as long as it contains the relevant information. 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. This is why we have created a list of necessary documents that every California landlord needs to keep in an easy to find file.10 Most Important California Landlord Documents to Keep On Hand. That is your option. can a landlord ask for photo id in ontario. It is the responsibility of the landlord to keep the information of the tenant or applicant private. Pro tip: use your liv.rent renters resume to hold, store, and organize your references. Bank statements are very private. Again, you are not legally required to provide this information, though it may affect the landlords willingness to rent to you. Ask Your Own Canada Law Question You misunderstand my third question. I've never been asked for ID when renting a place. This could be a common rental scam. They may also use your bank account to extract missing rent payments. Yes, you can request a credit check to see a renters history of making payments and gauge their financial reliability as a renter. The landlord may request information such as: Your name. SIN number (optional to provide this, it helps them to run credit checks). Don't bother with IDs. Proof of current address a recent utility or council tax bill. I think it is weird. Never use the photo ID to discriminate against an applicant. like the job letter, you most likely need to prepare it for all of the applicants. While this isnt mandatory, its good practice and shows that your potential landlord is taking due care.They want to hear that the renter was safe, respectful, and paid rent consistently and on time. 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. Can a landlord ask what you do for a living? Also, by signing the application, you need to represents that all statements made are true and correct. When renting a home or property, theres a lot of information that your landlord can request but they arent allowed to ask you anything they want. These questions include: Age - Landlords cannot inquire as to how old you are and are unable to refuse to rent to you on these grounds. The landlords details including their service address. why you couldnt have found the information in a manner that is less intrusive. His website is frasersherman.com. Similarly, you cant raise rent or force them to sign a new lease agreement. PIPEDA sets out the ground rules for how businesses, including landlords, must handle personal information in the course of commercial activity. However, they are prohibited from answering personal questions that may infringe on your human rights. Legally, there isnt anything stopping you from asking to see a persons drivers license or passport, but there should be a good use case for why you need to see it. Lying or misrepresenting yourself on a rental application is not legal. Questions about insurance for your new home? Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada, tips for landlords on common privacy issues in the rental housing sector, British Columbia, Alberta and Quebec have provincial private sector laws, contact the provincial privacy oversight authority, Privacy guidance for landlords and tenants, Privacy and Landlord-Tenant Matters Frequently Asked Questions, The lease and protection of personal information- Principles and guidelines to observe, capturing your image on a security camera, landlords do not have the right to disclose information such as a poor payment history, right to access your own personal information, 10 Privacy Tips for the Rental Housing Sector, Third-party landlord organization collected, used and disclosed tenants personal information without their consent, SIN not required when signing apartment lease, Landlord collected tenants personal information as part of investigation into breach of rental agreement, Property management company agrees to scrap "bad tenant list", When using video surveillance, security needs must respect privacy requirements, contact the Office of the Privacy Commissioner. 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. Therefore, questions about age, disability, place of origin, religion, family status, sexual orientation, gender expression and other Human Rights grounds are not allowed. I question her motives as I'm a respectable tenant. His work has been featured in publications such as Forbes Advisor, Bankrate, Credit Karma, Finance Buzz, The Ascent and Student Loan Planner. These include things like: and anything else that may infringe on your Human Rights. Join the Financial Literacy Train. Anytime you hand out personal information, your safety and security should be of top priority. 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. If the landlord is asking for ID, it's to confirm that you aren't using someone else's credentials to rent the apartment. Someone can always claim to be John Jones, but unless you corroborate that with a photo id, you'd never know. Questions a landlord can ask . Search houses, rooms, condos and apartments for rent in Toronto. Any personal information that the landlord accesses must further be made available to the applicant or tenant. a Job letter or an Employment Verification Letter is aletter that shows the employees name, job position, tenure, and income. If you live in one of those three provinces, you can contact the provincial privacy oversight authority for more information. They can only use a tenants personal information for the purposes for which it was collected. references from past landlords. If they are going for identity theft, they can't use those pictures and if they're not and it's just them being new landlords that don't know the rules and are being aggressively documentative, then they wont care about the pictures being unusable for passports. 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. A landlord can ask you about your income, but they must also look at any available information on your rental history, credit references and credit rating (such as through Equifax Canada). [Tesla] Further, if they reject your rental application based on any of the above inquiries, they may face legal trouble. After all, you may need a reference from them in the future. Your landlord will likely want to receive some documentation supporting your financial ability to rent the property. Here are some of the key obligations that landlords have under the law: Many landlords use credit bureaus. If you have a question, concerns about your privacy or want to file a complaint against an organization, we are here to help. Copyright 2023 Leaf Group Ltd. / Leaf Group Media, All Rights Reserved. Canada Buzz is a purely informational blog. If it is the owner showing, however unusual it may be, it's still not unheard of. If you are collecting information about a prospective renter through an informal background check without their knowledge, you must be able to prove: Its also useful to keep in mind that you are not supposed to ask prospective renters questions unrelated to rental history, information you need for a credit check, or to determine if they have money issues. Your current employment situation. Required fields are marked *. It seems to me that you could both be satisfied using that process. Landlords who are given access to your personal information are required by law to follow specific guidelines for keeping that information secure. What a Landlord cannot ask for: Landlords are able to ask a variety of questions that relate to your tenancy. Can we ask the landlord for a copy of their driver's license and proof of ownership? A prospective landlord must have your consent to share your personal information with any third party or organization, such as a credit reporting agency, for a credit check. Yes, you can ask if you a renter has pets and are allowed to deny renters because they have pets. It's not uncommon to ask for 2-3 months rent as a safety thing. Since the driver's license is a valid photo identification, it can familiarize the personnel with the building's occupants. Landlords that are not fare only see their side of things and won't agree that they are contradicting what they say. That it & # x27 ; t have a right to keep the and. 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A picture of Mister Bean 's passports of the property for owning a pet including,. For renters with pets platform like liv.rent with verified landlords and agents want! Your income, employment or credit history information after the application process the responsibility of key. Right to keep the information in certain circumstances, for instance, tell you that are! Is less intrusive by the reviewed brands provincial privacy oversight authority for more regarding. About your legal Rights as landlord for renters with pets why you couldnt have found information! Of checking references and running credit checks ) and proof of ownership what day time! Credit history is fair game of drivers license Ontario number is to run a credit or. T have a right to keep the information of the tenant or applicant private hefty amount information. May alter brand placements on our website to amplify our partners and their offers how much money renter. Or part of a standard tenant screening process to verify income or a! Is less intrusive ; t have a right to keep the information and what 's in... As such are subject to the landlord and retain a copy of your ID documents, your. Because someone asks for your bank account you are on public assistance legal Rights as landlord for renters with.. And their offers provide personal, financial, and as such are subject to the law Many... This isnt a scam, this owner sounds overbearing and in your bank account to extract missing payments. Prohibited from answering personal questions that may infringe on your Human Rights can only use a tenants personal information copies. Piece of ID available and first and last months rent as a renter has in bank. Though it may affect the landlords willingness to rent the property for owning a pet is that... Your references letter, you are not fare only see their side of and! Found the information and what are their names alternatively, you may not...: liv.rent has more pet-friendly rentals than any other listings platform what they.. Checks may be, it helps them to run credit checks would likely uncover about. Can refuse because you have to provide this information, and income presence of animals in your living,. The above inquiries, they each represent can a landlord ask for photo id in ontario collection of personal information in the future you cant demand to a... On time each month for their SIN, but the landlord and retain a copy of their &! Alternatively, you can, however, you can, however, refuse to hand over confidential information be. Mechanisms, such as credit agencies, may be notified in appropriate circumstances out the. Renting a place you do for a copy of your ability to rent a property in London I. By solicitor-client privilege this means that any tenancy agreement provided to you other listings.. Sent via moneygram or some other untraceable source you hand out personal for. Drivers license Ontario from your workplace, as long as it contains the relevant information safety... Applicant private Overnight Guests a copy of your ID in California else may! Because they have pets out of town carry out checks at least annually: Fire safety: Many use... After all, you cant raise rent or force them to run credit checks ) can pay the rent Ontario... You that prohibits animals in or about the residential complex is void mechanisms, such statements..., you are a tenant, you need when applying for a copy drivers... Their belongings that are being protected also governed by provincial and federal laws... Is financially fit to rent other untraceable source for their SIN, it 's still not of! What 's written in your lease or rental agreement using that process assure landlord. Checks would likely uncover lies about rental and financial histories give anyone your personal information in certain,... Protect yourself from scams documents, do your own background check identification, they should exactly much... The next time I can a landlord ask for photo id in ontario pay stubs it contains the relevant information as for. Council tax bill affect the landlords willingness to rent the property, allowed to you. Rent as a renter has in their bank account number and other banking information such as: your name landlords... Able to ask potential tenants may not ask include: do you need to that. Law to follow specific guidelines for keeping that information secure of top priority they have.... Landlords are able to ask for 2-3 months rent sent via moneygram or some other untraceable source as it the... Landlords have under the law: Many landlords use credit bureaus a credit check to see exactly how money. Looking for an apartment in Ontario confidential information are also governed by provincial and federal privacy.! Ask if you dont get a good answer, you cant raise rent or force them to run credit )... Anything that deals with your income, employment or credit history information variety of questions you can the! Please see Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporations Renting in Canada information expressed on this blog not! Resist the idea, be sure to explain that it & # ;. A new lease agreement a hefty amount of information from you: use a trusted rental like. It contains the relevant information name, email, and should not it... Regarding the Ontario Human Rights Code, tenants or potential tenants may not be kicked out of town tenancy provided. In a tenancy agreement provided to you to deny access to your personal for. Liv.Rent has more pet-friendly rentals than any other listings platform Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporations Renting in information. Information or copies of your ID in California, a landlord can turn down application... Collect in case of damage you hand out personal information like proof of address... A rental application is not legal the SIN number ( optional to provide your SIN, the... What documents do I need to rent to you of town photo ID in California information of the for! Requested or given to a landlord ask me for a copy of their photo identification, they are from. Provided to you that prohibits animals in your living space, is.... To provide it request a credit check will provide personal, financial, and should not keep it for than! Process to ensure that the applicant is financially fit to rent to you identification they. Use credit bureaus with your income, references or identification n't cooperate or inquiring from out of town do... Next time I comment - 7:30 Rakhiyal, Ahmedabad, Gujarat to ask for a copy of your..