Discover essential off-campus living resources, including checklists, templates and guides crafted to empower you with knowledge of your tenant rights and ensure a positive living experience beyond campus.
Use this checklist to help you evaluate the properties you view. Taking lots of photos will also help you remember each apartment's features since you will most likely view multiple communities.
- House search checklist (PDF)
Below is a helpful list of questions you should ask the landlord or property manager when considering a new apartment:
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If you are interested in subletting or assigning your off-campus apartment or house, check out the resources below provided by the Community Legal Education Ontario (CLEO):
- What does subletting mean?
- What does assigning mean?
- Can all tenants sublet or assign their places?
- Do I need my landlord's permission to sublet or assign?
- Can my landlord charge me a fee if I want to sublet or assign my place?
- Can my landlord refuse to let me sublet or assign?
- What can I do if my landlord refuses to let me assign at all or does not respond to me?
- What can I do if I have other problems with assigning or subletting?
- Where can I get legal help?
Use this worksheet to calculate your income and expenses and find your ideal price range while searching for your off-campus apartment.
- Student budget (PDF)
Additionally, Tenant's insurance (also called renter's insurance) is not always required, but is always the safest route to go when it comes to protecting your home and belongings from risks like theft, fire, loss, damages, and much more.
Click here to learn more about tenant's insurance options or to get a quote.
Who you live with may be even more important than where you live. Think through the decision of whether you want to have roommates and who your roommates will be. The following resources will help with getting started in your search, as well as maintain positive relationships with your roommate(s):
Whether you've just finished your spring semester, you graduated, or are leaving for other reasons, it’s time for the inevitable: moving out of your college apartment. Avoid some move-out day stress by following these tips:
Giving Notice
Many landlords require 60 days' notice prior to moving out, which can be done by submitting a Notice to End Tenancy Form to your landlord, which you can find here or by calling Community Legal Education Ontario at 1‑888‑332‑3234.
Movers
You can find recommendations on the five best moving companies in Toronto from MovingWaldo, a free moving concierge service.
Get a Storage Unit
Try to get a storage unit ahead of time if you’re not immediately moving into a new apartment. This is one of those things that will ease your mind during the move-out, and you'll have somewhere to put your belongings, or just a few extra items you don't have room for, for the time being. Find storage space near you and compare pricing by FindStorageFast.com.
Need Help?
If you have any concerns or are unsure about your rights as a tenant, browse through the Landlord & Tenant Board's resources for helpful information on tenant's rights. If your landlord wants you to move out or you have questions about evictions, visit the Community Legal Education Ontario website.
For more helpful tips and tricks for an organized move, check out these 5 Tips for Moving into your First Apartment from the Apartments.com Renterverse.
The Residential Tenancies Act (RTA) is an Ontario law that gives landlords and tenants specific rights and responsibilities. Follow the links below from the Ontario Government's website to learn more about your rights and responsibilities as a tenant:
- Eviction rules
- Easy-to-understand leases
- Who’s protected by rental rules
- Rent increase limits
- Where to get help
Sample Ontario Lease
Click here to see a sample of a standard Ontario lease (also called a residential tenancy agreement) from the Ontario Government along with a guide available in multiple languages to help landlords and tenants understand and sign their lease.
Be sure to read your entire lease before signing and if anything is unclear or you have any questions, ask your landlord! If you are unsure about the rights and responsibilities reflected in the lease, you can also reach out to the Landlord and Tenant's Board (LTB) at 416-645-8080 or the Federation of Metro Tenants’ Associations (FMTA) at 416-921-9494.
Rent Increases
As you search for your new home, it's important to know your rights as a tenant when it comes to rental increases, especially if you plan to renew your lease in the future. In most cases, your landlord can only raise your rent each year by a certain percentage.
Follow the links below to learn about rent increase requirements:
Sample Forms
- Forms for Tenants
These are sample documents for tenants. If you don't see the form you are looking for or need more information about which application to file, visit Help for Tenants. - Forms for Landlords
Browse sample notices and documents which can be used by landlords to alert residents of rental increases, failure to complete payments, permission to sublet, and more.
Trouble Paying Rent?
There are a few different things your landlord can do if they think you have not paid all your rent. Use CLEO's Eviction Solution Explorer for free to learn what you can do if your landlord wants to evict you because you owe rent.
Visit the Steps to Justice website for more information on what your landlord can do if you owe rent.
Need Support or Assistance?
If you have questions related to your tenancy or rights and responsibilities, you can contact the following organizations:
The Federation of Metro Tenant's Associations (FMTA):
Telephone: 416-921-9494
Email: hotline@torontotenants.org
Website: torontotenants.org
Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
The Centre for Immigrant and Community Services (CICS):
Phone: 416-292-7510 ext. 118 / 416-940-3308
Email: housing.support@cicscanada.com
Text/Whatsapp: 647-473-2065
WeChat: 1-647-473-2065
Instagram | Facebook
Website: cicscanada.com
Need Legal Guidance?
The Ontario Legal Information Centre offers a free 30-minute meeting with a lawyer to anyone in Ontario by telephone or in person at their Ottawa office in any area of law in English or French. Click here to make an appointment.
The Community Legal Education Ontario (CLEO) and the Federation of Metro Tenants Associations (FMTA) provide extensive databases with helpful information for renters on maintenance, pest control requirements and more:
- Who is Responsible for Repairs & Maintenance?
- Maintenance & Repairs FAQs
- CLEO Maintenance & Repairs Booklet (PDF)
- Pest Identification and Treatment Options (PDF)
Additional Resources