Residential Lease Application

Start Your Residential Rental/Lease Search

Whether you’re looking to lease a home, office, retail, or commercial space, getting started is simple when it’s done right from the beginning.

📘 Step 1: Meet your REALTOR® & review the RECO Guide

Sit down with your REALTOR® to talk about your budget, timing, and ideal home. Before providing services or advice, they must give you the RECO Information Guide and explain your options for representation under TRESA, including what it means to be a client vs. a self-represented party.

📝 Step 2: Sign a representation agreement (if you choose to be a client)

If you decide to be represented, you’ll sign a written representation agreement with a brokerage. This sets out the services you’ll receive, the duties owed to you, how the brokerage is paid, and how long the agreement lasts. You can hire a REALTOR® for:

One specific property, or
One neighbourhood/city, or
One type of property (for example, condos or townhomes).

If you are using a REALTOR®, visit properties only with that REALTOR®, so they can arrange and track all showings for you.

📂 Step 3: Get pre-qualified & gather documents

To make your application stronger and speed things up, organize:

Government-issued photo ID.
Proof of income (all legal sources – employment letter, recent pay stubs, or NOA/tax returns)
Full credit report with score
Landlord and personal references
Basic information for everyone who will live in the unit

Landlords commonly use these documents to look at ability to pay and past tenancy history under the Residential Tenancies Act (RTA).

🏡 Step 4: Search, view homes, and ask questions

Your REALTOR® helps you find rental options that match your budget and needs, then book showings. Use those visits to:

Check the condition of the unit
Confirm what’s included in rent (parking, utilities, locker, internet, etc.)
Clarify any condo rules or house policies

Step 5: Application: “tenant” vs. “occupant”

On your rental application, list all adults who will live in the home.

Tenants sign the lease and are legally responsible for rent and damages.
Occupants live in the unit but are not on the lease.

The RTA and Landlord and Tenant Board (LTB) make distinctions between tenants and other occupants such as spouses, children, or roommates.

Step 6: Landlord review, credit checks, and screening

The landlord reviews applications, verifies income, checks references, and may order a credit/background report. Screening should be based on lawful factors such as:

Credit history
Verifiable income
Tenancy history and references

Landlords cannot refuse to rent to you for reasons protected by the Ontario Human Rights Code (for example, family status, disability, or source of lawful income).

📄 Step 7: Offer to Lease & Ontario Standard Lease

If a landlord chooses your application, your REALTOR® helps prepare an Offer to Lease / Agreement to Lease. Once terms are accepted, the parties sign Ontario’s Standard Form of Lease, required for most private residential rentals.

The standard lease becomes your contract and sets out:

Rent and how it’s paid
Which services and utilities are included
Rules about maintenance, smoking, pets, assignment/subletting, and more

Any extra terms cannot remove rights you have under the RTA.

💰 Step 8: Deposits, insurance & move-in details

Under Ontario law, a landlord can only ask for:

A rent deposit (usually last month’s rent), capped at one rental period. It must be used for your final month’s rent and cannot be a damage deposit.
A key deposit, which must be refundable and no more than the actual cost of replacing keys/fobs.

Many landlords also require proof of tenant liability insurance.

Once the lease is signed and deposits are paid, you should receive a copy of the lease and confirm:

Key hand-off
Any elevator bookings (for condos)
Utility account set-up and move-in date/time

⚖️ Step 9: Know your rights after move-in

During the tenancy, the Residential Tenancies Act, 2006:

Sets rules for rent increases
Protects you from unlawful evictions
Covers repairs, the landlord’s right of entry, and how to end a tenancy

The Landlord and Tenant Board (LTB) provides information and resolves disputes between landlords and tenants using forms, mediation, and hearings.

This roadmap is a general overview based on the RECO Information Guide under TRESA and Ontario LTB/RTA materials. It is for information only and not legal advice. For specific questions, speak with a lawyer, legal clinic, or the Landlord and Tenant Board.

Let’s begin your leasing journey

Before applying, gather your key documents — they aren’t required to book a showing but will be needed to submit your full application once you find the right property.

Landlords may request additional information and may also complete credit or background checks as part of their review process.

Understand 'Applicant' vs 'Occupant'

Applicants are the parties legally on the hook for the lease; occupants are everyone else living in the home/space. Applicants are assessed based on references, ability to pay rent reliably, and overall tenancy history.

Some landlords work with a REALTOR®, so it’s important that you have one representing you too. I’m here to help you prepare a complete, professional application that reflects your goals and positions you as a strong tenant.

The best approach? Be open about your plans and work with someone you trust. If we’re a good fit, I’ll handle the details so your residential or commercial lease application moves forward smoothly and confidently.

Lease Information Form

Your Requirements

What Property Type are you looking for ?:

What Property Style are you looking for?:

What is your preferred location?:

What is your monthly rent budget ?:

What is the Min. Size you need?:

When do you need to mov-in by?:

if you are renting currently :

Any other Requirements ?:

Do you have pets? How many, what type and what sizes?:

Primary Applicant Info

First Name:

Last Name:

E-mail:

Phone:

Any other applicants ? Share Names:

Household (Primary applicant's) total monthly or yearly income?:

Current Credit Score for each primary applicant:

Have you worked with a registered REALTOR® in the last 2 years?:

Yes No Yes, but not under contract now

Have you been through a rental/lease application process in the last 2 years?:

Yes No

Do you currently rent/lease or own the property you are in?:

Have you ever been evicted from a property:

Have you read the mandatory RECO Information Guide regarding your rights, choices and the advantages of working with a REALTOR®?:

Would you be interested in my full services and Representation you as your Real Estate Agent?:

How would you like me to follow up with you?:

Phone Email Text message

Any properties of interest?:

Document readiness

Do you have a Government-issued ID (all applicants & tenants)?:

Can you get a Full Credit Check Report:

Can you provide references of current & previous landlords and personal references?:

Can you provide a Letter of Employment (or business details, if self employed)?:

Can you provide Last 3 month pay stubs (or bank statements if self-employed)?:

Can you provide Tax statements from the last two years?:

By providing your information, you agree to be contacted by Ved Bhat REALTOR® via call, email, and text for real estate services. To opt out, you can reply 'stop' at any time or reply 'help' for assistance. You can also click the unsubscribe link in the emails. Message and data rates may apply. Message frequency may vary. View our Privacy Policy.

Ved Bhat, REALTOR®

Royal LePage NRC Realty, Brokerage