Before meeting prospective landlords

When you look at possible rental accommodations, it's important to ask questions. The following sections will help identify many of the questions you should ask and those you should expect to hear in return.

Questions you should ask the landlord

When looking at prospective rental properties, ask the following questions:

•Are utilities included? If not, what types are available or permitted (e.g. natural gas, oil, or electric heating)? What are the average monthly costs? Also, if you are sharing utilities with another party, ask the landlord to clarify your responsibilities. Also, find out if cable television service is included or available for an additional cost.

•What type of lease is required? What are the main conditions of the lease? Carefully examine the terms, conditions and duration of the lease before signing anything. Some leases may contain unexpected requirements. You may wish to consult a lawyer before signing, especially if you do not understand everything in the lease.

•Can you make changes to the premises? Can you paint or make other decorative changes? What restrictions are in the lease?

•Why are the current tenant(s) leaving? It helps to ask neighbouring tenants this question as well.

•If relevant, are pets or smoking allowed? If you have pets, find out if any restrictions prohibit certain types of pets. If you have pets, are you required to have the rental professionally cleaned at the end of the lease?

•What is the neighbourhood like? If applicable, what are the other tenants like?

•What makes your property unique? Are any special features available in the rental?

•Who maintains the property? Lawn and garden maintenance may be the responsibility of the landlord or tenant, or both. How are minor and major repairs to the rental handled?

•Where can you park? Is parking available at an additional cost? How about space for additional vehicles? Is space provided for guest parking?

•What about additional storage? Are there storage lockers included in the rent? How secure are they? Is there a place to store bicycles?

•What security systems are in place? What kinds of locks are used, and have they been changed recently? If renting a high-rise apartment, what areas of the building require keys for access?

This list is just a starting point. Factor in your own specific rental needs and ask questions that pertain to your particular situation. Other points to consider may include:

•Policies on overnight guests or long-term visitors.

•Maintenance and repairs on rental property, if applicable.

•Installation of additional utility cabling, telephone and television jacks, or compact satellite dishes.

•The availability of broadband or high-speed Internet services in the area or building.

You will want to take detailed notes when visiting properties and interviewing prospective landlords, noting information such as the costs and conditions, advantages and disadvantages of prospective rentals and their neighbourhoods. Print out the Rental Unit Evaluation Worksheet and bring a copy with you during a rental property visit.

Landlords can ask questions that will help them assess your suitability as a tenant, so long as these questions do not infringe on your rights, e.g.:

•What is your income? Where do you work?

•How many people will be living with you and what are their names?

•Do you have pets? Do you smoke?

•Could you provide written permission for a credit check?

•May I see your references, and their current contact information?

A landlord cannot ask

The landlord cannot ask questions that infringe on your rights under the Human Rights Code for your province, i.e.:

•Do you plan to have (more) children?

•What is your ethnic background, religion, or sexual preference?

•Will your family be visiting?

•What is your Social Insurance Number? If you don't provide your SIN, I won't rent to you.

•Are you married, single, or divorced?

"Every person has a right to equal treatment with respect to the occupancy of accommodation, without discrimination because of race, ancestry, place of origin, colour, ethnic origin, citizenship, creed, sex, age, marital status, family status, handicap, or the receipt of public assistance" (Section 1, Canadian Human Rights Code).

Landlords might think personal questions are acceptable when they are searching for a suitable tenant. Demanding answers, as a condition of renting, to anything that might contravene a tenant's human rights is illegal. A landlord cannot refuse to rent an apartment based on the discriminatory conditions outlined in the Human Rights Code.

While the national Human Rights Code applies, each province or territory handles complaints related to accommodation. If you feel that your human rights with respect to rental accommodation have been infringed upon, or if you need more information, you may discuss your situation with an advocacy agency or provincial/territorial office which defends renter's rights and act on human rights violations. For more information, contact your provincial/territorial human rights office.

Children and renting

It is illegal to refuse to rent to people with children. A single mother in British Columbia was refused rental accommodation many times by landlords discriminative towards children. She filed complaints about five landlords with the BC Human Rights Commission and was compensated in all five cases.