What to check before signing an Ontario lease agreement.
Action checklist
Complete these steps in order for the fastest, safest setup.
1Landlords must use the Standard Lease Agreement (Ontario government form)
2First and last month's rent is the maximum deposit allowed — not more
3No key money, cleaning fees, or upfront charges beyond first/last are legal
4Check if the unit is rent-controlled (built before Nov 2018) for increase protection
City context: Toronto
These steps are tailored for newcomers in Toronto. Costs, availability, and requirements may differ in other cities — switch the city selector above to switch context.