What information can a landlord ask me for when I apply for a place?

When you want to rent a place, you usually need to fill out an application or give some information to the landlord.

Before they decide if they will rent to you, a landlord can ask:

• what your income is
• if you work, and where you work
• how many people will be living with you
• the names of people who will be living with you
• if you have pets

They can also ask:

• if you smoke
• for permission to do a credit check
• for references from past landlords
• in some cases, if you have a guarantor or co-signer

What a landlord is not allowed to ask

A landlord is not allowed to ask questions that could be used to discriminate against you. For example, they are not allowed to ask:

• if you are pregnant or have children
• if you plan to have children, or if you plan to have more children
• if you are married, single, or divorced
• your religion or ethnic background
• your sexual orientation

They also are not allowed to ask:

• if you get welfare or other public assistance
• if you have a disability
• your age (even if you are 16 or 17 and independent from your parents)
• if you are a Canadian citizen

If the landlord asks any of these questions or won't rent to you because of your answers, this could be discrimination.