Frequently asked questions
Housing - Landlords and landlord’s agents
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I use a specialized website to advertise my rental housing. Am I still responsible for the content of my ad?
Yes. If your ad is discriminatory, both you and the company managing the website expose yourself to a complaint.
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As a landlord, can I inspect my rental property once a year?
You may inspect your rental property, and may make repairs or improvements, but you must inform the tenants within the legal notice period that you will be coming.
Exception: if there is an emergency, such as a fire or flood, you do not have to inform your tenants that you will be coming. You should not overuse this right, as doing so could constitute harassment.
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As a landlord, am I responsible if my building manager harasses my tenants?
Yes. Landlords and all their employees and contractors must respect the tenants’ rights. All discriminatory harassment (such as sexist, racist or homophobic harassment) is prohibited. If your building manager harasses your tenants, you both expose yourself to a complaint.
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Can I do a credit check on someone who wants to rent my unit?
Although the law does not prohibit running a credit check, the Commission strongly discourages this practice. Credit checks are frequently used as an indirect way to discriminate against applicants, and they also provide more personal information that is typically required to sign a lease. The Commission has advocated for stricter regulation of credit checks, and to have them prohibited altogether in the context of housing, but they are currently still allowed by law. We suggest that you ask potential tenants to provide proof of income or regular payment of their bills instead.
Landlord’s Handbook (French only)
The For Rent Without Discrimination campaign -
Can I refuse to rent to someone because they have never been a tenant before?
No. Refusing to rent to someone who has never been a tenant (like a newcomer or a student, for example), without allowing them to demonstrate a good payment history or their ability to pay the rent could be discrimination. Ask to see proof of income or of regular bill payment, which are alternative ways of demonstrating their ability to pay the rent.
See the For Rent Without Discrimination campaign