Can a Landlord Deny You for Bad Credit in Ontario?

The Short Answer: It Depends

Finding an apartment in Ontario is stressful enough without worrying that your credit score might disqualify you before a landlord even looks at your application. If you have bad credit and you are searching for a rental, you are not alone.

A landlord in Ontario can request a credit check. However, rejecting a tenant solely because of a low score is not as straightforward as it sounds. The Ontario Human Rights Code, the Residential Tenancies Act, and Landlord and Tenant Board decisions all create a framework that protects renters from unfair treatment while still giving landlords reasonable tools to evaluate applicants.

This guide covers what landlords can and cannot do, what legal protections you have, and the practical strategies that help people with bad credit rental Ontario situations secure a place to live.

Can a Landlord Legally Check Your Credit in Ontario?

Yes. There is no Ontario law preventing a landlord from running a credit check on a prospective tenant. Most landlords and property management companies consider a credit report a standard part of screening, alongside employment verification, references, and income documentation.

When you fill out a rental application, you are typically asked to consent to a credit check. The landlord needs your written permission to pull your report. If you refuse consent, the landlord may choose not to proceed with your application, which is within their rights.

However, pulling your credit report and making a decision based solely on its contents are two different things. This is where Ontario’s human rights protections become important.

Before you start applying, know what landlords will see. Borrowell gives you free access to your Equifax credit score and report so you can review it, spot errors, and prepare to address red flags before a landlord does.

What the Ontario Human Rights Code Says

The Ontario Human Rights Code prohibits discrimination in housing based on several protected grounds, including race, sex, disability, age, family status, and critically for this discussion, receipt of public assistance.

A landlord cannot deny you housing because you receive Ontario Works, the Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP), or any other form of social assistance. If your low credit score is connected to a period of receiving public assistance and the landlord uses that score to reject you, the decision could constitute discrimination under the Code.

While “bad credit” is not explicitly listed as a protected ground, the Ontario Human Rights Commission has taken the position that using credit history as the sole screening criterion can disproportionately affect people protected on other grounds such as disability, receipt of public assistance, age, or family status. Tribunal decisions have reinforced that landlords must consider applicants holistically rather than applying a rigid credit score cutoff.

What Landlords CAN and CANNOT Do

What a Landlord CAN Do

• Request a credit check with your written consent.
• Ask for proof of income, such as pay stubs, an employment letter, or tax returns.
• Contact previous landlords about your rental history and payment reliability.
• Consider your overall application, including credit, income, references, and rental history, as a package.
• Request first and last month’s rent as a deposit. Under the Residential Tenancies Act, this is the maximum deposit permitted in Ontario.

What a Landlord CANNOT Do

• Reject you solely because you receive social assistance. This directly violates the Ontario Human Rights Code.
• Demand deposits beyond first and last month’s rent. Ontario law does not allow damage deposits, pet deposits, or additional security deposits regardless of credit history.
• Charge you a fee for a credit check. Tenant advocates generally advise against paying application fees.
• Use a blanket credit score cutoff that screens out people in protected groups without considering other evidence of ability to pay.
• Ask about immigration status or personal details related to protected grounds under the Human Rights Code.
• Discriminate based on any protected ground, even indirectly, by using credit as a pretext.

Property Management Companies vs Individual Landlords

The experience of applying with bad credit differs significantly depending on whether you are dealing with a large property management company or an individual landlord.

Property Management Companies

Large firms typically use standardized screening with minimum credit score thresholds, usually 600 to 680. There is less room for negotiation, and the person reviewing your application may not have the authority to make exceptions. These companies are generally more aware of their legal obligations, but their rigid systems may automatically flag applicants who could otherwise demonstrate strong ability to pay.

Individual Landlords

Private landlords who own one or a few properties tend to be more flexible. They may have a conversation about your situation, accept alternative evidence of reliability, or weigh a strong employment letter more heavily than a credit score. If your credit is below 600, focusing on units listed by individual landlords can significantly increase your chances.

Practical Strategies to Rent With Bad Credit in Ontario

A low credit score does not have to be a dead end. Many Ontario renters with imperfect credit successfully secure apartments by taking a proactive approach. Here are the most effective strategies.

1. Offer First and Last Month’s Rent Upfront

Under the Residential Tenancies Act, a landlord can ask for a rent deposit equal to one month’s rent (commonly called last month’s rent). No additional deposits are permitted under Ontario law. Having the full first and last ready shows financial preparedness. Present a bank statement or offer to pay both months immediately upon signing the lease to reduce the landlord’s perceived risk.

If a landlord asks for more than first and last month’s rent, they are exceeding what the law allows. You have every right to decline, though raising this point during negotiation requires tact.

2. Provide a Strong Employment Letter and Proof of Income

Ask your employer for a letter that includes your job title, annual salary, length of employment, and confirmation that your position is permanent. Pair this with two to three months of recent pay stubs.

If you are self-employed, prepare your most recent Notice of Assessment from the Canada Revenue Agency, bank statements showing consistent income, and contracts demonstrating ongoing work.

The goal is to prove that your income comfortably covers the rent. A general guideline is that rent should not exceed 30 to 35 percent of your gross monthly income.

3. Offer a Co-Signer or Guarantor

A co-signer (sometimes called a guarantor) agrees to be legally responsible for the rent if you cannot pay. This is one of the most effective ways to overcome hesitation about bad credit. Your co-signer should have good credit and stable income. Make sure they understand the commitment: if you miss rent, the landlord can pursue them for payment.

4. Provide Landlord References

If you have rented before and maintained a good relationship with your previous landlord, a reference letter or phone number can be extremely persuasive. A former landlord who confirms you always paid on time, kept the unit clean, and were a respectful tenant addresses the exact concerns that a credit check is trying to evaluate.

Even if your credit history includes some rough patches, a record of responsible tenancy demonstrates that you take your housing obligations seriously.

5. Be Honest and Upfront About Your Situation

Trying to hide bad credit rarely works and damages trust when the truth comes out. Instead, address it directly. A brief explanation goes a long way: a period of unemployment, a medical situation, or a separation caused difficulties, you have since stabilized your income, and you are actively rebuilding your credit.

Pair your explanation with proof of income, references, and the full first and last month’s rent. Together, they tell a story of someone who had a setback and is now back on solid ground.

6. Focus Your Search on Individual Landlords

Listings on community Facebook groups, Kijiji, and local classifieds are more likely to be individual owners who prioritize reliability over a perfect credit score. Treat every viewing like a job interview: arrive on time, ask thoughtful questions, and present your application materials in an organized folder. First impressions matter.

How to Improve Your Credit Score for Future Rentals

The strategies above help you secure housing now. Improving your credit ensures future applications go more smoothly. Most Ontario landlords look for at least 620, and above 680 significantly expands your options. Here is how to move your score upward:

• Pay every bill on time. Payment history accounts for roughly 35 percent of your credit score. Set up automatic payments or calendar reminders so nothing slips through the cracks.
• Keep credit utilization below 30 percent. If you have a credit card with a $1,000 limit, try to keep your balance below $300 at all times. Below 10 percent is even better.
• Avoid opening too many new accounts. Each hard inquiry from a credit application costs a few points and signals risk to lenders. Space out applications by at least three to six months.
• Check your credit report regularly. Errors are more common than you might expect. Disputing inaccurate late payments or accounts that do not belong to you can provide an immediate score boost. Borrowell makes it easy to monitor your Equifax report weekly at no cost.
• Use a credit-building tool. Products like KOHO offer credit-building features designed for people who are rebuilding. A prepaid spending account with an optional credit-building add-on lets you improve your score without the risk of accumulating new debt.

Take our recovery quiz to get a personalized plan based on your specific credit situation, or use our calculator to see how long it might take to reach your target score.

Use Chexy to Build Credit While You Rent

Rent is likely your largest monthly expense, yet it traditionally does not appear on your credit report. You could be paying $1,500 or more every month with zero credit score benefit.

Chexy solves this by reporting your rent payments directly to the credit bureaus. You sign up, connect your rental details, and Chexy reports each payment as on-time activity on your credit file. Since payment history is the single largest factor in your score, adding rent reporting can accelerate your recovery significantly.

This is especially valuable if you have a thin credit file or if you are rebuilding after a period of missed payments. Each month of on-time rent adds another positive data point to your report.

What to Do If You Believe You Were Discriminated Against

If you believe a landlord denied your application because of a protected ground under the Ontario Human Rights Code, such as receipt of public assistance, disability, race, family status, or any other protected characteristic, you have the right to file a complaint.

Step 1: Document Everything

Save all communications with the landlord: emails, text messages, and notes from conversations. If the landlord made comments about your income source, social assistance, or anything related to a protected ground, write down exactly what was said as soon as possible.

Step 2: Contact the Ontario Human Rights Legal Support Centre

The Human Rights Legal Support Centre provides free legal services to people who have experienced discrimination. They can help you understand whether your situation constitutes a violation and assist with the complaint process.

Step 3: File an Application with the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario

You can file an application with the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario (HRTO) at no cost and without a lawyer. The Tribunal can order remedies including monetary compensation for lost housing opportunity, compensation for injury to dignity, and an order requiring the landlord to change their practices.

Step 4: Consider the Landlord and Tenant Board

If the issue involves a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act rather than human rights, such as a landlord demanding an illegal deposit, the Landlord and Tenant Board (LTB) is the appropriate body. In some cases both the HRTO and LTB may be relevant. The Human Rights Legal Support Centre can help you determine the right path.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a landlord in Ontario deny my application solely because of my credit score?

There is no specific law prohibiting a landlord from considering credit history. However, if credit screening disproportionately excludes people protected under the Ontario Human Rights Code, it can amount to discrimination. A landlord should evaluate your full application, not just a credit score. If you suspect a landlord credit check deny Ontario situation was actually based on a protected ground, you may have recourse through the Human Rights Tribunal.

What credit score do I need to rent an apartment in Ontario?

There is no official minimum, but most property management companies look for 620 or higher. Individual landlords may be more flexible. If your score is below 600, focus on strong proof of income, landlord references, a co-signer, and targeting individual landlords.

Can a landlord ask for more than first and last month’s rent in Ontario?

No. Under the Residential Tenancies Act, the maximum rent deposit is one month’s rent, applied to the last month of the tenancy. Damage deposits, pet deposits, and key deposits beyond reasonable replacement cost are not permitted.

Does checking my own credit score before applying hurt my score?

No. When you check your own credit through a service like Borrowell, it counts as a soft inquiry and has zero impact on your score. Only hard inquiries, which happen when a lender or landlord pulls your report with your consent for a credit decision, can temporarily lower your score by a few points. Checking your own report regularly is one of the best habits you can build.

How long does it take to improve my credit score enough for easier rental approvals?

It depends on your starting point and the actions you take. If you are starting from the low 500s, reaching the 620 range typically takes 6 to 12 months of consistent effort: paying all bills on time, keeping credit utilization low, reporting rent through Chexy, and avoiding new hard inquiries. Use our calculator to get a more specific timeline based on your situation.

Moving Forward

Having bad credit in Ontario does not mean you cannot find a good place to live. The law provides meaningful protections, and practical strategies like strong income documentation, co-signers, landlord references, and honest communication help thousands of renters overcome credit challenges every year.

At the same time, every month is an opportunity to improve your score. Check your report through Borrowell, start reporting your rent with Chexy, explore credit-building tools like KOHO, and take our recovery quiz to build a personalized plan. The apartment search you are dealing with today gets easier with every point your score climbs.