2.0PropTx Verify 2.0 arrives January 7, 2027. See what is coming.
Start (opens in new tab)

Landlord Reference

A landlord reference is a previous or current landlord’s account of an applicant’s tenancy, such as the dates, the rent and whether it was paid on time. Ontario’s tenant-selection regulation lets a landlord request rental history information and consider it.1

Updated October 28, 2026

What to Ask

  • Confirm the person is the landlord or manager of the address the applicant gave, not a friend standing in.
  • Tenancy dates and the monthly rent.
  • Whether rent was paid in full and on time, and whether any notices or LTB applications were served.
  • The condition of the unit at move-out, and whether they would rent to the applicant again.

Stay within tenancy facts. Questions that touch a Human Rights Code ground, such as children, age or receipt of public assistance, cannot shape the decision.2

The federal privacy regulator says landlords should get the applicant’s consent before getting or giving a reference, and that an informal call to another landlord is still a collection of personal information.3 Put the consent on the application.

The Ontario Human Rights Commission says a lack of rental history should not be treated as a negative rental history.4 First-time renters need another route, such as income verification or a guarantor applied equally.

Alex, the PropTx Verify voice agent, calls previous landlords to verify tenancy history; see Voice AI.

This page is general information about Ontario law, not legal advice.

Sources

  1. O. Reg. 290/98: Business Practices Permissible to Landlords in Selecting Prospective Tenants for Residential Accommodation

    Government of Ontario, e-Laws, ss. 1 to 4, consolidated from March 8, 2018. Accessed October 22, 2026.

  2. Human Rights Code, R.S.O. 1990, c. H.19

    Government of Ontario, e-Laws, ss. 2(1), 21(1) and 21(3), consolidated from July 1, 2025. Accessed October 22, 2026.

  3. Privacy in the landlord and tenant relationship

    Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada, What personal information do I have to provide?; How should landlords be obtaining my consent?; Does a landlord require my SIN?; Can a landlord ask to see my pay stubs?; Can a landlord call another landlord?. Accessed October 22, 2026.

  4. Policy on human rights and rental housing, V. Identifying discrimination in rental housing

    Ontario Human Rights Commission, ss. 4.2.1 to 4.2.6. Accessed October 22, 2026.

Related

Screen your next applicant with a verified report

Credits are only deducted after your tenant report is fully completed. No upfront charges.

Get StartedBook Demo