Leasing Services
For tenants finding the right home and landlords finding the right tenant. Downtown condos to Midtown family homes.
The right home. The right tenant.
I work both sides of the table: tenants looking for a home that fits their life, and landlords and investors who want their property rented to the right person, at the right price, with the paperwork done properly.
Madiha Khan · REALTOR®The Toronto rental market right now
The GTA condo rental market is well supplied. Tenants have more choice, and landlords have to compete on price, presentation and speed. Average condo rents are below last year for every unit size:
Average GTA condo apartment rent by unit size. Source: TRREB Rental Market Report, Q2 2026.
What this means for you: tenants can negotiate and should compare carefully. Landlords who price from real lease comparables, not from what a unit rented for two years ago, lease faster and avoid costly vacant months. Leases are now growing faster than listings, so conditions could gradually tighten. For monthly data, see my Market Insights page.
Find a home you love, without the guesswork
Renting in Toronto can feel like a race, especially if you are new to the city or new to Canada. I help you find the right place, put forward a strong application, and understand exactly what you are signing.
Search & viewings
A live MLS search for your budget, neighbourhoods and must-haves, with viewings booked so you see new listings before they're gone.
Verified listings
Every unit I show you is listed by a licensed brokerage on MLS. That alone removes most of the risk of fake listings and deposit scams.
A strong application
I help you package your documents so landlords see a complete, credible application the first time, which matters when there are multiple offers.
Negotiation & lease review
I negotiate rent, move-in dates and terms, then walk you through the lease before you sign, including what is and isn't legal to ask of you.
What to have ready
Government photo ID- Employment letter (role, salary, start date) and recent pay stubs
- A recent credit report (Equifax or TransUnion)
- Previous landlord references
- A completed rental application, which I prepare with you
New to Canada?
No Canadian credit history yet? You are not out of the running. A guarantor, proof of funds, a strong employment or school letter, and good references from your previous country can all help. I've helped many newcomers secure their first Toronto home, and it is part of my own story too.
Know your rights before you sign
Only two deposits are legal
Last month's rent (no more than one month) and a refundable key or fob deposit capped at the real replacement cost. Damage deposits, pet deposits and application fees are not permitted.
Interest on your deposit
Your landlord must pay you annual interest on the last month's rent deposit, at the same rate as the rent increase guideline.
The Ontario Standard Lease
Most private tenancies must use it. If you ask for it in writing and don't receive it within 21 days, you may be able to withhold one month's rent.
Rent increases
Once every 12 months, with 90 days' written notice. The 2027 cap is 1.9% for rent-controlled units. Units first occupied after November 15, 2018 are exempt, so ask before you sign.
Air conditioning
Since July 1, 2026, you can install a window or portable A/C unit even if the landlord doesn't provide one, as long as it's installed safely and you give written notice first.
You choose how to pay
A landlord can't require post-dated cheques or automatic payments as a condition of renting.
How to avoid a rental scam
Scammers copy photos from real listings, post them at a lower rent, collect deposits from several people and disappear. Protect yourself:
- See the unit in person, or on a live video call with someone you can verify.
- Confirm who owns or manages the property before you send anything.
- Never send money before a lease is signed.
- Be wary of rent well below similar units, and of "landlords" who are out of the country.
If something feels off, send me the link. I'm happy to take a look.
What does it cost?
On most MLS rentals in Toronto, the landlord pays the commission, including the tenant agent's share. Working with me usually costs you nothing. I'll confirm this on any unit before you apply.
Lease faster, to the right tenant, with fewer surprises
As an investor myself, I know a rental is a business, and the tenant you choose matters more than almost any other decision. My job is to minimize vacancy, price your unit correctly, and put a qualified, verified tenant in place with a lease that protects you.
Pricing from real comps
A rent recommendation based on recently leased units in your building and area, so you don't lose months to an overpriced listing or leave money on the table.
Marketing that stands out
A well-written MLS listing and social media exposure to my audience across Instagram, TikTok and LinkedIn.
Showings handled
I coordinate and attend showings, respect your current tenant's notice rights, and give you feedback from every visit.
Lease done right
Ontario Standard Lease, additional terms, the rent-control exemption clause where it applies, deposits and key handover, all handled properly.
Tenant screening in the age of online fraud
Forged pay stubs, edited credit reports, fake employment letters and "previous landlords" who are actually friends are a growing problem in Toronto. With the Landlord and Tenant Board still slow to resolve cases, screening is your best protection. Every applicant goes through five checks:
- 1
Identity
ID matched to the application, applicant met in person or on video.
- 2
Employment
Employer contact verified independently, not just the number on the letter.
- 3
Income
Pay stubs and bank deposits checked for consistency.
- 4
Credit
Reports checked for signs of editing, and pulled directly where possible.
- 5
References
Previous landlord confirmed as the actual owner of the address.
Screening must also respect the Ontario Human Rights Code. You can consider income information, credit checks, rental history, references and guarantees, but not factors like family status, ethnicity, religion or receiving public assistance. I keep the process thorough and compliant.
What changed for Ontario landlords
- Tenants may install their own window or portable A/C with written notice.
- The window to ask the LTB to review a decision dropped from 30 to 15 days.
- Maximum fines for RTA offences doubled, up to $100,000 for individuals.
- N4 notice for non-payment now gives tenants 7 days to pay, down from 14.
- To raise maintenance issues at a non-payment hearing, a tenant must first pay 50% of the arrears claimed.
- Own-use (N12): no one month's compensation if you give 120+ days' notice ending on the last day of a rental period or term. Good-faith rules still apply.
- The 1.9% guideline applies to increases from this date. Increases need 90 days' notice on Form N1, so a January 1 increase had to be served by October 3, 2026.
Post-2018 exemption
Units first occupied as a residence after November 15, 2018 are exempt from the guideline. Note it in section 15 of the Standard Lease so expectations are clear from day one.
Deposits
Last month's rent (max one month) and a refundable key deposit only. The LMR deposit can't be applied to damage, and interest is owed annually.
Renovations
In Toronto, an N13 means applying for a City Rental Renovation Licence within 7 days ($700 per unit), with permits and a professional report showing the unit must be vacant.
Vacant Home Tax
Every Toronto owner must declare occupancy yearly. A property vacant six months or more can be taxed at 3% of its assessed value, so a slow lease-up costs more than lost rent.
Thinking about your next investment?
I help investors on both ends: buying the right rental, resale or pre-construction, and then leasing it well. Weighing a new unit, holding versus selling, or what a property will realistically rent for? Let's run the numbers together.
How it works
Free consultation
We talk through your timing, budget or rent goals, and what matters most to you.
A clear plan
Tenants get a targeted search. Landlords get a pricing recommendation and a launch plan.
Showings & applications
I handle viewings, verification and negotiation, and keep you updated throughout.
Lease & keys
Lease signed, deposits handled correctly, keys exchanged, and I'm here after move-in.
Frequently asked questions
Do you only lease downtown condos?
No. I lease condos across Toronto, with a lot of experience downtown, and I also lease family homes, semis and townhomes in Midtown, including Bedford Park and Lawrence Park, where I live.
Are you a property manager?
No. I'm a REALTOR® focused on finding and placing the right tenant and getting the lease right. If you need ongoing management, I can refer you to managers I trust.
Can a landlord ask for more than first and last month's rent?
Not as a condition of renting. The only deposits allowed in Ontario are last month's rent and a refundable key deposit.
How long does it take to lease a unit?
It depends on price, condition, season and building. A well-priced, well-presented unit leases much faster. I'll give you a realistic timeline based on recent leases in your area.
Is my unit rent-controlled?
If it was first occupied as a residence on or before November 15, 2018, the annual guideline (1.9% for 2027) most likely applies. If it was first occupied after that date, it's generally exempt. A few other exemptions exist, so let's confirm yours.
Can my landlord end my lease when it expires?
No. In Ontario, a lease that reaches the end of its term usually continues month to month on the same terms. A landlord can only end a tenancy for reasons allowed under the Residential Tenancies Act, using the proper notice.
Let's talk about your lease
Looking for your next home or your next great tenant? Tell me a little about what you need and I'll be in touch within one business day.
Last updated October 2026. This page is general information, not legal advice. Rules change, so confirm your situation with the Landlord and Tenant Board or a licensed paralegal or lawyer before acting.