Leasing · 5 min read · Updated 2026
The tenant screening checklist we use before recommending any applicant
Nearly every difficult tenancy can be traced back to a step skipped at application. Screening is not a credit score; it is a sequence, and it only works when every step is completed before an offer is made.
1. Identity and application integrity
Government photo identification is matched against the application. Names, spellings and dates of birth must agree across every document provided.
2. Credit and financial history
A full credit report is pulled with written consent. We read the trend, not only the score: recent collections, sudden balance growth and prior housing-related judgements carry more weight than a single number.
3. Employment and income verification
Income is verified directly with the employer, supported by recent pay statements or, for self-employed applicants, notices of assessment. Rent should be a sustainable share of verified net income.
4. Landlord references — the previous one, not the current one
The current landlord may be motivated to give a strong reference. The previous landlord has nothing to gain, which is why we always speak to both.
5. Documentation and lawful decision-making
Every applicant is assessed on the same written criteria, and the assessment is retained. Consistent criteria protect owners under the Ontario Human Rights Code and make any later dispute far simpler to defend.
- Photo identification verified
- Credit report reviewed with consent on file
- Employment and income confirmed at source
- Two landlord references contacted
- Written assessment retained on file