Finding a rental in 2025 should be simple. You find the place, sign the lease, and move in. Easy, right? Not exactly.
We recently worked with two tenants who had everything landlords dream of: excellent credit, solid employment, glowing rental history. And yet, the hardest part wasn’t finding a place—it was running the gauntlet of landlords and agents whose “creative” lease requests could have been ripped straight from a sitcom.
One tenant earned over $100,000 a year and had the credit score of a financial superhero. Yet the process quickly turned into a rental obstacle course. Delayed responses from the leasing agent were only the opening act. Then came the requests that would make the Residential Tenancies Act weep:
- Post-dated cheques (Not required)
- Key deposits (Illegal)
- Surprise landlord visits (Absolutely not)
- “Move out after one year unless you give early notice” clauses (Creative, but nope)
All of these are against Ontario rental rules. In short: if Monopoly had a “Landlord Edition,” this would be it.
Here’s the plot twist—tenants actually have the upper hand right now. In southern Durham (Whitby to Clarington), there are 626 rentals available, including 412 houses and 103 two-bedroom units. Supply is high, prices are sliding, and landlords demanding 2022-style terms are living in the past.
Nationwide, the average rent is $2,125/month, down 3% from last year. Translation: renters have options, and picky landlords may find themselves holding keys instead of signed leases.
The winning rental formula? Partner with a realtor who specializes in leases and show up prepared with:
- A current TransUnion or Equifax credit report
- Letter of employment
- 3 recent pay stubs
- Proof you pay rent on time (if currently renting)
- A short personal letter introducing yourself
In today’s market, good tenants are gold—but sometimes you need a professional guide to navigate the maze of “landlord wish lists” and find the lease that makes sense. Because renting shouldn’t feel like auditioning for a reality show.
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