How to Run a Credit Check for Rental Applications in Ontario

Tenant Management Essentials

By Devon Moore, Operations Lead

Running a credit check on rental applicants is legal and recommended in Ontario. You must obtain written consent from the applicant before pulling their credit report — this is typically included in your rental application form.

You can use Equifax or TransUnion directly, or use a tenant screening service. Some platforms (like Naborly, SingleKey, or Landlord Credit Bureau) offer combined credit and rental history checks specifically designed for landlords.

Screening and Placement

What to look for in a credit report: Credit score (650+ is generally acceptable for residential rentals), payment history (look for missed payments, collections, or charge-offs), outstanding debt relative to income, any judgments or bankruptcies in the last 7 years, and number of recent credit inquiries.

A credit score alone doesn't tell the full story. A score of 620 with a stable 5-year employment history and verifiable rental references may be more reliable than a 680 score with multiple recent credit inquiries and job changes.

Retaining Quality Tenants

Don't over-rely on credit scores for applicants who are new to Canada or young adults just starting out. These groups may have thin credit files despite being reliable payers. Consider supplementing with co-signers or larger deposits where legally permitted.

Under the Ontario Human Rights Code, you cannot refuse a tenant solely because they receive Ontario Works, ODSP, or other social assistance. Receipt of public assistance is a protected ground, and income-to-rent ratios must be applied equally.

D&D Property Management uses a comprehensive multi-factor screening process that goes beyond credit scores to assess overall tenant suitability for our clients' properties.

Devon Moore, Operations Lead Co-Founder & Operations Lead — D&D Property Management

Devon Moore is the co-founder and Operations Lead at D&D Property Management, managing rental properties across Kitchener-Waterloo, Cambridge, Guelph and Waterloo Region.