Finding an apartment in Toronto can feel like a full-time job. The rental market is competitive, and prices have climbed significantly in recent years. Here's how to navigate it successfully.
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Current Market
As of 2025, average rents in Toronto are:
- Bachelor/Studio: $1,600-$1,900
- 1-bedroom: $1,900-$2,200
- 2-bedroom: $2,400-$3,000
- 3-bedroom: $3,000-$4,000
Prices are highest downtown and in trendy neighbourhoods like King West, Liberty Village, and the Annex.
Where to Look
- Rentals.ca - Aggregates listings from multiple sources
- Padmapper - Map-based search, good for seeing neighbourhood options
- Facebook Marketplace - Often has basement apartments and room shares
- Kijiji - Older but still widely used
- Realtor.ca - Licensed rentals through agents
- View It - Purpose-built rental buildings
What Landlords Require
- First and last month's rent (no more—this is the law)
- Credit check
- Employment verification or proof of income
- References from previous landlords
- Photo ID
Your Rights as a Tenant
Ontario's Residential Tenancies Act protects renters:
- Landlords can only increase rent once per year (guideline is around 2.5%)
- Units built before November 2018 have rent control
- Landlords cannot evict you without cause
- Security deposits beyond last month's rent are illegal
- You can have guests and pets (in most cases)
For disputes, contact the Landlord and Tenant Board.
Red Flags and Scams
- Never send money before seeing the apartment
- Be wary of prices far below market rate
- Verify the landlord owns the property
- Get everything in writing
- If it seems too good to be true, it probably is
Tips for Success
- Start looking 1-2 months before your move date
- Have documents ready to submit immediately
- Be prepared to decide on the spot—good places go fast
- Consider less trendy neighbourhoods for better value
- Look at smaller buildings or basement apartments for lower rent
