Renting with Pindrop made easy: A complete guide to renting in the GTA
Explore this page to find helpful rental tips.
Content
Looking to rent in the Greater Toronto Area?
Looking to rent in the Greater Toronto Area?
At Pindrop Realty Group, we know how competitive the market is and we’re here to help you confidently navigate the process – from budgeting and neighbourhoods to your lease rights and getting your dream space. Let’s dive in.
01.
What Renting Options Do You Have?
In the GTA you’ll generally find three main types of rental housing:
• Purpose-built rental buildings – these are apartment buildings managed by one company. Relatively fewer in number downtown but growing.
• Houses / converted houses – lots of homes have been split into rental units (part basement, entire house). Great for more space and maybe a yard.
• Condo rentals – many units in condos are rented out by individual owners. These give you access to amenities (gym, pool, concierge) but you’ll still abide my condo rules.
Pro tip: Decide early what type of space suits your lifestyle (commute, amenities,
pets, outdoor space) to streamline your search.
How & Where to Search
There are two main strategies:
• DIY search online – big platforms like Viewlt.ca, PadMapper, Kijiji / Craigslist still get lots of hits. But watch out for scams: always view in person, verify landlord ownership, never wire money in advance.
• Work with a licensed REALTOR® – A good agent (like us at Pindrop) can surface listings early, negotiate your lease, and help you understand fine-print. The best part? As the tenant, you typically don’t pay the commission – the landlord covers it.
03.
Best Time to Look:
Rental listings typically hit the market about 2 months before the unit becomes available. So if you plan to move in June, start searching around April. The earlier you start, the more
options you’ll have.
04.
Costs + Market Snapshot:
Here are ballpark monthly rental costs in the GTA (city core + surrounding regions):
• Bachelor / studio: $2,000+
• 1-bedroom: $2,400+
• 2-bedroom: ~$3,200+
• 3-bedroom: $4,000+ and up
Because vacancy rates are extremely low, landlords are selective and rents have gone up
significantly in recent years.
Understanding the Lease Help
Your lease is the legal document that outlines your landlord-tenant relationship.
Key things to check:
• Rent amount, due date, how to pay
• Lease term (12 months vs month-to-month)
• What happens at end of term
• Rules around pets, smoking, subletting
• Maintenance/responsibility breakdown
If you sign for 12 months and after that don’t renew, you’ll usually revert to a month-to-month
tenancy – which comes with different termination notice rules.
06.
Your Rights & Responsibilities (as a Tenant):
In Ontario you have rights under the Residential Tenancies Act (Ontario). For example:
• Landlords must give 24 hours notice (except emergencies) before entering your unit.
• You have rights if your landlord sells the unit: your lease remains valid and the new owner must honour it.
• Rent increases are controlled: Generally, rent can increase once every 12 months and only by a percentage tied to the CPI (unless the property is exempt).
• Landlords cannot evict you simply for having a pet (unless condo or building rules prohibit them).
Because vacancy rates are extremely low, landlords are selective and rents have gone up
significantly in recent years.
07.
How to Get a Rental You Love:
Since the market is competitive, here are things to be ready with:
• First and last month’s rent (often required)
• Proof of income or employment
• Credit report or credit check
• References (previous landlord / employer)
• Flexibility: The perfect combo of price + space + location is rare – you’ll likely compromise somewhere.
• Speed: When you find “the one”, act quickly. Good units disappear fast.
08.
Choosing Your Neighbourhood:
Your neighbourhood will shape your daily life (commute, cost, vibe). Some tips:
• Consider transit access (TTC, GO Transit) if you commute.
• Think about walkability, amenities (grocery, parks, restaurants).
• Check noise, building age, and whether the unit is well-maintained.
• For students or young professionals, neighbourhoods like Leslieville, The Beaches, King West, Liberty Village are popular – but expect higher rent.
• For more space and value, outer suburbs (Durham Region, York Region, Mississauga) might be better.
Contact Us
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WHY YOU NEED PINDROP
The Pindrop Process: Renting in the GTA, Simplified
At Pindrop Realty Group, we don’t just send you listings – we walk you through every step of
the rental journey like it’s your own home search. Toronto’s rental market moves fast, but with
our process, you’ll always be one step ahead.