Toronto Renters Forum

Common Tenant Problems => Other Tenant Problems => Topic started by: Markus_Rents on October 12, 2022, 12:12:16 am

Title: New landlord demands
Post by: Markus_Rents on October 12, 2022, 12:12:16 am

The new landlord is telling everyone to fill out a rental application form left at our doors.
I don't see how this makes sense to ask current renters to apply for a possible chance to rent in the building they've been living in for over a decade. I don't intend to fill this out, but will provide my name and copy of my ID as requested. Just wondering what information a new landlord is allowed to ask old tenants? The old landlord should be providing the new landlord with all the current tenant info, no?

Title: Re: New landlord demands
Post by: Jojo on October 17, 2022, 10:12:13 am

Hi Markus,

I would be  very suspicious of that request.

Once you have signed your lease (which it sounds like you did years ago when you first moved in) your landlord cannot compel you to sign a new agreement, unless you are deliberately changing the details of your lease (like, if you are adding a new parking space, or storage locker, or something like that).  And in my experience, when a landlord wants new forms to be filled-out, then they are up to something. 

I mean, in your case this all could be an innocent information-gathering activity.

But do you have to sign those forms?  Are the forms asking for sensitive information (like your place of employment, salary, banking info)?  Do the forms say anything about giving the landlord the right to run additional credit-checks?  I would be very leery of providing that information, since you already have the apartment.

Lastly, depending upon the exact wording on the forms, could those rental application forms be construed to constitute a new agreement with the landlord, thus allowing them to change the terms of your leases, or to set a new monthly rent?

Be careful!

Title: Re: New landlord demands
Post by: Sandy on October 17, 2022, 12:53:34 pm

Don't give any more information than your name.

I don't think that there is any law or regulation saying what a new landlord can or cannot ask (beyond your human-rights), but there is also nothing I am aware of that would make you have to answer any questions you didn't want to.

I think that the landlord does have the right to know who they are renting to, thought.  But beyond that, you should consider ignoring the request.