Renting a basement apartment in the GTA: what to check before you sign

A basement apartment can save you hundreds a month compared with a condo in the same area, and it is often the only way into a house neighbourhood near good schools. It can also be a fire trap. Here is how to tell the difference.

Why rent a basement

• Lower rent than a condo with the same number of bedrooms in most GTA suburbs.
• Quiet residential streets, often near schools and transit.
• Usually no condo fees or amenity rules.

Legal (registered) vs not

Most GTA cities let homeowners create a second unit, but it has to meet the building and fire codes, and some cities require registration. Brampton keeps a public registry of registered second units. Ask the landlord if the unit is registered and check it yourself. My Brampton legal basement guide and GTA legal basement guide show how.

Why it matters: a legal unit has passed inspection for exits, ceiling height, fire separation and alarms. If an illegal unit is shut down, you may have to move on short notice.

Viewing checklist

• A separate entrance and a second way out, or windows big enough to climb through.
• Working smoke alarm and carbon monoxide alarm in the unit.
• Signs of water: stains, musty smell, a dehumidifier running non-stop.
• Ceiling height and natural light in bedrooms.
• Your own heat control, or ask how heat is shared.
• Laundry: in the unit, shared, or none.
• Noise: ask who lives upstairs and their schedule.

Utilities, parking and rent

• Get the utility split in writing in the lease, for example 30% or 40% of the house bills, or a flat monthly amount.
• Confirm a parking spot, and who clears snow from it.
• Ask whether internet is included.
• Compare the rent with condo rents in the same city. See average rent by city.

Your rights as a basement tenant

If you rent a self-contained unit, you have the same rights as any tenant under Ontario's Residential Tenancies Act, including the standard lease and Landlord and Tenant Board protection. If you share a kitchen or bathroom with the owner who lives there, the Act generally does not apply, so get everything in writing.

FAQ