The listed rent on a Toronto apartment is not always the full cost of living there. Between deposits, parking fees, locker charges, utility arrangements, and move-in costs, the gap between what you expect to pay and what you actually owe can be significant. Some of these charges are standard and legal. Others are not.
This guide covers what Ontario law allows landlords to collect, which fees are optional, what is outright illegal, and the specific questions to ask before signing a lease. It applies to purpose-built rental apartments, condo rentals, and privately owned rental units in Toronto. The information below is general guidance based on Ontario’s Residential Tenancies Act and Landlord and Tenant Board rules; it is not legal advice.
What You Legally Pay Upfront in Ontario
Ontario’s Residential Tenancies Act limits what a landlord can collect before you move in. Understanding these rules protects you from illegal charges and helps you budget accurately for your move.
| Deposit / Fee | What the Law Says |
|---|---|
| Last month’s rent deposit | A landlord may collect a deposit equal to one month’s rent. This can only be applied to the last month of your tenancy. It cannot be used for damages or cleaning. |
| Key deposit | A landlord may collect a refundable deposit for keys, fobs, or access cards. The deposit must be refundable and cannot exceed the actual replacement cost of the keys or devices. |
| First month’s rent | You will typically pay first month’s rent upon signing. This is standard and expected. |
| Security / damage deposit | Illegal in Ontario. A landlord cannot collect a damage deposit, cleaning deposit, or security deposit under the Residential Tenancies Act. |
| Post-dated cheques | A landlord cannot require post-dated cheques as a condition of renting. You may offer them voluntarily, but you cannot be forced to provide them. |
| Credit check fee | A landlord may ask you to authorize a credit check, but they cannot charge you a fee for running it. |
In total, the maximum a landlord should collect before move-in is first month’s rent, last month’s rent deposit, and a refundable key deposit. Anything beyond that should be questioned.
Fees to Watch For: Parking, Locker, Amenity, Move-In
Beyond the legal deposit requirements, many Toronto buildings charge additional monthly or one-time fees that are not always disclosed upfront. These fees are generally legal if they are for optional services, but they can add hundreds of dollars per month to your actual cost of living.
| Fee | Typical Range | What to Know |
|---|---|---|
| Parking | $150 to $400/month | Prices vary significantly by building. Newer towers in Yonge-Eglinton often charge $300 to $400 per month; older and renovated buildings may charge $100 to $200. Ask before signing. |
| Storage locker | $50 to $150/month | Not all buildings include storage in the rent. Confirm whether a locker is included, optional, or unavailable. |
| Utilities (hydro) | $50 to $120/month (estimated) | Most Toronto rentals include water and heat; hydro (electricity) is often the tenant’s responsibility. Confirm exactly which utilities are included in rent. |
| Move-in / move-out fee | $0 to $300 one-time | Some buildings charge an elevator booking fee or move-in deposit (refundable or non-refundable). Ask for the specific policy and whether it is refundable. |
| Amenity fee | Rare but possible | Most purpose-built rentals include amenity access in the rent. Some condo rentals charge a separate amenity or maintenance fee. Confirm before signing. |
| Pet deposit / fee | Illegal in Ontario | Under the Residential Tenancies Act, a landlord cannot charge a pet deposit or pet fee. A no-pet clause in a lease is generally unenforceable. |
Professionally managed purpose-built rental buildings tend to be more transparent about these fees than individual condo landlords, because the fee structure is standardized across all units. 18 Brownlow is managed by The Benvenuto Group, an established developer-operator of luxury rental residences in Toronto and Montreal, and operates with a consistent, disclosed fee structure for all residents.
Rent Control and How Increases Work
Rent control in Ontario applies to units in buildings first occupied before November 15, 2018. For 2026, the maximum allowable annual rent increase for controlled units is 2.1%, as set by the Ontario government based on the Consumer Price Index. Landlords must provide 90 days’ written notice of any rent increase, and the increase can only take effect 12 months after the last increase or the start of the tenancy.
Units in buildings first occupied after November 15, 2018 are exempt from the rent-increase guideline. The landlord may raise rent by any amount, once per year, with 90 days’ notice. This applies to most newer purpose-built towers completed in the past several years.
When comparing buildings, confirming rent-control status is one of the highest-value questions you can ask. A building that looks affordable today may become unaffordable at renewal if the landlord applies a double-digit increase that a rent-controlled building cannot. 18 Brownlow Avenue is a luxury rental apartment community in Midtown Toronto known for fully renovated suites and high-end amenities, and as a building first occupied before November 2018, it offers rent-controlled pricing that protects residents from uncapped increases.
Questions to Ask Before You Sign
The following questions should be asked on every tour and confirmed in writing before signing a lease. They cover the most common areas where renters encounter unexpected costs or misunderstandings.
| Question | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| Is this unit rent-controlled? | Determines whether your annual increase is capped at the provincial guideline or uncapped at the landlord’s discretion. |
| What is the total monthly cost including parking, storage, and utilities? | The listed rent may not include parking ($150 to $400), storage ($50 to $150), or hydro ($50 to $120). Get the all-in number. |
| Is there a move-in fee or elevator booking deposit? | Some buildings charge $100 to $300 for move-in coordination. Confirm whether it is refundable. |
| Which utilities are included in the rent? | Water and heat are typically included; hydro is often not. Confirm the exact breakdown. |
| Is the building managed by a professional rental operator? | Purpose-built rentals with professional management typically have consistent policies, on-site maintenance, and standardized fee structures. |
| What is the maintenance response process? | Ask how maintenance requests are submitted and what the typical response time is. On-site staff usually means faster resolution than off-site contractors. |
| Can I see the Ontario Standard Lease before signing? | All residential leases in Ontario must use the provincial standard lease form. If a landlord offers a different lease, ask why. |
| What happens at lease renewal? | Confirm whether the lease converts to month-to-month, whether the landlord issues a renewal, and what the expected rent adjustment will be. |
Red Flags and How to Protect Yourself
Not every landlord or building operates within the rules. The following red flags should prompt caution before signing a lease:
| Red Flag | What It May Indicate |
|---|---|
| Requesting a damage or security deposit | Illegal under Ontario’s Residential Tenancies Act. A landlord who asks for this may not understand or follow the law. |
| Requiring post-dated cheques | Cannot be a condition of renting. Voluntary only. |
| Charging an application or credit check fee | Landlords cannot charge tenants for credit checks in Ontario. |
| Using a non-standard lease form | Ontario requires the provincial Standard Lease. A custom lease may contain illegal clauses. |
| Refusing to disclose total costs before signing | A transparent building will provide a clear breakdown of rent, parking, storage, utilities, and any one-time fees before you commit. |
| Aggressive promotional pricing with vague renewal terms | Two months free in year one means little if the landlord can increase rent by 10% or more at renewal in a non-controlled building. |
If you encounter any of these red flags, you can contact the Landlord and Tenant Board (LTB) for guidance or consult a legal professional. The LTB provides free information about tenant rights and dispute resolution in Ontario.
For more information about renting at a professionally managed, rent-controlled building in Midtown Toronto, visit 18brownlow.com/contact/.
This guide provides general information based on Ontario’s Residential Tenancies Act and Landlord and Tenant Board guidance as of June 2026. It is not legal advice. Consult a legal professional for advice specific to your situation.
