Tips for Spotting a Great Tenant

When it comes to owning rental property in Hamilton or Niagara, Ontario, one of the most important decisions you’ll make is who gets the keys to your unit. A great tenant pays rent on time, respects your property, and stays for the long haul. But how do you spot them before move-in day?

Here are our top tried-and-true tips—straight from the trenches of Canadian property management—to help you find a reliable renter you won’t lose sleep over.

Check for Accuracy & Completeness in Their Application

A great tenant won’t hesitate to fill out an application properly. Everything—from employer info to rental history—should be clear, complete, and verifiable.

🚩 Red flag: Vague answers, missing employer details, or contradictions.

✅ Pro tip: Cross-reference the employer and listed addresses to ensure they match up.

📚 Resource: Ontario Landlord and Tenant Board

Verify They Have Stable, Sufficient Income

We’re not saying you need to dive into their life savings—but verifying steady income is essential. Ask for:

• Recent pay stubs
• A job letter
• Tax documents (like a T4 or Notice of Assessment)

🧮 Rule of thumb: Income should be at least 3x the rent, though CMHC suggests housing costs should not exceed 30–40% of gross monthly income.

📚 Resource: CMHC Affordability Guidelines

Run a Credit Check (the Right Way)

Credit history says a lot about someone’s payment habits. In Canada, a score of 660+ is typically considered good, but what really matters is:

• Consistent on-time payments
• Low debt-to-income ratio
• No red flags like accounts in collections or past evictions

Use a reliable Canadian credit bureau like Equifax or TransUnion (we recommend Equifax for landlord use).

Actually Call Their References

Yes, actually pick up the phone and speak to:

• Previous landlords
• Current employers

Ask specific questions:

• Were they on time with rent?
• Did they maintain the property?
• Would you rent to them again?

🎭 Heads up: Fake landlord references are a thing. Trust your instincts if something feels off.

Pay Attention During the Property Viewing

This part is surprisingly telling! A great tenant will:

• Show up on time
• Be polite and respectful
• Ask thoughtful questions
• Avoid trash-talking previous landlords or roommates

🧠 Gut check: If their vibe feels off, it might be worth digging deeper. First impressions matter.

Ask About Their Future Plans

You want stability—not a serial mover. Ask if they’re planning to stay long-term, whether they work or study locally, and if they have family or other ties to the area.

🔁 Frequent movers often mean higher turnover, vacancy loss, and added costs.

Do Your Due Diligence on Tenant History

If you’ve got a name, you’ve got options. Public records are searchable.

You might be able to uncover any public tribunal decisions involving your applicant. Past disputes or evictions can show up here.

Consider Partnering with a Property Manager

If this all sounds like a lot, we get it. Screening can be time-consuming—and mistakes are costly.

Working with a licensed Ontario property manager can:

• Speed up the process
• Reduce risk
• Ensure compliance with provincial laws

We’ve screened thousands of tenants across Hamilton and Niagara. We know the red flags and the green lights—and we’d be happy to help.

Final Thoughts

Great tenants aren’t unicorns—they’re out there, you just need the right system to find them. By being thorough, asking the right questions, and trusting your instincts, you’ll be way ahead of most landlords.

And hey, if you’d rather someone else do the legwork? That’s what we’re here for.