Pet-friendly rentals in Toronto (2026): rules, rents and tips

Good news if you rent with a dog or cat: about 7 in 10 condo apartments for rent in the Greater Toronto Area say pets are allowed. On October 18, 2026, 72% of the 5,614 condo apartments listed for rent across Toronto, York, Peel, Durham and Halton were marked "pets allowed, with restrictions", and they don't cost noticeably more than units that say no.

Ontario law is also on your side once you've moved in: a "no pets" clause in a residential lease is void. There are important exceptions, though, especially in condos. Here's what the numbers say and how the rules work.

72%Condo apartment rentals that allow pets4,053 of 5,614, all "with restrictions"

$2,600/moMedian rent, pets allowedvs. $2,500 where pets aren't allowed

$0Pet deposit a landlord can charge in OntarioOnly a last-month's-rent deposit and a key deposit are allowed

Based on the pets field of condo apartment listings. Houses and basement units rarely fill it in.

Source: Dibz analysis of active MLS® rental listings (TRREB, via PropTx), Oct 18, 2026; Residential Tenancies Act, 2006

How many rentals allow pets?

For condo apartments, every listing states a pet policy, so the numbers are solid. Across the GTA, 72% say pets are allowed, always "with restrictions" (the condo's rules on size, number or breed still apply). The share is similar for every unit size: 67% of studios, 71% of one-bedrooms, 73% of two-bedrooms and 78% of units with three or more bedrooms.

Condo apartments for rent at $800 to $30,000 a month; number of listings in brackets. Cities with at least 40 listings.

Source: Dibz analysis of active MLS® rental listings (TRREB, via PropTx), Oct 18, 2026

Show the numbers

	Value
Brampton (86)	61.6%
Mississauga (455)	65.3%
Markham (187)	70.1%
Vaughan (340)	71.8%
Toronto (4,034)	72.8%
Richmond Hill (89)	73%
Burlington (57)	73.7%
Oakville (134)	75.4%
Milton (75)	78.7%
Oshawa (64)	81.3%

For houses, main floors and basement apartments, the listing's pets field is almost always left blank, so there's no reliable count. Many owners of houses do accept pets; you just have to ask. On Dibz, rentals show "Pets OK" or "No pets" only when the listing itself says so, and a blank one shows an Ask an agent button so you can find out before you book a showing.

Do pet-friendly rentals cost more?

Barely. The median pet-friendly condo apartment asks $2,600 a month against $2,500 for one that isn't, and much of that gap is size. For the same unit, the difference disappears: one-bedrooms ask $2,250 either way, and two-bedrooms $2,985 against $2,950.

• Pets allowed
• No pets

Source: Dibz analysis of active MLS® rental listings (TRREB, via PropTx), Oct 18, 2026

Show the numbers

	Pets allowed	No pets
1 bedroom	$2,250/mo	$2,250/mo
2 bedrooms	$2,985/mo	$2,950/mo
All sizes	$2,600/mo	$2,500/mo

Your rights as a tenant with a pet in Ontario

A "no pets" clause in a lease is void. Under the Residential Tenancies Act, a lease term that prohibits animals in the unit can't be enforced, and Ontario's standard lease says landlords can't ban pets. If you sign a lease with a no-pets clause and later get a cat, the landlord can't evict you for that clause alone.

But a landlord can choose not to rent to you. Before a lease is signed, a landlord can pick another applicant, including one without pets. (Service animals are different: refusing a tenant because of a disability-related service animal can breach the Ontario Human Rights Code.) Be honest on applications; a reference from a past landlord about your pet helps.

When a pet can lead to eviction. The Landlord and Tenant Board can end a tenancy because of an animal only in limited cases, for example when it has seriously disturbed other residents or damaged the unit, causes a serious allergic reaction in another resident, or is a dangerous animal.

No pet deposits or pet fees. In Ontario, a landlord can only collect a rent deposit (no more than one month's rent, applied to your last month) and a refundable key deposit. A "pet deposit" or "damage deposit" isn't allowed.

Renting a condo? The condo's rules come first

In a condo, there's a third party: the condominium corporation. Its declaration and rules bind everyone who lives in the building, owners and tenants alike. If the declaration bans pets, or limits their number, size or type, the void-clause rule in the Residential Tenancies Act doesn't protect you from the condo, and condo tribunals have ordered tenants to remove pets.

Before you apply for a condo rental with a pet:

• Ask for the declaration and rules. Your landlord has to give you a copy, and you're bound by them either way.
• Check the limits. Common ones: one or two pets per unit, weight limits for dogs, leashes in common areas, no pets in some amenity spaces.
• Look at the listing. "Pets allowed, with restrictions" means the building allows pets within its rules. "No" usually means the building or the owner doesn't want them.

Tips for renting with a pet in Toronto

1. Filter early. Search condos that say pets are allowed, and ask about houses and basement units before booking a showing.
2. Make a pet résumé. Breed, age, weight, vaccinations, spay/neuter, training, and a reference from a previous landlord.
3. Offer reassurance, not cash. You can't legally be asked for a pet deposit, but tenant insurance with liability coverage and an offer of a professional clean at move-out can help.
4. Check the neighbourhood. Parks, off-leash areas and a nearby vet matter more than an extra amenity in the building. On Dibz, each listing shows nearby parks, schools and places.
5. Watch the move-in rules. Many condos need elevator bookings and have pet rules for the move itself.

Browse condos for rent in Toronto, Mississauga and Vaughan, or all rentals by city. For what rentals cost generally, see average rent in Toronto and the GTA.

FAQ

Can a landlord refuse pets in Ontario?

Before you sign, yes: a landlord can choose an applicant without pets. After you've signed, a "no pets" clause in the lease is void and can't be enforced on its own. In a condo, though, the condominium's own pet rules apply to tenants.

Are pet deposits legal in Ontario?

No. The only deposits a landlord can take are a rent deposit of up to one month's rent (applied to the last month) and a refundable key deposit.

How many apartments in Toronto allow pets?

About 73% of condo apartments listed for rent in the City of Toronto allowed pets (with restrictions) on October 18, 2026: 2,937 of 4,034 listings.

Can a condo kick out a tenant's dog?

If the dog breaks the condo's declaration or rules (for example a weight limit or a pet ban) or is a nuisance, the condominium corporation can take steps against the owner and the tenant, including an application to the Condo Authority Tribunal or a court, which can order the animal removed.

Do I have to tell my landlord I have a pet?

Many rental applications ask. Being upfront avoids disputes later, and with 7 in 10 condo rentals allowing pets, you have plenty of choice.

Sources

• Government of Ontario: Renting in Ontario, your rights
• Residential Tenancies Act, 2006 (sections 14, 76, 105 and 106)
• Condominium Act, 1998 (section 119: compliance by owners and occupiers)
• Ontario Human Rights Commission: Disability and service animals
• Dibz analysis of active MLS® rental listings (TRREB, via PropTx), October 18, 2026: the "pets allowed" field of condo apartments for rent in Toronto, York, Peel, Durham and Halton, and their median asking rent.

This article is general information, not legal advice. For a dispute, contact the Landlord and Tenant Board, the Condo Authority Tribunal or a community legal clinic.