The Benefits of Using a REALTOR® When Looking to Rent

Going alone to find a property to rent can feel just as daunting as buying a home without professionals to help. According to the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), properties for lease are currently in high demand, making the rental market increasingly competitive. From their expertise of the market to overall negotiation skills, having a REALTOR® in your corner can make all the difference when it comes to loving your next home. 


We spoke with Stephan Gauthier, a REALTOR® with Ottawa Property Shop Realty Inc., to get his insights into the advantages of using a REALTOR® to rent a residential property.


“Renters working with a REALTOR® are entitled to professional guidance, expert advice, and assistance throughout the rental process,” explains Gauthier. “They’ll also benefit from having a property expert by their side throughout the process. There’s no cost to have a REALTOR® on your side [as a renter] but the benefits are substantial.” 


Expert knowledge and guidance

Did you know renters are given the same benefits and protections as buyers and sellers when they work with a REALTOR®?


“REALTORS® have knowledge about the local rental market, including fair rental prices, neighbourhood trends, and available listings,” says Gauthier. “They can also help you find the right property more efficiently by narrowing down options based on your preferences and budget.” 


Not all REALTORS® take on rental clients, but many do, so this will be one of the first questions you’ll ask when interviewing REALTORS®. Working with renters helps a REALTOR® build their client base, generate referral business, and build long-term relationships with clients who may eventually become home buyers.


According to Gauthier, some REALTORS® even work exclusively with renters. Often referred to as rental agents, these professionals help renters find and secure properties that fit their needs and budget.


Access to more listings

Typically renters who don’t work with a REALTOR® use a variety of channels to access listings, including websites, social media pages and groups, and classified ads. While many people find success navigating these platforms on their own, they may be overwhelmed with the options. When a REALTOR®  is involved, they curate listings that fit most, if not all, of the renter’s criteria, giving them an upper hand in finding a property. This is especially helpful in places where the rental market is saturated. 


“When you work with a REALTOR®, they set you up to receive emails the instant a potential listing that meets your needs becomes available,” Gauthier explains. “Some listings may not be publicly available yet, but a REALTOR® may have access to pre-market properties.”


Outstanding negotiation skills 

Believe it or not, you can actually negotiate the advertised rental or lease price just like you would when purchasing a home. This may be harder to accomplish if you’re doing it on your own, but REALTORS® are skilled negotiators. They take into account several factors, including your budget, the property’s size, condition and history, the current market, neighbourhood, and amenities to ensure the landlord gives the renter the best possible price. 


If the property has any issues such as mould, pests, or other maintenance problems, the REALTOR® would be able to negotiate repairs or solutions. 


Gauthier adds the negotiation isn’t always just about lowering the price.


“They can also discuss the condition of the property and request repairs or improvements before signing the rental agreement,” he explains. “The REALTOR® would help with these negotiations and also ensure they’re put in writing to avoid any confusion or disappointment.” 


Peace of mind

Rental applications and agreements contain a lot of information (usually written in legal jargon) about renter responsibilities, security deposit information, rent and early lease termination terms, conditions around repairs and modifications, and pet allowances. “REALTORS® understand rental agreements and can help you navigate the process and avoid potential issues,” Gauthier says. Even your deposit is protected when you work with a REALTOR®, thanks to their insurance.


Given the frequent occurrence of scams and legal complications, it’s important to protect yourself from financial trouble, and ensure your rights as a renter won’t be violated. When you work with a REALTOR® you’re guaranteed legal and contractual support that gives you peace of mind. They “ensure everything is done correctly and in accordance with [your provincial or territorial tenant act],” Gauthier explains.


This vetting of the agreement on behalf of the renter can offer protection if the landlord decides to sell the property while the renter is living in it. For example, in Ontario, a landlord “cannot simply evict a tenant because they’re selling their home,” says Gauthier. 


“If the property has sold and the new owners want to move in, there are specific provisions of the Residential Tenancies Act to consider,” says Gauthier. “There are many factors involved with ending a tenancy and landlords must follow these rules as per the [Ontario] Residential Tenancies Act and they must respect any active lease.”


No extra costs

“There is no cost to have a REALTOR® on your side but the benefits are substantial,” a fact that, according to Gauthier, may come as a surprise to many people. 


Renters may shy away from the idea of using a REALTOR® because they don’t want to pay for the service. As a renter, you are not responsible for any fees or premiums. All you have to prepare for are any payments related to the lease agreement, such as deposits. 

Landlords or property owners are usually the parties responsible for any fee agreements with REALTORS®. Typically, this payment is calculated based on the value of the lease or on a flat fee to avoid any surprises down the line. 


Using a REALTOR® also saves you the time that would otherwise be spent searching through listings, scheduling viewings, reading complicated documents, and paying higher than normal rent.


Source: By The Benefits of Using a REALTOR® When Looking to Rent - REALTOR.ca

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September 22, 2026
As of September 21, 2026, Ontario's rental landscape has shifted in meaningful ways. Whether you own an investment property, rent out a basement unit, or are a tenant in Guelph and the surrounding area, these updates affect how tenancies are managed, how disputes are resolved, and how quickly timelines move. Here is a clear overview of what has changed and what it means for you. The Background The second wave of amendments under Bill 60 and Bill 97 took effect on September 21, 2026, introducing shorter eviction timelines, a codified definition of habitually late rent, financial prerequisites for raising certain issues at hearings, and revised compensation rules for personal use evictions. These follow an earlier round of changes that came into force on July 1. The province's stated goal is to reduce backlogs and speed up disputes at the Landlord and Tenant Board (LTB). Immigration News Canada Unpaid Rent: A Shorter Notice Period When rent goes unpaid, a landlord serves an N4 notice. For an N4 given on or after September 21, 2026, the notice period has been shortened from 14 days to 7 days. Any N4 served before that date must still use the previous 14 day period to be legally valid. A Clear Definition of Persistent Late Payment For the first time, the rules spell out what "persistently late" means. A tenant can now be considered persistently late if they fail to pay rent within seven days of the due date on at least three separate occasions within six months. This gives landlords a specific standard when documenting late payments and pursuing an N8 notice. For tenants, repeated late payments can now create a clearer basis for a landlord to seek to end a tenancy, even if the rent is eventually paid. blogTO MoneySense New Conditions at Non Payment Hearings Tenants facing an arrears hearing have traditionally been able to raise their own concerns, such as maintenance problems, harassment, or illegal entry. For landlord applications made on or after September 21, 2026, a tenant who wants to raise those issues at the hearing must generally pay 50% of the rent arrears claimed. Applications filed before that date continue under the previous rules, even if the hearing happens later. That payment must be made no later than seven days before the hearing. CanooqCanooq Own Use Evictions: A New 120 Day Option Previously, a landlord ending a tenancy so that they or a close family member could move in had to file an N12, give at least 60 days' notice, and pay one month of rent as compensation. Landlords now have a choice. They can continue using the 60 day process, or provide at least 120 days' notice and avoid paying that compensation. NOW Toronto blogTO There are important conditions. To qualify, the N12 must be given on or after September 21, the termination date must be at least 120 days later, and it must fall at the end of a rental period or fixed term. The waiver also has limits: notices where a purchaser intends to move in remain subject to the existing one month compensation requirement. This matters for anyone selling a tenanted property, since the buyer's move in does not qualify for the new exemption. Immigration News CanadaImmigration News Canada The province has also added safeguards against misuse. The landlord or other person named on the N12 must generally occupy the unit within 60 days of the date on the notice. If they do not, the former tenant can bring a bad faith eviction application, and the N12 is presumed to have been given in bad faith unless the landlord can rebut the claim. Moving2Canada Renovations and the Right to Return Some of the new rules give tenants additional rights if they are asked to leave for major renovations or repairs. A tenant who states in writing that they want to return after the work is finished triggers a process the landlord must follow. Moving2Canada Changes That Took Effect July 1 Several updates have already been in place since the summer. For an LTB order issued on or after July 1, 2026, a request to review must generally be made within 15 days rather than 30. Tenants also gained the right to install a window or portable air conditioner with written notice, a mandatory LTB Payment Agreement Form was introduced for repayment plans, and maximum fines doubled to $100,000 for individuals and $500,000 for corporations. Powerhousepm OntarioLandlord What Has Not Changed Two points are worth emphasizing. First, an eviction notice still does not allow a landlord to personally remove a tenant or change the locks. Where an eviction order is required, the landlord must apply to the LTB and follow the legal enforcement process. Second, rent control remains in place. The 2026 rent increase guideline is 2.1% for most rent controlled tenancies, and landlords must generally provide at least 90 days' written notice. 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