Move-In and Move-Out Inspections in Ontario

Unlike some provinces, Ontario does not legally require a move-in or move-out inspection report under the Residential Tenancies Act, 2006. There is no mandated form, no required signing process, and no legal deadline tied to completing one. This is a genuine difference from provinces that mandate a documented condition inspection at move-in and move-out.

This does not mean doing an inspection is prohibited or unusual -- it simply means it is not a legal obligation in Ontario the way it is elsewhere. Many landlords and tenants still choose to do one voluntarily, and it can still serve as useful evidence if a dispute arises later.

Because Ontario does not have a separate refundable damage deposit (see our guide on Ontario security deposits), the financial stakes of an inspection are different than in provinces with a damage deposit. However, disputes about the unit's condition can still arise -- for example, in an LTB claim about damage beyond normal wear and tear.

Taking dated photos and video of the unit's condition when you move in, and again when you move out, is a simple and effective way to protect yourself even though no law requires it. If a landlord ever claims you caused damage, having your own contemporaneous evidence of the unit's condition at move-in is valuable.

• Walk through every room with your phone camera on move-in day, before you bring in furniture if possible
• Note any pre-existing marks, scuffs, or issues in writing and email them to your landlord so there's a timestamp
• Keep copies of any written communication about the unit's condition
• Repeat the process at move-out

None of this is legally mandatory in Ontario, but it costs little time and can prevent a dispute from becoming your word against your landlord's.