Off Topic - Ontario Rental Question

[roxysmum123]

I know I can just "Google" this, but to be honest the information I'm finding isn't the most helpful:

I'm moving in with my boyfriend and we're wanting to put me on the lease. The lady that works in the office said I need proof of income, such as a recent pay stub. No problem, I don't mind providing that. Then as I was walking out of the office, she says I also need to provide my 2013 Notice of Assessment.....ummm really? My tax information feels really invasive for them to ask for, can they ask for that? Do I have to provide it?

Zero experience with renting (I used to work in a homeless shelter, but working with landlords when the tenant is going to be on OW is much different than this). Any help greatly appreciated!

Also, any benefit to doing tenancy vs just being listed as an occupant on the unit? Just being listed as occupant seems easier

 

[Gigi22]

I know I can just "Google" this, but to be honest the information I'm finding isn't the most helpful:

I'm moving in with my boyfriend and we're wanting to put me on the lease. The lady that works in the office said I need proof of income, such as a recent pay stub. No problem, I don't mind providing that. Then as I was walking out of the office, she says I also need to provide my 2013 Notice of Assessment.....ummm really? My tax information feels really invasive for them to ask for, can they ask for that? Do I have to provide it?

Zero experience with renting (I used to work in a homeless shelter, but working with landlords when the tenant is going to be on OW is much different than this). Any help greatly appreciated!

Also, any benefit to doing tenancy vs just being listed as an occupant on the unit? Just being listed as occupant seems easier

Disclaimer: I haven't rented property for many years. I do think that the landlord is crossing a line. Your Notice of Assessment contains several pieces of information, particularly your SIN, which would make it easy for someone in that office to steal your identity. No way would I comply with this request. You can ask the people in the office if the information is required by law. Ask them to produce proof of it. Or, you can tell them you lost your Notice of Assessment.

 

[Computermama]

I've never had anyone ask for that. I wouldn't give them that information.

 

[archdandy]

I just looked it up and found this for you:

"
Who Can ask for my SIN number?
Your Social Insurance Number (SIN) is a confidential number that is restricted to income reporting purposes. There are a select and limited number of federal government departments and programs specifically authorized to collect the SIN.

The authority to collect and use the SIN is tied to a specific legislated purpose, not necessarily to a particular body. For example, an employer can collect an employee’s SIN to provide them with Records of Employment and T-4 slips for income tax purposes, as can provincial or municipal agencies to report financial assistance payments for income tax purposes.

Institutions from which you earn interest or income, such as banks, credit unions and trust companies, must also ask for your SIN.

If you live in Quebec, Hydro Québec is required by provincial law to collect a SIN for opening new accounts.

You are not required to provide your SIN number to any other private-sector organization or person such as a landlord. There is no law preventing private-sector organizations from asking for the SIN for other purposes, such as identification, but they do need to make people aware that collection of a SIN is optional and not a condition of service.

Our Office recommends that no private-sector organization request the SIN from a customer, and that no customer give the SIN to a private-sector organization, unless the organization is required by law to request it.

Any organization that collects your SIN, whether it operates under PIPEDA or the public-sector Privacy Act, a must do so under strict rules to protect your privacy."

https://www.priv.gc.ca/faqs/index_e.asp#q012

"What information can a prospective landlord ask me for?

In order to make a decision on whether or not to rent a property to you, a prospective landlord may ask for some personal information that will allow them to complete a credit check. A credit check will give the prospective landlord information about your ability to pay the rent and the potential timeliness of your payment. A prospective landlord is required to gain your consent to share your personal information with any third party or organization, such as a credit reporting agency for a credit check.

Information that is required in order to run a credit check is as little as your name, address and date of birth. Although not necessary for a credit check, your driver’s license, passport, employer, income and expenses may be asked for on your rental application which may allow your landlord to obtain a more detailed report from organizations that offer credit checks.

You are not required to provide your SIN number to any private-sector organization or person such as a landlord. There is no law preventing private-sector organizations from asking for a SIN for other purposes, such as identification, but they do need to make people aware that collection of a SIN is optional and not a condition of service.

There is also nothing in the law that limits landlords from asking for your driver’s license or passport. These two forms of identification are unique to you and they contain a significant amount of personal information such as your name, address, picture, some physical descriptions, signature, possibly your year of birth and location; and, gender. Be aware of the reasons behind why someone would be asking you for this information and consult with their privacy policy or privacy officer if you have any questions.

Sometimes a prospective landlord may only ask to “view” these documents as opposed to copying or writing down the information. This is usually done to verify or confirm the information you have already provided to them and can help to safeguard this sensitive personal information.

Once an organization or landlord has collected any personal information, it takes on new risks and responsibilities under PIPEDA. PIPEDA requires any private organization that collects your personal information to also protect it against unauthorized loss, theft or disclosure. Because credit bureaus—which are used by many landlords—collect, use and disclose personal information through their consumer credit reports, they are also governed by provincial and federal privacy laws.

You are entitled to see your personal information that is in the hands of an organization covered by the Act. You are also entitled to challenge the accuracy and completeness of the personal information, and to have it amended as appropriate."

 

[shepd]

It wasn't legal to ask for your income in the first place, asking for your tax records is so far over the line it's embarrassing:

http://www.ohrc.on.ca/en/writing-fair-rental-housing-ad-fact-sheet

Say no and see what they say. If they decide they won't rent to you because of that, you'll have to decide if you want to pursue the matter further or not.

EDIT: Actually, they can ask for proof of income, which you provided with a paystub (frankly, I've never needed to do this when I rented, so I had to check). However, taxes typically contain too much personal information that the landlord is not permitted to know. If you really want the place (personally, I'd run--a landlord starting out the relationship on this foot is likely going to be adversarial to his tenants) I would photocopy the notice of assessment, black out every detail that is not your gross income and name, and photocopy the blacked out sheet (don't hand over the one you marked on, magic marker is typically invisible to IR light).

Also permitted are credit checks and rental history.

The income check is worthless as if the landlord is proven to rent only to people in a certain income bracket, they're breaking the law. Someone on welfare and someone making $1,000,000 are equally permitted to rent. This is likely why I've never been asked about income and I've never heard of anyone else I know of that rents having been asked. Too much risk for the landlord as they may accidentally show bias.