Your apartment-viewing checklist

Finding the right apartment in Canada means more than just falling in love with the space. A thorough viewing checklist—completed in just ten minutes—can save you hundreds of dollars in winter heating bills, protect your security deposit, and help you avoid serious problems after you sign the lease. This guide walks you through what to look for, what questions to ask, and how to document everything so you're protected from day one.

Heating: The Biggest Winter Expense

Canadian winters are long and cold, and heating is often the largest utility expense. Before you commit to an apartment, you must understand the heating system and who pays for it.

Ask About Heating Type and Cost

Ask the landlord or property manager: What type of heating does the unit have? Common types include forced-air furnace (usually gas), electric baseboard heaters, hydronic baseboard (hot water), or a building-wide central system. Each has very different costs and efficiency levels. Electric baseboard heaters are significantly more expensive to operate than other systems. During winter months in a typical small apartment or condo, electric baseboard heating can cost between $130 and $230 per month or more, depending on the building's insulation and your location. In colder regions or poorly insulated units, costs can exceed $250 monthly. Hydronic baseboard systems (using hot water circulated through the building) are more energy-efficient than electric systems.

Next, clarify who pays. In some buildings, the landlord covers heat as part of rent. In others, you pay through a utility bill. In some cases, landlords include heat in rent but only up to a certain amount—if you exceed it, you cover the rest. Get this in writing.

Check Window Seals and Drafts

Heat escapes through poor windows and door seals. Run your hand along the frames of windows and doors to feel for drafts. Open and close every window to ensure they move smoothly and seal properly. Look for cracks in windowpanes or missing weatherstripping. During winter, check whether there is condensation on the windows—a buildup of moisture can indicate poor sealing and can lead to mold growth. If the windows are heavily frosted or condensed, it suggests the apartment loses heat quickly, which will cost you more.

Water Pressure, Leaks, and Plumbing

Turn on every tap in the kitchen and bathroom. Check water pressure—it should flow steadily without sputtering. Look under sinks and around the toilet for any signs of leaks, water stains, or mold. Inspect ceilings and walls for water damage, discoloration, or peeling paint, which often indicate past or ongoing leaks from above.

Test the toilet by flushing it and checking whether it fills quietly and completely. Listen for running water after flushing—a running toilet wastes water and will increase utility costs. If the bathroom exhaust fan is present, turn it on to ensure it works and removes moisture properly, as poor ventilation leads to mold.

Check for Pests and Structural Issues

Look carefully in corners, along baseboards, under the kitchen sink, in kitchen cabinets, and around plumbing and utility lines for signs of pests such as droppings, insect trails, dead insects, or crumbs. Pay special attention to the kitchen and bathroom, where pests are most likely to be found. Inspect the drawer under the oven, cabinet interiors, and the areas where pipes enter the unit.

Examine walls and ceilings for cracks, water stains, mold, or other signs of damage. Look at floors for soft spots, excessive wear, stains, or warping. Holes in walls or under cabinets are particularly concerning because they allow drafts and give pests easy entry to your unit. In shared buildings like condos and apartments, pest problems can spread quickly between units, so any signs should be taken seriously.

Confirm What's Included in Rent

In Canada, utilities are not automatically included in rent. Some apartments include all utilities, some include only certain ones, and many include none. This varies by province, city, and building. You must ask the landlord specifically what is and is not included, and obtain the answer in writing on your lease.

Common utilities include electricity, natural gas, water and sewer, heat, and sometimes garbage collection. In Ontario, for example, water is frequently included in rent, especially in multi-unit buildings, and heat is sometimes included in older buildings with central heating systems. However, electricity, internet, and cable are usually the tenant's responsibility. In other provinces, the arrangement may differ. Some landlords advertise utilities included but set a monthly cap—if you exceed the limit, you pay the difference. Always ask for clarity on what, if anything, is capped.

Parking and Laundry

Ask whether parking is available and whether it is included in rent or costs extra. Clarify whether it is a dedicated spot, shared, or street parking. If you plan to have a car, this is essential information for budgeting. Similarly, ask about laundry. Is there a washer and dryer in the unit? Is there a shared laundry room in the building? Do you need to buy tokens or use an app to pay? If there is no laundry, ask for directions to the nearest laundromat so you can factor in the cost and time.

Document Everything with Photos and Video

Before you sign anything, take dated photographs and videos of the entire apartment. Photograph every room, closet, appliance, window, and corner. Use your phone's camera and ensure the timestamp is visible, or take a photo of the day's date on your phone as the first image. Capture any existing damage, stains, wear and tear, missing features, and any concerns you noticed.

These photos are crucial insurance for your security deposit. When you move out, your landlord might claim that damage you did not cause is your responsibility. Photos prove the condition of the apartment on move-in day. They also serve as evidence if there is a dispute later about what was already broken or worn before you arrived.

The Move-in Inspection Report

In many Canadian provinces, landlords are legally required to conduct a move-in condition inspection with you before you move in. This is your opportunity to document the apartment's condition together with the landlord. Attend this inspection in person—if you cannot, you may lose your right to dispute damage charges later. Ask many questions during the walk-through and point out any damage, stains, cleanliness issues, or missing items.

Both you and the landlord should take photos and videos during the inspection. Make sure they capture damage, stains, wear-and-tear, and any missing features. Ensure the landlord provides you with a written copy of the inspection report, and sign and date it. Keep this documentation somewhere safe and accessible. In British Columbia and other provinces, if the landlord fails to complete a formal move-in inspection or does not provide you with a copy of the report, they lose their legal right to claim against your security deposit later.

Questions to Ask the Landlord

• What is the heating type, and who pays the heating bill?
• What utilities are included in rent, and what are not?
• Are there caps on included utilities? If so, what happens if I exceed them?
• Is parking available, included, or extra? What are the terms?
• Is there laundry in the unit or building, and how does it work?
• When can I expect the move-in condition inspection?
• Will you provide me with a written copy of the inspection report?
• What is the process for requesting repairs during my tenancy?
• Are there any known issues with the unit or building I should know about?
• What is the security deposit amount, and when will it be returned?

Before You Sign

Write down the landlord's answers to all your questions and keep them with your lease. Request that any agreements be in writing—verbal agreements are difficult to prove later. Read your lease carefully. It should clearly state what utilities are included, what the deposit terms are, when rent is due, and what your responsibilities are. If anything is unclear, ask for clarification and have it added to the lease in writing.

Pay your security deposit by cheque, e-transfer, or another traceable method, not in cash. Always get a receipt. Once you move in, send a copy of your move-in photos and the inspection report to your landlord by email (so you have proof they received it). This final step creates a clear record that protects you throughout your tenancy.