Before You Start

Come to an understanding of the on rent range, proximity to work,size of home needed, necessary amenities, etc.
Decide when want to look; expect to view 2-5 units each week for 2-3 weeks to find what you want; set aside time each day when you can review listings and select those units you want to arrange to see.
Check the newspapers and rental guides that are available in most convenience stores.
Be prepared to ask questions and take good notes.
Prepare to about the place.

Time to View

Be on time! If the home is occupied, seek permission to enter bedrooms and don't wander unattended.

Be thorough--use a checklist--look in closets, under sinks, in the basement; windows and doors should have clearly functioning and sturdy locks.

You Like the Place

Don't be pressured into signing the lease until you've had time in private to make sure you and anyone living with you agree--a lease is legally binding once signed.

Agree on conditions you want added to the lease; for instance, 'the landlord agrees to leave the basement clean of all debris by [DATE LEASE TO START].' or 'the landlord agrees to repaint the downstairs bathroom ceiling by June 1 [this year].'

Arrange to call the landlord by noon the next day with your answer (and whether yes or no, make sure you call!). In the meantime (if a weekday) call the city's Building Department and find out if there are any outstanding work orders on the property (so know the exact address!). If there are work orders, the landlord cannot increase the rent until they are cleared.

Negotiating

You can always try to get the best deal you can. The stove may look pretty old and you'd like a newer one, or you'd like a washer and dryer for your use in the basement. There's no harm in asking for these things...or a reduction in rent for that matter. If the landlord agrees, great. If not, at least you tried.

Signing the Lease

Read the lease thoroughly before signing. If there are any doubts, contact your lawyer.

Ask the landlord to explain any clauses you are unsure about.

Every tenant whose signature is on the lease is bound by it.

The landlord is to supply a copy of the signed lease to you within 21 days of both parties signing it. So, make sure you have the landlord's full name and number; if no lease is forthcoming, call to remind the landlord. If the landlord does not meet the 21-day deadline, the tenant does not have to keep any promises set out in the tenancy agreement until a copy of it is delivered.

Adding Conditions/Terms to the Lease

If there are conditions that you would like added to the agreement (for instance, 'the landlord agrees to steam clean all main floor carpets by [date]')

Have them written out ahead of time, if possible.

Discuss them, and their wording, with the landlord and, With the landlord's agreement, write them on the lease itself--on each copy of the lease!

The tenants and the landlord, each, should initial any changes/additions on each copy of the lease.

If the landlord is unwilling to put his or her name to something ("Oh, that's not necessary to write that down") it has not become a part of your agreement. Know ahead of time what you will do in this instance; saying "We'd really like to have it as part of the agreement; if we can't, we'll need some more time to think about signing" may be enough to get it in writing.

First and Last Month's Rent

At the time of signing a lease it is common practice to supply the landlord with first and last month's rent. Last month's rent is also known as a "security deposit" which the landlord holds throughout your tenancy; it does go toward your last month's rent.

So, come prepared with chequebooks. The first month's rent cheque should be dated for the first day of the first month of the tenancy. The landlord will probably ask that the last month's rent/security deposit be dated for the day you are signing the lease. The landlord is to pay 6% interest annually on the security deposit for as long as she/he holds it.