RentSafeTO – Evaluations & Audits

Evaluation Process

Every year, the City compiles a list of all buildings that require an evaluation. A bylaw enforcement officer is assigned and building owner/operators are notified of the upcoming evaluation. Any new buildings that registered for the RentSafeTO program will be evaluated in the current evaluation cycle year.

The evaluation is scheduled so that the property owner, or a designate can be present to provide the bylaw enforcement officer access to locked common areas and/or facility amenities.

The Bylaw Enforcement Officer will take notes and photographs of their inspection. After the inspection, the total building evaluation score is calculated and made available to the building owner and operator to review and post on the Tenant Notification Board. If any violations are found that are considered to be health or life safety concerns, the officer will issue an Order to Comply or Notice of Violation.

Following the evaluation, the building owner/operator will be provided with a report of the inspection findings and the building’s evaluation score through the RentSafeTO Portal. Details about the most recent building evaluation must be posted on the Tenant Notification Board.

Building Owner Requirements

Building owner/operators will be provided through the RentSafeTO portal with a copy of the property’s building evaluation results, which will include the evaluation score.

Building owners/operators are required to share the score and details of each evaluation with existing tenants and any prospective tenant. They are also required to post the most recent building evaluation on the Tenant Notification Board.

Each RentSafeTO building will be assigned a green, yellow, or red sign based on its most recent building score. Starting June 15, 2026, building owners and operators will be required to post their sign near the main entrance of the building and update if building score changes. More information is provided below in the Colour-Coded Signs section.

How Building Scores Are Calculated

Building evaluations are conducted using a tool to measure how well a building complies with bylaws and to calculate scores for all registered buildings. During an evaluation, bylaw enforcement officers will inspect the interior and exterior of the building and ensure that building owners meet the requirements outlined under the Apartment Building and Property Standards bylaws.

Below you will find a list of categories and inspection criteria used when conducting a building evaluation broken down by exterior, interior and mandatory plans and building requirements. Each item is inspected and assigned a score from one to three with one being the lowest and three being the highest. Categories are weighted based on risk to health and safety.

• High Risk = 3%
• Moderate Risk = 2%
• Cosmetic = 0.5%

Evaluation Scores

Evaluation scores are calculated using a combination of proactive data (scores from the 50 categories) and reactive data (active violations). The scores are then converted to a percentile ranking so buildings are scored in comparison to other buildings within the program. Buildings that score in the bottom 2.5 percentile are subject to an audit.

Formula: Proactive Data – Reactive Data = Total Building Score

Proactive Score = combined totals of evaluation categories

• 17 High Risk categories x 3%
• 23 Moderate Risk categories x 2%
• 10 Cosmetic categories x 0.5%

Reactive Data

• Orders to Comply and/or Notices of Violation (1% deduction applied for a minimum of 30 days)
• Emergency Order (2% deduction applied for a minimum of 4 months)

Evaluation scores are refreshed daily on the interactive web map.

Example

If your building scored 70 per cent in its proactive category evaluation score but received two Property Standards Orders that have not been complied with for more than 30 days, the building evaluation score would be 68 per cent. The evaluation score will revert back to its score of 70 per cent once the building comes into compliance.

Building Evaluation Criteria

Building Exterior Categories

Category Name	Inspection List	Prioritization	Ratings
Numbering of Property	Not clearly visible from driveway entrance Not appropriate size based on setback	High Risk	No numbers Numbers Present, not large enough No Violation
Exterior Grounds	Turf grass exceeds max height (20cm) Trees and foliage not maintained Prohibited weeds on property Deficient light posts and Loose litter and garbage Water ponding on property	Moderate Risk	All violations or multiple violations of larger scale (Sight-line obstruction, etc.) Minimal multiple deficiency violations (small amount of loose litter, minimal pruning, 1 lightbulb out, etc.) No Violation
Fencing	Non-permitted material types Rusting Condition not plumb Damage/Missing pieces/sections Exceeds max height (2.5 m)	Cosmetic	N/A Minimal cosmetic deficiency No Violation
Retaining Walls	Not plumb structure Cracks Exposed rebar Deficient delineation of concrete Broken/missing/damaged guards	High Risk	Structural integrity concern Minimal cosmetic deficiency No Violation
Catch Basins and Storm Drainage	Drain/Basin is obstructed Drain/Basin or immediate area ponding Broken/missing covers	High Risk	Obstructed, broken or missing covers, large pooling/ponding Minimal obstruction, minimal ponding/pooling No Violation
Building Exterior	Exposed rebar Spalling brick Brick deterioration/delamination Peeling paint Deteriorated shear walls Deteriorated walls Stained walls (ex: water) Missing flashing Deteriorated drainpipes Loose/unsecured attachments Deteriorated balcony slab	High Risk	Singular significant violation or Multiple violations of a large scale or structural integrity Minimal multiple deficiency violation (cosmetic ex: peeling paint, staining) No Violation
Balcony Guards	Unsafe conditions Balcony panels/guards rusted Deteriorate/missing guards Peeling paint Does not meet height requirement (42") Openings exceed 4" Structure facilitates climbing Overhanging/overstorage Balcony partially/fully enclosed	High Risk	Singular significant violation or Multiple violations of a large scale or structural integrity Minimal multiple deficiency violation (cosmetic ex: peeling paint) No Violation
Windows	Broken/damaged Deteriorated caulking Leaking Window screen damaged/missing Window safety device missing/broken Window not weathertight Unstable air conditioning	High Risk	Broken window, multiple violation or evident damage, void window safety device and unstable air conditioning Minimal deficiencies (one screen rip, some deteriorated caulking, etc.) No Violation
Exterior Receptacle Storage Area	Stain/sludge Bins not maintained (holes, lids, wheels) Excessive waste Overflowing bins Inadequate supply of bins Waste area not properly screened	Moderate Risk	No screening, excess waste and overflowing bins or hazardous/unsafe condition Minimal concern due to adequate supply of bins, stains and sludge, bin maintenance No Violation
Exterior Walkways	Pathway issues Steps and stairs not maintained Guards and/or handrails not maintained Broken or cracked surface material Trip hazard Dirt pathway present Drainage issues Lighting issues present	High Risk	Trip hazard, structural integrity concerns, missing or unstable guards and/or handrails Minimal concern of lighting, presence of dirt pathway, concern of pathway material, drainage No Violation
Clothing Drop Boxes	No permit Not in good repair Site line obstruction (within 3 m of a driveway or side property line) No name of owner/operator Not in well lit area	Moderate Risk	No permit, unsafe condition, site line obstruction or no lighting Permit out of date, lack of owner/operator contact information, dim lit No Violation
Accessory Buildings	Not constructed with suitable and uniform materials. Buildings are not maintained in a state of good repair. Buildings are not free from hazards.	Moderate Risk	Unsafe condition, obstructions, significant damage Minimal weather tight concerns, use of uniformed materials, damages No Violation
Exterior Doors	Missing doors Broken or missing lock mechanism Closure issues Frame not in state of good repair Frame is not weathertight (gaps, rot, etc.) Door not in state of good repair (gaps, screen, rot, etc.) Rust/Corrosion Broken or missing hardware	High Risk	Violation - multiple deficiencies, significant damage, failed locking mechanism, inability of door to self-close Minimal surface level damages, presence of screening No Violation

 

Building Interior Categories

Category Name	Inspection List	Prioritization	Ratings
Intercom	System does not connect No updated information Damaged System does not unlock door	High Risk	Not functional (cannot connect/call or buzzer unlock door) N/A No Violation
Lobby - Walls and Ceiling	Scuffing Peeling paint Wall finish not reasonably matched Cracked/damaged baseboard Cracked or damaged tile Unworkmanlike wall repair Water damage Dim/Missing lighting	Moderate Risk	Significant damages, deterioration, or multiple deficiencies (rust, poor plastering, water damage) Minimal surface level, small area issue No Violation
Lobby - Floors	Scuffing Deteriorated floor Worn Rips Stain/discolouration Damages/hazards	Moderate Risk	Significant damages, deterioration, or multiple deficiencies Minimal surface level, small area issue No Violation
Laundry Room	Water basin (hot/cold) not operational Lighting less than 200 lux Lighting covers missing/damaged Inoperable machines Walls, floors, ceilings not in state of good repair Obstructed drain	Moderate Risk	Damages, deterioration, no lighting, above 10% inoperable machines, fully obstructed drain Minimal surface level, small area issue, dim lighting, 10% threshold inoperable, partially obstructed drain No Violation
Interior Receptacle Storage Area	Stain Sludge Odour Wall issues Floor issues Ceiling issues Lighting/cover issues Bins not maintained Inadequate supply of bins Excessive waste Overflowing bins	Moderate Risk	Excess waste and overflowing bins, hazardous/unsafe condition, no lighting, multiple or significant damages and significant stains, sludge, or odour Minimal concern due to adequate supply of bins, stains and sludge, bin maintenance, dim lighting, minimal surface level damages No Violation
Mail Receptacles	Each dwelling unit does not have a separate and secure mailbox. Mailboxes are not in a state of good repair. Mailroom is not secure.	Moderate Risk	Mailroom or mailbox unsecure, mailboxes significant damages Minimal damages to mailbox or mailroom No Violation
Storage Areas/Lockers - Maintenance	Unsafe overhang Pathway obstruction Hanging wires Wall issues Floor issues Ceiling issues Door issues Door handle issues Locking mechanism issues Inadequate lighting (<50 lux) Light cover issues	Moderate Risk	Malfunctioning locking mechanism, pathway obstruction, no lighting, hanging wires, significant surface level deterioration Dim lighting, broken light covers, minimal surface level damages No Violation
Garbage/Compactor Room	Stain, sludge, odour Wall issues Floor issues Ceiling issues Lighting/cover issues Excessive waste Overflowing bins	Moderate Risk	Excess waste and overflowing bins, no lighting or covers, strong odours or hazardous/unsafe condition Dim lighting, minimal overflow, waste, staining or odour No Violation
Elevator - Maintenance	Elevator(s) operating	High Risk	Elevator(s) not working N/A No Violation
Elevator - Cosmetics	Missing/damaged components Not certified Poor ventilation Dirty cab Burnt out light	Moderate Risk	Ventilation not working, no lighting Minimal surface level concerns, dim lighting, partial ventilation No Violation
Interior Hallway - Walls and Ceiling	Scuffing Peeling paint Wall finish not reasonably matched Cracked/damaged baseboard Cracked or damaged tile Unworkmanlike wall repair Water damage	Cosmetic	Damaged surface level deterioration or multiple deficiencies Minimal surface level deterioration No Violation
Interior Hallway Floors	Scuffing Deteriorated floor Worn Rips Stain/discolouration Damage Hazards	Moderate Risk	Damaged surface levels, Hazardous conditions, Trip Hazards Minimal surface level deterioration No Violation
Interior Lobby and Hallway Lighting Levels	Dim lighting levels (50 lux level) Broken/missing lighting cover Burnt out/ missing bulbs Lights not clean	Moderate Risk	Above 10% threshold of damaged / missing covers, burnt out or missing bulbs 10% threshold damage/missing cover or burnt out/ missing No Violation
Common Area Ventilation	Not clean Not in state of good repair or maintained	High Risk	Non functioning dampers, airflow, significant cleanliness concern, not in good repair Minimal cleanliness concerns, partially functioning dampers No Violation
Electrical Services and Outlets	Not in state of good repair	High Risk	Missing faceplate, unsecure outlet, fire hazard, signs of fire damage Cracked faceplate, missing screw No Violation
Chute Rooms - Maintenance	Chute door not functional (self-close and latch) Ceiling issues Walls and floor issues Lighting issues	Moderate Risk	Hazardous condition, Fire Safety concerns, no lighting, significant deterioration of wall or ceiling Dim lighting, minimal surface level deterioration No Violation
Stairwell - Walls and Ceiling	Scuffing Peeling paint Wall finish not reasonably matched Cracked/damaged baseboard Cracked or damaged tile Unworkmanlike wall repair Water damage	Moderate Risk	Multiple deficiencies, Severe deterioration or damages, Hazardous Condition Minimal surface level deterioration No Violation
Stairwell - Landing and Steps	Trip Hazards Worn down finish deteriorated Broken or cracked	High Risk	Trip Hazard, Broken or Cracked Minimal deterioration of finishing No Violation
Stairwell - Lighting	Burnt out No lighting Lower than minimum 50 lux Light cover missing/damage Wiring Hanging lights	Moderate Risk	Violation Needs improvement - 10% threshold damage/missing cover or burnt out/ missing No Violation
Interior Handrail and Guard - Safety	Structural Integrity issues Structure facilitates climbing Guard height less than 42" Guard height less than 43" Opening exceeds 4" Missing window guards	High Risk	Any Violation N/A No Violation
Interior Handrail and Guard - Maintenance	Peeling paint Grip broken/missing Rust Scuffed/scratched	Cosmetic	Multiple violations OR/ severe damage Minimal surface level deterioration No Violation
Building Cleanliness	Exterior Doors/Windows – stains Exterior Doors/Windows – litter Exterior Doors/Windows – dirt/dust Exterior Doors/Windows – defecation Lobby – stains Lobby – litter Lobby – dirt/dust Lobby – defecation Laundry room – stains Laundry room – litter Laundry room – dirt/dust Laundry room – defecation Storage/Lockers – stains Storage/Lockers – litter Storage/Lockers – dirt/dust Storage/Lockers – defecation Hallways – stains Hallways – litter Hallways – dirt/dust Hallways – defecation Chute rooms – stains Chute rooms – litter Chute rooms – dirt/dust Chute rooms – defecation Stairwells – stains Stairwells – litter Stairwells – dirt/dust Stairwells – defecation	Cosmetic	Multiple areas of the lobby or numerous deficiencies Small area issue No Violation
Common Area Pests	Evidence of pest(s) Observation of pest(s)	High Risk	Evidence or observation of infestation N/A No Violation

Building Interior & Exterior Categories

Category Name	Inspection List	Prioritization	Ratings
Pools	Damaged and/or deteriorated fencing Pool/pool area not in state of good repair Deficient access control	High Risk	Significant cosmetic maintenance concerns, trip hazards, unsafe/hazardous conditions Minimal cosmetic maintenance concerns, minimal cleanliness No Violation
Other Amenities	Deficient access control or damaged Dirty/Broken Element in Play Area Community Room Not Maintained Gym not maintained Tennis Court not maintained	Moderate Risk	Significant esthetic maintenance concerns, trip hazards, unsafe/hazardous conditions Minimal esthetic maintenance concerns, minimal cleanliness No Violation
Parking Areas	Inadequate lighting Peeling paint ceiling/walls or pillars Emergency exit signage missing Deteriorating concrete on walls, ceiling/pillars, Pavement deteriorated Water penetration Exit doors not secure Dirty/excess garbage Paint requirements not met No/Missing suitable markings to indicate parking spaces Garage door deteriorated/damaged Sensor or Closing mechanism not operational	Moderate Risk	Missing emergency signage, significant concrete or pavement deterioration, garage door malfunctioning Dim lighting, minimal peeling paint, minimal cleanliness concerns No Violation
Abandoned Equipment and Derelict Vehicles	Equipment or vehicles or parts that are damaged or inoperable	Moderate Risk	Derelict equipment or vehicles N/A No Violation
Graffiti	Interior lobby Interior halls Interior stairwells Exterior grounds Parking garage Hate, gang-related, inappropriate	Cosmetic	Larger than extended hand OR offensive/hate/gang Less than size of an extended hand and non-offensive/hate No Violation

Mandatory Plans & Notification Board Requirements

Category Name	Inspection List	Prioritization	Ratings
Emergency Contact Sign	Not present with required information No physical sign Not in prominent location	High Risk	No Signage N/A No Violation
Tenant Notification Board	Not in easily accessible common area location Missing RentSafeTO Program information Missing most recent building evaluation results No information on service disruptions (if applicable) No emergency contact information No information on nearest cooling centre No information on upcoming audits (if applicable) Major capital projects not posted (if applicable) Pest management and certificate not posted Cleaning plan not posted Active Orders issued under Chapter 629 not posted (if applicable) Active Notices issued under Chapter 485 not posted (if applicable) Waste Management Plan not posted	Moderate Risk	Not completed or properly updated N/A Complated/full
Pest Control Log	Past inspection and treatments not documented Next inspection date not scheduled	Cosmetic	Not completed or properly updated N/A Completed/full
Maintenance Log	No information on past maintenance activities No information on ongoing maintenance activity	Cosmetic	Not completed or properly updated N/A Completed/full
Cleaning Log	No information on past cleaning activities and dates	Cosmetic	Not completed or properly updated N/A Completed/full
Vital Service Plan	Not completed on City-provided template Voluntary contact list not maintained or up to date	Moderate Risk	Not completed or properly updated N/A Completed/full
Electrical Safety Plan	Not developed with licensed electrical contractor  Not completed or up to date	Moderate Risk	Not completed or properly updated N/A Completed/full
State of Good Repair Plan (Capital Plan)	Not completed on City-provided template or up to date	Cosmetic	Not completed or properly updated N/A Completed/full
Tenant Service Request Log	No process for recording/keep service requests No updated logs (handwritten/ledger, excel, online portal)	Cosmetic	Not completed or properly updated N/A Completed/full

Colour-Coded Signs

Each RentSafeTO building will be assigned a green, yellow or red sign based on its most recent building score. These colour-coded signs will help tenants and the public better understand the conditions at buildings.

Starting June 15, 2026, building owners and operators will be required to:

• Post the colour-coded sign near the main entrance of each building, reflecting the most recent colour assigned to the building.
• Replace the sign within 14 calendar days if building owners and operators are notified that their building’s colour has changed.
• Inform tenants and prospective tenants of the colour rating that each building has received:
  • Before a lease is signed,
  • After a lease is signed,
  • Once every year.
• Provide the building’s colour rating to anyone who requests.

Colour-coded signs may require changing to another colour if a building score changes after Orders or Notices are issued. When a change is required, a bylaw enforcement officer will attend the property after 14 days to verity that the posted sign is correct.

During the early rollout, the City will focus on education and support to help building owners comply with these requirements. Further enforcement action may be taken if requirements are not met.

Learn more about the bylaw requirements, what to do when color ratings change and how to request replacement signs.

Re-Evaluation Process

Currently, you may request a re-evaluation within 15 days of your building evaluation, if you believe your building score does not reflect current conditions.

Starting June 15, 2026:

• Re-evaluations can be requested at any time during the year, even if your building was not evaluated that year.
• This helps ensure scores and signs reflect improvements made over time.

Buildings evaluated in 2026 have until November 20 to request and pay for a re-evaluation to ensure all re-evaluations are conducted and scores finalized by December 15. While re‑evaluation requests will be accepted year‑round, only scores completed by this date will be used to determine which buildings in the 2026 evaluation cohort will be audited.

Apply for Re-evaluation

Re-evaluations must be requested through the RentSafeTO Portal which building owners and operators can access using their assigned login and PIN. Once logged in, building owners and operators must complete the full application, including payment. Once the application is received, City staff will contact the designated contact on file to confirm receipt and provide a date for re-evaluation.

Please be aware that the re-evaluation fee is non-refundable. Scores may potentially be lower after a re-evaluation and cannot be reverted to the original scores. Please carefully consider whether a re-evaluation is necessary before proceeding with the request.

If you have any questions or require assistance with the application, please contact the RentSafeTO team by email at RentSafeTO@toronto.ca or by phone at 416-396-7228.

Change in Building Colour

Starting June 15, each RentSafeTO building will be assigned a green, yellow or red sign based on its most recent building score. If after a re-evaluation the building’s score moves into a different colour rating, then building owners and operators must post the new sign within 14 calendar days.

After that time, a bylaw enforcement officer may visit the building to confirm that the correct sign is posted. Not updating the sign may result in a ticket or charges.

To find out building scores, building owners/operators can:

• Search the building address on the RentSafeTO Interactive Building Score Map.
• Login to the RentSafeTO Online Portal.
• Email RentSafeTO@toronto.ca or call 416-396-7228.

Audits

Currently, only proactive evaluation scores are used to determine which buildings are audited. Starting June 15, 2026, both proactive evaluation and reactive scores will be used. Buildings with scores in the lowest 2.5 per cent of all evaluated buildings that year will be prioritized for audit. This change helps the City focus on buildings with the greatest risks or ongoing issues.

Audits include a comprehensive inspection of all common areas, including but not limited to the lobby, hallways, stairwells, underground elements (such as parking garages) and exterior grounds.

During an audit, the RentSafeTO team will be on-site and will go door-to-door educate tenants about the program and enable tenants to submit complaints about property standard issues. These complaints will then be given to building owner/operator so that they can respond and fix the issues. The RentSafeTO team will follow-up on complaints submitted during the audit and take appropriate action, if required.

The building owner/operator is required to post a notice on the Tenant Notification Board informing tenants of the upcoming audit, 30 days before its scheduled date.

Learn more about the audit fees.

Targeted engagement

Targeted engagement is conducted at properties where the building score drops by 5 per cent or more for two months in a row due to orders and notices being issued. Starting June 15, 2026, targeted engagement will also be conducted when a building has a red sign for two months in a row.   Learn more about the fees.

Bylaw Compliance

Depending on the result of the building audit, the City may take enforcement action, including issuing Orders to Comply, Notice(s) of Violation and/or fines.

All issued Orders are sent by registered mail and/or hand delivered to the building owner/operator and common area Orders must be posted on the Tenant Notification Board. When the Order expires, the Officer will follow up to inspect if the work was completed and in compliance with the City’s bylaws.

Information about audit-related fees can be found on the RentSafeTO Fees & Fines webpage.