A rental property inspection in Toronto, Brampton, or Oshawa looks at the same major systems as any home inspection, plus the things that matter when more than one household lives in the building: fire separation between units, safe exits, smoke and carbon monoxide alarms in every unit, and whether the heating, electrical, and plumbing can handle the extra load. Golden Home Inspections inspects duplexes, triplexes, houses with basement apartments, and small multi-unit buildings for investors and owner-occupiers who plan to rent part of the home. Your inspector is Certified/Registered Home Inspector Yama Nehan, with about 15 years of home inspection experience and a place among the top home inspectors in Ontario. To book a property inspection in Toronto, Brampton, Mississauga, Vaughan, Markham, Pickering, Ajax, Whitby, or Oshawa, call 647-704-7100.
Key takeaways
- An investment property inspection covers the roof, structure, electrical, plumbing, and heating, plus the second unit or extra units.
- The biggest rental-specific items are fire separation, exits and window sizes, smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, and shared or separate mechanical systems.
- A home inspector cannot confirm whether a unit is legal; only the city’s permit and registration records can.
- Ontario now allows up to three units on most residential lots, and Toronto allows up to four, but each unit still needs the right permits.
- Ask whether the water heater, furnace, or air conditioner is rented, because those contracts often transfer to the buyer.
What does a rental property inspection include?
Golden Home Inspections follows the InterNACHI (NACHI) Standards of Practice. The inspection is visual and non-invasive, and you are welcome to attend. For a building with more than one unit, we inspect each unit and the shared areas.
| Area | What we check | Why it matters to an investor |
|---|---|---|
| Roof, exterior, and grading | Roof covering, flashing, eavestroughs, downspouts, siding, and slope of the ground | Roof and water problems are among the costliest repairs and affect every unit |
| Foundation and basement | Visible cracks, signs of past water entry, and dampness | Basement units are hard to rent and can be costly to repair if they leak |
| Fire separation and exits | Visible separation between units, doors between units, separate exits, and bedroom window sizes | Tenant safety and possible Fire Code orders if a unit is reported |
| Smoke and carbon monoxide alarms | Presence and location of alarms in each unit | Ontario requires working smoke alarms on every storey and outside sleeping areas, and carbon monoxide alarms near sleeping areas in homes with a fuel-burning appliance, fireplace, or attached garage |
| Electrical | Panel size and condition, visible wiring, outlets, and signs of overloading or amateur work | Two kitchens and extra laundry can push an older service past what it was meant to handle |
| Plumbing | Supply and drain piping, water heater, fixtures, and visible leaks | More bathrooms and more tenants mean more water use and more wear |
| Heating and cooling | Age and condition of the furnace or boiler, air conditioner, and ductwork, and whether units share air | Shared ducts between units can move smoke and odours and may need changes |
| Interior of each unit | Walls, ceilings, floors, windows, doors, kitchens, and bathrooms | Helps you budget for turnover repairs and upgrades |
For the full scope of a standard inspection, see our guide to what a home inspection includes in Ontario.
Can a home inspector tell you whether a rental unit is legal?
No. A home inspector reports on the condition of what can be seen on the day. Whether a basement apartment or extra unit is legal depends on building permits and, in some cities, registration. Before you remove your conditions, have your lawyer or agent ask the City of Toronto, the City of Brampton, or the City of Oshawa about permits for the address. Brampton requires additional residential units to be registered with the city. Our basement apartment inspection guide explains the difference between a unit that looks finished and one that was permitted.
How do rental properties differ in Toronto, Brampton and Oshawa?
| City | Common rental property types | What a property inspection often focuses on |
|---|---|---|
| Toronto | Older semis and detached homes converted to duplexes or triplexes in East York, Scarborough, Etobicoke, and the old city; new multiplex projects | Older wiring and plumbing, foundation moisture, fire separation in older conversions, and the condition of rear and basement exits |
| Brampton | Detached and semi-detached homes from the 1990s onward with basement apartments and side entrances | Side-entrance grading and drainage, basement window sizes, separate heating or shared ducts, and the second kitchen and laundry |
| Oshawa | Older homes near downtown and the north end, plus newer homes in north Oshawa and Courtice | Older electrical and plumbing in central homes, grading and finishing in newer homes, and the condition of basement units near Ontario Tech University and Durham College |
In 2023 Toronto began allowing up to four units on most residential lots, and Ontario’s More Homes Built Faster Act, 2022, allows up to three units on most residential lots across the province. More buildings are being converted, so it is worth checking how well the work was done. For east GTA buyers, see our Pickering, Ajax, Whitby and Oshawa home inspector guide.
Is a multi-unit building a home inspection or a commercial inspection?
A house with a basement apartment, a duplex, or a triplex is usually inspected as a residential property. Larger apartment buildings and mixed-use buildings with storefronts are usually treated as commercial. Golden Home Inspections offers both. See our commercial property inspection page, or read our guide to commercial property inspections in Toronto, Vaughan and Markham.
Checklist: before you buy a rental property in the GTA
- Book the inspection right after your offer is accepted and confirm your condition deadline.
- Ask the seller for permits for any second unit, addition, or conversion, and check them with the city.
- Ask for current leases, rent amounts, and which utilities each tenant pays.
- Ask whether the water heater, furnace, or air conditioner is rented, and get the contract terms.
- Arrange access to every unit with proper notice to tenants. Under the Residential Tenancies Act, landlords generally must give tenants at least 24 hours’ written notice before entering.
- Make sure the electrical panel, furnace, water heater, and attic hatch in each unit are reachable.
- Plan to attend so you can see issues in person and ask questions.
Frequently asked questions
How long does a rental property inspection take?
A single-family home usually takes two to four hours. A house with a basement apartment, a duplex, or a triplex takes longer because each unit is inspected.
Can you inspect a tenanted property?
Yes. The seller or their agent arranges access and gives tenants proper notice. Furniture and stored items can block some areas, and the report notes anything we could not see.
Do you inspect rental condos?
Yes. Many investors buy condos in Toronto, Mississauga, and North York to rent out. See our condo inspections page and our guide to condo inspection in Toronto.
Should I inspect a rental property I already own?
It can help. An inspection between tenants shows you what needs repair before the next lease and helps you plan for big-ticket items like a roof or furnace.
What do I get after the inspection?
You get a written report with photos, as a hard copy or by email, and technical support for as long as you own the property.
Buying a rental or investment property in Toronto, Brampton, Oshawa, or anywhere in the GTA? See our home inspections page, read about Yama Nehan, or book an inspection. You can also call 647-704-7100 or email contact@goldenhomeinspections.ca.
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