u/shadowzdelight

Sharing this as a personal experience for anyone considering renting in older low-rise buildings in Toronto. This is not legal advice, just observations from my own tenancy and things I wish I had paid closer attention to.

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Before signing a lease, I strongly recommend checking for the following:

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1. Water damage history

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Ask directly if there has been any previous flooding or leaks (including from upstairs units or plumbing).

Look closely around bathrooms, ceilings, and corners for past patchwork repairs or staining.

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2. Moisture + air quality

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Check for musty smells, condensation on windows, or signs of poor ventilation.

Run your hand along baseboards and flooring for dampness or softness.

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3. Flooring condition

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Look for uneven, bulging, or “springy” floors, especially near bathrooms and kitchens.

This can sometimes indicate underlying moisture issues.

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4. Mold or biological growth

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Inspect hidden areas: under sinks, behind toilets, around window frames, and closet corners.

Even small spots can indicate a larger ongoing issue.

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5. Building maintenance responsiveness

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Ask how quickly past repair requests were handled.

Look at reviews or speak to current tenants if possible.

In my own experience, I noticed recurring moisture-related issues over time that significantly impacted livability. I wish I had asked more detailed questions upfront and documented the initial condition more thoroughly.

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Posting this in case it helps someone else make a more informed decision when renting.

This post is intended to share my personal experience as a tenant and encourage prospective renters to conduct thorough inspections before signing a lease.

During my tenancy, I observed several issues within my unit, including:

- Mold concerns.

- Moisture and condensation issues.

- Bulging and damaged flooring from incessant humidity of extreme heat (temperatures over 40C outside)

- Mushroom/fungal growth that appeared during two consecutive summers.

- Water intrusion allegedly related to a leaking toilet from the unit above.

- Persistent stale-air and indoor air quality concerns.

Anyone considering renting in this building should perform a careful inspection, ask detailed questions about previous water damage and repairs, and ensure that any concerns are documented in writing before signing a lease.

I encourage prospective tenants to review all lease terms carefully, document the condition of the unit before move-in, and familiarize themselves with their rights and responsibilities as tenants. Please regard the Residential Tenancies Act of Ontario and Rent Safe Toronto for additional information and pertinent updates.

This post reflects my personal observations and experiences and is shared for informational purposes only.

Bring a flashlight during viewings. Check around toilets, baseboards, windows, flooring, under sinks, and areas that may have experienced water damage. Look for signs of moisture, discoloration, soft flooring, musty odours, or recent patchwork repairs.

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This post is intended to share my personal experience as a tenant and is provided for informational purposes only.

Prospective renters may wish to thoroughly inspect any unit before signing a lease and ask detailed questions about building maintenance, ventilation, moisture, and repair history.

During my tenancy, I experienced concerns including:

Persistent moisture and condensation issues.

Odours that I perceived as stale air, tobacco/cigarette smoke, and poor ventilation.

Concerns regarding mould and potential fungal growth.

Water leakage originating from another unit, which resulted in damage and what appeared to be fungal or mushroom growth near my bathroom area.

These conditions negatively affected my enjoyment of the unit and raised concerns about the overall living environment.

I encourage prospective tenants to conduct their own due diligence, inspect units carefully, document any concerns, and request information regarding previous repairs, water damage, mould remediation, and building maintenance before renting.

This statement reflects my personal experience and observations. My health has significantly declined as a result of being exposed to a toxic living environment that nobody should have to endure. This is a public warning for anyone wanting to rent here.