Should You Allow Pets in Your Hamilton Rental?

By Solutions Property Management — Sat Jun 13 2026

Pets are a divisive topic for landlords. Here is what Ontario law actually says and how allowing pets can grow your applicant pool.

Should You Allow Pets in Your Hamilton Rental?

Pets are one of the most common questions Hamilton landlords ask, and the answer is more nuanced than many realize. Understanding both the law and the market helps you make a decision that protects your property and maximizes your income.

What Ontario Law Actually Says

This surprises many landlords: under Ontario's Residential Tenancies Act, no pets clauses in a lease are not enforceable. Even if a tenant signs a lease saying no pets, that provision is void. You generally cannot refuse to rent based on pets alone, and you cannot evict simply because a tenant has a pet.

There are exceptions. You can act if a pet causes damage, creates a genuine allergy issue for others, makes excessive noise, or is a breed restricted by other law. Condominium rules can also legitimately restrict pets in some buildings.

The Market Case For Pets

Roughly half of renters have a pet, and pet owners often struggle to find housing. That means pet friendly units rent faster, attract a larger pool, and tenants tend to stay longer because moving is harder for them. Longer tenancies mean lower turnover costs for you.

Protecting Your Property

While you cannot charge a separate pet deposit in Ontario, you can require the standard last month rent deposit and conduct thorough move in and move out inspections with photos. Document the unit condition carefully so any genuine pet damage can be addressed properly.

The Bottom Line

Since no pets clauses are unenforceable in Ontario anyway, embracing pet friendly renting is usually the smarter business move. You widen your market, reduce vacancy, and keep good tenants longer, all while staying on the right side of the law.