Question 1

Should I ask my Toronto suite tenant for tenant insurance?

Accepted Answer

Yes, absolutely — requiring tenant insurance is one of the smartest things you can do as a landlord, and it's completely legal to make it a condition of your lease in Ontario.

Tenant insurance protects your tenant's personal belongings, covers their liability if they accidentally cause damage (like a kitchen fire or a burst washing machine hose), and — critically — protects you as the landlord from situations where your tenant's negligence results in a claim against your property.

Here's why t

Question 2

What's the difference between a coach house and a laneway suite in Toronto?

Accepted Answer

A coach house and a laneway suite are essentially the same thing in Toronto — "coach house" is the historical term for what the City of Toronto now officially calls a "laneway suite" in its zoning bylaws. The terms are used interchangeably, though "laneway suite" is the current official designation used by the City.

Here's what that means in practice. Toronto's laneways are the narrow service roads running behind many residential properties — originally built for horse-drawn carriages and garba

Question 3

How do I design a Toronto suite for my aging parents?

Accepted Answer

Designing a suite for aging parents in Toronto requires balancing accessibility, comfort, and compliance with Ontario's building codes — and the good news is Toronto's zoning rules now offer more options than ever.

Whether you're converting a basement, building a garden suite, or adding a main-floor addition, the key is designing for "aging in place" from the start. Retrofitting accessibility features later is significantly more expensive than building them in upfront.

Choosing the Right Suit

Question 4

What's the size limit for a Toronto garden suite?

Accepted Answer

Toronto garden suites can be up to 60 square metres (approximately 645 square feet) of gross floor area, though several factors can affect the maximum size permitted on your specific lot.

The City of Toronto approved garden suites in 2022, and the zoning bylaw sets out clear parameters. The 60 sq m gross floor area limit applies to most residential zones, but your suite also cannot exceed 6 metres in height (roughly two storeys). The footprint of the garden suite itself is further constrained b

Question 5

Front walkway is red brick next to downsloping driveway with stone retaining wall. Wall needs to be straightened and brick relaid . What contractor is best suited to do this work?

Accepted Answer

For this type of project, you're looking for a hardscape or masonry contractor — specifically one with experience in both retaining wall construction and brick/stone work. Some landscaping companies also handle this scope, but a dedicated masonry contractor is your strongest bet.

Your project has two distinct components that need to work together. The retaining wall repair is the more structurally critical piece — a downsloping driveway with a failing wall means soil pressure and drainage are l

Question 6

How much does a Toronto ADU lift my home appraisal value?

Accepted Answer

Adding an ADU in Toronto can increase your home's appraised value by $150,000–$350,000+, depending on the type, size, quality, and location — though the relationship between ADU cost and added value isn't always dollar-for-dollar.

The appraisal lift from an ADU comes from two angles: comparable sales (what similar homes with ADUs sell for nearby) and income capitalization (the rental income the unit can generate). In Toronto's market, appraisers increasingly use both methods, especially as seco

Secondary Suites & ADUs