Should I ask my Toronto suite tenant for tenant insurance?

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 this matters practically: your own landlord insurance policy covers the building and your liability, but it typically won't cover your tenant's belongings or their personal liability. If your tenant accidentally starts a fire that damages the unit and a neighbour's property, and they have no insurance, you could end up in a complicated legal and financial situation even if your building policy covers the structure. Tenant insurance fills that gap cleanly.

In Ontario, you can legally require tenant insurance as a condition of the lease, and many experienced landlords do exactly this. You'd include a clause in the lease agreement requiring the tenant to maintain a minimum liability coverage — typically $1 million to $2 million in liability — for the duration of the tenancy. You can also ask to be listed as an "interested party" on their policy, which means you'll be notified if the policy lapses or is cancelled. Tenant insurance in Toronto is genuinely affordable — tenants typically pay $15–$35/month depending on coverage and the value of their belongings, so there's no reasonable hardship argument against it.

One important nuance for Toronto suite landlords specifically: if you're renting a basement apartment, secondary suite, or laneway/garden suite, the risk profile is slightly higher due to proximity of plumbing, shared systems, and potential for water damage. This makes tenant insurance even more valuable in your situation.

The practical next step is to add a tenant insurance clause to your lease before signing with a new tenant, or discuss it with your current tenant at renewal. If you're unsure how to word the clause, a real estate lawyer can draft appropriate language for a few hundred dollars — well worth it for the protection it provides.

For finding reputable contractors if your suite ever needs repairs or upgrades, browse the Toronto Construction Network directory to connect with local licensed trades.