Toronto apartment buildings to get colour-coded ratings

Toronto is introducing a new rating system for apartment buildings.

Starting in 2026, landlords must display colour-coded signs showing the status of property maintenance, under a new RentSafeTO rule passed by city council.

Green means the building is in good condition, yellow means minor issues, and red warns of serious health or safety violations like pests, mold, inadequate heat, or broken appliances, which a new fine structure will make harder to avoid penalties for.

This new system, brought forward by Councillor Josh Matlow and Mayor Olivia Chow, is modelled after the city's existing DineSafe program for restaurants, and is designed to give prospective tenants a quick, at-a-glance understanding of a building’s maintenance record.

“Council sent a clear message to landlords today that they will be held accountable for not providing renters with clean, safe, and healthy homes,” Matlow said in a statement. He added that “most landlords are decent landlords,” and that this motion is aimed squarely at the worst offenders.

The time for property managers to act is now. Helping landlords stay on top of maintenance today could spare them a public yellow or red warning sign next year.

Platforms like PayProp make it easier to earn that green, with automated reminders, detailed maintenance logs, and easy collaboration between landlords and service providers. Staying compliant (and keeping tenants happy) has never been simpler.

More regulation headlines

Controversial landlord review platform launches in Canada – PayProp blog

More landlord licensing coming to Brampton communities in 2026 – INsauga

Landlords will need help if temperature law becomes reality, advocacy group says – CBC