RentSafeTO 2027 scoring changes: what landlords should prepare now

The colour-coded signs that launched on June 15, 2026 were phase one. The City has also approved a second phase of scoring changes, scheduled for 2027, that will give more weight to high-risk issues and increase deductions for unresolved orders. ARMS is not affiliated with the City of Toronto; check the City's RentSafeTO pages for the final rules.

What it means in practice

Today, a building can carry a few high-risk problems and still land in yellow if everything else is in order. From 2027, the same problems will pull the score down harder. And an order left open will keep costing points until it is closed.

Where high-risk points hide

High-risk categories are the ones tied to safety and security: doors that don't close and lock, intercoms, stairwell safety, handrails and guards, lighting, and electrical safety. They are usually cheap to fix and easy to let slip.

Prepare now

1. Close open orders. Every unresolved order will cost more from 2027.
2. Fix high-risk items first. They will carry the most weight.
3. Make it routine. A weekly self-audit catches a dead light or a broken closer before an evaluator does.
4. Keep evidence. Before-and-after photos and dated records show when each issue was found and fixed.

This article is general information, not legal advice.

RentSafeTO readiness