There are a multitude of things that can turn a tenancy sour; however, some Metro Vancouver landlords are turning off potential renters during the application process.

For one, the City of Vancouver has the least affordable housing market in Canadian history. As such, landlords feel they vindicated charging a great deal for rent; some even feel that tenants should feel lucky to have a place to reside in.

Of course, not all landlords are unreasonable. Most of them are simply trying to ensure that they are renting to clean, stable, and contentious individuals that pay their rent on time.

What’s more, finding tenants that fit this description isn’t always easy. First impressions are deceiving, and some people are remarkably adept at forging references and documents.

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With that in mind, prospective tenants are finding that landlords are taking applications too far.

For example, some landlords ask to see a T4, which has a great deal of sensitive information. From here, they have access to a social insurance number, as well as sensitive information pertaining to medical history.

“Unless someone is applying to rent in a subsidized building or housing meant specifically for people with disabilities, the only information landlords need is proof of identification and, possibly, proof of income,” reports CBC News.

Vancouver Landlords Raise Eyebrows

Now, select landlords are taking things one step further in the Lower Mainland, asking candidates to take personality tests.

A building called the Brixton Flats in Chinatown recently used them to screen individuals during the application. The tests asks 32 questions, and the answers are supposed to provide insight into a person’s suitability.

“The online application asks questions like whether a person “feels relaxed most of the time,” if someone “would rather cook than do the dishes” and asks if a person ever lies,” reports Global News.

There are myriad other ways that tenants feel Metro Vancouver landlords overstep their boundaries. For example, they aren’t legally allowed to show up unannounced, hike up the rent more than the yearly allowance, or have a dangerous amount of mold festering in the walls.

Sadly, there are countless ways that Lower Mainland landlords fail to hold up their end of the bargain. In a market as difficult as Vancouver’s, many people are afraid to stand up for themselves.

Do you think that landlords have the right to perform personality tests or ask personal questions? If so, how far is too far? What is the ideal way to screen candidates for their suitability? Do you have an interesting story to share?

Sound off in the comments below!