Markham · Unionville to Cornell
Tenant placement in Markham: houses, townhouses, condos and suites
We price, market, show and screen, then prepare the Ontario standard lease or a customized lease. You approve the tenant. One flat fee of one month's rent plus HST, paid only when they sign.
Free · No obligation · $0 until your tenant signs · 10-Month replacement guarantee
In short
Zola places screened tenants in Markham houses, townhouses, condos and second suites. A basement or other secondary suite must be registered with Markham Fire and Emergency Services, which inspects the suite and the rest of the house for a fee, and adding a suite needs a building permit first. The fee is one month's rent plus HST.
Markham rules to know before you rent
We don't have Markham-specific reviews to show yet, so here are the city's own rules, and where to check them.
- Second suites must be registeredAll secondary suites must be registered with Markham Fire and Emergency Services, which inspects both the suite and the rest of the home. There's a fee for the inspection and registration.Source: City of Markham, Secondary Suites Guide for Homeowners, checked October 18, 2026
- A building permit firstAdding a secondary suite needs a building permit, and the suite must follow the Ontario Building Code.Source: City of Markham, Secondary Suites Guide for Homeowners, checked October 18, 2026
- Newer units and rent controlUnits first lived in after November 15, 2018, including newer condos and most newer suites, are exempt from Ontario's yearly guideline. Older units follow it: 1.9% for 2027.Source: Government of Ontario, residential rent increases, checked October 18, 2026
- Condos: notice to the corporationThe owner must tell the condo corporation the unit is leased and give it a copy of the lease within 10 days of signing, and the tenant must follow the building's rules.Source: Condo Authority of Ontario, leasing a condo, checked October 18, 2026
- Four homes per lot: vetoedCouncil voted to allow up to four homes on many residential lots, but in March 2026 the mayor vetoed it using strong mayor powers, citing roads, parking and servicing. Check with the City before you plan a fourth unit.Source: Toronto Life, Markham's mayor vetoed council's fourplex decision (March 18, 2026), checked October 18, 2026
These are summaries to help you plan, not legal advice. Check the city's guide for your own property.
What we place in Markham
Every Markham placement uses the same process and the same flat fee.
- Tenant placementLandlords with a condo, house, basement unit, multiplex or apartment building to rent.
- CondosCondo owners renting out a unit, including owners who live abroad.
- Basement apartmentsHomeowners renting a basement or second unit, often for the first time.
- Houses and townhomesOwners renting a detached, semi-detached house or townhouse.
- Multiplexes and apartment buildingsOwners of duplexes, triplexes, fourplexes and apartment buildings of any size.
- Tenant screeningLandlords who want an applicant's income, identity and history checked properly.
Renting in Markham: what we see
Established neighbourhoods, newer subdivisions and a growing downtown. A few things that shape rent and demand here.
Unionville and Markham Village
Older detached houses on established streets, near Main Street shops and GO stations. Tenants here often stay several years; our average tenant stay is 1.7 years.
Downtown Markham
Newer condos and townhouses near Highway 407 and Unionville GO. Many units are post-2018, so the yearly rent increase cap doesn't apply.
Cornell, Berczy and Cathedraltown
Newer subdivisions with townhouses and basement suites, many of them registered with Markham Fire and Emergency Services.
Asking rents across Ontario were down 4.8% from a year earlier in September 2026 (Rentals.ca and Urbanation, reported by CP24 on October 7, 2026), so pricing against what's listed today matters.
Markham rental rules at a glance
| Rental licence or unit registration | Secondary suites must be registered with Markham Fire and Emergency Services, which inspects the suite and the house, for a fee. Source: rental licence or unit registration |
|---|---|
| Additional units | Council voted to allow up to four homes on many lots, but the mayor vetoed it under strong mayor powers in March 2026. Source: additional units |
Checked October 18, 2026. Ontario-wide rules apply everywhere; we list only the local ones we found. Compare Markham with other Ontario cities
Where we work in Markham
We work across the city by appointment and meet you and your applicants at the property.
- Unionville
- Markham Village
- Downtown Markham
- Cornell
- Berczy
- Cathedraltown
- Milliken
- Thornhill
- Cachet
How it works in Markham
A free strategy call on day 1, with a rental market analysis for your area; professional photos and a listing live within 12 to 24 hours; then showings, screening and a signed lease, usually about three weeks in all. You pay one month's rent plus HST when your tenant signs.
Markham questions
Do I need to register my basement suite in Markham?
Yes. All secondary suites must be registered with Markham Fire and Emergency Services, after an inspection of the suite and the rest of the home. There's a fee for both.
Can I add a suite and rent it right away?
Not before the building permit and the registration. When you're ready to rent, your listing can go live within 12 to 24 hours of the photos.
Do you place tenants in Markham condos?
Yes, in Downtown Markham and across the city, booking showings the way each building requires.
How fast do Markham units rent?
Our average across the GTA is 14 days from listing to a signed lease. We'll give you a realistic estimate for your unit on the strategy call.
Free · No obligation · $0 until your tenant signs · 10-Month replacement guarantee
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