September 14, 2026
3 min
Written by: Arian Borys
What does an insurance company actually look for when it inspects a rental property?
To help answer that question, Humberview Insurance reviewed more than 100 recommendations from recent insurance inspections of student rental properties across Ontario.
While every insurer and property is different, the results provide real examples of the issues insurance inspectors are identifying and asking landlords to correct.
What Do Insurance Companies Look For?
Insurance inspections generally look for conditions that could increase the likelihood or severity of a claim.
| 🔥 Fire Safety | 🛡️ Liability | 💧 Water Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Fire extinguishers | Stairs & handrails | Hot water tanks |
| Dryer venting | Guardrails | Plumbing |
| Heating equipment | Decks & steps | Washing machine hoses |
Inspectors may also review electrical systems, drainage, roofing, exterior maintenance and the general condition of the property.
What Did Our 2026 Inspection Data Find?
The typical student rental in our Ontario sample received several recommendations.
| Inspection Result | Finding |
|---|---|
| Average recommendations | 3.8 |
| Median recommendations | 3 |
| Fewest recommendations | 1 |
| Most recommendations | 10 |
Almost half of the properties received three to five recommendations.
| Recommendations Received | Approx. Share of Properties |
|---|---|
| 1–2 | 32% |
| 3–5 | 46% |
| 6+ | 21% |
What Were the Most Common Insurance Recommendations?
| Issue | How Often We Found It | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| 🧯 Fire extinguishers | Nearly 9 in 10 | Missing service tags, overdue servicing, improper mounting, insufficient quantity |
| ⚠️ Handrails & guardrails | About 4 in 10 | Missing handrails, incomplete handrails, missing guardrails |
| 🔥 Dryer ducting | Nearly 3 in 10 | Flexible aluminum or foil ducting instead of rigid metal |
| ♨️ Furnace area | About 1 in 4 | Combustible materials stored near furnace |
| 💧 Hot water tank area | About 1 in 5 | Combustible storage near tank |
| 💧 Hot water tank age | About 1 in 5 | Older hot water tank |
Fire Extinguishers Stood Out
Fire extinguisher issues were by far the most common finding, appearing in nearly 9 out of 10 properties reviewed.
Simply having an extinguisher was not always enough. Inspectors also looked at servicing, inspection tags, mounting, location and the number of extinguishers provided.
Dryer Ducting Is Easy to Overlook
Nearly 3 in 10 properties had a dryer duct or venting recommendation.
A recurring issue was flexible aluminum or foil-style ducting, with inspectors requiring rigid metal dryer ducting instead.
Other Recommendations We Found
Less common recommendations included:
| Area | Examples |
|---|---|
| Plumbing | Corroded piping, washing machine hoses |
| Electrical | Missing electrical cover plates |
| Drainage | Downspout and drainage issues |
| Exterior | Deck repairs, damaged concrete, deteriorated brick |
| Life Safety | Smoke/CO detectors, snow and ice |
| Maintenance | Vegetation, debris, deteriorated structures |
What Should You Check Before an Insurance Inspection?
Based on the inspections we reviewed:
| Check | What to Look For |
|---|---|
| 🧯 Fire extinguishers | Serviced, tagged, properly mounted and sufficient quantity |
| ⚠️ Stairs | Proper handrails and guardrails |
| 🔥 Dryer | Rigid metal ducting rather than flexible ducting |
| ♨️ Furnace | No combustible storage nearby |
| 💧 Hot water tank | Clear surrounding area and know its age |
| 🚿 Plumbing | Leaks, deterioration and aging hoses |
| 🏠 Exterior | Decks, steps, drainage and obvious deterioration |
What Happens If the Insurance Company Finds Something?
Following an inspection, the insurer may issue recommendations or requirements and provide a deadline for completing them.
The insurer may also request photographs, invoices or other proof that the work has been completed.
If an inspection identifies a serious hazard, or required recommendations are not completed, the insurance company may take action on the policy, including cancellation or non-renewal.
Speak with your insurance broker to confirm what is mandatory, when it must be completed and what proof the insurer requires.
The Bottom Line
Insurance companies are generally looking for conditions that could increase the risk of fire, water damage, liability claims or property damage.
In our 2026 Ontario student rental sample, the most common concerns involved fire extinguishers, handrails, dryer ducting, storage around heating equipment and aging hot water tanks.
The typical property received three to four recommendations, and many involved relatively straightforward risk improvements rather than major renovations.
These findings are based on a sample of student rental insurance inspections from across Ontario. Inspection requirements vary by insurer and property.
Own a property rented to students? Learn more about Student Rental House Insurance in Ontario.