Personal vs Corporation: How Ontario Landlords Should Structure Their Rental Business
As many small and mid-size landlords grow their portfolios, a common question comes up:
Should I incorporate my rental properties?
For landlords with 2–10 units, the decision isn’t always straightforward. Incorporating can offer certain advantages — but it can also introduce new tax rules, financing challenges, and administrative costs that many investors don’t anticipate.
In this educational session, CPA and real estate investor Michael Matthew will break down when incorporating a rental business may make sense for Ontario landlords — and when it may not.
Drawing on more than 30 years of experience advising real estate investors, Michael will walk through the practical considerations landlords should understand before moving properties into a corporation or purchasing new investments through one.
This session is designed for growing “mom and pop” landlords who want to make smarter long-term decisions about how to structure their rental business.
What You’ll Learn
✔️ When incorporating a rental property business in Canada may make sense
✔️ The tax differences between personal ownership and corporate ownership
✔️ How the passive income rules affect rental income inside corporations
✔️ The small business deduction rules many landlords misunderstand
✔️ Realities of asset protection — what a corporation does and doesn’t protect
✔️ How incorporation can affect mortgages, financing, and lender requirements
✔️ Important considerations for capital gains and future exit strategies
✔️ Common incorporation mistakes landlords make — and how to avoid them
Whether you currently own a few properties or are actively expanding your portfolio, this session will help you better understand the advantages, disadvantages, and tax implications of incorporating your rental business in Ontario.
🎙 About the Speaker – Michael Matthew
Michael Matthew is a CPA, real estate investor, and advisor to property investors across Canada, with more than three decades of experience in accounting, tax planning, and business strategy.
He specializes in helping real estate investors navigate corporate structures, tax strategy, and long-term financial planning, translating complex financial and tax concepts into practical insights landlords can apply to their own portfolios.
Michael is also the author of Eh to Zen Real Estate: Peace of Mind Strategies™ for the Canadian Investor.
This webinar is part of the DLA-GTA Landlord Association’s monthly education series, where Ontario landlords and real estate investors come together to learn practical strategies, reduce risk, and build stronger portfolios.