Just For Canada
  • Home
  • Accueil
  • Services
    • Order GCMS Notes
  • Services
    • Commander Notes GCMS
  • Work
    • Permanent Residence >
      • Express Entry: The Ultimate Guide
      • Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP)
      • Family Sponsorship
      • Atlantic Immigration Program
      • Start-up Visa Program
      • Self-Employed Persons Program
    • Temporary Work Permits >
      • Work Permit Application
      • International Experience Canada (IEC)
      • Bridging Open Work Permit (BOWP)
      • Seasonal Agriculture Worker Program (SAWP)
      • Free Trade Agreement Business People
  • Travailler
    • Résidence Permanente >
      • Entrée Express : Le Guide Ultime
      • Programme des Candidats des Provinces (PCP)
      • Parrainage Familial
      • Programme d’Immigration au Canada Atlantique
      • Visa pour Démarrage d'Entreprise
      • Programme des Travailleurs Autonomes
    • Permis de Travail Temporaires >
      • Demande d'un Permis de Travail
      • Expérience Internationale Canada (EIC)
      • Permis de Travail Ouvert Transitoire (PTOT)
      • Programme des Travailleurs Agricoles Saisonniers (PTAS)
      • Gens d'Affaires des Accords de Libre-Echange
  • Study
    • Study Permit
    • Student Direct Stream (SDS)
    • Working with a Study Permit
    • Studying in Quebec
    • Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP)
    • Work as a co-op Student or Intern
    • Extend your Study Permit
  • Etudier
    • Permis d'Etudes
    • Volet Direct pour les Etudes (VDE)
    • Travailler avec un Permis d'Etudes
    • Etudier au Québec
    • Permis de Travail Post-Diplôme (PTPD)
    • Travailler en tant que Stagiaire
    • Proroger votre Permis d'Etudes
  • Visit
    • Do you need a visitor visa?
    • Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA)
    • Temporary Resident Visa (Visitor)
    • Super Visa
  • Visiter
    • Avez-vous besoin d'un visa?
    • Autorisation de Voyage Electronique (AVE)
    • Visa de Résident Temporaire (Visiteur)
    • Super Visa
  • Prepare
    • Major Canadian Cities Guide >
      • Montreal
      • Toronto
      • Ottawa
      • Vancouver
      • Calgary
      • Edmonton
    • Canadian Education System
    • Canadian Healthcare System
    • Transportation Guide
    • Pre-Arrival To-Do List
    • Money Transfer Guide
    • Bringing your cat, dog, or other pets
  • Préparer
    • Guide des Principales Villes Canadiennes >
      • Montréal
      • Toronto
      • Ottawa
      • Vancouver
      • Calgary
      • Edmonton
    • Système Educatif Canadien
    • Système de Santé Canadien
    • Guide des Moyens de Transport
    • Liste "A ne pas Oublier" avant votre Départ
    • Guide du Transfert d'Argent
    • Amener votre chat, chien ou autres animaux
  • Living
    • Your First Week >
      • Social Insurance Number (SIN)
      • Permanent Resident (PR) Card
      • Provincial Health Insurance Card
      • Canadian Banking Guide
      • Accommodation Guide
      • Cell Phone Carriers Guide
      • Understanding Sales Taxes in each Province and Territory
    • How to get a Driver's Licence
    • Income Tax Returns Filings
    • Free & Cheap Things To Do in ... >
      • Vancouver
      • Montreal
      • Toronto
  • S'établir
    • Votre Première Semaine >
      • Numéro d'Assurance Sociale (NAS)
      • Carte de Résident Permanent (RP) Canadienne
      • Carte d'Assurance Maladie Provinciale
      • Guide du Système Bancaire Canadien
      • Guide d'Hébergement
      • Guide des Opérateurs Téléphoniques Canadiens
      • Comprendre les Taxes de Vente dans chaque Province et Territoire
    • Obtenir un Permis de Conduire
    • Déclaration de revenus
    • Activités Gratuites à Faire à ... >
      • Vancouver
      • Montreal
      • Toronto
Picture
Version Française

Accommodation Guide

How to find an apartment for rent and how the Canadian system works
Home > Living > Your First Week in Canada > Accommodation Guide
Finding a place to call home is one of the first tasks you will have to do when landing in Canada. Depending on your own situation (having a place to crash, having family or friends), you might consider renting an apartment or a hotel room short-term while looking for a long-term solution. This article will give you tips and an overview of how renting in Canada works.

Short-term Accommodation in Canada

View of an apartment, flat in Canada for rent through AirBnB
If you don't have a place to crash when you land in Canada, you need to find a place to rent temporarily. Do not wait last minute to do this, as the longer you wait the higher the prices, as most of the cheaper accommodation will have already been booked.

You can either:
  • Book a hotel room, best through a reservation website, such as Booking, where you can find better prices and do research on the hotel, or
  • Book an apartment or a room through Airbnb for cheaper rates.
​You will not be able and it is not advisable to rent an apartment long-term before landing (except if you find a nice ​landlord and you want to take the risk of not verifying that the place really does exist, beware of scams).

Where to Look for an Apartment?

You can begin looking for a place to rent in your local newspapers, on dedicated Facebook groups and on websites such as Craigslist and Kijiji. 

You can also use professional renting websites such as RentHello, or RentFaster.

Beware of scams in case you want to rent a house or apartment before landing, it is highly unadvisable.

Another option you have is to go to the neighbourhood you are interested in and look for signs and postings of available apartment or rooms.

What to Expect when Renting in Canada

Landlords will usually request information about you, to make sure you will be able to pay rent. Example of documents that could be requested:
  • Pay-slips, or any document proving income. 
  • Bank statements with proof of enough money to pay for the first few months of rent.
  • Letter of reference from a previous landlord, saying you are good tenant that paid rent on time .

If you do not have a credit history and have not worked yet, many landlords will be apprehensive to lending you their apartment, and this can be quite inconvenient for newcomers. However, you should keep looking until you find an understanding landlord (but you need to at least show that you have enough money on your bank account, or you can offer to pay the first few months in advance).

Apartments for rent usually start on the 1st of the month (sometimes some rentals are available on the 15th). You should land around two weeks before the end of the month, so you have time to look around and find the perfect apartment for you .

You need to advance at least half of the monthly rent as security deposit for most apartment and house rentals in Canada.

Most rentals in Canada are not furnished. To get the best deals on furniture (second-hand), wait until the end of June. In Quebec for example, it is the tradition that leases begin the 1st of July and end the 30th of June. Beware of that when choosing your moving date.

Landlords, in most provinces/territories, have the right to increase the rent every 12 months, but they have to advise you usually 90 days prior to the increase and the increase is limited by the government. 

Be sure to know your tenant rights and obligations. They depend on the province you plan to move to. For more information, visit the following links for Ontario, Quebec, British Columbia, Alberta, Nova Scotia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland and Labrador, 

Which City Should you Live in?

Interested in Toronto?
                         Montréal?
                         Ottawa?
                         Vancouver?
                         Calgary?
​                         Edmonton?

For more information on the biggest cities in Canada, you should check our guide here.
What's next?
Immigrants during their first week in Canada
Find out what you need to do on your first week in Canada!
Road with driving licence
Can you drive in Canada? Find out how to get your licence!
Facebook Like Just For Canada
Like us on Facebook for more awesome guides and content!

    Picture

    Sign up for the Just For Canada Newsletter !

Subscribe to Newsletter
    Picture

    Abonnez-vous à la Newsletter Just For Canada !

Abonnez-vous à la Newsletter

Phone with facebook app on and social media in scrabble letters
Join our Facebook Support Group!
Get personalized help from our admins and other members
Phone with facebook app on and social media in scrabble letters
Rejoignez notre Groupe Facebook!
Obtenez de l’aide personnalisée de nos membres et admins !

Logo Just For Canada
Follow us !
Suivez-nous !
About us | Contact us | Sitemap
FAQ | Privacy Policy | Terms of Service
A Propos | Contact | Plan du Site
FAQ | Conditions | Confidentialité
Just For Canada © 2023
  • Home
  • Accueil
  • Services
    • Order GCMS Notes
  • Services
    • Commander Notes GCMS
  • Work
    • Permanent Residence >
      • Express Entry: The Ultimate Guide
      • Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP)
      • Family Sponsorship
      • Atlantic Immigration Program
      • Start-up Visa Program
      • Self-Employed Persons Program
    • Temporary Work Permits >
      • Work Permit Application
      • International Experience Canada (IEC)
      • Bridging Open Work Permit (BOWP)
      • Seasonal Agriculture Worker Program (SAWP)
      • Free Trade Agreement Business People
  • Travailler
    • Résidence Permanente >
      • Entrée Express : Le Guide Ultime
      • Programme des Candidats des Provinces (PCP)
      • Parrainage Familial
      • Programme d’Immigration au Canada Atlantique
      • Visa pour Démarrage d'Entreprise
      • Programme des Travailleurs Autonomes
    • Permis de Travail Temporaires >
      • Demande d'un Permis de Travail
      • Expérience Internationale Canada (EIC)
      • Permis de Travail Ouvert Transitoire (PTOT)
      • Programme des Travailleurs Agricoles Saisonniers (PTAS)
      • Gens d'Affaires des Accords de Libre-Echange
  • Study
    • Study Permit
    • Student Direct Stream (SDS)
    • Working with a Study Permit
    • Studying in Quebec
    • Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP)
    • Work as a co-op Student or Intern
    • Extend your Study Permit
  • Etudier
    • Permis d'Etudes
    • Volet Direct pour les Etudes (VDE)
    • Travailler avec un Permis d'Etudes
    • Etudier au Québec
    • Permis de Travail Post-Diplôme (PTPD)
    • Travailler en tant que Stagiaire
    • Proroger votre Permis d'Etudes
  • Visit
    • Do you need a visitor visa?
    • Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA)
    • Temporary Resident Visa (Visitor)
    • Super Visa
  • Visiter
    • Avez-vous besoin d'un visa?
    • Autorisation de Voyage Electronique (AVE)
    • Visa de Résident Temporaire (Visiteur)
    • Super Visa
  • Prepare
    • Major Canadian Cities Guide >
      • Montreal
      • Toronto
      • Ottawa
      • Vancouver
      • Calgary
      • Edmonton
    • Canadian Education System
    • Canadian Healthcare System
    • Transportation Guide
    • Pre-Arrival To-Do List
    • Money Transfer Guide
    • Bringing your cat, dog, or other pets
  • Préparer
    • Guide des Principales Villes Canadiennes >
      • Montréal
      • Toronto
      • Ottawa
      • Vancouver
      • Calgary
      • Edmonton
    • Système Educatif Canadien
    • Système de Santé Canadien
    • Guide des Moyens de Transport
    • Liste "A ne pas Oublier" avant votre Départ
    • Guide du Transfert d'Argent
    • Amener votre chat, chien ou autres animaux
  • Living
    • Your First Week >
      • Social Insurance Number (SIN)
      • Permanent Resident (PR) Card
      • Provincial Health Insurance Card
      • Canadian Banking Guide
      • Accommodation Guide
      • Cell Phone Carriers Guide
      • Understanding Sales Taxes in each Province and Territory
    • How to get a Driver's Licence
    • Income Tax Returns Filings
    • Free & Cheap Things To Do in ... >
      • Vancouver
      • Montreal
      • Toronto
  • S'établir
    • Votre Première Semaine >
      • Numéro d'Assurance Sociale (NAS)
      • Carte de Résident Permanent (RP) Canadienne
      • Carte d'Assurance Maladie Provinciale
      • Guide du Système Bancaire Canadien
      • Guide d'Hébergement
      • Guide des Opérateurs Téléphoniques Canadiens
      • Comprendre les Taxes de Vente dans chaque Province et Territoire
    • Obtenir un Permis de Conduire
    • Déclaration de revenus
    • Activités Gratuites à Faire à ... >
      • Vancouver
      • Montreal
      • Toronto