Accommodation Guide
How to find an apartment for rent and how the Canadian system works
Finding a place to call home is one of the first things you will have to do when landing in Canada. Depending on your circumstances (having a place to crash, having family or friends), you might consider renting an apartment or a hotel room short-term while looking for along-term solution. This article will give you tips and an overview of how renting in Canada works.
Short-term Accommodation in Canada
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If you don't have a place to stay 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:
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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?
You can find houses and apartments for rent in Canada in your local newspapers, on dedicated facebook groups and on websites such as Kijiji and Craigslist.
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.
In many cities, you can simply walk around your preferred neighbourhood, as landlords will post signs outside their property advertising available vacancies.
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.
In many cities, you can simply walk around your preferred neighbourhood, as landlords will post signs outside their property advertising available vacancies.
What to Expect when Renting in Canada
Landlords will usually request information about you, such as your ability to pay rent. Documents that may be requested include:
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).
Rentals in Canada usually start on the 1st of the month, with a smaller number becoming available on the 15th. You should land around two weeks before the end of the month, so you can find suitable apartments or houses for rent in Canada and have time to look around.
At least half a month’s rent is needed as a security deposit when for most apartment and house for rentals in Canada.
Most rentals in Canada do not come furnished. The best time to get really good deals on furniture is towards end of June. In Quebec for example, it is 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 each 12 months, but they have to advise you usually 90 days prior to the increase and the increase is limited by the government.
Know your rights as a tenant. Become familiar with tenancy law in 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,
- Pay-slips, or a letter from your current, or most recent, employer that indicates your annual income.
- Bank statement(s) that show you have enough savings to cover rent for a few months.
- References from previous landlords.
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).
Rentals in Canada usually start on the 1st of the month, with a smaller number becoming available on the 15th. You should land around two weeks before the end of the month, so you can find suitable apartments or houses for rent in Canada and have time to look around.
At least half a month’s rent is needed as a security deposit when for most apartment and house for rentals in Canada.
Most rentals in Canada do not come furnished. The best time to get really good deals on furniture is towards end of June. In Quebec for example, it is 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 each 12 months, but they have to advise you usually 90 days prior to the increase and the increase is limited by the government.
Know your rights as a tenant. Become familiar with tenancy law in 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?
What's next?
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