clear explanations on how to secure an apartment in Canada
Now that you have worked out how to move to Canada, you need to find accommodation in Canada. Putting a roof over your head can be easy and straightforward, but only after you plan and do your research – starting with this housing section.
Rent a house or apartment
If you’re wondering how to rent houses or apartments in Canada, there are several ways to do it: Craigslist, Kijiji, local newspapers, community bulletin boards, social media groups, or even word of mouth. However, most of the time, tenants find their new home online. That said, being careful with the internet is essential as many scammers usually do their job through lists of websites. Remember, if something sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Below you can read more tips to prevent fraud.
Long-term renting can be a good option for ex-pats as there is no firm commitment and sometimes cheaper than buying property.
When it comes to furnished and unfurnished apartments in Canada, keep in mind that many rental properties do not come furnished, so be sure to budget for some household essentials such as furniture, crockery and cutlery, bed linen, and even cleaning supplies.
Rental Process and Rules
Leases in Canada are typically for one year, but can also be for a shorter fixed-term or month-to-month. After one year, the contract can be renewed for another year. These terms are best discussed with the landlord before signing.
Rules on rent increase vary by province. In some provinces, a cap is set by the government and is subject to change every year. Some provinces, such as Alberta, do not have a cap. In Ontario, the cap is currently set to 1.8%. In British Columbia, the limit is 2.5%. If landlords wish to increase more than this, they need to get approval. Rent increases can only occur every twelve months. Landlords must notify their tenants, usually a minimum of 90 days before the change.
Other rules and expectations of landlords are to collect rent, provide you with everything that is outlined in your rental contract, and give you notice before entering your apartment for whatever reason (they may need to do so for things like housekeeping, renovations, or showing your space to potential tenants if you are moving out).
Make sure you become familiar with the law and your rights as a tenant. These vary from province to province.
How to Rent an Apartment
Once you have found a place you like, you can reach out to the landlord and set up a time to view the space. If you like what you see, the landlord will give you an application form for you to fill out and return. Give your landlord at least 48 hours to get back to you. If you are accepted as a tenant, your landlord will send you the lease agreement for you to review. If all is okay, you will sign it, hand over your deposit (read more about this below), and discuss move-in arrangements. On move-in day, you will pay your first month’s rent and be given the keys to your new home.
Requirements and Documents for Renting
Most landlords, before they choose to rent to you, like to make sure that you will be able to pay your rent on time and can afford the space. For this reason, they may ask for:
Employer letter with salary details
Bank statements with enough savings to cover some months’ rent
References from previous landlords
Most apartments and houses for rent in Canada require a security deposit equal to at least half a month’s rent. If you are renting in Canada as a foreigner, keep in mind that some landlords might require a guarantor. This needs to be someone that has Canadian documents.
They may also run a Canadian credit check on you, but if you are a foreigner, you may not have any history in Canada. For this reason, it is smart to also have a credit rating from your home bank handy proving your creditworthiness.
Rental Contract and Deposit
Your rental agreement will typically outline the expectations of you as a tenant and the rules you must follow. A typical lease will also include:
Both the tenant’s and landlord’s name, addresses, and contact information
Duration of the rental term
Monthly rent amount and due date (typically first of the month)
Utility bills payment (e.g., heat, water, electricity), if not included in the rent
Conditions for termination of the rental agreement
Rental increase information (when a landlord can increase and by how much)
Deposit amount and conditions
Your rental contract is a legal document so make sure you read everything thoroughly and understand it before signing. Feel free to have a lawyer look over it as well.
When you sign the lease, expect to hand over a rental deposit. Assuming there are no damages to the property, this should be returned to you once you vacate the premises at the end of your contract.
Short-Term Rentals
If you have just arrived in Canada, you may want to look into short-term rentals as an initial housing option. This is a good idea for a few reasons: First, you may want to get to know the neighborhoods in person before settling in an area. Some ex-pats also feel more comfortable choosing a permanent place after they have seen it in person versus booking something from abroad based on photos alone (which is never recommended). In general, short-term rentals give you a bit more time and flexibility when it comes to finding your new home away from home.
In Canada, there are several temporary rentals available for every budget. For these bookings, it is always advisable to make your reservations before arriving. This is especially true if you plan on arriving during peak or high tourist season which is usually during the summer months of June through September. For most places you can do this online yourself or through a travel agent in your home country.
Popular Short-Term Rental Options
Some of the most popular options are Airbnb, bed-and-breakfasts, discount hotels/motels, or even some college and university residences that are vacant for the summer. There are also Christian establishments such as Young Women’s Christian Associations and Young Men’s Christian Associations that offer comfortable living options.
Other “longer-term” options include places like apartment hotels or shared accommodation with a family.
Bed-and-Breakfast – You usually have a private bedroom and bathroom; breakfast is included in the morning. No access to kitchen facilities, though.
College or university residences – These are mostly vacant between May and August.
Hotels/Motels – Discount hotels and motels are cheaper than some luxury hotels.
Apartment Hotels – Monthly furnished rentals (can offer daily or weekly rates) that are usually cheaper than hotels.
Shared accommodation – You can generally expect to have your own, private bedroom, but share other spaces with the homeowner such as the kitchen or bathroom.
Christian establishments – These tend to very strict and fill up fast during the summer period, so advanced booking is suggested.
There are also other benefits of renting apartments on a short-term lease. Typically, short-term rentals are furnished. You also shouldn’t need as many documents as you would when renting something long-term, such as a credit report or an employer letter.
Things to Know
It is important to note that in many places across Canada, short-term rentals are heavily regulated and technically not permitted to operate in places like Toronto without a proper license and tax registration. This is to combat the growing number of Airbnb, VRBOs, and other online accommodations that are crippling the hotel industry. That being said, short-term rentals are fairly easy to find and readily available.
Avoiding Scams
The following are tips to help renters, plus some things to be aware of if you are doing most of your searches online:
Significantly reduced prices – Do your research on what the market value is. If the rent is way below the average, this could be a good indication that it is a scam.
Always check out the apartment in person and never send someone money without visiting the place first.
Local is best – If the landlord claims to be out of the country or unavailable for any reason, this could be a red flag.
If the landlord only communicates over e-mail and does not speak on the phone or in person, be wary.
Money transfer services like MoneyGram and Western Union are popular with Internet scams because they are untraceable, and the money is available instantly. Use caution if you are being asked to send a deposit via one of these – especially if it is overseas!
Do not open attachments from a landlord you do not know without running them through anti-virus software.