Many newcomers tend to rent their first apartment in Canada instead of buying property upon their arrival. Finding a new home can be a bit stressful. Therefore, this article will provide the basics for you to comprehend the procedure for renting in Canada. 

 

How To Find Your Rental 

You can search for rentals on your own via numerous online and offline approaches for living in Canada. Many sites, like Padmapper, Zumper, etc., will show you the availability of houses in different neighborhoods along with the price. In addition, you can also hire a real estate agent or realtor to help you find a place. 

One of the simplest ways to find rental housing is to visit the area you would like to live in & look for ‘For Rent’ signs on various buildings/ houses. Further, you can even call them or ask the manager of the building for other rental options. 

Moreover, it’s vital to note where you wish to reside. Some factors are worth considering, like the average cost of the rentals, public transportation options, proximity to schools, commute times, etc. 

 

Organizing Essential Documents 

In order to rent your first apartment in Canada, you will have to provide specific documents to prove that you can simply afford the rent & will pay on time.

However, your landlords might ask for the following: 

  • An employment letter including your salary details
  • A credit report
  • Photocopies of IDs
  • Bank statements 
  • References from previous landlords 

 

It might be challenging to meet these requirements immediately upon reaching the country. However, there are a few alternatives/ tips to help you find a rental unit without a job letter/ credit history. 

 

Tips For Finding & Renting Your First Apartment In Canada 

If you have to find your first apartment in Canada, showing sufficient funds will help you with this. This will represent your reliability as a tenant. In addition, you can even speak with your bank, who might provide you with a letter indicating that you can afford to pay the rent. 

Another alternative is to find a guarantor/ co-signer. A guarantor/ co-signer is someone who agrees to pay rent on your behalf if you aren’t able to. Thus, being a guarantor/ co-signer is legally binding, and they are primarily your family/ close friends. 

If the province has legal guidelines regarding rent deposits that one must pay before moving in. For instance, in Ontario, renters must pay the rent for the first & last month. Moreover, suppose you are missing crucial documents like an employment letter. In that case, you can provide a few months of rent upfront, incentivizing a landlord to accept your rental application over the other person. However, landlords aren’t allowed to ask for such kind of money upfront. Therefore, it’s entirely up to you to offer it, provided you are comfortable with it. 

Another thing to note here is that landlords are not allowed to ask for your SIN, i.e., Social Insurance Number. In addition, they cannot inquire about your background, religion, marital status, sexual preferences, etc. 

You can even look for an individually owned basement for renting your first apartment in Canada. Apartments owned by an individual landlord v/s a property management firm might have a simpler application process. For apartments located in large rental buildings, the process can be rigorous regarding employment verification/ credit. However, individual landlords might be more flexible concerning your situation.         

 

Signing A Lease Agreement 

The lease is a legal document that describes the terms and conditions that you & your landlord have agreed to. It indicates: 

  • The rent that you will pay every month. 
  • How will you pay the rent, i.e., by cash, cheque, etc.
  • The lease dates 
  • Rules about the rental 
  • The conditions for concluding/canceling the lease 
  • Subleasing conditions 
  • What is your responsibility in repairs 
  • What happens at the end of your lease 

 

Since a lease is a binding document, therefore you must read it thoroughly before signing. 

Moreover, once you have signed a lease, you might need to transfer utilities, like hydro, to your name from the landlords/ tenants. Then, finally, you can move into your first apartment in Canada upon receiving the keys!