HOW TO RENT A HOUSE IN CANADA 2021

Are you organizing your move to Canada and don't know how the renting process works or what type of housing to choose? We made a complete guide to help you.

In this post we will go over: 

The different housing types available in Canada.

How you can find houses that are available for rent

What questions to ask before renting a place

Your Responsibilities as a tenant 

Before we get into housing type, one thing you should know about Canadian residences is that they usually have a fridge, stove, dishwasher, washer/dryer, and sometimes even a microwave oven.  Make sure to ask if all appliances are included with the rental unit.

Depending on the availability, you can rent any furnished or unfurnished places.  Usually, furnished places come equipped with furniture & cookware and are usually more expensive but it’s a good short-term alternative.

Different housing types available to rent in Canada:

Houses:  This type of housing is usually a bit bigger in size, has its own entrance and yard and they usually don’t have any shared walls with any other building.  

Duplex: is a single house that contains two living units. You can share a wall with one or more units and in some cases share the yard area.

Townhouses: A townhouse or townhome is a single-family home that shares one or more walls with other independently owned units. They are often attached with a shared wall and are two stories or taller.

Apartment: An apartment is a rental that has different size units and is owned and managed by the landlord or property management company.   

Condo: is a unit in a high-rise building. Usually, these types of buildings have more amenities such as a pool, gym, and party room.  Unlike apartments, they are owned by an individual.  They are usually more expensive compared to apartments.

A room: Is usually in a shared house or apartment where everyone shares the kitchen and sometimes bathroom.More common for students or a single person in big cities. 

Basement: Most Canadian houses are about 2-3 floors. It's common for homeowners to rent out the basement of the house for some additional income.  You can usually get a bigger place for the same amount of rent.
However, don't think the basement is cold and a dark place. Some are quite spacious! In addition, in most cases, they are not entirely below ground level, so they have windows and sunlight.

Homestay: Popular among international students, it’s a type of housing where you will typically have your own room but join the family for meals and take part in their normal daily routine.

How to find rentals:

They are many ways to find rental listings, some of the popular options are:

www.craigslist.ca

www.zumper.com

Facebook marketplace

And Airbnb if you are looking for furnished units.

E-Visa has partners specializing in property rental for newcomers, talk to us about it!

Questions to ask before renting a place:

Are utilities included in the rent, or do I have to pay for them separately?

Utilities are gas and electricity – depending on the housing type they could be included, and they can usually add up to quite a bit of money so it’s best to ask so you can budget accordingly.

How much is the security deposit?

Security deposit is usually half a month's rent, but usually, the landlord requires more deposit if you have pets or if the place is furnished.

How long is the lease term?

Lease terms are usually 12 months but could be less or longer depending on your agreement.
Once you decide to rent a place you will need to sign a Tenancy Agreement.  All Terms and conditions are listed there so make sure to read them carefully.

What are your responsibilities as tenants?

Must pay your rent on time. Usually, the rent is due on the first or fifteenth day of each month. Your lease will tell you when your rent is due. 

Must keep your apartment clean and put garbage in the proper place. 

Cannot disturb other tenants in your building. 

Finding a place from overseas can be hard, as you are not familiar with cities and neighborhoods.  Some landlords are also hesitant to rent to new immigrants as they usually don’t have a credit score.

We want you to succeed in your immigration that's why we offer financial planning for people that are moving or immigrating to Canada, Make sure you budget properly and don't get caught offguard with unforseen expenses.  Book your financial planning consultation now!