Accommodation
Useful Information and Tips
Government of Canada info on renting: Canada.ca
Most rental accommodation leases start on the 1st of the month, sometimes the 15th. Keep this in mind when booking your flights to move over.
Have temporary accommodation booked while you look for permanent accommodation. Options include:
staying with friends
booking a hostels
staying in a hotel
using Airbnb
If you wait to book your temporary accommodation until you get here, there may be a lack of availability and prices could be high. Beware of scams when booking from abroad.
Research the area you are planning to rent in. Consider:
average cost of rental accommodation in that area
safety
proximity to public transit
accessibility to amenities
When renting accommodation, you will need to pay a security deposit. This can differ depending on the province you live in. If you have a pet, you may also have to pay a security deposit for the pet. Your rent will cover some utility bills (e.g., gas, water, hydro). Always ask if/what utilities are included in your monthly rent. If some utility bills are included, ensure this is written in your lease.
In-suite laundry is not always available in rental accommodation. Ask about this and check where the nearest laundry facilities are if not included.
The landlord may ask for an employment letter or credit check.
Know your rights and responsibilities as a tenant in Canada, as well as the rights and responsibilities of landlords. Learn more here.
Stay Informed
Follow I/CAN on social media. Every Friday, I/CAN posts HOUSING TIPS to help newcomers.
Beware of Scams!
If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Never transfer money without viewing the accommodation and signing a lease.
If You Are the Victim of an Accommodation Scam:
Contact your financial institution/bank to inform them that you were a victim of fraud and contact the police.
Canada.ca encourages people to also report fraud to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre. For more information, see here.
Budgeting for Your New Home
Rental accommodation in Canada is usually unfurnished, so budget for the essentials you may need for your new home:
furniture
pots and pans
cutlery etc.
Search the “Buy Nothing” Facebook group in your local area. These groups allow people in your area to post items they are gifting for FREE.
Searching for Accommodation
There are numerous websites where you can search for rental accommodation. Research which websites are popular in the area of Canada you are moving to. Ask other newcomers what websites they used when searching.
Walk around the area that you would like to live in. Sometimes, places available to rent may be advertised outside the buildings. Look for signs like:
“1 bedroom available”
“Vacancy”
“2 bedroom available to rent”
There may be a contact number to call the property manager, or if it is a large building, they may have an office on site.
If you are finding it difficult to find a place to rent with your group of friends, you may have to split up and each of you try searching for a room to rent in a house share.
There are many Facebook groups organized by city. Check them out to see if anyone has posted about accommodation.