How to Rent Your First Home as a Newcomer in Canada

You might be wondering: How do I rent my first home as a newcomer in Canada? How can you find a long-term rental when you don’t have a rental history with Canadian landlords? These are common concerns for anyone moving to a new country, especially when navigating unfamiliar systems and expectations.

As I mentioned in my post 13 Tips to Choose the Best Place to Live in Canada, there are many factors to consider when deciding on the city or town where you want to settle. Let’s say you’ve already overcome that challenge—congratulations! Now comes the next big step: finding a place to live.

In this post, I’ll share practical tips to help you rent your first home as a newcomer. From our own experience of finding a place to live, we’ll help you understand how things work and make the process easier.

If you’re coming to Canada soon, this guide will help you understand how to find a place to live for yourself or your family. Renting your first home as a newcomer can feel overwhelming, but with the right steps, it’s much easier than it seems.

1. Research From Your Home Country

If you’re still deciding which city to move to, check out my 13 Tips to Choose the Best Place to Live in Canada. But if you’ve already chosen your destination, now is the time to start researching the housing market.

Before you arrive in Canada, it’s a good idea to explore rental options online. This helps you get an idea of prices, neighborhoods, and what’s available in the rental market. It also allows you to plan your budget for when you arrive.

For your research, I recommend websites like Kijiji, Craigslist, and Facebook Marketplace. Make sure to include your city in the search to narrow down options. These sites will give you a good sense of what to expect and allow you to compare different accommodations.

Types of Accommodation in Canada

As you explore listings, you’ll come across different types of rental accommodations. Here’s a quick guide to the most common ones:

• Detached Houses: Standalone homes with their own property.
• Semi-Detached Houses: Homes that share one wall with another house.
• Townhouses: Row houses that share walls with one or two neighboring homes.

• Basements: Apartments located below the main floor of a house, often with a separate entrance. These are popular in Canada and are usually more affordable.
• Condos (Condominiums): Apartments in buildings with shared amenities like pools or gyms.
• Room Rentals: A room within a house or apartment where another family or group already lives.

Understanding these options will help you narrow down your search when you’re ready to rent your first home as a newcomer.

2. Where to Find Accommodations

Once you’ve decided on the city and the type of place you want to live, the next step is to start your search. Finding the right accommodation is a crucial part of renting your first home as a newcomer, and being prepared will make the process smoother.

If possible, I recommend booking short-term accommodation in Canada for at least two weeks—think Airbnb, Booking.com, or even staying with family or friends. This gives you time to physically visit potential rentals and avoid rushing into a long-term commitment before seeing the place in person.

Here’s a quick breakdown of options to help you rent your first home as a newcomer:

• Short-term Options: Airbnb, Booking.com, or staying with family/friends.
• Long-term Options: Facebook Marketplace, Kijiji, Craigslist, or working with a real estate broker (realtor).
• Other Options: Facebook groups for newcomers or immigrants in Canada, or groups specific to the city you’re moving to.

When I looked for a place, I worked with a real estate broker. If you decide to do the same, it’s helpful to provide them with clear details about what you’re looking for. This saves time and avoids unnecessary back-and-forth emails.

Here’s the key information to share with a realtor:

• Location: The city or neighborhood you’re targeting.
• Type of Accommodation: Condo, apartment with natural light, basement, or house.
• Pet Policy: Whether you need it to be cat- or dog-friendly.
• Furnishing: Whether you prefer furnished or unfurnished.
• Move-In Date: Specify the month and year.
• Budget: Let them know your maximum budget (e.g., “Up to X CAD”).

These steps will help you approach your search with clarity and confidence, ensuring you find the right place to call home in Canada.

3. Visit the Place

A home might look perfect online, but the neighborhood might not meet your expectations—it could have unexpected smells, noise, or other issues. That’s why it’s important to visit the place in person before making a decision, especially when you’re trying to rent your first home as a newcomer.

In my case, I started by looking for accommodation on the websites and platforms I mentioned earlier. However, the process was slow. I had to reach out to owners, wait for replies, schedule visits, and repeat the process for each new place.

Eventually, I decided to work with a realtor. I shared my requirements—location, type of accommodation, budget, and pet policy—and they provided me with over ten options in the area I was interested in. The realtor scheduled all the visits for a single day, accompanied me to each property, and helped me choose the right one. They also represented me during the negotiation with the owner, making the entire process seamless.

The best part? I didn’t have to pay for their services since the owner covered the commission.

If you’re looking to rent your first home as a newcomer, consider working with a realtor. It can save you time, simplify the process, and help you find the perfect place to call home.

4. Gather the Documentation

Once you’ve visited the place and decided it’s the right one, the next step is to gather the necessary documents to apply as a tenant. This is an important part of renting your first home as a newcomer in Canada, and having everything ready can make the process smoother.

If you’re working with a realtor, these are the documents you’ll likely need to provide:

• Tenant Representation Agreement: This authorizes your real estate agent to represent you.
• Tenancy Application Form: A standard form (e.g., in Ontario) where you’ll fill in personal details, information about previous landlords, employment history, and more.
• Employment Letter: Proof of your annual income from your current employer.
• Credit Score Report: Typically required to show your financial reliability.
• References: Contact details for previous landlords, employers, or others who can vouch for you.
• Last Three Pay Slips: To verify your income.

Since you’re a newcomer, you might not have a Canadian credit history or previous landlords in Canada. To strengthen your application, I recommend providing additional proof of your ability to pay rent, such as:

• Bank Statement: Showing sufficient savings to cover the rent.
• Credit Report from Your Home Country: I personally brought an Equifax report from my country, just in case, and it helped demonstrate my financial stability.

By preparing these documents in advance, you’ll increase your chances of securing a rental and make the process of renting your first home as a newcomer more efficient and less stressful.

5. Costs

Congratulations! Once your application is approved and the landlord accepts you, you’re one step closer to renting your first home as a newcomer. Here’s what to expect when it comes to costs:

• First and Last Month’s Rent: In most cases, you’ll need to pay for the first and last month upfront. This acts as a security deposit. The payment is typically made using a bank draft, which you can request from your bank. Your real estate agent or landlord will provide the account details for the deposit.

After making the payment, you’ll receive the Lease Agreement, a document signed by both you and the landlord. These agreements are often signed digitally via email for convenience.

Ongoing Monthly Costs

Once you’ve moved in, here are some typical monthly expenses to budget for:

• Rent: Paid monthly to your landlord.
• Tenant Insurance: Some landlords require this. We pay about $25 CAD per month.
• Hydro (Electricity): Our average cost is about $50 CAD per month.
• Internet (Optional): We pay around $90 CAD monthly.
• Cable (Optional): We don’t use cable, but it’s an option to consider.

Keep in mind that these costs can vary depending on the type of accommodation you rent—a house, basement apartment, or shared room may come with different expenses.

If you’d like to learn more about the cost of living, check out my blog post: Cost of Living in Canada: Basic Expenses for Newcomers.

6. Additional Tips

Based on our experience, here are some extra tips to help you rent your first home as a newcomer in Canada:

Be Cautious of Scams
Never send money to anyone before visiting the property in person. Unfortunately, rental scams do happen. Some warning signs include:

• Rent that’s significantly lower than the market rate.

• Being asked to pay a deposit without a formal rental agreement or lease.

• Requests to send money to an owner who claims to be out of the country.

In my case, payments were made formally through a bank to a specific brokerage account—not to an individual. If you’re dealing directly with a property owner, make sure the process feels legitimate and secure.

Offering Additional Deposits
If a rental is highly competitive and multiple people are applying, you might consider offering more than the required two months’ rent as a deposit to stand out—but only if you’re comfortable doing so.

Personally, I once had a situation where I was pressured to pay six months’ rent upfront to secure a place. It didn’t feel right, so I switched realtors. With the new realtor, I had no issues and only paid the legally required amount for the apartment I now live in.

Know That Processes May Vary
The steps I’ve described are based on my experience living in Ontario. Keep in mind that rental processes and regulations can differ in other provinces, so it’s always a good idea to research the specific requirements in the area where you plan to live.

Conclusion

Renting your first home as a newcomer in Canada can seem challenging at first, but with the right preparation and steps, it’s a manageable process.

Remember, every province has its own rules and processes, so be sure to research the specific requirements in your area. If you encounter issues or need more information, refer to resources like the Landlord and Tenant Board and Canada.ca.

I hope this guide has been helpful and that you feel more confident in your journey to rent your first home as a newcomer. Finding the right place for you and your family takes time, but with patience and preparation, you’ll succeed.

Wishing you the best of luck in your search! If you’d like to dive deeper into costs, don’t forget to check out my other blog post: Cost of Living in Canada: Basic Expenses for Newcomers.