Temporary accommodation in Canada
Before you arrive in Canada, it’s crucial to at least have somewhere lined up for your first few nights. Hostels and hotels are plentiful in urban areas, though you may wish to book well in advance to ensure you have the widest choice of temporary accommodation in Canada available to you.
Note that bed bugs do exist in Canada, so research your intended place to stay online before you book.
If you wish to use AirBnb for short-term houses or apartments for rent in Canada, you can use this link to get a discount of $30-50 off your first booking.
The Canadian Government helps refugees find temporary accommodation in Canada as part of its Resettlement Assistance Program.
Finding apartments and houses for rent in Canada
Accommodation in Canada | Houses for rent in Canada | Apartments for rent in CanadaThere are several types of rental accommodation in Canada, including houses, condominiums, and apartments.
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Some houses will be available to rent in their entirety, some will divided into several units. A house divided into two units is called a ‘duplex’. Split in three, it’s known as a ‘triplex’. In other houses for rent in Canada, rental rooms are available, with shared living and bathroom facilities.Apartments for rent in Canada range from ‘bachelor’ units, where a single room serves as both the bedroom and living area, to those with multiple bedrooms and separate living areas.
The cost of utilities, such as electricity and water, may or may not be included in your rent. Visit our internet service providers in Canada and utilities in Canada articles for information on service providers in your area.
Landlords will usually request information about your ability to pay rent before offering you a lease. Documents that may be requested include:
A letter from your current, or most recent, employer that indicates your annual income.Bank statement(s) that show you have enough savings to cover rent for a few months.References from previous landlords.
Many landlords will prefer Canadian documentation, and this can be cumbersome for new arrivals. However, there are landlords out there who are willing to rent their houses and apartments for rent in Canada to newcomers, so if you don’t succeed at first, keep trying!
Important things to keep in mind:
Rentals in Canada tend to start on the 1st of every month, with a smaller number becoming available on the 15th of every month. Plan your trip with this in mind as you want to ensure you have a good range of options. Arriving around two week’s before month’s end is advisable, as you get ample time to learn about your surroundings and find suitable apartments or houses for rent in Canada.Most apartments and houses for rent in Canada require at least half a month’s rent as a security deposit.Most rental accommodation in Canada does not come furnished, so always ask before a viewing. Furnishing a place can take time and money, so try Craigslist for cheap or free stuff. The best time to get really good deals on furniture is towards the end of the month as people are moving and will often sell their possessions at knock-down prices.Know your rights as a tenant. Become familiar with tenancy law in the province you plan to move to.Unfortunately, there are online scams that attempt to dupe people into paying deposits on properties that don’t exist. Beware of bogus ads when searching for accommodation in Canada.