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There are different types of homes that you can rent in Canada. Here are a few common ones to be familiar with.

Types of homes

1. Apartment

Apartment buildings are typically high-rises whose units are owned by one management company. In newer buildings, there may be amenities such as a gym, a pool, or a 24/7 front desk.

2. Condo

A condominium is very similar in appearance to an apartment building. The main difference is that each individual unit has its own owner. The common spaces, however, are managed by a company.

3. Basement and semi-basement apartments

Basement apartments are very common in Canada, and they tend to be cheaper. They are “finished”, which means they are painted and come with floor coverings, moulding, doors and windows, heating, etc.

Lack of light can be an issue for some, especially in winter, when there’s snow on windows. Humidity in a basement is also higher than in the upper floors—consider investing in a dehumidifier.

Semi-furnished and fully-furnished

The expression “semi-furnished” can be used to describe apartments from nearly bare to almost fully furnished. If nothing is mentioned in the ad, expect the place to be unfurnished.

Generally speaking, a semi-furnished apartment comes with basic big pieces of furniture such as a sofa, a bed, a dresser, a table, and chairs.

A fully furnished apartment is equipped with furniture, basic kitchen appliances and tableware, bathroom necessities (e.g. a shower curtain), a washer/dryer set, etc.

Utilities included (or “all inclusive”)

If heating and hot water are included in the rent (advertised as “utilities included” or “all inclusive”), you’ve probably got a good deal. It’s expensive to stay warm in the winter, especially if the home is poorly insulated.

Note that “hydro” refers to electricity, so the “hydro bill” is your electricity bill. This term originates from when electricity was completely generated by water, and Canada remains a large hydropower producer.

Apartments with utilities included (especially heating) aren’t that common. That said, water rates are fairly reasonable in Canada and the landlord often pays the bill.

Quebec only: what is a 2 ½ or a 3 ½?

In the province of Quebec, this way of describing apartments refers to the number of rooms. The “½” is the bathroom, which counts as half a room. The kitchen, the living room, and the bedroom each count as one room.

Note that this terminology used in Quebec has nothing to do with the total size of the apartment in square feet or metres. A “2 ½” (i.e. a bedroom and a living room, plus a kitchenette and bathroom) may be bigger than a “3 ½” (i.e. a bathroom plus a distinct living room, bedroom, and kitchen). You can ask the landlord for the square footage.

As for “1+1” or “2+1,” the first number is the number of rooms and the “+1” refers to a small office (or “den”) that can double as a guest room.