Finding accommodation in Canada

Book short-term accommodation for the first few days or weeks

The most important thing is to have a place to stay when you arrive, but it’s perfectly fine if it’s a temporary solution. Hotels, Airbnb apartments, hostels (a backpacker top pick!) or Couchsurfing hosts will fill the gap until you find somewhere more long-term. Booking a place online is easy, just make sure to read reviews and comments!

With a booking sorted for the first few days, you’ll be able to get some rest and start your apartment search stress-free knowing that no matter how long it takes, you have a roof over your head.

For more information, read Booking housing for your arrival.

Beware of rental scams

If you really want to commit to a lease before coming to Canada, keep this in mind.

First, landlords typically would rather deal with a tenant they can meet in person or submit to the usual screening process—they are wary of scams too! You won’t be able to visit the place until you arrive in Canada, which is a big risk. Let’s face it, anything can look great in pictures…

Second, rental scams are a big issue, especially on free classified websites like Kijiji or Craigslist. Never, ever send a “deposit” or “fees” through Western Union or bank transfer. Most of the time, the place doesn’t exist and you’ll never see your money again.

Read Common scams to avoid during your working holiday abroad for more info.

It’s best to meet your future roommates in person

Sharing a house with complete strangers is never easy, but it’s an even bigger gamble if you don’t even meet them and visit the place in person. And it goes both ways, as fewer tenants will agree to add someone to the lease that they haven’t met!

You can start contacting potential roommates a few days or weeks before your trip to arrange a meeting for when you arrive, but don’t rush into committing to anything.

What to do if you *really* want to sign a lease before coming to Canada

The process is pretty much the same no matter where you settle in Canada. Browse classifieds online (e.g. on Kijiji or Craigslist), contact the landlord or the property management company, apply as a potential tenant, and reach an agreement!

Again, make sure the ad isn’t a scam—poor grammar, a sense of urgency, rent well below market price, plenty of upfront fees that must be paid immediately through Western Union or bank transfer, etc. are just a few of the many red flags you should be looking out for.

If the ad sounds legit, try to send someone you know in Canada to visit the place on your behalf. It’s a huge risk to commit to a lease based on pictures only!