Table of contents

Applying as a newcomer to Canada

After you’ve visited a few listings and made up your mind, you’ll need to prepare your application.

What landlords ask for

In Canada, landlords can ask:

You to fill out a standard application form.
For references from, for example, a past landlord or an employer, to confirm that you’ll be a good tenant.
Where you work.
For proof of income.
For your Social Insurance Number to check your credit history.
For photo ID.

You can build a credit history in Canada by opening a bank account. Use your credit card regularly and make sure to pay off the balance on time every month. Credit scores range from 300 to 900.

Applying without a credit history or a job

If you are a newcomer to Canada without a job or credit history in Canada yet, you may be wondering if it’s even possible to find a place to rent.

The answer is yes, it is possible. Canada welcomes thousands of newcomers every year.

While landlords can ask for the items listed above, they are not legally obligated to do so; it is at their discretion. As such, you can try to explain your situation to the landlord and offer to provide references and proof of savings instead.

Some landlords are willing to be flexible if you present yourself as a reliable and trustworthy tenant. Alternatively, you can skip ads requiring a credit check.

Signing the lease

Once you agree to rent a place, you and your landlord should sign a rental agreement that defines the terms of the lease.

This is a legal document that protects both parties. Among other things, it lists the rent amount, the start and end dates, and as well the rights and responsibilities of each party. Read it carefully.

In some provinces, when you sign the lease, a landlord may ask for

rent for the first and last months of the rental period
a security deposit

Why leases in Quebec often start on July 1

In Quebec, there is a strong tradition of leases starting on July 1, but this is not a legal requirement. On Moving Day (jour du déménagement), moving-trucks flood the streets of Quebec.

This tradition is not practiced anywhere else in Canada.

In Canada, renters’ insurance is not legally required but it is strongly recommended. It insures your belongings in case of theft, fire, or water damage, and also covers you for civil liability. It is inexpensive, at around $20-30 per month.

Alternatives for newcomers: roommates and subleases

If you struggle to secure housing on your own as a newcomer, you can consider living with roommates or subleasing from a tenant rather than leasing from a landlord directly.

Subletting is when a tenant (who already has a lease with the landlord) rents to someone else. This might be:

Temporary, if the original tenant is going out of town for a few months and wants to fill the vacancy.
A lease takeover, if the original tenant is moving out and wants to transfer the remaining duration of their lease to a subtenant.

The benefit of subleasing is that the requirements are often more relaxed than those of a classic lease between tenant and landlord. For example, the tenant might not ask to perform a credit check.

If you want to sublease, make sure to confirm that: