- newspapers
- community centres
- bulletin boards in shops
Before you visit a place you might want to rent, make a checklist of questions you may want to ask the landlord or superintendent.
In Canada, landlords can ask you for references (such as a past landlord or an employer) who can confirm that you’ll be a good tenant. They can also:
- ask you where you work
- check your credit history
- ask you what your income is
You can get help from an immigrant-serving organization if you don’t have:
- a job
- references
- a credit history in Canada
For more information on credit history, see Money.
Moving in and signing a lease
When you agree to rent a place, you and your landlord should sign a lease.
A lease is a written rental agreement that outlines everything you and your landlord have agreed to. It’s a legal document, so make sure you read and understand every word. You may choose to ask someone to go over it with you, such as a:
- friend
- relative
- lawyer
- staff member at an immigrant-serving organization
Ask your landlord or the superintendent to go over the rules and instructions for:
- laundry
- getting your mail
- garbage and recycling
- how the appliances work
- tenant and visitor parking
- using the intercom (in an apartment building)
A landlord may ask you for a rental deposit when you sign the lease. If you don’t pay the rent or you damage the home, the landlord will use the deposit to cover the costs.
When you move out, the landlord will either return the deposit to you or use it to pay for your last month of rent.
Paying the rent
You usually have to pay the rent to your landlord, superintendent or property manager on the first day of every month. You can pay your rent:
- in cash
- by post-dated cheques
- many landlords ask for 12 cheques dated the first day of each month for the next 12 months
- many landlords ask for a certified cheque for the first and last month
Make sure you ask your landlord for a receipt and keep it as proof of payment.
In some places, your rent may include some or all of your utilities, such as:
If they’re not included in your rent, you must pay these bills yourself.
Rent increases
In most areas, your landlord must give you a 90-day notice before they increase your rent. Usually, landlords can increase your rent only once each year.
Moving out
Before moving out, you must give written notice to your landlord that you’ll be leaving. You must give one, two or three months’ notice. This depends on the province or territory you live in.
If you have a lease, the law may not let you end the lease early. If you need to end it early, you must arrange this with the landlord or pay an amount set by law in your province or territory.
