Renting Your First Home

Before you start

People renting a home or room. Tenancy rights depend on the province or territory and sometimes on the living arrangement.

• Make a monthly budget including utilities, transport, internet and any other charges, not only the advertised rent.
• Prepare questions about the property, repairs, included appliances, lease length and the person authorized to collect rent.
• Check local deposit and tenancy rules. Ask a settlement provider for help if you lack Canadian employment, credit or references.

Program rules: Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada. Preparation questions are suggestions, not extra eligibility requirements.

Steps

1. Set a complete housing budget

   Ask what the quoted rent includes: heat, electricity, water, internet, laundry and parking may be extra. Consider the journey to work, school and essential services. A lower advertised rent can come with higher travel and utility costs.
2. Prepare your rental application

   Landlords may request employment information, references, income evidence or a credit check. If you do not have Canadian credit or rental history, ask a settlement provider what alternatives a landlord may consider. Do not assume missing Canadian history means you cannot rent.
3. Visit and ask questions before committing

   Check the property and included appliances, water pressure, heating arrangements, access and maintenance concerns. As a precaution, verify the address and the identity and authority of the person taking payment; a photograph or urgent message is not proof that someone controls a property. Ask a trusted local person or settlement worker for help if you cannot attend.
4. Check provincial rules and read the lease

   The lease sets out rent, payment dates, tenancy period and responsibilities. Deposit rules, rent increases, landlord entry and notice to leave are governed locally. Do not assume that first-and-last-month rent or a damage deposit is legal everywhere. Ask the provincial tenancy authority or a qualified adviser if a clause is unclear.
5. Keep a record of the agreement and payments

   Keep your signed agreement, payment receipts and written repair requests. Before moving in, ask about keys, mail, laundry, waste collection and building rules. A dated condition record can help you explain a later maintenance concern. Seek local advice before withholding rent or ending a lease early.

What to expect—and where people get stuck

A written lease records the agreement. Do not sign terms you do not understand; obtain local tenancy or legal help for a disputed clause.

Rent increases, notice periods and early departure are not governed by a single national rule. Keep receipts and written communications so a local adviser can understand your case.