Newcomer guide to renting in Canada

The basics: how monthly rent works

Most rentals in Canada are advertised as a monthly amount. Rent is due on the first of each month. A typical lease runs 12 months and then converts to month-to-month unless you sign a new fixed-term lease.

Rent is paid by e-transfer, pre-authorized debit, or post-dated cheques. Cash is unusual for legitimate landlords and is a small warning sign.

First and last month's rent

Most landlords ask for first and last month's rent before you move in. That means you pay two months upfront.

First month covers your first month of occupancy. Last month is held as a deposit against your final month in the unit. In Ontario, security deposits beyond first and last month are not legal. In BC, security deposits are limited to half a month's rent.

If a landlord asks for more than first and last month upfront, ask for the rule that allows it. Most provinces strictly limit upfront payments.

What utilities are typically included

There is no universal rule. Each lease is different. The most common patterns:

• Heat and water: often included in older apartment buildings, rarely included in condos.
• Hydro (electricity): usually paid separately. Expect $50 to $150 per month depending on unit size.
• Internet and cable: almost never included. Budget $60 to $100 per month.
• Parking: often extra, especially in dense urban areas. Indoor parking can add $100 to $250 per month.
• In-suite laundry: a feature, not a separate cost. Older buildings often have coin laundry instead.

How to know if a rent is fair

Compare the rent against the local neighbourhood range for the same unit type. City-wide averages hide large variation. A 1-bedroom in one Ottawa neighbourhood can rent for $600 more than the same unit a few streets over.

Fair Rent Canada shows neighbourhood-level ranges built from CMHC data, Rentals.ca market listings, and anonymous renter submissions. Free to use, no signup required.

Common rental scams to watch for

• Rent that is much lower than nearby comparable units. If a 1-bedroom is asking $1,400 in a neighbourhood where the range is $2,000 to $2,400, ask why.
• Landlord who is out of the country and cannot show the unit. Legitimate landlords let you visit.
• Pressure to send money before signing or seeing the unit. Never wire money to someone you have not met.
• Listings that copy photos from real listings on other sites. Reverse-image search to verify.
• Requests for your SIN, banking login, or passport scans. A standard application asks for credit references and proof of income, not banking access.

Provincial rules to know

Each province has its own residential tenancy rules. The big two for newcomers:

Ontario

Rent control applies to units first occupied before November 15, 2018. The provincial guideline rate is set each year (around 2 to 3 percent). Newer units are exempt between tenancies. A standard residential lease is mandatory.

British Columbia

Rent control applies to all residential tenancies. The provincial guideline rate (around 3 percent) caps annual increases for existing tenants. Security deposits are limited to half a month's rent.