06.07.24

How to Rent an Apartment in Canada

Finding a good apartment in Canada can be both exciting and overwhelming because the rental market is quite competitive. It’s important to have a strategy for your search. This article will guide you through the important steps of finding the best apartment, from counting how much you can afford to know your rights as a renter.

Living Within Your Means

First, count how much money you take home after taxes monthly. Then, exclude all your necessary expenses like food, transportation, utilities, phone bills, internet, and any loans you're paying off. Think about other costs too, like snacks, clothes, entertainment, and what it might cost to move.

On the average, it is good to spend around 30% from your earnings to pay for rent. This leaves enough for other important things and gives you some savings and freedom. It's important to be realistic and not stretch your budget too much, considering unexpected expenses or rent increases.

 

Finding Your Perfect Location

Decide what matters most in this context. Do you want lots of nightlife or a quiet place for families, or to be close to work or school? Living close to work can be a very good strategy, saving both time for transportation and money. Also, it is healthier to walk to your job.

The best way to get an idea about a location is to go there. Also, you can look up neighborhoods online using inline maps, websites, forums, and local news sites to get a sense of what they're like. Many rental listings also offer virtual tours so you can see what the area is like without visiting.

When you visit the place, walk around paying attention to noise levels from traffic. See what amenities are nearby, and how close essential services like stores are. Talk to people who live there too, like in cafes or shops.

 

Rental Web Listings

Check out our detailed guide on Top 5 Real Estate Websites for Renting for the best websites we could find where you can see actual listings.

Also, check out local classifieds and Facebook groups focused on rentals in the area you want to live. Don't forget to tell your friends, colleagues, and family that you're looking for an apartment. Sometimes they know places that aren't online yet.

Know Your Rights and Responsibilities

Essential Points

• Rent
  Make sure you know exactly how much rent you need to pay, when it's due, and ask if there are any extra charges. We don’t want any hidden charges, do we?
• Lease Term
  Understand how long you're agreeing to rent the place for. It could be for a set time or on a month-to-month basis. Also, know what happens if you want to stay longer or leave early. All this can be found or written in the renting contract.
• Permitted Uses
  Be aware of any rules about what you can do in the apartment, like if you can have pets, sublet to someone else, or make changes to how things are set up. For example, can you attach an additional hanger in the hallway or hang a picture.
• Maintenance and Repairs
  Know who's responsible for fixing things that break or need maintenance. For example, the landlord usually handles big things like plumbing, while you might need to replace lightbulbs.

 

Read Carefully and Keep Copies

When you get the lease agreement to sign, take your time to read through each part carefully. Don't just skim through it, make sure you understand every rule and condition before putting your signature on it.

If there's anything you're unsure about, ask the landlord to explain it to you. It's also important to get a copy of the signed agreement once it's done. Keep this copy safe for your records so you can refer to it if needed.

 

Be Thorough

• Check the place when it's light outside so you can see everything well and spot any safety issues.
• See key things like where the plugs are, how strong the water pressure is, if the heating and cooling work, and how much storage space there is. Сheck whether the tap works fine, toilet flush is working well, find out how the general water supply taps are turned off.
• Look for signs of water damage, mold, broken appliances, or anything else that looks unsafe.
• Don’t hesitate to ask about noise levels, parking spots, laundry facilities, and if there are any planned repairs or renovations.
• Make a 5 minute video record of the property on your mobile phone with comments starting with the date of the record and the address. Go through every room, open and close cabinets, dresser drawers while making a record. Store this video on your Google Drive or any other cloud service. In any far-fetched complaint from the landlord the video would prove the real condition of the property on the moment of the renting.  

 

Preparing Your Application

If necessary, get together all the papers you'll need, like pay stubs, a letter from your job saying how much you make, a credit report if they ask for it, and letters from past landlords saying you're a good tenant. Write a short letter about yourself to go with your application.
Say a bit about who you are, why you'd be a good tenant (like if you're responsible and keep things clean), and why you want that particular apartment. After you apply, it's okay to follow up politely if you don't hear back after one or two days.

Bonus Tips. Making Your Apartment Cozy

Once you've got your perfect place, it's time to make it feel like home! Here are some tips for furnishing your apartment on a budget and arranging furniture to maximize comfort and functionality in each room.

Furnishing on a Budget

• Explore second-hand stores, online marketplaces, and garage sales for unique and affordable furniture finds.
• Invest in multifunctional furniture like ottomans with storage or futons that convert from couch to bed.

 

Arranging Furniture for Different Rooms

Firsty, try not to overload the place with items. The best interior is the one that has enough space, lots of air. Also it is easier to clean such a property.

Living Room

• Focal Point
  Arrange furniture around what draws attention, like a fireplace, TV, or big window. Seats should face this focal point to make cozy conversation spots
• Traffic Flow
  Keep enough space between furniture so you can move around easily in the room.
• Conversation Areas
  Put chairs and sofas together in groups to create places for chatting.

Bedroom

• Balance and Size
  Fit furniture in a way that matches how big the room is. Don't use furniture that's too big for a small bedroom.
• Functionality
  Put the bed where you can get to it from both sides easily. Arrange dressers and nightstands so they're handy for storing things.

Kitchen

• Kitchen Triangle
  Think of a triangle connecting the fridge, stove, and sink. Arrange them so it's easy to move between them while you cook.
• Counter Space
  Use counters smartly by placing appliances in good spots and using shelves on the walls for extra storage.

 

Lastly and the most important part have a Positive Landlord-Tenant Relationship

• Communicate openly and promptly with your landlord about any issues or concerns.
• Be a responsible tenant. Pay rent on time, keep the noise level reasonable, and respect the property. Keep all the bills in one safe place and send bill photos to your landlord if it is convenient.
• Abide by the terms outlined in your lease agreement.

Conclusion

Renting an apartment in Canada doesn't have to stress you out, once you've found your ideal apartment, start making it feel like home. With a little planning and tips here, you'll soon be settling into your perfect place. Enjoy your new place in Great White North.

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