housing

housing

Do you want to live in Canada? In this section, we answer the most important questions about finding a home in Canada. Click on the questions to find out the answers!

  • How can I find an apartment?
  • Real estate ads
  • How much does it cost to rent an apartment?
  • What documents do I need to apply for an apartment?

What if I have a problem?

In this case, you can contact the following resources:

  • Tribunal administratif du logement (TAL ): for information on the rights and responsibilities of tenants and landlords, and for filing complaints to settle disputes related to leases or repairs.
  • ClickJustice.ca: practical advice on disputes between tenants and landlords, including repairs, rent payments and legal procedures.

Housing costs

As of January 2024, in most of the country’s major markets, strong demand for rental housing continued to outstrip supply. As a result, markets tightened and affordability declined.

In Canada, the vacancy rate for rental apartments hit a new low (1.5%), while average rent growth reached a new high (8.0%). Rental market conditions continued to tighten in most urban centers

Apartment prices

  • Average rent in Canada varies by region and city, ranging from CAD 500 to CAD 1,500 in cities like Ottawa, Vancouver and Montreal.

  • Rents vary widely depending on location. Rents in major cities like Ottawa, Vancouver or Edmonton will be more expensive.

  • For the entire Canadian conventional rental market, the average rent for 2-bedroom units is approximately CAD 1,359.
  • For the condominium market, the average rent for two-bedroom units is CAD 2049.

The table below shows the average rent for a 2-bedroom apartment in a number of Canadian cities for both traditional rental market units and condominiums, according to 2024 statistics from the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC):

City

Traditional rental market

Condominium apartments

Vancouver

 2,181 CAD 2,580 CAD

Edmonton

 1,398 CAD 1,359 CAD

Calgary

 1,695 CAD 1,819 CAD

Toronto

 1,940 CAD 2,862 CAD

Ottawa

 1,698 CAD 2,085 CAD

Montreal

 1,096 CAD 1,642 CAD

Source: Statcan

To rent an apartment

  • Landlords may require a deposit equivalent to one month’s rent. This deposit is non-refundable unless the tenant has caused no damage to the property.

  • Tenants must provide identification, proof of employment, recent pay slips and a credit report.

  • If tenants have no credit history in Canada, a guarantor may be required. The guarantor undertakes to cover the rent in the event of non-payment.

  • To avoid liability for existing damage, it’s a good idea to carry out an inspection with your landlord before you move in.

Finding accommodation

You can find accommodation (apartment, room) by browsing the streets for "For Rent" signs, or through :

  • Specialized Web sites: There are several real estate portals that handle sales & rentals of apartments, houses and more, for example: realtor.ca, centris.ca, etc.

  • Real estate agencies: A number of local real estate agencies offer rental search services, simplifying the process and ensuring that accommodation is up to standard. These agencies can also offer exclusive properties not listed on public sites.

  • Social networking groups and forums: Local Facebook groups dedicated to apartment rentals in specific cities, such as "Logement à Montréal" or "Toronto Apartment Rentals", are very active and put tenants and landlords in direct contact.
  • Roommate sites: If you’re looking for a room in a shared apartment, sites like Roomies.ca and EasyRoommate are popular. This can be an affordable option for moving into urban areas where rents are high.

Real estate ads

Below you will find a practical guide to help you find your way around real estate ads.

  • Ads refer to: apartment 1 1⁄2, 2 1⁄2, 3 1⁄2, rooms etc.

  • The kitchen counts as one room and the bathroom as half a room. A 3 ½ room apartment would therefore comprise a living room, kitchen, bedroom and bathroom.

  • The "half" indicates the bathroom.

  • Square foot/square metre: Even though the metric system is used in Quebec, the surface area of apartments is generally given in square feet. 1 square metre equals 10.76 square feet.

  • Furnished or semi-furnished: "Semi-furnished" means that basic appliances, such as the stove and refrigerator, and sometimes the washer and dryer, are provided and therefore included in the rent.

  • Heating costs may or may not be included in the rent. In Quebec, water consumption is not billed. The drinking water system is financed through property taxes paid by homeowners.

  • In Canada, the term "condominium", short for "condo", refers to an apartment governed by a declaration of co-ownership. The unit belongs to the owner, while the common areas are co-owned.

Required documents

In most cases, you’ll need the following documents to rent an apartment:

  • Questionnaire (from management)
  • Copy of identity document
  • Copy of residence permit (for foreigners)
  • Copy of latest payslip or employment contract
  • Possibly a credit file

Useful information about renting in Canada by clicking on the link.