How International Students in Canada Can Rent Houses and Apartments
Renting a house or apartment in Canada is absolutely possible as an international student. However, finding suitable and affordable accommodation takes research and preparation. By understanding rental options, search strategies, documentation requirements and your rights, international students can successfully secure comfortable housing in Canada for their studies.
ALso see:
Can Students Get Mortgages in Canada? Explained
Exploring New Rules for Buying a House in Canada: What You Need to Know
Student Loans for International Students in Canada: Guide & Eligibility
Can International Students Get Home Loans in Canada? Explained
Do Canadian Banks Provide Loans to International Students? Explained
Overview of Rental Housing in Canada
Let’s first briefly understand how renting works in Canada:
- Around 30% of Canadians rent rather than own their home.
- Rental properties are available in various formats like apartments, condos, houses, basement suites etc.
- Rentals are listed and advertised via platforms like Kijiji, Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace etc.
- Landlords/property management companies set eligibility criteria for income, credit scores, references etc.
- Rental rates depend on factors like location, size, amenities, utilities, term length etc.
- Tenancy laws across Canadian provinces regulate security deposits, notices, maintenance duties etc.
Now let’s look at how international students can find and acquire suitable rental accommodations.
Types of Rental Accommodations for Students
When renting as a student, some common options include:
Shared Apartments/Houses
- Sharing a full apartment or house with other students helps cut costs significantly.
- Allows socializing and sharing maintenance duties with roommates.
- Need to compromise on space and coordinate shared facilities.
Basement Suites
- Basement apartments within bigger houses offer more privacy.
- Often more affordable than full apartments.
- May lack natural light which some find uncomfortable.
Dedicated Student Rentals
- Some landlords cater specifically to student tenants.
- Offer short-term leases aligned with academic terms.
- Some provide furnishings and amenities targeted at students.
Entire Houses
- Renting a whole house is possible but more expensive.
- More feasible if sharing with a larger group of housemates.
- Gives you full control over the space.
Consider your budget, space needs, and privacy preferences when deciding on a rental type as a student.
Finding Rental Listings as a Student
Some strategies for finding good rentals include:
Using Student Housing Resources
- Most colleges and universities have housing offices that assist students in finding off-campus rentals.
- Student associations also list rental options, often with discounts or verified landlords.
- Dedicated student rental platforms like Places4Students also target the student demographic.
Online Rental Listings
- Mainstream platforms like Kijiji, Craigslist, Zumper, Rentals.ca etc. list numerous rental options.
- Use filters for location, price, size etc. to narrow your search.
- Expand your search radius for more choices.
Community Networks
- Fellow students and alumni can share leads on available rentals or good landlords.
- Local community and cultural groups, clubs and social media networks may have accommodation listings.
- Onsite flyers and bulletins in local area buildings also help spot rentals.
Cast a wide net using multiple strategies to maximize your chances of finding suitable available rentals.
Documentation Needed for Renting
Landlords will require certain documents from you when applying to rent. Be prepared with:
- Proof of current enrollment – Usually an acceptance letter or enrollment certificate from your educational institution.
- Student visa paperwork – Your valid study permit plus details on its duration.
- Passport and IDs – To validate your identity and residency status.
- Bank statements – To prove you have funds to pay rent and associated costs. Minimum balances may be required.
- References – Previous landlord references plus contact details, if applicable.
- Job letter or support letter – If you have a part-time job or get financial support.
Having these documents ready in advance will make the application process faster and simpler.
Overcoming Credit History Challenges
As an international student, you likely have limited Canadian credit history. Landlords may hesitate renting to you. Some solutions include:
- Showcasing solid credit history from your home country – Obtain credit reports translated to English demonstrating your past responsible borrowing.
- Providing co-signers or guarantors – Nominate someone with stronger Canadian credit to back your lease. Parents often co-sign student leases.
- Paying multiple months upfront – Offer to prepay 3-6 months which reduces risk for the landlord.
- Making a larger security deposit – Offer 1-2 month’s rent as deposit instead of the standard one month.
With preparedness, you can overcome limited credit and still succeed with rentals.
Understanding Tenant Rights and Responsibilities
Carefully review all documents and terms before signing your lease to know your rights and obligations as a tenant. Understand:
- Rent amount and due date
- Security deposit policies
- Utility costs – separately metered or split with landlord
- Appliances – supplied or need your own
- Parking terms if applicable
- House rules and condo bylaws if any
- Notice period required for moving out
- Maintenance and repairs – your duties vs. landlord duties
- Smoking, pets, noise and other restrictions
Knowing the applicable tenancy laws and lease terms avoids misunderstandings and problems later.
Additional Tips for International Student Renters
Follow these tips for a smoother rental experience:
- Take pictures when you move in to document the initial condition.
- Purchase tenant insurance – it covers belongings and liability in the event of accidents or damage.
- Develop good relationships with your landlord and neighbors.
- Understand your rights – discrimination is illegal and deposits must be returned fairly.
- Save copies of all paperwork and receipts – including for rent payments.
- Join local community and culture groups to avoid isolation.
With some research and preparation, international students can comfortably rent houses, apartments or basement suites for their stay in Canada.
Common Questions on Renting as an International Student
1. How much rent should I budget as a student in Canada?
For shared apartments, average rents range $500 – $800 per bedroom depending on the city. Whole apartments average $1200 – $1800. Basement suites cost $700 – $1200 usually. Calculate other monthly costs too.
2. Can I apply for a rental if I don’t have a job?
Yes, you can use your savings, education loan, family support or scholarships to demonstrate ability to pay rent. Some landlords may ask for co-signers or a few months’ rent upfront.
3. Is a credit check required for student rentals?
A full credit check is not always needed if you provide other documentation like enrollment proof, guarantor forms, and references. However, landlords may still choose to check your credit, especially in major cities. Building some Canadian credit history can help.
4. What questions should I ask landlords before renting?
Key questions include:
- What utilities/amenities are included in the rent?
- What additional fees like parking apply?
- What is the notice period for moving out?
- How are repairs handled?
- Is subletting allowed?
- Does the lease auto-renew or convert to month-to-month?
5. Can I get my security deposit back if I move out early?
If you need to move out before your fixed-term lease ends, the landlord is not obligated to refund your deposit. However, you can request them to apply the deposit towards your rent for the remaining unused term, instead of forfeiting the entire deposit.
Conclusion
International students can successfully rent suitable houses, apartments and basement suites in Canada with proper preparation. Utilizing student-focused resources, having required documents ready, finding guarantors to overcome credit challenges, and understanding tenant rights allows students to secure comfortable and affordable accommodations near campus. Renting as a student in Canada just requires some research, planning and cultural adaptation.
References
- Government of Canada – Housing for International Students. https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/study-canada/student-housing.html
- Places4Students – Student Housing & Rentals by Universities. https://places4students.com
- University of Toronto Guide to Off-Campus Housing. https://offcampus.utoronto.ca/find-housing/
- McGill Off-Campus Housing – A Guide for International Students. https://www.mcgill.ca/students/housing/offcampus
- BC Tenancy Laws – What Landlords and Tenants Need to Know. https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/housing-tenancy/residential-tenancies