Finding Your First Apartment in Canada

You're ready to start searching for your first apartment in Canada, but where do you start? This blog will provide links to apartment finding websites in Canada, financial assitance programs, and discuss tenant rights in Ontario.

The information in this blog will be update when possible, but it is recommended to always check directly with the sources to ensure accuracy.

Links to financial assistance programs

Links to apartment finder resources

Links to tenant forms

Tenant protections

• Governed by each province

• The Landlord Tenant Board (LTB) enforces Residential Tenancies Act (RTA)

• All disputes are handled at the LTB Tribunal.

Terms and Length of lease

• ALL new leases are to be written on the standard Ontario form (Residential Tenancy Agreement 2229E)

• Usually, the initial lease contract is for 12 months.

• Once the 12 months have expired, you are automatically converted to month-to-month

• NO new contract is needed

• Rent is typically due on the 1st of each month

• If you intend to leave, you must give minimum 60 days notice (to the end of that month)

• Proper form must be submitted (N9)

• You and landlord can mutually agree to terminate at any time

Rent deposits

• ONLY 1 month rent is allowed as a deposit

• (example, rent is $1000/month, only $1000 deposit is allowed)

• Often the term “first and last months’ rent” is included in advertisements

• The last month’s rent is the “deposit”

• Landlord cannot ask for additional deposits, such as key, pet, damage, etc.

• Deposits are to be applied to the last month of your tenancy.

Rent increases

• Once every 12 months

(example move in May 1st, 2023 - next rent increase is May 1st, 2024 or later)

• 90 days notice must be given on form N1

(example notice to be sent Feb 1st, 2024 for a rent increase May 1st, 2024)

• Maximum rate is set by Ontario guideline

(2023 - 2.5%, 2022 - 0%, 2021 - 1.2%, 2020 - 2.2%, 2019 - 1.8%)

• New builds (occupied after November 15, 2018) do not have a maximum (no rent control).

Evictions

• Landlord cannot evict without LTB approval

• Proper documents must be delivered within the prescribed timeframes (N4, N5, etc)

• You have a right to a hearing by the tribunal for the eviction request

• Strict reasons for legal evictions, eg/

• disrupting other tenants and unable to resolve the situation

• damage to property by tenant/pet/smoking

• immediate family needs to occupy premises

• NOT legal reasons:

• They want more rent than the set maximum

• They want the unit empty so they can sell it

• They claim it is for family use, but then place it for rent again within 12 months

• You have a pet (unless it can be proven to cause damage or disruption)

• You have other people living with you not on the lease (unless it violates building code)

Where to start

• Apartment finder resources

• Kijiji.ca (can also post (“looking for”)

• Rentals.ca

• Realtor.com

• Facebook groups (apartments, buy and sell, etc)

• Local classified ads in newspapers (Seeker, Homefinder, etc)

• Community bulletin boards

• Property management companies

• Ace - http://www.acepropertymanagement1991.com/ 

• Devcore - https://devcorecornwall.ca/ 

• A-Plus - http://aplusmanagement.ca/cornwallapartments.html  

• Coleman -  http://colemancapitalpartners.ca/portfolio/ 

• Meraki - https://www.merakipm.com/copy-of-renting 

Financial assistance

• Ontario Works: Ontario Works provides financial assistance to people who are in temporary financial need, including newcomers who are struggling to pay for rent. You can apply for Ontario Works online or by visiting a local office.

• Social Housing (Rent Geared to Income) Program: A program administered by the Cornwall and Area Housing Corporation (CAHC) that provides affordable housing to low-income individuals and families in the area. Under the program, eligible applicants pay rent based on their income, with the rent amount set at 30% of their gross income.

• Catholic Centre for Immigrants: The Catholic Centre for Immigrants is a non-profit organization that provides settlement services and support to immigrants and refugees in the Cornwall area. They offer a variety of programs and services, including housing support, employment counseling, and language classes.

• Toronto - Housing Allowance Program: This program is offered by the City of Toronto and provides financial assistance to low-income households to help cover the cost of rent. Eligible households can receive up to $400 per month to help with rent.

• Ottawa - HPP Ottawa: This program is offered by the City of Ottawa and provides financial assistance to households at risk of becoming homeless. The program can help with rent arrears, utility bills, and other housing-related expenses.

Rental application

• What the landlord can ask:

• Proof of income (pay stubs, bank statements)

• Previous landlord contact info (for references)

• Other character references

• Names, identification of person(s) on lease

• What they CANNOT ask

• Any information related to protected classes: age, race, orientation, political leanings, etc.

• What you should ask (aside from # of bedrooms/bathrooms, and rent price):

• Walkthrough

• First date of occupation (rent control, prior to November 15, 2018)

• Is A/C allowed / provided (window, portable, central air)

• Laundry (in unit, in building, not provided)

• Other appliances (usually included)

• Appliances included are the responsibility of the landlord to maintain / replace

• Heating source (Gas, electric, oil, propane)

• Utilities costs

• Hydro, heating, water, rentals

• Hydro refers to electricity, not water

• Parking (on property, on street, not provided)

• Yard maintenance - who cuts the lawn, shovels the snow, puts out the bins on garbage day