Finding Accommodation in Canada

One of the obstacles to overcome when you move to Canada is finding accommodation. Below is a list of important things to note that will affect your planning:

All rentals in Canada tend to start at the beginning of every month. Plan your trip with this fact in mind as you want to ensure you have a good choice of options. Arriving a week or two before month’s end is advisable so you get ample time to learn about your surroundings and find suitable accommodation.
Most apartments/houses require at least half a month’s rent as a security deposit.
Most apartments/houses do not come furnished, so always ask before a viewing. Furnishing a place can take time and money, so try Craigslist for cheap or free stuff. The best time to get really good deals on furniture is towards the end of the month as people are moving and will often sell their possessions at knock-down prices.
Know your rights as a tenant. Become familiar with tenancy law in the province you plan to move to.
Beware of bogus ads on Craigslist when finding accommodation in Canada.
Try to prepare a landlord reference letter before you come to Canada as this is often required.

Once you have an idea as to where you’d like to live, check out the popular sites below to find accommodation listings.

Note: if you are looking to live downtown in any city, you will find that many apartment buildings do not use media to advertise; instead, they will post notices outside the buildings to advertise vacancies. It’s worth walking around neighbourhoods you want to live in to see if there are any ‘For Rent’ signs, or try calling the property management companies to check if there are any vacancies.

It’s also worth checking our Accommodation Boards for each city, which contains ads for:

those arriving in a city soon and seeking people with whom they can share accommodation.
people looking to fill a vacant room in their house.
short-term sublets.

Links to Moving2Canada Accommodation Boards:
Finding Accommodation in Vancouver,