# Finding a home in Canada: tenant basics > From temporary housing to a lease: how renting works in Canada, what landlords may ask, tenant rights by province and how to avoid fake listings. - Category: Housing - For: newcomers moving abroad to work, settle or join family - Country: Canada - Verified on: 2026-10-20 - Source: [IRCC — Renting a home](https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/settle-canada/housing/renting.html) - Page: https://travelsorted.grihaam.online/resources/canada-finding-a-home-and-tenant-basics ## The short answer Most newcomers rent first. Each **province and territory has its own residential tenancy law** that sets what landlords and tenants must do, so the rules about deposits, notice and rent increases differ depending on where you live. A good plan is to book **temporary accommodation** for your first nights, take time to find a long-term home you have actually seen, read the lease before you sign it and know where your province publishes tenant rights. This guide follows IRCC's page on renting. ## Key terms in plain English - **Landlord:** the person who owns the home. They may use a property manager or superintendent to collect rent. - **Lease (rental agreement):** the legal document that sets rent, payment dates, the rental period and who looks after repairs. - **Security deposit:** money some landlords hold in some provinces, which they may use to cover unpaid rent or damage. - **Reference:** a letter or contact from a past landlord or employer that says you are a reliable tenant. - **Tenancy board:** the provincial body that deals with disputes between tenants and landlords. ## What landlords may ask for IRCC says landlords can ask for references, ask where you work, check your credit history and ask for proof of income. If you have no job, references or credit history in Canada, ask a newcomer services provider how to get started. It is illegal for anyone to pressure you into doing things you do not want to do in exchange for rent. If you feel unsafe, call 911 or your local police. ## Finding a place People look through friends, online listings, community centres, rental agency websites and by walking through neighbourhoods. IRCC suggests asking a newcomer services provider for help. When you see a unit, check that taps and appliances work, ask whether utilities such as heat, water, electricity and internet are included, and research the neighbourhood. ## Signing a lease A lease describes the rent, the due dates, the period and who is responsible for maintenance. In some provinces a landlord may ask for first and last months' rent or a security deposit, depending on the law. Before you sign, make sure you understand it, and ask someone you trust or a newcomer services provider to read it with you. For complicated concerns, a lawyer may be worth a consultation. Pay rent as the lease says and **always ask for a receipt**. ## Rent increases and moving out Each province and territory has its own rules for rent increases. In most parts of Canada the landlord must give written notice, and some provinces limit how much rent can rise. When you plan to leave, you must tell your landlord in writing, and the notice period depends on your province. Ending a lease early may involve a fee. ## Avoiding fake listings Never pay a deposit or rent for a place you have not seen or cannot verify. Be careful of very cheap listings, landlords who are "abroad", requests to pay through gift cards or unusual transfers, and pressure to decide today. If you cannot visit, ask a trusted person to view it for you. ## Checklist - [ ] Book temporary accommodation for your first nights before you land - [ ] Ask a settlement organisation about housing help - [ ] Decide on a budget and which neighbourhoods suit you - [ ] Prepare references, proof of income or a letter from your employer if you have one - [ ] View the unit and check what is included - [ ] Read the whole lease before you sign, and keep a copy - [ ] Ask for a receipt for every payment - [ ] Find your province's tenant rights page and tenancy board ## Common mistakes - **Paying before you have seen the place.** This is the most common scam. - **Signing a lease you did not read.** Ask for help. - **Not keeping receipts.** You may need them in a dispute. - **Assuming rules are the same everywhere.** Check your province. - **Staying in unsafe or pressured situations.** Contact the police or a settlement organisation. ## Things that change Tenancy laws, notice rules, deposit rules and rent limits are set by each province and territory, and they change. ## Verify before you act Read IRCC's [renting a home](https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/settle-canada/housing/renting.html) page and CMHC's [renting a home](https://www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca/consumers/renting-a-home) information. For your rights, see your provincial body, for example Ontario's [Landlord and Tenant Board](https://tribunalsontario.ca/ltb/), British Columbia's [residential tenancies](https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/housing-tenancy/residential-tenancies) or Quebec's [Tribunal administratif du logement](https://www.tal.gouv.qc.ca/en/). --- StudentFlow gives general information from official sources. It is not legal or immigration advice and we are not a licensed immigration consultant or lawyer. For advice on your case, speak to a licensed professional. Confirm current rules, fees and thresholds on the official source above.