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Your first days in Canada |
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Page 2 of 4
How to find a place to live
Here's how to look for the right home for you:
- search the classified advertisements in local newspapers;
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become familiar with the public transportation available;
- ask an immigrant-serving organization in your area for advice;
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ask friends and family already living in the area for advice;
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look for "Vacancy" or "For Rent" signs on houses and apartment buildings;
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check bulletin boards in grocery stores, laundromats, health clinics and community centres; and
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ask for advice at your place of worship.
What if you have a large family?
If you have three or more children, or you have older
relatives living with you, you will probably not be able to find a big
enough apartment. In that case, you may need to think about renting a
house.
How much will it cost?
You could expect to pay between $350 a month for a room, and $2,000 a
month for a luxury apartment or a large house. Rental costs vary
greatly across cities and across Canada. Housing is more reasonable
outside the large cities. An immigrant-serving organization in the area
where you plan to settle can help you find affordable housing.
Signing a lease
Once you agree to rent an apartment or a house, you may be asked to
sign a one-year lease. This legal document of one or two pages
describes the rental property, the utilities included and the options,
such as parking and storage. It may also state whether pets or more
people are allowed. Most apartments are leased by the year, although
some are rented monthly.
You will probably need to pay the first and last month's rent when you sign the lease.
If your apartment requires a lease, your landlord will give you the
lease form to sign. Read it over carefully before you sign it. Pay
special attention to the parts that state exceptions and additions. You
should know which utilities you will pay for and which ones will be
paid for by the landlord. Be sure you know what the monthly rent
payment includes. For example, is the electricity included? the water
included? the parking included?
Also find out whether you have to pay a fee if you leave before the
lease term is over. You cannot usually break a lease agreement. It is
also likely you will be asked to provide a Canadian reference or to
have a co-signer sign the lease to guarantee your financial commitment.
If you don't understand some of the legal terms used in the lease
document, contact one of the groups that help immigrants, or someone
you know and trust who can help you. Once you sign the lease, it is a
legal document.
TIP >
Plan on spending 35 to 50 percent of your income on housing. This
should include the cost of electricity, heating, telephone service and
water. To find out more before you arrive in Canada, visit the Web site
www.cic.gc.ca or www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca/en/bureho/reho
TIP >
As people in Canada tend to move in the spring and summer months, these
are the best times to look for a home; there will be more choices
available.
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