Finding a short-term rental is a vital first step in the housing journey of immigrants and international students arriving in Canada.
Before finding their first long-term home in Canada, newcomers need temporary accommodation while they search for a job and get settled.
However, finding an affordable, suitable long-term rental in many parts of Canada can now take up to two months.
According to a recent Rentals.ca report, that’s due to fierce competition and historic low vacancy rates amid a rental housing crisis.
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Short-term rentals are the most popular solution, and here’s what to know about how to find them:
Do Your Online Research Before You Arrive
Short-term rental operators rent their homes or rooms via companies such as Airbnb.
The bylaws that govern short-term rentals vary across Canada. For example, in Toronto, the initial short-term rental period is less than 28 consecutive days. So, check with the operator about the city’s bylaws and rules.
According to Statistics Canada, the short-term rental industry is thriving in British Columbia, Nova Scotia, Quebec, and Ontario.
Montreal, Halifax, Toronto, Ottawa, Victoria, and Vancouver are the most popular Canadian cities for short-term rentals.
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When You Arrive Matters
There are busy and slower seasons for short-term rentals.
Generally, spring and summer (March to August) are busiest, and winter is the slowest.
However, many rentals are also event-driven, so be aware of large events in the city where you intend to land.
Prices and available rentals change based on demand (and supply). Booking well before you arrive will help you secure a rental and get the best deal.
Location Matters
If you know where you want to settle long-term within a specific city, it can be a strategic move to get a short-term rental in that area. That way, you can explore the neighbourhood and determine whether it is right for you and your family.
If you know where you will be working, a rental near your work can help you judge commuting times and costs.
A rental in or near a city’s downtown core allows you to look for your first long-term rental home in Canada and offers many benefits (though rental fees may be higher) such as access to:
- Government services
- Settlement agencies
- Shopping
- Healthcare
- Employers
- Public transit
- Adjoining neighbourhoods.
Be sure to do plenty of research before you arrive. There are webinars, websites, and videos about neighbourhoods in most major Canadian cities. Pre-arrival settlement agencies can also offer guidance before you arrive in Canada.
Short-Term Rental Costs Vary
Short-term rental costs in major cities such as Toronto, Vancouver, and Calgary are higher than in mid-sized cities such as Hamilton, Regina, or Fredericton. That’s a fact. So, research many short-term rental websites (see below) to find the rental that fits your budget.
Consider this: a recent survey by Rentals.ca showed that it can take renters in Canada as long as two months to find a suitable, affordable rental.
Hopefully, that won’t be your experience.
Still, it’s vital to know that the Canadian long-term rental market is competitive, and vacancy rates are at historic lows in many cities popular with immigrants and students.
So, budget accordingly for your short-term rental. You could be there longer than you anticipated.
It’s also a smart strategy to follow rental housing trends and solutions in Canada before you arrive.
An Example of Short-Term Rental Costs
Short-term rental prices vary in cities and provinces.
However, a recent Ontario government short-term rental report showed that from January to April 2024, the average DAILY rental rate in the Greater Toronto Area was $114.32. That’s up 9.2 percent from the same months in 2023.
The average daily rate in the famous tourist region of Niagara was $194.44 for the same period.
According to the Ontario report, the average rental daily rate in Canada for that period was $159.88. That’s up 11.8 percent from 2023.
Remember, January to April is a slow season for demand for short-term rentals.
Maintain Rental Records in Canada
Once you arrive in Canada, most financial transactions, such as your short-term rental, can help to build your credit history. So, keep track of your rental payments, AND the addresses of your rental(s).
A positive recommendation from the rental owner is also useful when looking for long-term accommodation and impressing Canadian landlords.
Understand the Cancellation Policy
All legitimate short-term rental operators advertise and define their cancellation policy. Look for it and study it before you book your rental.
If the rental does not provide a policy, be suspicious and ask questions. For example, many operators have a 30-day cancellation policy with a full refund.
How Can You Find Short-Term Rentals in Canada?
Airbnb is a well-known and popular short-term rental site with a major presence in the rental market.
However, many others operate in Canada, and researching them is a smart strategy for newcomers.
Other popular sites include Sublet.com, VRBO, HomeAway, Booking.com, Hotels.com, Expedia, FB Groups, HostelWorld, and many others you can search online.
When securing a short-term rental from Kijiji and Craigslist, immigrants to Canada and international students must remember that these are classified ad websites and historically home to rental scammers.
Do your homework before renting through either Kijiji or Craigslist and be careful when considering a listing on these sites.
Beware of Short-Term Rental Scams
Unfortunately, newcomers and international students are the primary targets of short-term rental scammers.
Generally, scammers post their rental offers on well-known sites such as Facebook, Kijiji, and Craigslist. Classified sites are difficult to regulate, so they are popular with scam artists.
How to Protect Yourself from Scams
- If the price sounds too good to be true, it’s probably a scam. Walk away.
2. You’re asked to wire cash. Any request for cash is a scam warning. Walk away.
3. You are unable to verify the address. Walk away.
4. The pictures of the rental don’t seem right or don’t match the price (meaning the property and the amenities are too impressive). Walk away.
5. You’re unable to reconnect with the rental host. Walk away.
6. You’re asked for too much personal information regarding banking and credit cards. Walk away.
If you get scammed, contact your Canadian bank (if you have opened an account) and credit card provider to see if you can stop payment. You can also report the scam to the local police.
Action Plan for Newcomers:
- Use short-term rentals as a first step in your Canadian housing journey.
- Remember that rental prices vary across Canada, and cities like Toronto and Vancouver have higher rates.
- Research short-term rentals before you arrive and understand local bylaws.
- Be on the lookout for rental scams.
- Keep records of your rental payments to build credit history in Canada.
- Work with pre-arrival settlement agencies before you book.
SOURCES: Statistics Canada, Ontario Government, Rentals.ca
Steve Tustin is the Editor for Rentals for Newcomers and a contributing editor for Prepare for Canada. He is also the former managing editor of Storeys.com and a former senior editor at the Globe and Mail and the Toronto Star.
*Prepare for Canada used no AI-generated content in the writing of this story, and all sources are cited and credited where possible.
© Prepare for Canada 2024
