How Can I Find Short-Term Rentals in Canada?

Finding and booking a short-term rental before you arrive in Canada is a vital first step for newcomers and international students. A short-term rental allows you time to search for a long-term rental that will best meet your budget, personal preferences, and location needs. It also gives you time to conduct settlement activities, search for a job, and discover the city. Here’s what to know about short-term rentals and how to find them.

Where Can I Find Short-term Rentals?

Airbnb is a well-known and popular short-term rental site with a large presence in many Canadian cities. Other operators to research online include Sublet.com, VRBO, HomeAway, Booking.com, and Hotels.com.

Beware of rental scams on classified ad websites like Kijiji and Craigslist. Scammers are known to post rental offers on well-known sites such as Facebook, Kijiji, and Craigslist. Classified sites are challenging to regulate, so they are popular with scam artists.

Do your homework before renting through either Kijiji or Craigslist, and be careful with listings on these sites.

How Long Can I Stay in a Short-term Rental?

City bylaws govern short-term rentals in Canada, and the allowable length of stay may vary. For example, the rental period in Toronto is less than 28 consecutive days. So, ask the operator, or research city rules regarding the length of stay.

There are webinars, websites, and videos about neighbourhoods in most major Canadian cities. Pre-arrival settlement agencies can also guide you before you arrive in Canada.

How Much Does a Short-term Rental Cost?

Rental prices change based on supply, demand, and location. Book your short-term rental at least six weeks before your arrival date to get the best deal.

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. So, research websites to find the rental that fits your budget.

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There are busy and slower seasons for short-term rentals. Generally, March to August are the busiest months, and January to April is a slow season. However, many rentals are also event-driven, so be aware of large events in the city where you intend to land. These factors will drive demand and affect pricing.

Rental Rates for Permanent or Long-term Rentals

In Canada’s long-term rental market, prices are coming down. However, prices are still quite high in some cities. Vacancy rates also influence rental costs. Low vacancy rates remain low in large cities popular with immigrants and students. So, it may take longer than you plan to find a long-term rental. Researching rental rates before you arrive will help you set a realistic housing budget for the city where you plan to live.

Choosing a Location

A short-term rental allows you to explore the city and neighbourhoods and determine which location 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 and offers many benefits. Rental fees may be higher, but you’ll have access to:

• Shopping, restaurants, and entertainment
• Schools
• Employers
• Healthcare providers
• Public transit, and
• Other services.

Read the Short-Term Rental Cancellation Policy

All legitimate rental operators have and advertise their cancellation policy. Look for it and read the policy 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.

Keep your Rental Records in Canada

Once you arrive in Canada, most financial transactions, such as your short-term rental, can help 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.

Five Tips to Avoid Rental Scams

Unfortunately, newcomers and international students are the primary targets of rental scams. If you are the victim of a scam, 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.

These red flags are signals to walk away from a rental:

Action Plan for Newcomers

• Research and book a short-term rental at least six weeks before you arrive in Canada.
• Beware of rental scams and know what to look for.
• Negotiate with the landlord for lower rent.
• Keep records of your rental payments to build credit history in Canada.
• Follow rental housing trends and solutions in Canada before you arrive.