Common mistakes when renting a home in Canada

In Canada, it often happens that many newly arrived immigrants, when they start looking for housing, find that things are not as easy as they expected. Sometimes it happens that landlords do not want to rent to them because they lack a document, that their leases are longer than they thought, that their area is too isolated from the city center and/or, in the worst case, that they are even ripped off. 

If you are new to Canada and are going through something similar, you may not have taken the proper precautions before renting, so today I want to share with you this new article from our Immiland Canada Blog with the 7 most common mistakes to avoid when looking for housing and a guide to ensure a successful rental. Read with me to the end and take note of the do's and don'ts. Let's get started!

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The 7 most common mistakes when looking for housing

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Below, I share with you the 7 most common mistakes when looking for or renting a home in Canada and a guide to avoid them at all costs:

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1. Do not check the minimum duration of the contract: avoid unwanted surprises! Most leases here have a minimum duration of one year, many newcomers do not take this into consideration because it is different in our home countries, but homeowners in Canada have a different way of thinking and seeing life and, usually, landlords prefer long-term tenants because this provides and guarantees stability. Identify the expiration date of your lease before signing it.

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2. Attempting to rent on a tourist visa: In Canada, it is not allowed to rent housing on a tourist visa through the traditional rental format, as this requires a minimum stay of one year. The reason is that tourists cannot stay for a long period in the country and, in some cases, the maximum stay is 6 months. If this is your case, you should be aware that the owner will ask you to have a longer legal status, such as a student or work visa. It is best to look for other alternatives for temporary accommodation for tourists only, for example, an inn, a hotel or an Airbnb.

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3. Not having all the necessary documents in order: when looking for housing in Canada it is important to have certain essential documents such as: proof of income, employment references, valid identification documents; otherwise, this may delay the rental process and you may even lose the opportunity to secure your hard-earned housing. Before taking the rental for granted, gather documents that support your status and financial solvency.

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Important: the process of leasing in Canada is possible, but the newcomer must handle truthful information and adapted to the Canadian leasing style, in Immiland Canada we have an exclusive settlement department to guide new immigrants and help them find a home to suit them. See service here, read on!

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4. Not reading the lease contract in detail: one of the biggest drawbacks when renting a house in Canada is not taking enough time to carefully review the terms of the contract. If you have already found the place you wanted, now review all the terms and conditions of the contract and do not hesitate to contact a person specialized in leasing processes, this step is crucial before signing it.

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Remember that each clause of the contract may have important implications, so take precautions and rent the property after clarifying your concerns. All contracts should be read calmly and carefully, and if you do not understand a clause, consult a lawyer or a Canadian leasing expert.

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5. Falling into a possible rental scam: be careful, this is more common than you might think. Many immigrants believe that these things do not happen in Canada because it is a safe and welcoming country, but be forewarned. It is best to visit the property in person or request a virtual tour, if you prefer, but keep in mind that you should always verify the legitimacy of the property and its owner and never send your money until you have signed a clear and reliable contract. Use secure payment methods and always verify the authenticity of the transaction before proceeding.

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Important: if you do not feel confident to take this step alone, seek advice from a reputable company. Immiland Canada has specialists in this area and you can schedule a free 15-minute appointment here! 

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6. Not doing enough research on the neighborhood: is your area too noisy, too lonely and tedious or too far from your work? Another common mistake is to choose a property without knowing what the area is like. Canada is very large and every city is different, some are smaller and you can walk to work, others are larger and may have unsafe neighborhoods for your children, for example. You should be well informed before settling in a Canadian neighborhood or you may have undesired consequences.

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7. Omit extra costs: don't let your budget and your family's budget be altered! When it comes to renting, you have to take into account more than just the monthly price of the property, remember that there are additional charges, such as utilities, parking, internet and renter's insurance, something that is often not mentioned from the beginning. Do not forget that your contract will be in a different language than the one we are used to and many times technical or legal terms written in English or French (the official languages of Canada) are unknown, the best thing to do is to ask what is the total cost of the rent and seek help from those who know the Canadian tenant dynamics, so you will avoid surprises later on.

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Important: if you want to fulfill your dream in Canada and have the quality of life you expect, do your research in reliable sources about safety, nearby stores, public transportation and other services in the area where you are going to rent. Did you know that Montreal has affordable rents? Here is a very interesting video. Watch the video.  

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In short, finding suitable accommodation in Canada has its challenges, but it will always be easier if the immigrant is well prepared with the necessary documentation and informed from reliable sources. 

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Immiland Canada Establishment

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Immiland Canada has everything for the immigrant and our Settlement team is ready to guide you every step of the way in this beautiful country. We are here to support newcomers and their families and help them live in the home of their dreams. 

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Meet the most frequently asked questions from our users and customers, I hope you find them useful!

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I'll be with you for today, if you liked this topic please share your comments and follow our social networks and platforms at the end of this blog, see you soon!

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With love,

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Immiland Canada