In this “Ask An Expert,” we’re talking to Duuo’s Partner Success Specialist. Duuo is an insurance distributor that’s backed by The Co-operators, and Katie Garland knows first hand about the concerns landlords and renters have about tenant insurance.

She spoke with liv.rent to help demystify insurance and how Duuo’s automated online services can streamline your business or move-in process.

Let’s learn more about tenant insurance now and see why both landlords and tenants should keep it at the top of their move-in checklist:

Table of Contents

What is tenant insurance?

We’ll break down the three key features of tenant insurance: personal liability, additional living expenses, and contents coverage.

Personal liability

Personal liability provides coverage in the event that your negligence causes damage to someone or someone’s stuff.

“So if someone comes into your apartment, trips over a loose power cord, falls, and then decides to sue you for their medical bills or loss of income as a result of their injury, then the personal liability section of your policy is designed to cover you,” Katie said.

Additional living expenses

“If your home, because of an insured loss or a covered claim, becomes uninhabitable, then the additional living expenses portion of your policy is meant to cover the cost of alternate accommodations,” said Katie.

“It also covers a portion of the costs for food and other items to help get you by until you can go back to your residence.”

For example, say your upstairs neighbour floods their apartment, and subsequently yours and you need to stay at a hotel or Airbnb while your suite undergoes emergency repairs. Additional living expenses can help cover those costs.

Contents coverage

And then finally, there’s contents coverage, and Katie said that “this element of the policy is designed to cover your personal belongings within your residence or while they’re away from your home in storage.”

Basically, if your stuff gets damaged, stolen, or misplaced, then this part of your policy is designed to help you replace the items. 

“One thing I always like to remind people is to make sure that you have adequate coverage for your contents,” she said. 

Why tenant insurance matters

Why do renters need it? Doesn’t a landlord’s insurance cover them?

Tenant Insurance is designed to protect a renter and their stuff. Landlords have their own insurance, but if a renter is responsible for any damage caused to the unit, then a landlord’s insurance company could turn to the tenant to cover the costs.

“A lot of people think that situations like theft, a kitchen fire, or water damage will never happen to them. It’s something we hear about with other people, but it’s hard to imagine in our own lives.”

“It’s better to have it in place and it’s just another thing to check off the checklist when you’re moving into a new space,” said Katie.

“It doesn’t take very long to sign up for coverage, so it’s something that can be done really quickly and easily,” Katie said.

Tenant insurance tips for renters

What’s a big misconception about insurance?

Katie said that one of the largest misconceptions is when people neglect to get insurance because they feel like they don’t own many things or their belongings aren’t of much value. So, if you’re wondering if you need tenant insurance, then it’s time for you to take stock of things.

“People always say, ‘well, I don’t have that much stuff so I don’t need $25,000 worth of coverage,’ but if you truly sat in your apartment and looked around at everything you have, and if you had to purchase everything again — It would add up very quickly.”

Even the small things like your toiletries, kitchen staples, and clothing can be expensive to replace. Having coverage for that is helpful because you don’t want to spend money to replace things you already had.

What’s a quick tip about insurance you wish renters knew?

“I think just finding the coverage that works for you is really important,” said Katie.

“I know with Duuo, we’re very flexible with our coverages, so you can kind of make it fit to what you need. We understand that tenant insurance can be tricky, so people like me are always available to help answer any questions you might have about your coverage,” she said.

She also points out that you know yourself and you can trust yourself, but there’s something else to consider if you’re on the fence about insurance.

“You know what you’re doing, but can you also trust your neighbours to be 100% careful all the time? You never know what’s going to happen.”

So even if you’re a responsible tenant, if your neighbour causes a fire or flood due to their negligence, it will adversely affect you. So, having tenants insurance is a proactive approach that can offer a lot of peace of mind.

“I know I’ll be safe. I know I’ll be cautious, but I’m also gonna be able to take care of myself should something happen,” is the mindset Katie thinks is important to have.

Tenant insurance tips for landlords

Why should landlords ask tenants to get insurance?

“Bottom line, it’s about safety and you want to protect your tenants. You’re doing everything you can to protect the home that they’re living in, but you also want them to be able to protect themselves if something ever happened.”

“Tenant insurance adds that extra layer of trust and protection between the tenant and the landlord. Just knowing that a landlord is looking out for their tenant’s best interest and in return, the tenant should do the same,” said Katie.

She said that one of the biggest reasons why landlords are keen to partner with Duuo is because they make it easy to get their tenants covered. Through their partnership program, they offer easy tools that help landlords track coverage while offering special rates to the tenants of their partner buildings.

No property manager or landlord wants to see their tenants end up in a difficult situation. They may even have to move out due to the financial burden of losing their home.

What’s Duuo insurance?

What makes Duuo different?

Now that you might have a better understanding of tenant insurance and its importance, why go with Duuo?

“We are online and on-demand, which means tenants can purchase coverage in just a few minutes without having to speak to a broker,” said Katie.

“We offer month-to-month policies without service or cancellation fees, so you don’t really feel locked in and you have the ability to adapt to the changing world,” she said.

Duuo’s flexibility makes them a good choice for renters who are on the move because it’s easy to cancel your old policy and start your new one in your next home. They also have additional information about tenant insurance available on their blog.

liv.rent & Duuo

How do liv.rent and Duuo use digitalization to improve the lives of renters and landlords?

“I think there’s a lot of things in this world that are stressful,” said Katie, “I know that moving and getting a place can be taxing, but I think with what liv.rent is doing and what Duuo is doing — it takes away that stress.”

By having a digital-first approach to insurance and renting, liv.rent and Duuo are helping landlords and tenants to save time, save energy.

Landlords and tenants can reach Duuo now to learn about their personalized onboarding programs for landlords that provide tenants with specific coverage that they need.

With preferred partner rates, tenants will appreciate you looking out for them and getting them a better deal.

Rethink The Way You Rent

Not on liv.rent yet? Experience the ease of digital applications & contracts, verified tenants & landlords, virtual tours and more – all on one platform. Sign up for free or download the app.

Subscribe to receive the latest tenant & landlord tips and get notified about changes in the Canadian rental market.

>> Stay up-to-date on the average rent in Vancouver, Toronto and Montreal: Rent Reports.

The post Ask An Expert: Duuo’s Katie Garland On Tenant Insurance FAQs appeared first on liv.rent blog.

• Unfurnished one-bedroom rent in Brampton went up 10.10% from August to September.
• On average, rent in Downtown Toronto is $3.12 per square foot.
• Average rent for furnished vs unfurnished units in Toronto is just a difference of $38.

September rental rates are slightly swinging upwards this month. After a lazy summer of not much change, a small upward trend is now emerging. However, if we wind back the clock, we’ll see that rental rates are pretty much where they were the same time last year for Toronto.

You can get the latest updates on the Toronto rental market straight to your inbox when you subscribe to keep on top of the trends.

Let’s take a look now at the latest data and see which neighbourhoods are experiencing the most change in furnished and unfurnished rental rates.

Jump to the following Toronto Rent Report sections:

Toronto rent trends

The roller coaster that is Toronto’s rental averages is now on a bit of a peak as it’s returned to the $1,700 mark for a one-bedroom unfurnished apartment. We saw this same price back in May.

After prices slumped in late spring and summer, they could be making a comeback as demand in Toronto has been high.

Month-to-month rent change

This chart breaks down the percentage change in rent across all central Toronto neighbourhoods from August 2021 to September 2021.

Unfurnished Toronto rent trends

Unfurnished rent hardly moved month over month, but in more affordable neighbourhoods like Brampton (+10.10%) and Vaughan-Richmond Hill (4.51%,) it did go up.

Furnished Toronto rent trends

Furnished rent climbed in most neighbourhoods, most noticeably in North York (+15.80) and Brampton (+9.83%.) There were some neighbourhoods like Etobicoke and Markham where it had a slight dip but is more or less holding since last month.

Toronto furnished vs unfurnished averages

Continuing to monitor the close price difference in Toronto rent trends, right now in some neighbourhoods, furnished rentals continue to be cheaper than unfurnished ones on average. The price difference between the average for one-bedroom units is just $38.

Neighbourhood breakdown

Brampton continues to be the most affordable GTA neighbourhood while the most expensive is Downtown.

In Brampton, an unfurnished one-bedroom goes for $1,486 on average, but in Downtown Toronto, the same kind of unit will go for $1,871 — a difference of $385.

Because Canada’s cities are diverse, we’re breaking down the GTA into its different neighbourhoods to see the price difference listing types: one-bedroom, two-bedroom, and three-bedroom units, both unfurnished and furnished.

• Unfurnished units in Etobicoke are more expensive than furnished ones.
• The price difference between one and two bedrooms is the smallest in Scarborough for unfurnished units.
• North York is the most expensive neighbourhood for furnished three-bedroom units.

Downloadable resources

Make a splash at your next video meeting and rep the latest rental averages and trends with our custom virtual backgrounds — always free to download. 

Were you looking for the full report? Download it for free here.

Renting in Ontario

For information on renting in Ontario, refer to these comprehensive resource posts:

• What’s A Standard Rental Application?
• What do you need when applying for a rental?
• What Can A Landlord Ask For On A Rental Application In Ontario?
• How Do I Fill Out A Rental Application?
• Ontario Standard Lease Explained
• Frequently Asked Questions: Everything You Need to Know About Eviction in Ontario

Rethink The Way You Rent

Not on liv.rent yet? Experience the ease of digital applications & contracts, verified tenants & landlords, virtual tours and more – all on one platform. Sign up for free or download the app.

Subscribe to receive these monthly updates on the Toronto rental market. Discover last month’s Rent Reports below:

August 2021 Vancouver Rent Report
August 2021 Toronto Rent Report
August 2021 Montreal Rent Report

The post September 2021 Toronto Rent Report appeared first on liv.rent blog.

• Rent for unfurnished one-bedrooms in Downtown Vancouver went up 12.31%.
• Young renters (Under 25) now make up liv.rent’s biggest demographic
• Furnished rent is cheaper than unfurnished rent on average in some Metro Vancouver areas.

After a summer where rental rates were simmering around the same level for months, September has arrived and rents are going up again. In demand are the one-bedroom units in Downtown Vancouver, but we’ve seen areas where rental prices have been long dormant suddenly seem to wake up.

You can get the latest updates on the Vancouver rental market straight to your inbox when you subscribe to keep on top of the latest rent trends.

Let’s take a look now at the real, on-the-ground costs of asking rents in Metro Vancouver for September 2021. Plus, don’t forget you can download the entire report as a one-page infographic PDF below.

Jump to the following Vancouver Rent Report sections:

Average rent across Metro Vancouver

After only slight rental increases each month for many months, the cost of rent for unfurnished one-bedroom units saw a significant bump for September. In one month, the average jumped $63. This rise in rent could be due to increased demand at the start of a new school year, so we are interested to see where rental rates will be in October to see if this month is an outlier or the start of a new trend.

Month-to-month rent change

Comparing prices in August 2021 to September 2021, we are seeing some big changes particularly in furnished rents.

In Downtown Vancouver, rent jumped (+12.31%) significantly after simmering for months around the same levels. Also, rent went up (+7.91) in South Vancouver and New Westminster (+11.48) noticeably.

Other regions of Metro Vancouver like Burnaby and Surrey experienced practically no changes month-over-month.

Meanwhile, unfurnished rental rates went up slightly in most regions except for West Vancouver.

Income-to-rent ratio

We gather data on renters’ income-to-rent ratio quarterly and our most recent data shows that renters in Vancouver who use liv.rent are paying, on average, 36.6% of their income towards rent.

While traditional financial advice would be to spend no more than 30% of your income on rent, this advice is perhaps not well suited to the realities of renting in cities like Vancouver.

Still, landlords and property managers should look to see that a tenant can reasonably afford rent compared to how much money they make as part of their tenant screening process.

Rent per square foot

Where’s the cheapest place to rent in Metro Vancouver by how much space you get? In September, the most affordable places for square footage are Surrey and Richmond while the most expensive is Downtown Vancouver.

Overall, rent per square foot in Metro Vancouver is $2.48 while in Toronto it’s $2.18.

Renter demographics

We’ve been growing in the “Under 25” renter group recently. Now, it has surged to constitute 40% of liv.rent users making them the largest contingent followed by people who are aged 25 to 34.

Pet-friendly rentals

We’re proud to say that liv.rent continues to be the rental platform with the most pet-friendly rentals. In September, other rental platforms had 31% of units available that were pet-friendly while on liv.rent, 39% of units were pet-friendly.

Average unfurnished vs. furnished rates

The price difference between average rent for furnished and unfurnished one-bedroom units is just $138. In some neighbourhoods and for some listing types, the cost of furnished units is lower than unfurnished units. This trend has been happening for several months now in Toronto and we could be seeing a similar trend starting here too.

Neighbourhood breakdown 

Since rent in Metro Vancouver varies, we’ve broken up our data by neighbourhood so you can compare the cost of one, two, and three-bedroom rates for both furnished and unfurnished units.

• Unfurnished one-bedrooms are more than $1,700 on average almost everywhere except in Coquitlam and New Westminster.
• In South Vancouver, furnished units were on average cheaper than unfurnished ones.
• Furnished three bedrooms are the most expensive in North Vancouver.

Most expensive cities in Canada

B.C. is the most expensive place to be a renter when it comes to unfurnished one-bedroom units. Vancouver is the most expensive at $1,782, but close behind in the number three spot is Victoria at $1,695.

Meanwhile, rent in Toronto continues to hover around the $1,700 mark for the same unit.

Downloadable resources

Make Zoom calls fun and informative when you use the latest rental averages and trends as your virtual background.

Looking for the full report? Download it for free below.

Rental resources for B.C. renters

You can read these comprehensive guides for more information on renting in B.C. and using liv.rent to streamline your rental process.

• BC Residential Tenancy Agreement Explained
• Guide to BC Tenancy Forms
  
• The Complete User Guide To liv.rent For Landlords & Property Managers
• The Ultimate Renter’s Guide To Using liv.rent

Rethink The Way You Rent

Not on liv.rent yet? Experience the ease of digital applications & contracts, verified tenants & landlords, virtual tours and more – all on one platform. Sign up for free or download the app.

Subscribe to receive these monthly updates on the Vancouver rental market. Discover last month’s Rent Reports below:

August 2021 Vancouver Rent Report
August 2021 Toronto Rent Report
August 2021 Montreal Rent Report

The post September 2021 Vancouver Rent Report appeared first on liv.rent blog.

He’s an expert in creating affordable, convenient, and communal renting experiences for people in their 20s while helping landlords of four or more bedroom homes to eliminate their vacancy and turnover costs with his company.

Let’s learn more about coliving and how Jonathan’s company uses liv.rent to help create a seamless rental process to save time and energy:

Table of Contents

Meet Jonathan Chawla

Meet Jonathan Chawla, the Founder and CEO of Gather Coliving — a property management company for community living.

Why did you start your company?

“I think a lot of entrepreneurs got started by solving a small problem that affected them — and then find more people that want that problem solved,” he said.

“Like many others, I grew up with a lonely childhood, and that has been part of why I have been motivated to create community for other people.”

Today, Vancouver-based Gather Coliving provides quality, affordable living while reducing the pain points that come with setting up and sharing a home.

Renters get a furnished home, flexible leases, and roommates that are open to friendship. And, Gather Coliving’s landlord clients have their vacancy costs eliminated.

What is “coliving?”

On the surface, coliving is essentially a shared house where rooms are rented out. But it’s much more than that to Jonathan and to the people who live in the spaces they manage.

“For 99% of Homo sapiens’ evolutionary existence on the Earth, we’ve lived together in communities of 20 to 30 people. These were the people we ate with, lived with, and died with. They knew us deeply, comforted us, occasionally argued with us, but they were people that we trusted, cried, and laughed with.”

“Despite all of our modern advantages over our ancestors, we live fairly lonely lives.”

“In the last century, we’ve been building real estate around the nuclear family. Part of this is influenced by the ideology of romanticism, which tells us that one person, our partner, will complete us and end all loneliness. But as everyone finds out, that is simply not true, we need a community,” he said.

Jonathan says that the mission of Gather Coliving is to create real estate products that reflect our need for a tribe and make this accessible to the massive, underserved portion of the market that needs rooms for under $1000 a month.

So, it’s more than just renting out individual rooms within a house, it’s about meeting the need for affordable housing and creating opportunities for belonging.

Challenges & opportunities with coliving

What are the difficulties?

The people who are attracted to coliving are often single, young professionals and older students that are new to Vancouver and looking for friends. As such, they tend to stay for a year or two while finding their footing in the city before moving on. So, there is some expected turnover to manage with a coliving situation, which Gather Coliving helps with.

Jonathan says that there aren’t many drawbacks to having mature adults living together. And, he’s been coliving for the past seven years, so he knows the ins and outs.

Like any group or family experiences, any time you have humans involved in anything together, there are going to be disagreements. But they are rarely hard to resolve. “It’s not very difficult to avoid most disagreements when everyone does their dishes and isn’t loud after 10 p.m. on weekdays,” he said.

“For the most part, I find it to be a richer experience living with people.”

Advice for landlords to reduce vacancy costs

Landlords who have homes with four or more bedrooms should look into Gather Coliving as a way to have low-maintenance tenants that will rent their house until they are ready to sell or move in themselves.

“I’ve been living collectively for seven years and, and I’ve been doing this as a business for the last three years. We’ve spent years refining our systems and removing pain points” said Jonathan.

What does Gather Coliving do?

“The goals and objectives of our environment are two-fold. One — to reduce the pain points as much as possible. We offer furnished rooms, with templates for community living. No one has to rent a moving truck, set up utilities or wifi with two-year contracts, find the best apps to use to split costs like salt and pepper, and move couches up and down the stairs,” said Jonathan.

“Secondly — create lasting memories,” he said. “We have had Easter brunches followed by easter egg hunts, watched the sunset over the Howe Sound while skiing at Cypress, rewatched Harry Potter on a rainy evening, exchanged white elephant gifts at Christmas and enjoyed many backyard or beach fires singing Coldplay and The Beatles when a housemate brings a guitar.”

Landlords can offer more than just a roof over the heads of renters. Through Gather Coliving, they can provide access to quality affordable living with new friends to build memories with. 

Digitalizing rental processes

“Choosing who you live with is an important part of feeling invested in your community,” said Jonathan. “While most house-sharing businesses in Vancouver don’t involve the current tenants in the process, we allow the current housemates to select their new housemates from the applicants that we have vetted.”

Pro tip: if a homeowner wants a hands-off management experience without having to pay 10% to a property management company, try working with Gather Coliving. They will pay the full market value rent every month and manage tenants and turnover. Currently, they have nine homes in their portfolio and have plenty of great references from their landlords.

Digitalizing legacy processes saves them time and energy. “There are some property managers that still give you a PDF to fill out…I’m blown away that that’s still happening, whereas we’ve got Google forms, chatbots, pre-recorded video interviews, virtual 3D VR tours and so on.”

Why use liv.rent?

Today, Gather Coliving uses the liv.rent platform as a hub for all their listings. They bring their leads from Facebook Marketplace to liv.rent where their whole portfolio is easily and beautifully displayed.

What’s the best liv.rent feature?

“When someone is interested, we can send them the liv.rent link for our company page and they can see every room we have, the price, virtual tours, and the move-in date.”

“It can help answer a lot of questions that they have without having to do a lot of back and forth. That’s one part of the automation process.”

“One of the reasons I like liv.rent is that it is one of the few places that have virtual tours right in-app,” said Jonathan.

liv.rent & Gather Coliving

Curious about coliving? See what listings Gather Coliving has available right now on the liv.rent platform. And landlords can learn more about getting their own professional company page today.

Rethink The Way You Rent

Not on liv.rent yet? Experience the ease of digital applications & contracts, verified tenants & landlords, virtual tours and more – all on one platform. Sign up for free or download the app.

Subscribe to receive the latest tenant & landlord tips and get notified about changes in the Canadian rental market.

>> Stay up-to-date on the average rent in Vancouver, Toronto and Montreal: Rent Reports.

The post Ask An Expert: Gather Coliving’s Jonathan Chawla On Building Community & Eliminating Vacancy Costs appeared first on liv.rent blog.

Table of Contents

What do I ask a potential tenant?

Beyond knowing their basic information, there are important questions to ask during tenant screening that reveals more than what goes on their rental application.

Essentially, you want to know what they’re like, what they’re looking for, and why they’re moving. Knowing these three pieces of information will help you determine if you’re going to be a good fit together.

Pro tip: asking questions is a two-way street. You want your potential tenants to ask questions so that they feel confident that it’s a good fit for them too. You want a happy tenant! Otherwise, you’ll have to go through the whole process again soon.

There are three phases, or touchpoints, where you’ll want to ask questions:

1. Initial contact when they first reach out and have not applied yet.
2. At a showing when you meet them for the first time and they’re looking at the unit (either in-person or digitally.)
3. After they’ve applied but before they’ve signed the lease.

1. Questions to ask tenants before they apply

At this stage, you want to ask questions that will eliminate them from your pool of potential candidates as soon as possible if they’re not a good fit.

• What move-in date are you hoping for?
• How many people will be living in the suite?
• What do you do for work?
• The price of the unit is $X, does that fit your budget?

2. What to ask tenants at a showing

At this stage, you want to be conversational but through with the questions you ask to determine if they’re going to be a good fit for your unit, you want to ask some open-ended questions, get a sense of their personality, and see if they’ll be easy for you to communicate with.

• Why are you moving?
• Why did you move out of your last place/why are you leaving?
• How long have you lived at your current residence?
• Why are you moving into this area/What attracts you to this neighbourhood?
• How long have you been looking for a place?
• Have you looked at other nearby rentals?
• Do you have previous landlord references?
• If I need to do a credit check, does that work for you? (get consent for a credit check if you plan to perform one)

Pro tip: If they’re a student, be sure to ask how they will cover their rent — do they work part-time? do they have scholarships or bursaries? is their family providing financial assistance?

Questions to ask a tenant’s references

Before you offer them a lease, you’re going to want to check their previous landlord references if applicable.

• First, verify the address & personal info of the renter.
• How were they as a tenant?
• Did they pay rent on time consistently, any issues?
• Why are they moving?
• Did you have any issues with them regarding noise, safety concerns, or damage to the suite?
• Did any neighbouring units or buildings complain about the tenant at any point?
• Will you be returning their security deposit back to them in full or did you need to use some to fix the damage?

Pro tip: In some cases, like renting to first-time renters, students, or newcomers, they may not have previous landlord references. In these cases, you can ask for supplemental employment and financial documentation. Also, you can request employment or personal references.

3. Questions to ask tenants before they sign the lease

• Do you have a car/require parking?
• Do you smoke?
• Do you have (or plan to get) pets?
• Do you have any final questions or questions about the lease?

Pro tip: If your unit is in a strata building, give them a list of the strata rules and ask if they’re going to be able to follow those in addition to everything set out in the lease.

More about leases in Canada:

• Ontario Standard Lease Explained
• BC Residential Tenancy Agreement Explained

Professional property management tips from liv.rent

1. Use liv.rent as your rental hub and tell all your inquiries to apply through liv.rent before you schedule any viewings so that you’re left with a pool of quality, high-intent renters.

2. Leverage the Trust Score in your tenant screening process — combining data from social media, reported employment and income information, and an Equifax credit report, the Trust Score is an intelligent rating system to see a renter’s credibility at a glance.

3. Use a tool like the Landlord Dashboard to stay organized and keep all your rental documents in one place and easily compare applicants at the tail end of your tenant screening process.

Rethink The Way You Rent

Not on liv.rent yet? Experience the ease of digital applications & contracts, verified tenants & landlords, virtual tours and more – all on one platform. Sign up for free or download the app.

Subscribe to receive the latest tenant & landlord tips and get notified about changes in the Canadian rental market.

>> Stay up-to-date on the average rent in Vancouver, Toronto and Montreal: Rent Reports.

The post 56 Questions Every Landlord Should Ask Applicants Before They Sign A Lease appeared first on liv.rent blog.

Table of Contents

Step 1: Searching for rentals

Every first-time renter will begin by first browsing for rentals in their chosen area. This will likely make up the bulk of your time spent trying to secure a property to rent, particularly in more competitive rental markets where you may find yourself tracking down and applying to multiple rentals before being accepted to rent. In this first section, we’ll go over some of our tips and strategies to streamline your rental search and protect yourself from dishonest practices and potential rental scams.

Tip #1: Know your requirements

Before you even think about starting your search, it’s important to have a good idea of what you’re looking for and what really matters to you in a rental property. Consider your budget, ideal location, desired amenities, and any specifics pertaining to a lease, such as duration, pet policy, parking, etc. If you’re using liv.rent for your apartment search, you’ll be able to add all of these requirements as filters in order to focus your time and find a rental property faster.

Tip #2: Do your research

Knowledge is power for renters, and being aware of your chosen rental market makes all the difference in ensuring a smooth search and application process. Once you’ve chosen an area to look for rentals in, be sure to take a look at the latest Rental Data to get a sense of what the average rent is. This will help you to better negotiate your lease terms and rental rate when it comes time.

It’s also a great idea to take a stroll around your potential new neighbourhood to get a feel for the area. Take note of the types of services and amenities nearby, and make sure that it has everything you’ll need and aligns with your vision.

Tip #3: Beware of red flags

Unfortunately, renters also have to be aware of various rental scams on top of worrying about the day-to-day complexities of the rental process. Most of these scams are preventable though, if you know what to look out for. Here’s a quick overview of some red flags to look out for when searching for and applying to rental units:

• Too good to be true — If the rental price seems shockingly low for what’s on offer, there’s a good chance that you’re looking at a false listing. While it may in fact just be a really good deal, it’s worth approaching these types of listings with caution.
• Urgent demand for cash deposit — Renters have no obligation to make a deposit until the lease is signed. If a landlord is pressuring you to send a cash deposit before signing, or even viewing, there’s a good chance that you’re looking at a rental scam.
• Requesting too much information — It’s important to understand what information is required by landlords to sign a lease, and to not provide them with anything that either encroaches on your Human Rights, or sets you up for potential financial scams.
• Withholding address details — If the landlord is unwilling to provide you with the address of their rental property, this is a good indication that it either doesn’t exist at all, or at least not in the capacity specified.
• Obscured landlord identity — If you can’t find any information on your potential new landlord or the company they claim to represent, be wary.

Tip #4: Google the property

Renters can learn a lot about a property and the person/people managing it by conducting a simple Google search prior to getting in touch. Simply typing in the address or building name can give you valuable insight into how the property is managed, any problems or past experiences, and other information that will aid in your decision-making. Pay particular attention to any complaints regarding property management, maintenance, noise, and the neighbourhood itself as these are all things you’ll need to be aware of.

Tip #5: Strategize in-person viewings

If the landlord is willing and able to provide them, video tours are an excellent way to preview a property before attending a showing, and will save you tons of time throughout the rental process. This way you can strategize your viewing schedule to only include those properties which you’re most interested in, rather than going in unaware and wasting your time.

Tip #6: Search when it’s cold

This may seem counter-intuitive, but it’s generally much easier to find properties for rent in the winter months when fewer people are looking. Particularly in Canada where temperatures can often get cold quickly, less renters are prepared to move during the colder parts of the year and if you’re able to, this can greatly increase your chances of finding the perfect home faster.

Step 2: How to prepare for an apartment viewing

Once you’ve found a rental property you’re interested in and submitted your application, you’ll need to start preparing for the all-important viewing. There are a number of steps renters can take to ensure they’re ready to dazzle landlords at a viewing, while ensuring they’re keeping themselves safe and making the most of the experience. Let’s go over four of our top tips for viewing apartments now.

Tip #1: Don’t be afraid to check

A viewing is likely one of your only opportunities to take a close look at the property you might be renting, and it’s important to make the most of this time. That means checking to make sure that appliances and features of the unit are all in working order, and everything is as it was described. Many renters forego this vital step in the interest of appeasing the landlord, but it’s essential to take your time to ensure there are no surprises later on, should you go ahead and sign the lease.

Be sure to check that faucets are all running, thermostats are working, toilets flush, stoves turn on, etc. Most trustworthy landlords will have no problem with this, and will likely even appreciate you taking the time to do your due dilligence.

Tip #2: View in daylight

If possible, it’s always a good idea to view a property when it’s light out. Not only is this a good practice for keeping yourself safe during the rental process, but it’s ideal for getting a proper look at the unit. You can get a much better sense of the space when it’s properly illuminated, and it’s important to know how much natural light your future rental receives. Darkness can also hide imperfections and a lack of maintenance, so do try and arrange for a daytime viewing if you can.

Tip #3: Prepare questions

Questions aren’t just for landlords to ask. Renters have the right to get all the information they need about a rental property upfront, and should come prepared to ask questions at their viewings. Not only does this help clear up any unclear details, but it shows the landlord that you’re interested in the unit and engaged in the rental process.

Tip #4: Pre-submit your application

To stand out from the crowd and position yourself for a successful first face-to-face meeting, renters should consider applying for the unit in advance. This extra step helps to give landlords a sense of who you are, and if they like what they see on your application, it likely means they’ll take more time to interact with you at the viewing. It also shows strong initiative and immediately puts you ahead of other renters, making your chances of securing the rental much higher.

Step 3: What do you need to apply for an apartment for the first time?

Whether you choose to apply before or after a showing, there are a few important things you’ll need to include with your rental application. Landlords need to know more about you before they decide to enter into a lease, and having the necessary information handy in advance will save you both time. Here’s a few quick tips on presenting the right information and documents:

Tip #1: Include identifiers

Before proceeding with the rental process, landlords will need to know who you are, and some basic information that confirms this. Here’s a list of some information you’ll be asked to provide on an application:

• Full name
• Date of birth
• Current and former addresses

Tip #2: Include background information

Next, landlords will need to know about your employment history, education, and anything else that relates to your tenancy. Here’s a list of what this background information might include:

• Employment history/proof of employment
• Educational history
• Criminal record

Tip #3: Include financial information

Lastly, landlords will need information to confirm that you will be able to consistently pay rent in full and on time, without any problems. Some things you may be asked for include:

• Income source (e.g. pay stubs)
• Credit check/debt info
• Bank account information (e.g. bank statements)

For a complete list of the information you’ll be asked to provide on an application, be sure to download our full Guide For First-Time Renters.

Rethink The Way You Rent

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>> Stay up-to-date on the average rent in Vancouver, Toronto and Montreal: Rent Reports.

The post Renting 101: Our Top Tips For First Time Renters appeared first on liv.rent blog.

Hi there, we’re liv.rent, and we’re here to help make renting safe and straightforward. Our FAQ series, all about the rental application process in Ontario, is designed to help you navigate with ease.

You can subscribe to our newsletter to keep updated on the Toronto rental market.

This FAQ article is the final piece of our four-part series on everything you need to know about applying for rentals in Ontario. Check out our other posts:

• Part 1: What’s A Standard Rental Application?
• Part 2: What do you need when applying for a rental?
• Part 3: What can a landlord ask for on a rental application in Ontario?

Renting in Ontario

For information on renting in Ontario, refer to these resource posts about leases and evictions.

• Ontario Standard Lease Explained
• Frequently Asked Questions: Everything You Need to Know About Eviction in Ontario
• Renting: Changes During COVID-19
• PIPEDA: Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act

Rethink The Way You Rent

Not on liv.rent yet? Experience the ease of digital applications & contracts, verified tenants & landlords, virtual tours and more – all on one platform. Sign up for free or download the app.

Subscribe to receive the latest tenant & landlord tips and get notified about changes in the Canadian rental market.

>> Stay up-to-date on the average rent in Vancouver, Toronto and Montreal: Rent Reports.

The post Applying For A Rental In Ontario Part 4: How Do I Fill Out A Rental Application? appeared first on liv.rent blog.

Table of Contents

Studios & bachelors for rent

40 Beaty Avenue
Micro studio
Rent: $1,095
Learn more

222 Wineva Avenue
Bachelor
Rent: $1,200
Learn more

415 Jarvis Street
Studio
Rent: $1,400
Learn more

One-bedrooms for rent

118 Tyndall Aveue
One-bedroom
Rent: $1,499
Learn more

3091 Dufferin Street
One-bedroom
Rent: $1,750
Learn more

84 Harbord Street
One-bedroom
Rent: $1,350
Learn more

Two-bedrooms for rent

23 Engelhart Cresent
Two-bedrooms
Rent: $1,699
Learn more

Dundonald Street
Two-bedrooms
Rent: $2,200
Learn more

Why liv.rent?

Using liv.rent to secure your next Toronto home helps you save time and energy. You can start sending inquiries to landlords with a basic sign up including your name and email. And we’ll save your entire chat history for you to come back to any time — cutting out the annoying back and forth emails between you and landlords.

Then, once you’re ready to apply, it’s time to fill out your profile and send in your application. Your profile is like a renter’s resume and you can use it to apply to multiple applications in minutes.

Additional resources

For more rental resources plus tips on using liv.rent, check out these articles:

Rethink The Way You Rent

Not on liv.rent yet? Experience the ease of digital applications & contracts, verified tenants & landlords, virtual tours and more – all on one platform. Sign up for free or download the app.

Subscribe to receive the latest tenant & landlord tips and get notified about changes in the Canadian rental market.

>> Stay up-to-date on the average rent in Vancouver, Toronto and Montreal: Rent Reports.

The post Apartments For Rent Near U of T In Downtown Toronto appeared first on liv.rent blog.

Join us and subscribe to get updates on the Toronto rental market.

In this article, we’re going to go over the most popular questions that renters (including first-time renters) have about the rental process.

This is part three of our four-part series and you can check out the rest of the FAQs below:

• Part 1: What’s A Standard Rental Application?
• Part 2: What do you need when applying for a rental?

What can a landlord ask for on a rental application in Ontario?

Before they decide whether to rent to you, a landlord can ask for your:

• Full name
• Income
• Employment status/ place of work
• References from past landlords
• Consent to a credit check

They can also ask you how many people will be living in the suite with you, plus their names. And, they’re allowed to ask whether you have pets or smoke.

Pro tip: In Canada, you are protected by Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA) and it’s important to know a bit about this protection yourself.

Learn more:

• Human rights for tenants
• What Information Is A Landlord Allowed to Ask For?

What can’t a landlord ask for on a rental application in Ontario?

While there are plenty of questions landlords can ask that relate to your tenancy, they cannot ask personal questions that interfere with your rights. These include things like:

• Age
• Marital status
• Sexual orientation
• Gender expression
• Family relations
• Place of origin

…and anything else that may infringe on your Human Rights.

Learn More:

• What Kind of Questions Can a Landlord Ask?

Is lying on a rental application legal?

Lying or misrepresenting yourself on a rental application is not legal. It is fraudulent.

Complete honesty is the only approach you should take to renting. Plus, the tenant screening process of checking references and running credit checks often carried out by home rental sites​ would likely uncover lies about rental and financial histories.

Learn more:

• Frequently Asked Questions: Everything You Need to Know About Eviction in Ontario
• Ontario Standard Lease Explained

Do landlords call previous landlords?

Yes, landlords will call a tenant’s references (previous landlords) to verify rental history as part of their tenant screening process. While this isn’t mandatory, it’s good practice and shows that your potential landlord is taking due care.

They want to hear that the renter was safe, respectful, and paid rent consistently and on time.

If you don’t have a rental history, then there are other ways you are able to demonstrate your trustworthiness by providing enough financial and employment documents for the landlord.

Pro tip: use your liv.rent renter’s resume to hold, store, and organize your references. That way, they’re always available to you when you’re ready to apply for a rental.

Can a landlord see how much money is in your bank account?

You may be wondering about what financial information can a landlord ask for​ firstly, no, landlords cannot see how much money is in your bank account. If you provide your bank account number to your landlord, then they are obligated to keep that information confidential and your bank will not disclose your balance to them.

You may wish to provide a potential landlord with bank statements if you do not have payslips or other ways to demonstrate your financial fitness as a renter — perhaps if you don’t have a banking history in Canada or you’re a student.

Learn more:

• How to Pay Rent to your Landlord
• How To Pay For Rent With Bitcoin On liv.rent

Can a landlord refuse to rent to someone in Ontario?

Yes, landlords can refuse to rent to people in Ontario as long as they’re following the Ontario Human Rights Code and Residential Tenancies Act, which afford renters some protections against discrimination based on age, race, family status etc.

So, for example, a landlord could refuse you an apartment because they feel like your income isn’t sufficient enough to afford the rent. They are not, however, allowed to deny you the unit because you have small children.

Learn more:

• How To Apply To Multiple Listings With One Renter Resume

Can a landlord say no pets in Ontario?

Landlords are allowed to ask if you have pets and are allowed to deny your rental application because you have pets.

However, in Ontario, “no pets” clauses in leases are void and not enforceable according to the Residential Tenancies Act. One exception is in condos where any strata rules banning pets are upheld.

Pro tip: liv.rent has more pet-friendly rentals than any other apartment rental site​.

Search for listings now:

• Pet-friendly apartments for rent in Toronto

Can a new landlord increase rent in Ontario?

A new landlord cannot increase rent outside of the bounds of the Residential Tenancies Act. So, just because you have a new landlord doesn’t mean they can raise the rent.

In Ontario, rents can be raised up to the maximum allowable increase either 12 months after the last rent increase or the start date of the tenancy. But that’s only for buildings built before November 15, 2018.

“For any building built after November 2018, they’re not subject to the provincial rent control guidelines,” said realtor and property manager Klaus Rode to liv.rent for our Ask An Expert series.

Learn more:

• Ask An Expert: Klaus Rode On Toronto Rentals

Do I have to tell my landlord if someone moves in with me in Ontario?

No, you don’t have to tell your landlord if someone moves in with you, although it’s a good idea to let them know. You can do so through secure house rental sites​ like liv.rent to ensure you always have a record of these conversations.

After all, you may need a reference from them in the future. It’s important to have an amicable relationship with your landlord.

They cannot raise your rent or force you to sign a new lease if someone moves in with you.

Search for listings now:

• Rooms for rent in Toronto

Can my landlord force me to get renters insurance in Ontario?

Landlords can add a condition on the lease that requires tenants to have insurance but can a landlord ask for medical information​? In Ontario, a landlord generally cannot ask for medical information from a potential tenant, as this could be considered discrimination based on disability under the Human Rights Code; however, if a tenant requests an accommodation due to a disability, a landlord may ask for relevant medical documentation to understand the specific needs and limitations but must keep this information confidential and only request the minimum necessary to assess the accommodation request. 

So, it’s up to the tenant to agree to that condition. They can either obtain insurance or look for a different place to rent.

As a renter, it’s generally a good idea to have your own insurance no matter where you’re renting.

Learn more:

• 11 Trustworthy Tenant Insurance Providers For Renters In Ontario
• Ask An Expert: Duuo’s Katie Garland On Tenant Insurance FAQs

Do apartments call your employer?

Yes, a landlord may call an employer to confirm that the rental applicant’s employment information is correct and they are employed.

This is part of a landlord’s tenant screening process to ensure that the applicant is financially fit to rent.

Learn more:

• Renting For The First Time

What shows up on a rental credit check?

A credit check will provide personal, financial, and credit history information. Here’s some of the information it may pull:

Personal information

• Full name
• Date of birth
• Social insurance number (SIN)
• Passport number
• Driver’s license number
• Current and previous addresses
• Phone numbers
• Employment history

Financial information

• Collection agency debts
• Credit you use like credit cards, lines of credit, and loans
• Fraud alerts linked to your identity
• Closed chequing or savings accounts closed because of money owed or fraud committed

Things like mortgages and utilities can also show up on your credit report.

Learn more:

• Credit report and score basics

Can a landlord ask for your credit card number?

No, landlords can’t ask for your credit card number. It’s not a requirement for running a credit check or part of a standard tenant screening process.

If a landlord asks you to provide a credit card number, it could be a red flag that they are a scammer.

Pro tip: Use a trusted rental platform like liv.rent with verified landlords and listings to protect yourself from scams.

Learn more:

• How to protect yourself from rental scams in Canada?
• VIDEO: How To Avoid Rental Scams

Renting in Ontario

For information on renting in Ontario, refer to these resource posts about leases and evictions.

• Ontario Standard Lease Explained
• Frequently Asked Questions: Everything You Need to Know About Eviction in Ontario
• Renting: Changes During COVID-19
• PIPEDA: Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act

Rethink The Way You Rent

Not on liv.rent yet? Experience the ease of digital applications & contracts, verified tenants & landlords, virtual tours and more – all on one platform. Sign up for free or download the app.

Subscribe to receive the latest tenant & landlord tips and get notified about changes in the Canadian rental market.

>> Stay up-to-date on the average rent in Vancouver, Toronto and Montreal: Rent Reports.

The post Applying For A Rental In Ontario Part 3: What Can A Landlord Ask For On A Rental Application In Ontario? appeared first on liv.rent blog.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through the basics of coming to Canada to study this fall as an international student, how to stay safe while searching for and applying to listings, how to secure a home before you arrive, and the best places to look for rental housing.

Table of Contents

International students coming to Canada during COVID-19

Though we’re now over two years into the global COVID-19 pandemic, there are still steps travellers must take to prepare for their trip and ensure they’re permitted entry to Canada. Being an international student requires you to have all your travel, school, and government documents together before flying. Unfortunately, with the COVID-19 pandemic still going on in Canada, there are a few more things that students need to be aware of before they arrive. Here’s what you need to know:

Note: COVID-19 rules and guidelines are constantly changing. That’s why we included a resources section at the end of this article for you to check with the Government of Canada for the latest updates.

Getting a study permit

The study permitting process has, for the most part, returned to normal in Canada after potential delays related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Still, students are encouraged to apply online before arriving to the country – unless they meet one of a few conditions, in which case they may apply at the port of entry.

Be aware that even with things mostly returned to normal, it may take up to 90 days for your study permit to be processed. Make sure to leave ample time between your acceptance and your arrival date to avoid any hiccups.

Designated learning institutions

In order to apply for a study permit in Canada, you must first have been accepted to a Designated Learning Institution (DLI). This is a school that has been approved by the province’s or territory’s government to host international students.

• Check the list of approved DLIs

COVID-19 travel rules & guidelines

Canada’s COVID-19 travel rules are constantly changing, so it’s important to check for the latest updates before you depart. Here’s a quick breakdown of what you’ll need to know before you arrive in Canada:

1. Fully Vaccinated Travellers – If you’ve received at least 2 doses of an accepted COVID-19 vaccine, with the second dose administered at least 14 days before entering Canada, you’ll be exempt from pre-entry testing upon arrival. Students seeking this designation should also show no signs of COVID-19, and make sure to upload the required documents to the ArriveCAN app to prove their vaccination status.
2. Unvaccinated Travellers – If you don’t qualify as a fully vaccinated traveller, you may still be allowed entry into Canada in most cases, although you’ll need to complete pre-entry, arrival, and day-8 tests. For specific requirements, check the latest updates here.

Note: each province in Canada has their own provincial guidelines about COVID-19, in addition to policies at individual post-secondary institutions.

How to rent in Canada from abroad

Once you’ve been accepted to study in Canada and you’ve successfully acquired your study permit, it’s time to start looking for a place to live. Depending on when you receive your

That’s not a lot of time, but if you use liv.rent then you can start your search today and secure a home from anywhere.

We made every step of the rental process digital. That means you can search for listings, view units, chat with landlords, apply, sign your contract, and pay your rent all online and in our app.

Sign up to liv.rent now and complete your profile only when you’re ready to apply.

Complete your liv.rent renter profile

We call your profile your “renter resume” because once you fill it out, you can use it to apply to multiple listings to save you time. Once you apply to a place, your information is shared securely with the landlord, who can review your profile, ask you some questions, and send you a lease to sign in-app.

As part of your profile, you can select the “I do not live in Canada” option. This communicates to landlords instantly that you’re moving to Canada from abroad and will help them understand why your prior Canadian address is “missing,” helping them build trust with you faster.

As a student, this might be your first time renting a home. On your liv.rent profile, you can also select “I’m a first-time renter,” so that a landlord can understand why you don’t have previous landlord references from Canada.

Note: try to secure a Canadian cell phone number as soon as possible. Having an active local number in advance will help you open utility accounts, bank accounts, and more once you’re in Canada.

Apartments for rent in Canada

In Canada, there are a few varieties of rental housing available, from single rooms in shared houses and entire houses to condos and townhomes.

Often, students are on a budget and looking for affordable homes. While studios and one-bedrooms are still viable options, prices for these types of units tend to be higher. With rent prices consistently high across the country, it can be much more affordable to search for a room to rent, or find roommates in advance and apply to two- or three-bedroom units. Whichever type of unit you choose, liv.rent allows you to easily search for homes and filter them by price or rental type, making it easy to narrow down your search.

Although we have listings across Canada, we’ve pulled listings and links for three major Canadian cities where international students often go to study:

• Places for rent in Vancouver
• Places for rent in Toronto
• Places for rent in Montreal

Apartments for rent in Vancouver

• Studios for rent
• One-bedrooms for rent
• Two-bedrooms for rent

If you’re headed to Vancouver, B.C. for your studies, it’s more important than ever to understand the local rental market averages. That way, you can empower yourself to make decisions that work for you and your budget.

Historically, Vancouver is not an affordable place to call home and for a while now has held the top spot as the most expensive city to rent in Vancouver.

Still, it’s a breathtaking city and home to many exciting educational institutions like The University of British Columbia, Simon Fraser University, and Emily Carr University of Art + Design.

Learn more about Vancouver’s distinct neighbourhoods:

1. Richmond
2. Yaletown
3. Main Street
4. Dunbar
5. Chinatown
6. Commercial Drive
7. The West End
8. North Vancouver
9. Marine & Cambie Hub
10. New Westminster Brewery District
11. Arbutus

Apartments for rent in Toronto

• Studios for rent
• One-bedrooms for rent
• Two-bedrooms for rent

Living in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) is a popular choice for many newcomers to Canada. There are lots of great schools in Toronto and beyond. And, if you’re living in Downtown Toronto, then it can feel like you’re a part of the country’s urban centre.

If you have questions about renting in Ontario, we have answers. Check out our series Applying For A Rental In Ontario:

• Part 1: What’s A Standard Rental Application?
• Part 2: What do you need when applying for a rental?
• Part 3: What Can A Landlord Ask For On A Rental Application In Ontario?
• Part 4: How Do I Fill Out A Rental Application?

Apartments for rent in Montreal

• Studios for rent
• One-bedrooms for rent
• Two-bedrooms for rent

Montreal is a relatively affordable Canadian city for renters, especially compared to the high prices in Vancouver and Toronto. The French and English-speaking city is home to many of the country’s finest schools like McGill and Concordia.

Resources for international students in Canada

• COVID-19: A Guide for International Students in Canada Arriving from Abroad
• Study in Canada as an international student
• COVID-19: Designated learning institutions reopening to international students
• Guidance for post-secondary institutions during the COVID-19 pandemic
• Flying to Canada requirements checklist
• Driving to Canada requirements checklist
• Province of British Columbia COVID-19 information
• Province of Ontario COVID-19 information
• Provice of Quebec COVID-19 information English| Français

FAQ: Coming to Canada as an international student

Rethink The Way You Rent

Not on liv.rent yet? Experience the ease of digital applications & contracts, verified tenants & landlords, virtual tours and more – all on one platform. Sign up for free or download the app.

Subscribe to receive the latest tenant & landlord tips and get notified about changes in the Canadian rental market.

>> Stay up-to-date on the average rent in Vancouver, Toronto and Montreal: Rent Reports.

The post The Best Off-Campus Housing For International Students Coming To Canada Fall 2022 appeared first on liv.rent blog.