Moving to Canada as a renter

Securing a rental before arriving in Canada is possible and increasingly common, particularly among international students and newcomers who want stable housing from day one. The process involves a few more steps than renting locally, but with the right preparation it is manageable. This guide covers how to search safely, apply effectively without Canadian credit history, view a property remotely, and sign and pay digitally.

Where to Search

Rental listing platforms are the most efficient starting point. liv.rent, Zumper, Rentals.ca, and Kijiji all list properties across Canada's major cities. On liv.rent, both landlord profiles and listings carry verified badges, which helps you identify legitimate listings without having to visit the property first.

Avoid relying solely on social media groups or informal channels, which have fewer safeguards and a higher concentration of fraudulent listings. If you do use Facebook Marketplace or groups, cross-reference any listing you find there against a verified platform before sending any money.

If you are a student, contact the off-campus housing office at your school. Many Canadian universities and colleges maintain curated housing resources for incoming students and can direct you to vetted options.

What to Watch for When Searching From Abroad

Searching remotely puts you at greater risk of rental scams, since you cannot easily verify a property in person. Key red flags: rent priced significantly below the neighbourhood average, a landlord who is unwilling to conduct a live virtual tour, requests for a cash deposit or wire transfer before a lease is signed, listings that withhold the full address, and requests for your SIN or banking details before you are ready to sign.

On liv.rent, check that both the landlord profile and the listing display a verified badge before engaging. Verified landlords have had their identity confirmed using government-issued ID or a business licence, and verified listings have been confirmed by land title documents or a postcard mailed to the property address.

Applying Without Canadian Credit History

Canadian credit bureaus (Equifax Canada and TransUnion Canada) do not recognise foreign credit history. No matter how strong your credit record was in your home country, you will be starting from zero in Canada. This is a common situation: a significant share of newcomers arrive without any Canadian credit file, and landlords who regularly rent to students and newcomers understand this.

To compensate for the absence of a credit score, prepare the following:

• Bank statements showing three to six months of savings or consistent income (showing at least one year's rent in savings is particularly strong evidence of financial reliability)
• An employment letter or job offer letter on company letterhead, if you have one
• References from a previous landlord in your home country, an employer, a teacher, or an immigration agency
• Proof of student enrolment if you are attending a Canadian school

On liv.rent, when completing your Trust Score, you can select "I do not have a credit history in Canada" to explain this to landlords directly. Under income verification, you can upload bank statements to demonstrate financial capacity. If you are a student, uploading an enrolment letter confirms your status.

Viewing a Property Remotely

Request a live virtual tour before applying to any property. A live video call, rather than pre-recorded footage, lets you ask the landlord to show specific areas, run taps, check appliances, and demonstrate that the unit is as described. Be cautious of landlords who refuse to conduct a live tour or who will only share photos.

During the tour, ask open-ended questions: how long the unit has been available, what the building management is like, and what utilities are included. Ask the landlord to show any areas not visible in the listing photos.

Signing a Lease Digitally

Review the lease carefully before signing. Once signed, it is a binding contract. Confirm the rent amount, due date, and accepted payment methods are correctly stated. Review any custom addendums relating to pets, smoking, subletting, or late fees — these are also binding if they do not conflict with provincial tenancy law.

Be aware that lease terms and mandatory forms vary by province. In BC, the standard lease is the Residential Tenancy Agreement. In Ontario, the Ontario Standard Lease is mandatory for most residential tenancies. In Quebec, the Bail obligatoire must be used. On liv.rent, leases for BC and Ontario tenancies can be reviewed, signed, and stored digitally through the platform.

Paying Rent Digitally

Once your lease is in place, rent can be paid through liv.rent using credit card (Visa, Mastercard, or American Express) or UnionPay via Stripe. Your landlord sends a payment request through the platform, you review the amount and confirm, and a receipt is available to download. All payment history is stored in your chat thread.

If your landlord is not yet on liv.rent, contact liv.rent support to help onboard them so you can set up digital payments.

Getting a Canadian Phone Number

Having a Canadian phone number makes many practical steps easier on arrival, from opening a bank account to registering utilities. Several Canadian carriers offer SIM cards that can be shipped internationally before you arrive, allowing you to have a local number ready from day one. Prepaid plans are a practical starting point if you are unsure of your usage.

Find a Verified Rental on liv.rent

liv.rent lists verified rentals across Canada. Verified landlord profiles and listings mean you can search safely from anywhere in the world.