How to rent an apartment in Canada

Renting in Canada involves a similar set of steps regardless of which province or city you are moving to, but the specific rules around deposits, leases, rent increases, and tenant rights vary meaningfully by province. This guide walks through the key considerations from setting a budget to signing a lease, with notes on where provincial rules differ most.

Set a Realistic Budget

Rental prices vary significantly across Canada. Major urban centres like Vancouver and Toronto have among the highest average rents in the country. Cities like Winnipeg, Halifax, Edmonton, and Quebec City are considerably more affordable. For current average rents by city, neighbourhood, and unit type, see the liv.rent Rent Reports.

When setting your budget, account for costs beyond base rent: utilities (heat, water, electricity) may or may not be included; internet is almost never included; tenant insurance is required by most landlords; parking, if needed, may be an additional monthly cost; and strata or building fees may apply in some buildings.

A commonly used guideline is to spend no more than 30% of gross monthly income on rent, though in high-cost cities this is difficult to achieve for many renters.

Choose Your Location

Consider proximity to work, schools, transit, grocery stores, and green space when choosing a neighbourhood. Urban centres offer walkability and transit access but higher rents and smaller units. Suburban areas surrounding major cities often offer more space at lower rents but longer commutes.

liv.rent's neighbourhood guides and monthly Rent Reports provide current data and neighbourhood overviews for Vancouver, Toronto, Montreal, Calgary, and Edmonton to help you compare areas.

Understand What to Expect From the Rental Process

The typical rental process in Canada moves through the following stages: searching and shortlisting listings, attending viewings (in person or virtually), submitting an application with supporting documents, undergoing reference and credit checks, reviewing and signing a lease, paying any required deposits, and moving in.

In competitive markets, the process can move quickly. Having your documents prepared before you start applying significantly improves your chances. Documents landlords commonly request include government-issued photo ID, proof of income (pay stubs, a letter of employment, or bank statements), previous landlord references, and consent to a credit check.

Landlords cannot ask for your SIN as a mandatory condition of applying in most provinces, and cannot ask questions that would violate provincial human rights codes, including questions about age, family status, religion, ethnicity, or national origin.

Deposits by Province

Deposit rules vary significantly across Canada and it is important to know what is permitted before you pay anything.

In BC, the maximum security deposit is half one month's rent. A separate pet damage deposit of up to half one month's rent may also be collected. Damage deposits are not separately permitted — the security deposit covers both.

In Ontario, landlords can collect a rent deposit of up to one month's rent, held as last month's rent. Damage deposits are prohibited. No other deposits or fees are permitted.

In Alberta, landlords can collect a security deposit of up to one full month's rent. Interest must be paid on the deposit when it is returned.

In Quebec, no deposits of any kind are permitted. Landlords cannot collect a security deposit, damage deposit, key deposit, or advance rent.

In Manitoba, landlords can collect a security deposit of up to half one month's rent, plus a separate pet damage deposit of up to one month's rent for agreements from August 1, 2014.

Lease Agreements

Most provinces require a written tenancy agreement. Some have mandatory standard forms: BC requires the Residential Tenancy Agreement, Ontario requires the Standard Lease for most residential tenancies, and Quebec requires the Bail obligatoire. Alberta does not have a prescribed form but landlords must provide a written agreement.

Read the full lease before signing. Pay particular attention to the rent amount and due date, what is included, the lease term and renewal conditions, any addendums regarding pets, smoking, or subletting, and the process for ending the tenancy.

Rent Increases

Each province sets its own rules on rent increases. For 2026: BC allows a maximum increase of 2.3% with three months' written notice; Ontario allows 2.1% with 90 days' notice for most units; Alberta has no cap but requires three months' notice for month-to-month tenancies; Quebec has no hard cap, with increases negotiated at renewal using the TAL's calculation method; Manitoba allows a maximum of 1.8% with three months' written notice. See our [provincial rental laws guides] for full details.

Renters Without Canadian Credit History

Newcomers and first-time renters without a Canadian credit history can still secure a rental by providing alternative documentation. Bank statements showing sufficient savings, a letter of employment or income, a personal or professional reference, or a guarantor can compensate for a thin credit file. On liv.rent, you can indicate that you are a first-time renter or renting from outside Canada, which gives landlords the context to assess your application fairly.

Avoiding Rental Scams

Use a platform with verified landlords and listings. Never send a deposit before viewing a property and signing a lease. Be wary of listings priced well below the market average, requests for payment by untraceable methods, and landlords who resist scheduling a viewing. If you suspect a scam, report it to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501. For a full list of warning signs, see our [rental scam red flags guide].

Find a Verified Rental on liv.rent

liv.rent lists verified rentals across Canada. A single verified Renter Resume can be submitted to any listing on the platform, with digital lease signing and rent payment all in one place.