What documents are needed to rent a home in Canada?

What documents do you need to rent a house in Canada: a guide for Ukrainians in Calgary

Finding and renting an apartment is one of the first important steps for Ukrainians who have recently arrived in Calgary. This process differs significantly from Ukrainian realities and requires an understanding of local rules and preparation of specific documents. To successfully rent an apartment or house in Calgary, you need to have a credit history, proof of income, bank statements, and other documents. It is also important to take into account the additional costs of security deposits, utilities, and tenant insurance. This article provides a detailed look at all the necessary documents and requirements for renting a house in Calgary to simplify the process for newly arrived Ukrainians.

Basic documents for renting a house in Calgary

Credit history and its alternatives

Renting a house in Canada usually requires a credit history, which is one of the most important documents for landlords. Credit history shows your ability to pay and financial reliability. For Ukrainians who have just arrived in Canada, it can take from several weeks to several months to get a credit report.

To obtain a credit report in Canada, Ukrainians can apply to two main organizations: EQUIFAX and TransUnion. These are the official credit reporting agencies in Canada. Detailed instructions on how to obtain a credit report are available on their official websites.

If you don't have a credit report yet, you can sign a lease under the following conditions:

  • Paying three months in advance
  • Providing a bank statement confirming the availability of funds in the account (sufficient to pay for the first and last month)
  • Documents confirming the availability of work

Proof of financial solvency

In addition to a credit history, landlords often require proof of financial solvency from potential tenants. This is especially important for newly arrived Ukrainians who do not yet have a credit history in Canada.

A bank statement is one of the key documents to prove your ability to pay. When providing a bank statement, it is important to remove all personal information, leaving only the information about the availability of funds. This can be done with a pen or any photo editing app.

You may also need to provide proof of income in the form of:

  • Certificates from the place of work
  • Pay stubs
  • Employment contract

Landlords may call your employer to find out more about you as an employee, including your habits, punctuality, and reliability.

Additional documents and requirements

To successfully rent a home in Calgary, you may need additional documents to prove your identity and legality in Canada.

These documents include:

  • Identification documents (passport, driver's license)
  • Documents confirming your immigration status (work visa, residence permit, etc.)
  • Letters of recommendation from previous landlords (if any)
  • Rental application (provided by the landlord or property management company)

When filling out the rental application, it is important to be honest and open about who will be living in the rental property. This includes disclosing information about family members, children, and pets, as well as the number of people who will be living in the apartment or house.

Financial aspects of rental housing

Security deposit and down payments

The financial side of renting in Calgary includes several mandatory payments that need to be made before you move in. Understanding these costs will help you better prepare and plan your budget.

The main initial costs of renting a home include:

  • First month's rent
  • Security deposit (usually in the amount of the last month of rent)
  • Sometimes three months' rent in advance (for people without a credit history)

For example, if the monthly rent is 1500 Canadian dollars, you may need to prepare 3000 dollars (first and last month) or even 4500 dollars (if three months' payment is required) to move in.

Additional costs and utilities

In addition to rent, there are additional costs to consider that can significantly affect your monthly budget.

Typical additional costs include:

  • Utilities (electricity - approximately $50 per month)
  • Internet (approximately $70 per month)
  • Renters insurance (approximately $20 per month)
  • One-time moving costs (can be as high as $150)

The total monthly cost of renting a one bedroom apartment in Calgary can be around $1640 (including rent, electricity, internet and renter's insurance).

Housing requirements depending on family composition

Living standards

In Calgary, there are clear rules about the number of people who can live in a certain size of space. These standards define the minimum requirements for the number of bedrooms depending on the family composition.

According to the National Occupancy Standard (NOS):

  • Children under 5 years of age, both of the same and opposite sex, may share a bedroom
  • Children under 18 of the same sex can share a bedroom
  • A child aged 5 to 17 should not share a bedroom with a child under 5 of the opposite sex
  • Family members over 18 years old must have separate bedrooms
  • Spouses or civil partners can share a bedroom

It is important to understand that a landlord cannot legally rent a 1-bedroom apartment to a family of 3 (husband, wife and child). Such an apartment is considered too small by law. The child must have his own room, so such a family needs a 2-room apartment.

Rules for disclosing information about tenants

When filling out the rental application, it is extremely important to provide accurate information about all persons who will be living in the rented premises.

Here's why it's important:

  • Landlords have the right to refuse to rent if the number of occupants exceeds the number allowed for this type of housing
  • Failure to disclose information about additional residents may result in termination of the lease
  • In Calgary, there are city regulations that limit the number of people who can live in one apartment (e.g., a maximum of 2 children in one room)

Being honest and transparent in your application can help establish a trusting relationship with your landlord and increase your chances of being approved for a lease.

Tips for finding a place to live in Calgary

Popular resources for finding a rental

Finding a place to live is the first step in the rental process. Ukrainians in Calgary use a variety of resources to find suitable options.

The most popular ways to find a place to live include:

  • Online platforms and classifieds sites
  • Social media, especially Facebook Marketplace
  • Recommendations from friends and acquaintances
  • Ukrainian communities and groups in social media

According to Ukrainians, compared to other platforms, Facebook Marketplace has more up-to-date rental listings. Many people share their housing search experience through this platform.

It is also important to know that in Calgary, it is not recommended to contact realtors to find a rental property, unlike when looking for a home to buy.

Communication with landlords

Effective communication with potential landlords is a key success factor in your housing search. A well-crafted message can increase your chances of receiving an invitation to view the property.

Example of an effective message for a landlord:

Hello, I am interested in renting your property. I am a professional with a full-time permanent job in Calgary. I can provide proof of income and employment. I am looking for a 1 year or longer lease. I am a responsible, quiet, tidy tenant who pays rent and bills on time. I do not drink alcohol, party, smoke or use recreational drugs. [Information about family members, if any]. I do not have any pets. I would be grateful if you could respond. I would like to make an appointment as soon as possible. Thank you for your time and consideration! Sincerely, [Your name].

Such a message demonstrates your seriousness, responsibility, and willingness to commit to a long-term lease, which is important to many landlords.

Conclusions and recommendations

Renting a home in Calgary requires an understanding of local regulations and preparation of the necessary documents. For Ukrainians who have recently arrived in Canada, the process may seem complicated, but with the right approach and preparation, it becomes quite realistic.

The main documents required to rent a house in Calgary:

  • Credit history or its alternatives (bank statement, proof of employment)
  • Documents proving identity and immigration status
  • Proof of financial solvency (bank statement, employment verification)
  • Completed rental application with honest information about all tenants

Keep in mind the additional costs associated with renting, including security deposits, utilities, and renter's insurance. Plan your budget with these costs in mind.

Use a variety of resources to search for housing, especially Facebook Marketplace and other online platforms. Be prepared to look at several options before finding the perfect home. And most importantly, be honest with landlords about your situation, which will help build trust and increase your chances of a successful rental in Calgary.