Finding a Place to Live

When you first arrive in Canada, you may find it easier to live in a temporary home while you look for a permanent place. You will also have to decide whether you want to rent or to buy and whether to choose an apartment or a house. Prices vary. Many new immigrants prefer to rent a place to live, while they work and save money to buy a home.

If you want to buy a house, unless you can pay the full price, you will need to get a long-term loan called a mortgage. Mortgage loans are provided by banks and other financial institutions. They decide whether the borrower has enough income, more assets than debts, and a good credit rating. Most will ask you to pay at least 10 percent of the cost of the house from your own money. In your search, you may come across the following terms:

• Furnished or unfurnished: Furnished housing normally means it includes beds, tables, chairs, lamps, curtains, a stove and a refrigerator. Unfurnished housing may include a stove and a refrigerator, but not always.
• Room for rent: This is usually in a house or an apartment that is owned or rented by other people. Everyone shares the kitchen and bathrooms.
• Bachelor or studio apartment: These are small apartments designed mainly for one person. They have one large room with a kitchen and a sleeping area, plus a separate bathroom.
• Other apartments: Most other apartments have from one to three bedrooms. All will have a separate kitchen, a living room and a bathroom.
• Duplex: This is a house divided into two separate apartments. They can usually be bought or rented.
• Townhouse: This is a small house joined to other houses. They can usually be bought or rented.
• Condominium: This is an apartment or townhouse that is individually owned, while "common areas" are jointly owned. As well as the mortgage payment and property taxes, each owner pays a monthly fee for maintenance, such as snow removal, grass cutting and repairs.

Where to begin

Here's how to look for the right home for you:

• search the classified advertisements in local newspapers;
• visit a real estate agent;
• become familiar with the public transportation available;
• ask an immigrant-serving organization in your area for advice;
• ask friends and family already living in the area for advice;
• look for "Vacancy" or "For Rent" signs on houses and apartment buildings;
• check bulletin boards in grocery stores, laundromats, health clinics and community centres; and
• ask for advice at your place of worship.

Cost

You will probably pay about $350 a month for a room, and up to $2,000 a month for a luxury apartment or a large house. Rental costs vary greatly across cities and across Canada. Housing is more reasonable outside the large cities. An immigrant-serving organization in the area where you plan to settle can help you find affordable housing.

Your lease

If you decide to rent an apartment, you will have to sign a lease. Sometimes a lease is valid from month-to-month, meaning you can move out at a month's notice, but most leases are valid for a full year. You will probably need to pay the first and last month's rent when you sign the lease. Read the lease very carefully before you sign it. It will specify things such as how many people are permitted to live in the apartment and whether or not pets are allowed. It will also say if you have to pay a fine if you need to break the lease early. Remember - once you sign the lease, it is a legally binding document