Free Guide · Updated March 2026

New to Canada?
Here's how renting works.

A practical, province-by-province guide to finding a rental in Canada — tenancy laws, documents you need, how to avoid scams, and a move-in checklist.

Browse Alberta Listings Read the Guide

The Process

How renting works in Canada

Whether you're moving from another country or another province, the process is the same.

01

Understand the Market

Learn how renting works in your province — deposits, lease types, and tenant rights.

02

Prepare Your Documents

Government ID, proof of income, credit report, and references from previous landlords.

03

Search & Apply

Browse listings, visit units (or request video tours), and apply with your Tenant Passport.

04

Sign & Move In

Review your lease, do a move-in inspection, set up utilities, and get tenant insurance.

Province by Province

Rental laws vary by province

Canada doesn't have one set of rental rules — each province has its own tenancy laws. Here are the three most common destinations.

Alberta

Governed by the Residential Tenancies Act (RTA)

Rent ControlNo rent control

Security DepositMax 1 month's rent (includes pet deposit)

Notice to End Tenancy3 months for monthly tenancies

Pet PolicyLandlord can ban pets

Key DifferenceFixed-term leases end automatically — no notice required from either party

Why Alberta? No PST, lower cost of living, strong job market, and 80,000+ people move here every year. Read our full Alberta guide →

Your Checklist

Move-in checklist

Everything you need to do, in order. Bookmark this page and check items off as you go.

1

Before You Move

Research rental prices in your target city

Get a copy of your credit report (Equifax or TransUnion)

Collect references from previous landlords

Prepare proof of income (pay stubs, employment letter, or CRA Notice of Assessment)

Set a realistic budget — rent should be under 30% of gross income

Build your SQRFT Tenant Passport to streamline applications

2

Finding a Place

Browse verified listings on SQRFT.ca

Visit units in person or request live video tours

Never send money before seeing the unit or signing a lease

Check the neighbourhood — transit, grocery, schools, parks

Ask what's included (utilities, parking, laundry, storage)

Compare at least 3 units before committing

3

Signing the Lease

Read the full lease before signing — every clause

Confirm lease type: fixed-term vs. month-to-month

Verify the deposit amount matches provincial law

Understand rent increase rules for your province

Do a thorough move-in inspection with photos

Get tenant insurance ($20-40/month — protects your belongings)

4

After Move-In

Set up utilities (electricity, gas, water, internet)

Update your address with CRA, bank, employer

Get a provincial health card if moving from another province

Exchange your driver's license within 90 days (most provinces)

Register to vote at your new address

Know how to file a dispute if issues arise

Stay Safe

How to spot rental scams

Newcomers are the #1 target for rental scams. If you see any of these red flags, walk away.

⚠They ask for money before you've seen the unit

⚠The rent is significantly below market rate

⚠They're "overseas" and can't show the property

⚠They want payment in Bitcoin, gift cards, or wire transfer

⚠The listing photos look too professional or stolen

⚠They pressure you to decide immediately

Tip: Use verified platforms like SQRFT where listings and landlords are verified. Read our full scam prevention guide for more.

For Tenants

Apply faster with
SQRFT Passport

Build your verified rental identity once — employment, income, references, credit — then share it with any landlord in Canada. No more filling the same forms over and over.

Free for all tenants

Build once, apply everywhere

You control who sees your data

Revoke access anytime

Create Your Free Passport