Housing
Finding a rental property in Alberta as an immigrant can be daunting, but with the right approach, you can secure suitable housing. This page provides general information about becoming a renter in Alberta, including searching for housing, property viewings, rental applications, lease agreements, inspections, setting up utilities, and using personal networks.
Searching for a Rental Property
The most common way to find rental property listings is online. Here are some popular sites:
Property Viewings
If you see a rental property you are interested in, you can contact the owner or manager to view the property. If possible, it is important to always view the property before signing a lease or providing a deposit. This is to avoid housing scams. Housing scams can take various forms, such as fake rental listings, advance fee scams, or identity theft.
During a property viewing, you should ask the landlord any questions. Clarify the rental price and what utilities are included. Utilities include water, heat, electricity, and garbage collection. The tenant is responsible for setting up and paying for the internet. Here are examples of how you may be charged utilities:
Hesam’s monthly rental for his apartment is $1400, including gas and water. Every month he pays his landlord a fixed rate of $100 for electricity.
Chioma’s monthly rental for her apartment is $1300, including gas and water. Every month she pays her electricity bill directly to the energy company. On average, she pays $80. It changes every month based on her usage.
Mandeep’s monthly rental for her basement suite is $1200. Every month, she pays 40% of the house’s total bill for water, heat, and electricity to his landlord.
Nestor’s monthly rental for a house is $2600. Every month, he is responsible for paying for all of his utilities directly to the energy companies. Last month, he paid $40 for water, $30 for heat, and $150 for electricity. It changes every month based on his family’s usage.
Rental Applications
Rental applications are the landlord’s way of choosing who they trust to be their tenants. You may fill out multiple rental applications for the homes you want.
Lease Agreements
A lease agreement is a legally binding contract between a landlord and a tenant that outlines the terms and conditions of renting a property. This agreement establishes the rights and responsibilities of both parties and helps ensure a smooth and mutually beneficial landlord-tenant relationship. Before you sign a lease, check that everything is in working order. If something is not in good working order, get a written agreement from the landlord that it will be fixed before you move in.
You must sign either a fixed lease agreement or a month-to-month lease. A fixed lease is a legal contract that says you agree to rent the apartment for a specified time–usually one year. At the close of the contract, you can end the lease and move to a different location, or you may be able to renew it for another set period or go on a month-to-month lease. A month-to-month lease is an agreement by the landlord and tenant to allow the tenant to rent monthly.
The main advantage of signing a lease is that it gives you the right to stay in your home for the lease period. The landlord will not be able to force you to move out without good cause. The main disadvantage of leasing is that you are committed to staying for the entire lease period.
When you sign a lease agreement, you become a tenant. As a tenant, you must pay your rent on time and keep the apartment or house clean. The landlord is responsible for keeping the apartment or house in good condition and ensuring it meets certain health and safety standards. The landlord cannot force you to move out without following proper legal procedures.
Security Deposits
A landlord can collect a security deposit at the beginning of the tenancy. The purpose of a security deposit is to cover the landlord’s costs of repairing or replacing physical damage to premises, cleaning because of extraordinary or abnormal use, missed rental payments, or any other fees included in the lease. The landlord is entitled to refund the deposit if there are no damages or dues after you move out.
Move-in Inspection
Once the landlord approves your application and you both sign a lease, you will both perform a move-in inspection. Both of you will walk through the property. Look for any damage from previous tenants and test the appliances to ensure everything works. Landlords and tenants must complete both a move-in and a move-out inspection report. This report describes the condition of the rental premises when a tenant moves in and again when they move out. Tenants can use the inspection report to prove they are not responsible for damage that occurred before they moved in.
Setting Up Utilities
If you are paying the cost of utilities directly to your landlord, it is likely you do not need to do anything to set up utilities as they will pay the energy companies directly. If you are responsible for paying the cost of utilities directly to the energy companies, there are some actions you need to take:
If your utilities are active (electricity, water, heat are all running)…
Ask your landlord what utility company the property is using. Then, contact the company and ask them to transfer the utilities under your name. This will ensure the utility bills are charged to your account.
If your utilities are inactive…
Find a utility company that serves your area using this tool. Contact the company and set up the utilities under your name.
If you are having challenges setting up utilities, do not hesitate to ask your landlord for help.
Renters (Tenants) Insurance
Tenant's insurance, also known as renters insurance, is a type of insurance coverage designed to protect individuals renting a home or apartment in Alberta. It provides financial protection by covering personal belongings, liability, and additional living expenses in case of unexpected events such as theft, fire, or damage to the rented property. Tenant's insurance is crucial for newcomers to Alberta, as it offers peace of mind and financial security. It ensures that their personal belongings are safeguarded, helps cover liability costs in case of accidents, and can assist with temporary living expenses if their rented home becomes uninhabitable.
To obtain tenant's insurance or gather more information about it, you can contact insurance companies like Alberta-based providers such as Wawanesa, AMA Insurance, or consult with insurance brokers who can tailor policies to their specific needs. Additionally, they can visit the Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC) website for guidance and resources on tenant's insurance in Alberta.
Renter Rights & Responsibilities in Alberta
The Residential Tenancies Act outlines the rights and responsibilities of renters in Alberta. Here are the highlights:
Landlords must ensure the rental premises are habitable at the beginning and throughout the tenancy, e.g. there are no bed bugs and the heat is working. Habitable means the rental premises meet Alberta’s Public Health Act and Housing Regulation standards.
Rent cannot be increased unless 365 days have passed since the commencement of the tenancy or the last rent increase, whichever is later. This applies to both periodic and fixed-term tenancies.
The landlord must obtain consent before entering the rental premises or provide 24-hour written notice. The landlord can only enter for specific reasons, such as repairs, inspections, or showings.
For a month-to-month lease, a landlord must give the tenant three months’ written notice if they want to terminate the lease. A tenant must give the landlord one month’s written notice if they want to terminate the lease.
Tenants must pay the rent on time, be considerate of the landlord and other tenants, not endanger other tenants, not perform illegal acts, not conduct illegal business on the rental premises, keep the rental premises reasonably clean, prevent damage to the rental premises, and move out when the rental agreement ends
If a tenant ends a fixed-term tenancy before the termination date, the landlord is entitled to be paid rent from the tenant until the tenancy agreement ends. However, the landlord must take reasonable steps to re-rent the unit. If the landlord finds a new tenant, the old tenant is no longer responsible for paying the rent from the date of the new tenancy.
If a tenant commits a substantial breach of the residential tenancy agreement, the landlord can give the tenant at least a 14-day notice to end the tenancy.
Using Personal Networks
Suppose it is challenging to find housing because of your lack of credit history, Canadian references, or employment. In that case, you may find more successful securing housing through personal or ethnic connections. Facebook groups are a good way to network and view property listings. However, remember to watch out for housing scams.
Resources
Alberta’s Rent Assistance Program
Monthly rent benefits are available to help Albertans in need to afford their rent.
Alberta’s Affordable Housing Programs
Housing options for low-income Albertans include families, seniors, and individuals with special needs.
A free program that provides information on buying a home and other financial planning
Centre d'Accueil pour Nouveaux Arrivants Francophones de Calgary (CANAF)