Toronto
Rent house or flat in Toronto
Average prices for apartment rentals in Toronto (year 2018):
- Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Centre C$ 1,798.50
- Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Centre C$ 1,401.78
- Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Centre C$ 3,135.91
- Apartment (3 bedrooms) Outside of Centre C$ 2,207.31
Rental Market in Toronto
The rental market in Toronto has seen a large increase in the rent amount, and a decrease in the vacancies available for renting. However, compared with other large cities, Toronto still has reasonable rent rates.
The market suggests that you should start looking for a rental 4-6 weeks before you are ready to move in. If you are looking for a rental bear in mind that you'll need to make quick decisions because of the current state of the housing market. If you have trouble finding accommodation you may want to find something temporary while you search for a more permanent solution.
How to Search for a Rental in Toronto
Online
Online search engines are one of the best ways to get an estimate of the current market and to track new properties. Most sites allow you to set-up alerts to find the best property for you.
Some online resources:
You can also chat with other expats on EasyExpat's Toronto Forum.
Newspapers
Although newspaper classifieds are less common, they can also be another resource that can assist you in finding a rental
Public Postings for Rentals in Toronto
Many places have billboards offering advertisements for a variety of goods and services. Watch these boards for useful postings. Laundrettes, cafes, grocery stores, community centers, and bars all might have private ads. While property listings are less common than rental announcements, they may offer a useful lead.
Rental Agent
In Toronto's current market, many people are turning to real estate agents to help them find rentals in the city. Because of their inside knowledge and connections in the real estate market, rental agents can be a useful resource in helping you find something quicker than going it alone. Agents will arrange viewings, chauffer you around to have viewings, and help negotiate the price if necessary.
Prices for an agent vary, but generally run half of the monthly rent. Some agencies may also charge for a credit report and property management fee.
Visit the Apartment
It is always best to visit the apartment before renting rather then renting sight unseen. This ensures you will be satisfied with the accommodations and able to abide by the contract. It also establishes a relationship with the landlord.
Set appointments as soon as possible. The longer you wait - even if its only a matter of hours - the greater the chance that the apartment will be rented before you get there.
If possible, try to visit the area around the apartment both during the day and at night, or ask around to see what it is like. Perfectly peaceful areas during the day can turn into unbearable residential areas at night if there are bars nearby. Likewise, a calm neighborhood in the evening may be a nightmare during the day due to traffic or construction works
Rental Contracts in Toronto
In Canada, Toronto it is important to have a written contract upon agreeing to a rental. These contracts are called leases, and they help protect yourself and the owner of the rental.
Leases should thoroughly lay out the agreement you have made with the landlord. If the owner does not want you to have a written agreement, you should insist on it as having a written contract is the best way to protect your rights. However, most tenants in rental unit in Ontario have rights outlined in the Residential Tenancies Act and the Tenant Protect Act.
What should be include in a contract:
- Duration of agreement: Most leases last for 12 months, during which time the landlord cannot increase the rent. The notice period that either you or the landlord have to give in order to terminate the agreement should also be included.
- Responsibility for household bills: Some utility services will be included in the rent (e.g. water), while others you may be responsible for paying yourself (e.g. gas, electricity).
- Forfeiture: If you are deemed to be in breach of your contract you can be evicted from your accommodation. Be sure you understand the dos and don't's of the contract.
- Deposit: In almost all rental agreements, the landlord will ask for a deposit (usually one months rent). The deposit is used to cover any damages you may cause, along with any outstanding debts you may owe at the end of your tenancy.
To make sure the contract is adhered to and you are not later charged with pre-existing damage, you should do a walk through with the landlord before signing the contract. This is the time to ask any last-minute questions and make notes/pictures of the existing damages in the rental.
Giving Notice for an Apartment in Toronto
If you choose to leave your rental at the end of your lease agreement, it is best to submit written notice. This written notice is referred to as a notice of termination. You must give the landlord a 60 days notice if you have signed a written lease. If you are renting month-to-month, you must also give the landlord a 60 days' notice. In the termination notice, the tenant must include the date of termination, i.e. the date in which you wish to move out of the rental.
If you require additional information, below are resources available for you as a tenant in a rental:
- 24/7 Info on Community Services
Telephone: 2-1-1 - Tenant Hotline
Telephone: 416-921-9494 - Landlord Tenant Board
Telephone: 416-645-8080
For more information on your rights as a tenant in Ontario please read over the Tenant Protection Act.
Update 18/08/2018
Looking for cheap accommodation in Toronto isn’t easy and can be time consuming. With Uniplaces now you can look for your room comfortably sitting at home. You can pick a room in a shared home with other expats, a studio flat if you want more privacy, or you can team up with other friends and rent an entire apartment just for yourselves.
Uniplaces offers thousands of solutions for professionals, digital nomads and families, with entire furnished accommodation with reliable wifi and great amenities to stay productive, and do your best work.
The booking system is very simple and doesn’t require any visit: all can be done in advance thanks to the detailed descriptions and photos. All accommodations are selected and verified by Uniplaces' team and there is no need for a guarantor. In addition, they only pay the landlord when you saw the place and are happy with it.
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