RESOURCE
Finding housing
Lease, deposit, tenant rights: the basics for renting with confidence.
Finding housing in Canada can seem complex, especially without a local credit history. It is important to understand your rights, prepare the right documents, and recognize suspicious listings before sending money.
First steps
Prepare your documents before searching: ID, proof of income, reference letters if possible.
Check trusted listing sites: Kijiji, RentCanada, PadMapper, Centris (in Quebec).
Visit the unit in person or by video with the landlord before any payment.
Read the lease carefully before signing — in Quebec, the standard RDQ lease is recommended.
Understand your rights as a tenant, including rules on security deposits (not allowed in Quebec).
Keep copies of all signed documents and payments.
Common mistakes
Sending a deposit or first month's rent without having visited the unit.
Signing a lease without reading it or understanding the clauses.
Believing a landlord can ask for several months of rent upfront — illegal in Quebec.
Forgetting to document the state of the unit upon entry (photos, inspection report).
Ignoring scam signals: price too low, landlord unavailable to visit, pressure to pay quickly.
Official resources
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Marhaban Canada provides general and informational support. This service does not replace a lawyer, a regulated immigration consultant, or a government body.