Whether you're renting your first apartment or planning to buy — this free guide walks you through every step of the Canadian real estate process, from arriving to getting your keys.
Your complete guide from arriving in Canada to signing your first lease. Click each step to expand.
All major Canadian banks offer Newcomer Banking packages you can open online before you land in Canada. This gives you a Canadian account to pay your first + last month's rent deposit.
💡 Tip: Once your account is open, transfer your first + last month's rent so a certified cheque is ready when you find a place. This makes your application stronger.
A general Canadian guideline is to spend no more than 30% of gross monthly income on rent. Landlords typically require your gross income to be at least 3x the monthly rent.
💡 Tip: Durham (Oshawa, Ajax, Whitby, Pickering) is 20–30% cheaper than downtown Toronto and has excellent GO Train access. Many newcomers start there.
As a newcomer, you may have no Canadian credit history. This is the #1 concern landlords have. The solution is a strong financial trust package that replaces your credit score with evidence.
In Ontario, tenant-side realtor services are typically free to the tenant. The landlord or listing brokerage pays the co-operating commission. You get expert help at no cost.
Your realtor will: find listings before they hit public sites, book and coordinate showings, prepare the rental application, draft and negotiate the Agreement to Lease, and guide you through signing the Standard Lease.
When you find a unit you want, your realtor prepares an Agreement to Lease (OREA Form 400) — this is your formal offer to the landlord. It includes rent, move-in date, lease term, and conditions.
Along with the ATL, you submit your full application package. The landlord reviews everything and either accepts, counters, or declines.
💡 Tip: Strong applications get accepted same-day. Weak packages (missing docs, no credit) get rejected. Building the package in Step 3 is the most important thing you can do.
Once your ATL offer is accepted, the landlord prepares the Ontario Standard Lease (Form 2229). This is the mandatory provincial tenancy contract — the ATL was just the offer stage.
Tenant (renter's) insurance covers your belongings if there's a fire, flood, or theft. It also covers your liability if you accidentally damage the unit. Most landlords require proof before handing over keys.
Ontario's Residential Tenancies Act gives tenants strong protections. Here are the most important ones to know:
I've helped dozens of newcomers land great rentals in Toronto and the GTA — even before they arrived in Canada. Let's talk about your situation.
As a newcomer, you can buy property in Canada — even as a non-permanent resident. Here's how it works.
Canadian lenders (banks and mortgage brokers) can lend to newcomers — but requirements vary. You typically need a minimum 20–35% down payment as a newcomer buyer without established Canadian credit.
Budget for these closing costs on top of your purchase price and down payment:
Some government programs are available to newcomers who qualify as first-time buyers:
The buying process in Ontario typically takes 30–90 days from accepted offer to closing (possession day).
I'll walk you through every step — from checking your eligibility to finding the right property in your budget. Free consultation, no pressure.
Check off documents as you gather them. This checklist is saved in your browser session.
No Canadian credit history is the biggest hurdle for newcomers. Here's how to build it fast.
A secured credit card requires a deposit (e.g., $500) which becomes your credit limit. Use it for small monthly purchases and pay it off in full every month. This builds your score quickly.
Nova Credit (novacredit.com) converts your home country credit score into a Canadian-readable format. Currently supports India (CIBIL), Mexico, Australia, UK, Germany, Brazil, Kenya, Nigeria, and others.
The questions I get asked most by newcomer clients. Click any question to see the answer.
Trusted links and services for newcomers to the Toronto & GTA area.
No Canadian credit history? Pre-arrival search? Virtual showings? Work permit restrictions? I've done it all. Let's talk about your specific situation — free, no pressure.