Advise for renting for the newcomers

[yelloweyedmage]

What can you do if a landlord asks for a SIN in the application? I'm finding several rental companies and landlords are doing this... is there anything that could be provided as an alternative to a SIN for a credit check? How would someone politely decline giving a SIN in the application and not have their application rejected?

 

[foodie69]

What can you do if a landlord asks for a SIN in the application? I'm finding several rental companies and landlords are doing this... is there anything that could be provided as an alternative to a SIN for a credit check? How would someone politely decline giving a SIN in the application and not have their application rejected?

Many landlords want to check your credit rating before they will rent you an apartment. Many people think that a SIN is necessary for this process, but according to Equifax, a Canadian Credit Bureau, this is not true. A landlord can check your credit history with your full name,current address and birth date (if you are willing to give them that information).

This means that giving out your SIN for credit purposes is optional.

If a landlord is demanding that you provide them with your SIN, you can either refuse and maybe not get that apartment, or ask them how they will protect your SIN in their records, so that it is not easily accessible.

http://settlement.org/ontario/housing/rent-a-home/apply-for-rental-housing/what-kind-of-questions-can-a-landlord-ask/

 

[myson]

Any reason why I would be reported by CBSA at the border ?

People who dont have anything reasonable to respond when others raise discussion threads should just hush. What has the CBSA got to do with this?

 

[steaky]

People who dont have anything reasonable to respond when others raise discussion threads should just hush. What has the CBSA got to do with this?

Same to you. Smallwhale was outside Canada and he need to deal with CBSA in order to enter Canada legally.

 

[sloboswede]

You may want to consider paying the landlord 3-4 months rent in advance. That takes care of any credit concerns that the landlord may have. I did that for our first year. From the second year on, you will not need to do this as your credit history would be somewhat established. This may also get you a little discount on the annual rental amount.

Hi,

What company and location did you do this with?

 

[Karthik_S]

In which city are you planning to settle?

In Toronto: For newcomers, credit is not required. If you will rent from property companies, most of them will require a show of funds (i.e. bank statement showing you have enough funds to pay a year's lease). If you intend to rent from individual property owners, the requirements are stricter. Property owners always ask for proof of employment, reference letters, and credit check.

I am currently renting a furnished basement suite (bed, drawers, closet, fully-equipped kitchen) in Toronto. I am actually looking to transfer my lease (it is until September 2017). If you are interested, I will send you more details and photos of the place. You can consider staying here for 3 months. It will be 50% cheaper than entire-house/suite Airbnb rental. If you have not researched yet, short-term rentals and hotels are very pricey in Toronto.

So, if you are coming to Toronto and are interested in taking over my lease, let me know.

Good luck!

Hello, if you haven't already found someone to transfer your lease, I would like to express interest. I am landing in Toronto on the 18th of March.

 

[Jtahir]

Hi jus reviving the thread as I am currently in Canada staying with relatives and looking for a place in Toronto but no one is willing to lease it without credit history and I am also looking for a job, they ask for employment letters also.
Any guidance or help would be appreciated as I have been walking miles in Toronto everyday looking at apartments but no luck with either housing or work

 

[steaky]

Hi jus reviving the thread as I am currently in Canada staying with relatives and looking for a place in Toronto but no one is willing to lease it without credit history and I am also looking for a job, they ask for employment letters also.
Any guidance or help would be appreciated as I have been walking miles in Toronto everyday looking at apartments but no luck with either housing or work

So all the tips posted by others didn't work for you? Maybe you should just ask your relative to be your guarantor for lease.

 

[Wolverine17]

Many landlords want to check your credit rating before they will rent you an apartment. Many people think that a SIN is necessary for this process, but according to Equifax, a Canadian Credit Bureau, this is not true. A landlord can check your credit history with your full name,current address and birth date (if you are willing to give them that information).

This means that giving out your SIN for credit purposes is optional.

If a landlord is demanding that you provide them with your SIN, you can either refuse and maybe not get that apartment, or ask them how they will protect your SIN in their records, so that it is not easily accessible.

http://settlement.org/ontario/housing/rent-a-home/apply-for-rental-housing/what-kind-of-questions-can-a-landlord-ask/

That might sound stupid but what are the risks of someone having your sin ?

 

[arthurbr]

That might sound stupid but what are the risks of someone having your sin ?

Your SIN is personal and private. The government itself reccomends that one doesn't share it.

Source: https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/services/sin/after-applying.html

 

[backupoption123]

Is this a good place to rent ( low crime/ good schools) ?

https://www.google.com/maps/place/Swennen+Dr,+Brampton,+ON,+Canada/@43.709925,-79.7733677,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x882b15d9a39931a3:0xdad2187b46cdb06!8m2!3d43.709925!4d-79.771179

 

[sujiz]

In Canada, landlords can ask you for letters of reference (letters from past landlords that recommend you as a good tenant). They can also ask you where you work and what your income is, and conduct a credit check to make sure you can pay the rent.

But landlords are not allowed to ask personal questions such as how long you have been in Canada, what your ethnic background or religion is, whether any relatives will be visiting you, or whether you plan to have children (or have more children).

In Ontario a landlord can demand a rent deposit equal to one month’s rent, or the rent for one rental period, whichever is less. If the rent payments are made weekly, the deposit cannot be more than one week’s rent. If the rent payments are monthly, the deposit cannot be more than one month’s rent. However, it is illegal for a landlord in Ontario to demand a security deposit, for potential damages to a rental unit.

The rules regarding these deposits are however different in each province, so be sure to check with your provincial/territorial rental authority to find out more.

How much time or notice you have to give your landlord depends on your rental agreement:

• If you pay rent by the day or week, you must give 28 days notice (for example, if you want to leave on March 1, you have to give notice by February 1).
• If you pay rent by the month, you must generally give 60 days notice.
• If your lease is fixed for a period longer than a month, you must generally give 60 days notice.

When you give notice, you have to let your landlord know what day you want to end your tenancy. This must be the last day of the rental period. For example, if you pay rent by the month, the last day of your tenancy must be the last day of the month.

Source: https://theontariorealtor.ca/newcomers

 

[canuck78]

In Canada, landlords can ask you for letters of reference (letters from past landlords that recommend you as a good tenant). They can also ask you where you work and what your income is, and conduct a credit check to make sure you can pay the rent.

But landlords are not allowed to ask personal questions such as how long you have been in Canada, what your ethnic background or religion is, whether any relatives will be visiting you, or whether you plan to have children (or have more children).

The security deposit is usually equal to one month's rent.

How much time or notice you have to give your landlord depends on your rental agreement:

• If you pay rent by the day or week, you must give 28 days notice (for example, if you want to leave on March 1, you have to give notice by February 1).
• If you pay rent by the month, you must generally give 60 days notice.
• If your lease is fixed for a period longer than a month, you must generally give 60 days notice.

When you give notice, you have to let your landlord know what day you want to end your tenancy. This must be the last day of the rental period. For example, if you pay rent by the month, the last day of your tenancy must be the last day of the month.

Source: https://theontariorealtor.ca/newcomers

You're not allowed to ask for a security deposit in Ontario. It is standard to be asked to pay first and last month's rent when signing the lease.

 

[sujiz]

You're not allowed to ask for a security deposit in Ontario. It is standard to be asked to pay first and last month's rent when signing the lease.

http://schwarzlaw.ca/security-deposits-and-post-dated-cheques-do-i-need-to-provide-them/

You are right, in Ontario, for example, a landlord can demand a rent deposit equal to one month’s rent, or the rent for one rental period, whichever is less. If the rent payments are made weekly, the deposit cannot be more than one week’s rent. If the rent payments are monthly, the deposit cannot be more than one month’s rent.

In British Columbia, the rules are different. A security deposit can be demanded. However, it cannot be more than half the one month’s rent.

 

[canuck78]

http://schwarzlaw.ca/security-deposits-and-post-dated-cheques-do-i-need-to-provide-them/

You are right, in Ontario, for example, a landlord can demand a rent deposit equal to one month’s rent, or the rent for one rental period, whichever is less. If the rent payments are made weekly, the deposit cannot be more than one week’s rent. If the rent payments are monthly, the deposit cannot be more than one month’s rent.

In British Columbia, the rules are different. A security deposit can be demanded. However, it cannot be more than half the one month’s rent.

you included an Ontario website so assumed we were just talking about Ontario.