Yes, you can rent in BC with no Canadian credit history. A landlord can judge you on your ID, references from past landlords and proof of income, and BC's privacy commissioner says a credit check should only be run near the end of the selection, on the few people the landlord is seriously considering.
I get this question from almost every newcomer I help, whether they are coming from another country or just never had a credit card here. Here is what the rules say, and how I would put an application together.
Why you have no credit score here yet
The Financial Consumer Agency of Canada says Canada has two main credit bureaus, Equifax and TransUnion, and that they "only collect information about your credit activity in Canada." So a strong record back home does not show up on a Canadian report. The agency also notes that your credit report can affect your ability to "rent a home," which is why landlords ask about it.
Being new does not mean being a risk, though. It just means the landlord needs other ways to get comfortable with you.
What a BC landlord can ask for
In BC, private landlords have to follow the Personal Information Protection Act. The Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner for BC has a plain guide for landlords and tenants. In short:
- ID. A landlord can look at your government photo ID, but should hand it back and not copy or keep it.
- References. A landlord can ask about where you rented before and for how long, and can contact past landlords with your consent.
- Income or employment. If you cannot give adequate references, it may be reasonable for a landlord to ask for proof of income or employment to show you can pay rent.
- Credit check. A landlord can ask for consent as part of a standard application, but should only run it near the end of the selection.
- SIN. The guide says a full name and date of birth are often enough for a credit check, so landlords should avoid asking every applicant for a social insurance number or should make it optional.
The commissioner's earlier 2018 tenant screening report also points out that tenants are not really in a credit relationship with a landlord, because most rentals are paid one month in advance. The 2019 guide is the one that applies where the two differ.
BC's Human Rights Code also stops a landlord from refusing to rent to you because of things like your place of origin, race or lawful source of income, as the commissioner's guide lists.
How to build a strong application without Canadian credit
This is what I put together with my clients who are new to Canada:
- A reference letter from your current or last landlord, with their phone number and email. A reference from a professional landlord about on-time rent carries a lot of weight in the commissioner's own reasoning.
- A job offer or employer letter showing your role, start date and pay. If you are bringing savings, a bank letter can help, and the 2018 report says you may black out other details on a statement.
- Your credit report from home, if you have one. The federal agency notes that some lenders may look at your history from another country, so it does no harm to have it ready, translated if needed.
- Your free Canadian report once you have one. The federal agency says both bureaus offer free reports online, and checking your own report will not affect your rating.
One more rule that matters here: under the Province of British Columbia's deposit rules, a security deposit can be no more than half of one month's rent, and landlords cannot charge a fee to review or process an application. Having no credit history does not change either limit.
What this means for you
If you are a newcomer with no Canadian credit, lead with what you do have: ID, references and proof of income, all in one tidy package. Be ready to consent to a credit check late in the process, and know that your SIN is usually optional.
Want someone to put that package in front of landlords for you? My relocation rental service for tenants covers all of Greater Vancouver, including the Tri-Cities, BC. It is $1,500 plus GST, paid by the tenant: $750, non-refundable, at the start, and $750 once a rental is secured. Reach out 4 to 6 weeks before your move. My guide to relocating to Greater Vancouver covers neighbourhoods and costs, and you can call or text me at 604-809-1032.