Rental FAQs for newcomers to Canada

Yes. I help newcomers to Canada line up a rental on the tenant side before they land, across Greater Vancouver, including the Tri-Cities, BC (Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam and Port Moody), Burnaby, New Westminster and Vancouver. I search for rentals that fit your budget and commute, do live video walkthroughs and share floor plans while you're still overseas, negotiate on your behalf, and go through the lease with you before you sign. Reach out 4–6 weeks before your move.

Often, yes, but your application has to work harder. Landlords mainly want to know you can pay the rent and will look after the home. Without a Canadian credit report, the things that help are a Canadian job offer or employment letter, recent bank statements, references from previous landlords (even outside Canada), and a short renter profile that explains your situation. I help you put that package together so it's ready the day a good rental comes up.

In B.C., a security deposit can be no more than half of one month's rent, and a pet damage deposit (if you have a pet) is also capped at half a month's rent. Landlords in B.C. can't ask for "first and last month's rent" or "key money". If a landlord asks for more than the rules allow, treat it as a red flag.

See Tenancy deposits and fees on the Province of British Columbia site, and Residential Tenancy Act, section 19.

Don't send money for a place nobody has seen in person or on a live video call, and be wary of listings priced well below similar homes, landlords who can't show it right now, or anyone asking you to wire a deposit to hold a unit. Insist on a written tenancy agreement and a move-in condition inspection. I can view the home for you, live on video, before you commit.

I work in English, and I use a translation app when a client is more comfortable in another language. Live video walkthroughs, floor plans and written lease summaries help a lot when you're reading everything in a second language.