Credit check for rent an apartment in Toronto

[Kraretto]

Hi,

I am moving back to Toronto very soon and I start to check some rental websites. I have booked an Airbnb for 1 month and will look for an apartment during this period. However, I find most of them are asking credit history. (eg. http://www.consumer.equifax.ca/home/en_ca) For a new immigrant, I don't have job yet and I don't have bank account. How can I rent an apartment? Please help to give me some advises. Many thanks.

 

[CDNPR2014]

you may want to look into Kijiji.com. this is an open website similar to craig's list. you might find landlords or private owners who will rent without the need of a credit check. another thing that may be helpful is to reach out to the local immigrant service agency in the area you will be landing and asking them for insight. they commonly help immigrants with finding housing.

 

[Kraretto]

Many thanks.

 

[Kraretto]

I have one more question. Recently, I check rental websites and found "https://rentmoola.com/" and "http://www.caprent.com/apartments-for-rent/toronto-on/". Some of them are not too bad and Rentmoola accepts credit/debit card. Does it help to new migrant without credit history in Canada? Thanks.

 

[anujoshi]

Hi,

I am moving back to Toronto very soon and I start to check some rental websites. I have booked an Airbnb for 1 month and will look for an apartment during this period. However, I find most of them are asking credit history. (eg. http://www.consumer.equifax.ca/home/en_ca) For a new immigrant, I don't have job yet and I don't have bank account. How can I rent an apartment? Please help to give me some advises. Many thanks.

Work with a Realtor who negotiates on your behalf.

Each lease is different, each landlord is different. Some are open to alternatives to credit report, whereas others are not. Get a professional to help you along with this. I am a Realtor, I do this on a regular basis. Let me know if you need any help. Whichever route you choose, best of luck!

 

[CDNPR2014]

I have one more question. Recently, I check rental websites and found "https://rentmoola.com/" and "http://www.caprent.com/apartments-for-rent/toronto-on/". Some of them are not too bad and Rentmoola accepts credit/debit card. Does it help to new migrant without credit history in Canada? Thanks.

no, as the credit card being used most likely is not a canadian credit card. only canadian issued credit cards will help build credit in canada.

 

[emamabd]

Hi,

I am moving back to Toronto very soon and I start to check some rental websites. I have booked an Airbnb for 1 month and will look for an apartment during this period. However, I find most of them are asking credit history. (eg. http://www.consumer.equifax.ca/home/en_ca) For a new immigrant, I don't have job yet and I don't have bank account. How can I rent an apartment? Please help to give me some advises. Many thanks.

If you have a friend that's well settled here and earning at least "3x the rental amount" he/she can help you by becoming your "co-signer". Its a formality that gives the landlord assurance - in my own views i think its silly, because no one really pays someone else's rent!

 

[ciscoccie]

Hi,

I am moving back to Toronto very soon and I start to check some rental websites. I have booked an Airbnb for 1 month and will look for an apartment during this period. However, I find most of them are asking credit history. (eg. http://www.consumer.equifax.ca/home/en_ca) For a new immigrant, I don't have job yet and I don't have bank account. How can I rent an apartment? Please help to give me some advises. Many thanks.

I faced same situation.

you can visit kijji website to see some listings but heres the problem. All apartments/condos etc need a lease to be signed ( normally 1 year) and for that you need to show them credit history, proff of employment by showing them offer letter of pay slips and refrences of friends.

Now the thing is if you are new to canada how are you going to show them all this.

So you have one option to get a basement, but the landlords of good basements are also asking for lease and they need all those things. so the only option is to get a low class basement which you can get easily through kijji.

If you want a contact number of realitor i can give you, they can help you get apartment and even bargain on your behalf and guide you but those are things where you need to sign a lease and hence credit history, employment letter needs to be shown. Once to come to canada apply for a credit card, make sure you get one fast and start using it. I believe the bank reports credit history to companies every 3 months. I do have a credit card which i got about a month back and when i apply for credit report it gives error. when i contacted them they said because you are new and it takes some time for the bank to report to us so we can give you the report.

In my case i am close to booking an apartment through relator by showing my job offer letter only (she discussed with the landlord). I dont have credit report or pay slips.