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Important Information & Resources

Independent Living

Living on your own in a new country can be an overwhelming experience, with many new rules, responsibilities and terminology involved. Here are some important links for new renters: 

 

Make sure you know your rights

Review information on renting in Canada, tenancy agreements, tenants’ rights, and dealing with landlords.

Rights, advocacy support and general information:

Finding a place

The following sites are provided as a resource for students. ILAC IC does not endorse them or their rental listings.

Neighborhood Guides

Be sure to research your neighborhood, including nearby transit routes, local amenities (grocery stores, laundromats, restaurants), and consider cost of living factors.

Cost of Living & Average Rents

Although the current average asking price for rental housing is challenging to determine, several rental listing websites offer rent reports for the Vancouver market based on active listings on their websites. Rents vary for furnished and unfurnished apartments.

Additional costs

Additional costs of renting an apartment can include:

  • Utilities (e.g., heat, water, electricity)
  • Internet
  • Cable TV
  • Security deposit (one-time cost)
  • Pet deposit (one-time cost)
  • Apartment furnishings
  • Laundry
  • Parking
  • Renter’s insurance
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After you find a place

Inspection

  • Before signing a tenancy agreement, inspect the unit (or have someone you trust inspect it for you). Make sure appliances and taps work and that there are locks on all the doors.

Deposit and documentation

  • Get details of your tenancy agreement (also called a lease or rental agreement) in writing.
  • Take photos to document any existing damage or repairs needed before you move in. If the landlord says something will be repaired or cleaned before you move in, write this down in the agreement.
  • Make sure both you and your landlord have a copy of all the agreements you have signed. If you make any changes to the documents, both you and your landlord should initial next to each change.
  • Prove that you paid. Pay by cheque or money order or get a receipt if you pay in cash.
  • A tenancy agreement should always outline the terms, conditions and duration of the rental agreement. It is important to review all 3 before signing.
  • Tenancy agreementsare typically one year or two years. Some short-term tenancy agreements are usually three-month or six-month terms. Typically, when a fixed-term tenancy agreement in BC ends, it automatically turns into a month-to-month tenancy agreement that has no end date.

Set up utilities

Most tenants need to contact BC Hydro to set up electricity and a communications company for TV, phone, and Internet service.

 

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