i_Seeker

​​​​​Hello,

This is my very first post, so here goes...

Small Intro
My wife and I are relocating from London to Toronto in May this year. Everything is going well at the moment, touch wood (bank accounts, immigration side, etc.), but finding properties to rent is proving to be a little bit of a concern.

I have read your guides which are very helpful and given me a big insight as to what to expect and what to look out for.

Using the guides, I put together a list of provisos joining together all the tips to prevent myself from being scammed.

Realtor
I've been in contact with a realtor and spoke over the phone. He made it out that finding somewhere to rent will be very hard, due to the fact that we have no credit and we are coming from abroad. He said (before I came across the helpful guides) that a landlord may want more than two months' rent and a security deposit (I remember him saying that I will probably end up paying 4 months + upfront). After reading the guides, I realised that this doesn't ring right!

My email
I sent the realtor an email informing him that I would be going in March to start preparing things and would like to see some properties. I informed him of what I was looking for and the budget I was looking to pay. I also stipulated that I didn't want to rent a house that has a basement, but we have no access to it or is being rented out (I know it's strange, but I simply don't like the idea of someone living in the basement of the house).

I then put forward the provisos which I amalgamated from all the helpful guides. The provisos were:

1. I only want to pay first and last month as a deposit (we don't have pets so don't need to pay security deposit).
2. I won't rent from 'overseas' landlords or landlords that are 'out of the area'.
3. I want to meet the landlord and see ID and some proof of ownership.
4. I won't make any payments via MoneyGram, Western Union or any payment operator like the two mentioned whether it be nationally or internationally.
5. I won't pay any money upfront without meeting the landlord (and seeing proof of ID and ownership) and seeing the property.
6. A lease is a must.

I sent it late last night and upon reflection, I probably could have done without the bold and underlining, but my intention was not to offend.

His response
"Hi theee
Thanks for the email
Yes I remember ...
Some of your requests are far fetched and impossible
I am sorry but I cannot make most of your requests work
It simply does not work that way
Also
We are asking for things no one asks and also someone to trust us with a relocation lease
Which is not easy to get
I have been sending you properties and if you are interested to meet and look at some as discussed we will have to go about the process by the real estate laws and regulations here
Also
I am not sure what and how the real estate business in the UK is but it’s certainly a very serious business here
I cannot change certain ways of doing business
I am sorry "


My questions
Are the provisos unrealistic?
Which points in the provisos are not realistic?
How can I find a trusted realtor?

It's a different world and it's hard to adjust to the fact that I can't find a letting agent, like Acorns or Foxtons (not that they are 100% honest, but you're unlikely to get scammed by them).

Maybe I've got it all wrong and need a different approach.

Any help would be appreciated, thanks.

Former Lancastrian

Most landlords require that new tenants pay a deposit before they move in. When a landlord asks a tenant to pay the last month’s rent, this is a rent deposit not a security deposit. Security deposits are not allowed in Ontario. Generally, landlords are not allowed to charge tenants additional fees or charges above rent.

https://www.legalline.ca/legal-answe...-and-interest/

Having no pets won't help you as most landlords who do charge a security/damage deposit use it for repairing damages done to the unit by the renters pets or not. Each Province have their own rules. For Ontario see link below

https://www.ontario.ca/page/renting-ontario-your-rights

i_Seeker

Thanks for the fast response Former Lancastrian.

Thanks for clearing up security deposits, I read incorrectly that in Ontario, security deposits can only be charged for tenants with pets.

Do you think my provisos were far fetched as the realtor said?

Former Lancastrian

What you want, what a realtor is saying and what I think are all subjective.
Most cities have landlords who don't live in the country so meeting one usually won't happen. This also limits the number of rental units available. As for making payments I rented from rental companies where payment was made by direct deposit. You again will find not all landlords belong to a rental company and its normally an individual who owns the property setting out how they want to be paid. Again this limits number of properties available.
Basically as a newcomer you are somewhat at a disadvantage.. You need a place to rent but only X amount on the market. You either choose a place or end up paying more in Air BnB rents/hotels until you find a place to rent.
Your choice in the end as to accept or not.

Jerseygirl

Many of the Toronto downtown rentals are owned by Chinese investors who live overseas. many of the renters are Chinese. Check that you are allowed to have 2 dogs, because there can be restrictions on the number of pets, as well as weight restrictions. Unfortunately if you wish to rent you will have to go with what is the norm here.

FWIW I would stay in a long term hotel for a few weeks. This will enable you to scout around and find the right location, building etc. Our condo building do not allow AirBnB, so be wary of paying money and then finding out you cannot get access to the building. I know our property manager is on the ball with this.

Edit: I would also try to check out drug related crime related to any building you are interested in.

Siouxie

Have you checked the Realtors ID and made sure they registered as a Realtor - or is this one you found from an advert? You might want to check their standing and who they work for: https://www.reco.on.ca/RegistrantSearch
Most Realtors will place the 1st and last months rent into a trust account of some type whilst the lease is signed and keys handed over. Their comment of 'relocation lease' sent alarm bells out to me, it sounds as if you have contacted a 'relocation specialist' rather than a real estate agent.

It's against regulations to demand any more than first and last months rent in Ontario - do please read up on the regulations before going any further - forewarned is forearmed... knowledge is power. Yes, sometimes you have to pay more than first and last - but only after inspecting the premises with a signed lease and only by post dated cheques - never cash or transfer. As to his comment about you not having a credit rating - bring with you your contract of employment (if you have one.. showing that you are employed); you can also bring documentation from your bank in the UK saying that you have been in good standing (letter of reference) - basically the info that is useful to bring if you wish to get a mortgage as a newcomer https://www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca/en/finan...cmhc-newcomers - you could also get an equifax report or similar. It may not be a credit rating for Canada (they don't transfer) but it could help in showing you are fiscally responsible.

The points you make are valid if you were looking at online adverts but the point of using a registered Realtor is that they are able to ensure that the rental is legitimate. Perhaps ask for recommendations.. so that you feel more able to trust them. There are a lot of scam merchants so I can fully understand your concerns - as well as your reluctance to live in a duplex (i.e. someone in the basement). You might be better off living outside of Toronto - is there a reason for wanting to live there? Would you be prepared to commute? I agree that you may be better renting temporary accommodation for a month until you are sure which area you wish to live.. whether that's Airbnb or somewhere that is geared to short term lets. (a google search will find them)

https://britishexpats.com/wiki/Renting-Canada

i_Seeker

I agree it looks like it boils down to whether I want to take the deal or not. I may have to look into Airbnb but would rather have things in place before we officially move.

That's the ideal scenario, but don't always get what we want, right?

i_Seeker

Thanks for the input. If I choose the Airbnb route, I will try and establish contact with the building's manager to make sure that what I just rentes is actually allowed to be rented!

i_Seeker

Thanks for the link! I just checked and the chap is a real estate agent, which makes his email all the more puzzling!

I have Experian which I plan on bringing, but it's a good idea to have a letter from the bank. We are HSBC Premier and have opened accounts with SBC in Canada, will that help at all if we start using the accounts now?

The realtor was from the GTA area, we are looking around Pickering, Ajax, and Whitby.

I'm starting to think that renting an apartment from a company that owns a building/manages the apartments for the building may be easier, I don't know. I'll read up some more and come back with some results. I'll be in Toronto next month.

crofty82

We’ve bitten the bullet and booked an Airbnb for our first month. We know we’re paying over the odds for it compared to a standard rental, but that money is buying us the peace of mind of knowing that it’s not a scam, and the convenience being able to make arrangements for securing a longer term rental when we’re actually there instead of doing it remotely.

crofty82

I believe from previous posts on here that Equifax is more widely used in Canada than Experian.

Jerseygirl

I can recommend a realtor. I don’t know about rentals, we have bought and sold several properties through him.

i_Seeker

Yes, please. I'm grateful for any help I can get.

Jerseygirl

I will PM you with the details later.

i_Seeker

Thanks, Jerseygirl!