Hi All,

My family and I will be arriving in Ottawa around late July / early August. My company is paying temporarily for accomodation until we find a permanent place.
I want to do that as quickly as possible but the properties for rent that we want are dwindling.

Has anyone here been through this? Does anyone know if a realtor will engage someone before they arrive in Canada? Do you have any advice to give please?

I was not aware that realtors help with rentals, I thought this was purely between the landlord and prospective tenant?

So far as I know, like dannyb, most realtors do not help with rentals, unlike in the UK..

Some may do a small amount of property rental for clients, but it isn't common.

Aren’t most rentals that are on rentals.ca done by realtors?

I never see many realtors fussing with rentals, not worth their time. But there are (at least out west) a lot of property management companies who deal with rentals and nothing but rentals, if Ontario is similiar you may want to search for property management companies in Ottawa and see, also many landlords may just do it all themselves and post ads for their rentals.

Ah I see. I will have a look at property managers. Thanks all!

Have a look at Kijii, craigslist, and Facebook for rentals. Most Landlords out here use these three websites to advertise their rentals.

https://www.kijiji.ca/b-for-rent/ontario/c30349001l9004

https://ottawa.craigslist.org/d/housing/search/hhh

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace...ropertyrentals

Many Realtors in Ontario do deal with rentals. A fair amount of my business is with rental clients (I am not in Ottawa though so can't help you), be very careful with Craigslist and Kijiji - there are a huge number of scams on there, you are especially vulnerable to these if you cannot view the property before signing up.

We have a useful Wiki section on rentals that you might find of use - complete with lots of links to rental sites! (Avoid Craiglist)
https://britishexpats.com/wiki/Renting-Canada



What is common in one area (Province) of Canada is not necessarily how it is in other Provinces - such as Ontario.

Many real estate agents will negotiate a rental agreement, and search for a place to live for you, if you request it.
That's why 'renting' is an option on Realtor.ca https://www.realtor.ca/map#ZoomLevel...3&Currency=CAD

Perhaps in BC - not so much in Ontario,

OK thanks I will have a look at these if I can’t get an official realtor to help.

Thanks Siouxie!

Hi we managed to secure a rental before we came over with the help of a realtor who was absolutely amazing. We are in Ontario and from what I gather a lot of realtors do rental as well as purchase work. After all after a couple of years renting you may want to buy and I’m sure you’d be inclined to use the realtor who helped you with your rental.

I can recommend Airbnb, much simpler than dealing with realtors, find a place that looks nice and reach out to the owner directly on airbnb and negotatiate a longer term rate. Thats what I did, negotiated a minimum 2 month term and much reduced rate from the usual nightly, and cheaper than any 'rentals' I otherwise saw.

We managed to find a long term rental before we arrived in Canada with the help of a realtor so it is possible. But to be honest, it was a lot of stress and we ended up having to pay 12 months upfront to even be considered in the running for the property as there’s so much competition at the minute. And not being in the country put us at the bottom of the picking list. I’d highly recommend looking at getting an Airbnb for when you first arrive if your employer is paying and find somewhere long term once you are here as it’s just so much easier.