We've got our eyes on a few in Edmonton, and have contacted (by email) a landlord regarding one we particular like.

The guy responded really quickly, but now that I've mentioned we're coming from the UK, I cant get him to respond.

Has anyone else found it particularly easy/hard to rent a property from the UK?

Probably thinks you're conducting the UK equivalent of a Nigerian email scam.... Do you have his number? Give him a call, people be more inclined to think you're genuine over the phone.....

Do you know anyone in the area??

if not why not contact a realtor and ask them to help, it is hard from the uk, but i have found that with a little bit of push and alot of ahhhhhhhhhhh you can do it, dont give up, there is alway away around it.
i hope omeone can give some more help

gill

we are finding the same with the rental sites, sent about 6 emails to different rental houses been advertised but no replies, we also went after the only one on the Kingstonliving site and found the couple very helpful, the house is just perfect for our needs, bit pricey but hopefully it wont be for long, $1400 a month + utilities but its 12 mins for darrens work ect. the only thing is its not available till Aug 1st so darren will have to find a motel room for 4 weeks till ready and mw and the girls will have stay back for 4 weeks more.

Check this site out - there's normally a few on there.

It may help.

Edmonton.Kijiji.ca

It can be tough to find rental in Edmonton even when you are here. I'm hoping to move at the end of the month as the rental prices have come down a bit since we got this place last year, and it's quite pokey compared to what you can get for less now. When we asked the landlady would she consider a rent reduction, she sent a realtor around to value the house so she could sell it

I don't actually think she is going to sell it, she just likes getting paid more than it's worth.

I've got kids and cats, and if I find somewhere that will take kids, they won't take cats, or, they'll take cats, but not kids

Because there isn't always a lot of rental property available, the landlords don't tend to have to do a lot of work to find people, so they will just be looking for the easiest option for them, and perhaps they are concerned about how long it will take for you to get here and how long you will be able to stay etc.

Kijiji is good as is www.rentfaster.ca
www.rentedmonton.com
www.rentboard.ca

Also, they hardly ever reply to emails, they really do prefer the phone here so you'll probably have more luck if you get on the phone to people. Also, call the agents of houses you like, and ask if you can leave your details with them in case anything else that would suit you comes up.

As a property manager trying to help people from the UK and living in a town where there is very few decent rentals. I rent to the first person who is willing to commit and with the money.

I have had some families who have wanted to see the house first

In happy fluffy land this is OK but when you have a choice of one then forget it. I have found most times they refuse to rent until they have seen it. So it gets rented to the next person with the money. The UK family then arrive, book into a hotel and then find that there are no rentals for them to view or have. They then have an expensive hotel bill for at least a month

So my advice is yes phone the landlord/agent and look at the photos and if you have a choice of one rental then take it. It is cheaper than a hotel.

Thanks all.
Will try and contact the landlord by phone on Monday...

Your best bet is probably to find a company specialising in short-term rentals, then look for something more long-term once you're there.