How do you go about renting a property?
Dec 6th 2009, 6:07 pm
#1
where is my wonkey.....
Thread Starter
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 26
How do you go about renting a property?
Hi there, i just wanted to ask how you go about renting a property in Alberta.
Do you arrange before you go or do you have to arrange this once you are there? If so, would you have to book a hotel until you find a property to rent? And also dont they need references, etc? If you just landed there you wouldnt have these! Sorry if it seems a bit silly to ask
Any advise greatly appreciated
Many thanks
Do you arrange before you go or do you have to arrange this once you are there? If so, would you have to book a hotel until you find a property to rent? And also dont they need references, etc? If you just landed there you wouldnt have these! Sorry if it seems a bit silly to ask
Any advise greatly appreciated
Many thanks
Dec 6th 2009, 6:16 pm
#2
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 12,830
Re: How do you go about renting a property?
Hi there, i just wanted to ask how you go about renting a property in Alberta.
Do you arrange before you go or do you have to arrange this once you are there? If so, would you have to book a hotel until you find a property to rent? And also dont they need references, etc? If you just landed there you wouldnt have these! Sorry if it seems a bit silly to ask
Any advise greatly appreciated
Many thanks
Do you arrange before you go or do you have to arrange this once you are there? If so, would you have to book a hotel until you find a property to rent? And also dont they need references, etc? If you just landed there you wouldnt have these! Sorry if it seems a bit silly to ask
Any advise greatly appreciated
Many thanks
Dec 6th 2009, 8:45 pm
#3
Banned
Joined: Dec 2005
Location: Cochrane near Calgary, Alberta
Posts: 667
Re: How do you go about renting a property?
I deal with a lot of expats who are wanting to rent. There are two ways
1. Some have rented from me from the UK. They book into a hotel for may be one night and then they meet me at the house which they have agreed to rent.
2. Others have waited until they have got here and found a suitable place.
So
The advantages of #1 is that you have somewhere to stay and not paying hotel bills. Disadvantage is house is not what you thought, or not in the area you wanted and you are tied to a lease.
The advantages with #2 is that you choose your house but the disadvantages is that whilst you are looking you are running up a hotel bill. If there is no houses that match your requirements or is not available until the first of the month then you could be in for a long stay at the hotel.
If you have pets then it makes it harder. If you smoke..... stay in the UK it is very hard to rent to smokers.
As to which way is best......, look at where you are going, you say Alberta but narrow down your choice. Look on the websites like www.rentfaster.ca if there are plenty of houses in your price range and requirements then #2 would be best. If there is little choice then #1 may be better.
References/ credit checks. Again it depends who you deal with. Most property management companies are aware that you do not have a credit rating, but accept that if the government has let you in then why not rent to you. Private landlords normally do not have the facility to do credit checks. References, if you rent now then you can get a letter and if you are a home owner, tell them that!!! Most landlords would prefer to have homeowners in their homes.
pm me if you need more help.
1. Some have rented from me from the UK. They book into a hotel for may be one night and then they meet me at the house which they have agreed to rent.
2. Others have waited until they have got here and found a suitable place.
So
The advantages of #1 is that you have somewhere to stay and not paying hotel bills. Disadvantage is house is not what you thought, or not in the area you wanted and you are tied to a lease.
The advantages with #2 is that you choose your house but the disadvantages is that whilst you are looking you are running up a hotel bill. If there is no houses that match your requirements or is not available until the first of the month then you could be in for a long stay at the hotel.
If you have pets then it makes it harder. If you smoke..... stay in the UK it is very hard to rent to smokers.
As to which way is best......, look at where you are going, you say Alberta but narrow down your choice. Look on the websites like www.rentfaster.ca if there are plenty of houses in your price range and requirements then #2 would be best. If there is little choice then #1 may be better.
References/ credit checks. Again it depends who you deal with. Most property management companies are aware that you do not have a credit rating, but accept that if the government has let you in then why not rent to you. Private landlords normally do not have the facility to do credit checks. References, if you rent now then you can get a letter and if you are a home owner, tell them that!!! Most landlords would prefer to have homeowners in their homes.
pm me if you need more help.
Dec 6th 2009, 9:23 pm
#4
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 771
Re: How do you go about renting a property?
We probably didn't do it the "correct" way or the most sensible way, but what we did was to book rooms in a motel for a couple of weeks and started looking once we were actually over here.
I was very reluctant to rent somewhere I hadn't seen, so this method worked for us.
The one we actually rented, we found in a copy of the Calgary Herald that we picked up at the airport just after landing. went through all the rental ads in there, found several that sounded good and started phoning around
They did want references, credit checks etc, but we explained that we were new immigrants, and as the rental agent was an immigrant himself I think he felt sorry for us and agreed to rent the house to us without doing them. We ended up moving into the house just 7 days after landing, which isn't bad considering that the rental market in Calgary was mad at that point with people saying you couldn't find a decent place for love nor money...
All in all, it was a great house that we ended up in, with lovely neighbours to one side (we never met or spoke to the ones on the other side in 2 years!), and we stayed there for 2 full years until we decided to buy a house.
I was very reluctant to rent somewhere I hadn't seen, so this method worked for us.
The one we actually rented, we found in a copy of the Calgary Herald that we picked up at the airport just after landing. went through all the rental ads in there, found several that sounded good and started phoning around
They did want references, credit checks etc, but we explained that we were new immigrants, and as the rental agent was an immigrant himself I think he felt sorry for us and agreed to rent the house to us without doing them. We ended up moving into the house just 7 days after landing, which isn't bad considering that the rental market in Calgary was mad at that point with people saying you couldn't find a decent place for love nor money...
All in all, it was a great house that we ended up in, with lovely neighbours to one side (we never met or spoke to the ones on the other side in 2 years!), and we stayed there for 2 full years until we decided to buy a house.
Dec 6th 2009, 10:10 pm
#5
where is my wonkey.....
Thread Starter
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 26
Re: How do you go about renting a property?
I deal with a lot of expats who are wanting to rent. There are two ways
1. Some have rented from me from the UK. They book into a hotel for may be one night and then they meet me at the house which they have agreed to rent.
2. Others have waited until they have got here and found a suitable place.
So
The advantages of #1 is that you have somewhere to stay and not paying hotel bills. Disadvantage is house is not what you thought, or not in the area you wanted and you are tied to a lease.
The advantages with #2 is that you choose your house but the disadvantages is that whilst you are looking you are running up a hotel bill. If there is no houses that match your requirements or is not available until the first of the month then you could be in for a long stay at the hotel.
If you have pets then it makes it harder. If you smoke..... stay in the UK it is very hard to rent to smokers.
As to which way is best......, look at where you are going, you say Alberta but narrow down your choice. Look on the websites like www.rentfaster.ca if there are plenty of houses in your price range and requirements then #2 would be best. If there is little choice then #1 may be better.
References/ credit checks. Again it depends who you deal with. Most property management companies are aware that you do not have a credit rating, but accept that if the government has let you in then why not rent to you. Private landlords normally do not have the facility to do credit checks. References, if you rent now then you can get a letter and if you are a home owner, tell them that!!! Most landlords would prefer to have homeowners in their homes.
pm me if you need more help.
1. Some have rented from me from the UK. They book into a hotel for may be one night and then they meet me at the house which they have agreed to rent.
2. Others have waited until they have got here and found a suitable place.
So
The advantages of #1 is that you have somewhere to stay and not paying hotel bills. Disadvantage is house is not what you thought, or not in the area you wanted and you are tied to a lease.
The advantages with #2 is that you choose your house but the disadvantages is that whilst you are looking you are running up a hotel bill. If there is no houses that match your requirements or is not available until the first of the month then you could be in for a long stay at the hotel.
If you have pets then it makes it harder. If you smoke..... stay in the UK it is very hard to rent to smokers.
As to which way is best......, look at where you are going, you say Alberta but narrow down your choice. Look on the websites like www.rentfaster.ca if there are plenty of houses in your price range and requirements then #2 would be best. If there is little choice then #1 may be better.
References/ credit checks. Again it depends who you deal with. Most property management companies are aware that you do not have a credit rating, but accept that if the government has let you in then why not rent to you. Private landlords normally do not have the facility to do credit checks. References, if you rent now then you can get a letter and if you are a home owner, tell them that!!! Most landlords would prefer to have homeowners in their homes.
pm me if you need more help.
Dec 6th 2009, 10:12 pm
#6
Just Joined
Joined: Nov 2009
Location: The Beaches, Toronto
Posts: 15
Re: How do you go about renting a property?
I think it is always best to go there first and rent somwhere on a short term basis and then take the time to look for somewhere to rent on a longer term basis.
Consider the extra expense on the short term rental an investment in getting peace of mind when you eventually decide on somewhere.
Consider the extra expense on the short term rental an investment in getting peace of mind when you eventually decide on somewhere.
Dec 6th 2009, 10:18 pm
#7
where is my wonkey.....
Thread Starter
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 26
Re: How do you go about renting a property?
I think it is always best to go there first and rent somwhere on a short term basis and then take the time to look for somewhere to rent on a longer term basis.
Consider the extra expense on the short term rental an investment in getting peace of mind when you eventually decide on somewhere.
Consider the extra expense on the short term rental an investment in getting peace of mind when you eventually decide on somewhere.
Dec 7th 2009, 12:32 am
#8
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 821
Re: How do you go about renting a property?
It will be helpful when you are ready to say where you are going 
I met a great expat when we did our recci and she helped me find a rental place
Also there is relocation agents that will also help you find a property in the area that you are moving too.
I also know some that have rented a vacation rental for a couple of weeks until they found the ideal house....
so many ways i would say
Good Luck
LB
I met a great expat when we did our recci and she helped me find a rental place
Also there is relocation agents that will also help you find a property in the area that you are moving too.
I also know some that have rented a vacation rental for a couple of weeks until they found the ideal house....
so many ways i would say
Good Luck
LB
Dec 11th 2009, 12:01 am
#9
Just Joined
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 9
Re: How do you go about renting a property?
We had a look at rental properties on Kijiji.ca . Saw one we liked, Phoned and went to see on the Monday, the landlord liked us, we signed a lease agreement and we were in the next day. One months rent as a deposit, short term lease. No references. Easier than the UK!
Dec 12th 2009, 7:49 pm
#10
where is my wonkey.....
Thread Starter
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 26
Re: How do you go about renting a property?
Many thanks!
Dec 13th 2009, 3:20 pm
#11
Just Joined
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 9
Re: How do you go about renting a property?
When you get on the site, just choose the province you want, then city and various categories come up. Look under Housing, House Rental - I just looked under Edmonton and there are loads.
BTW, good place to find a car also if you looking to buy privately.
Hope you find something!
BTW, good place to find a car also if you looking to buy privately.
Hope you find something!
Dec 13th 2009, 5:21 pm
#12
little snowy owl
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 6,921
Re: How do you go about renting a property?
Same thing ... there were no hassles at all, and don't recollect giving references. The first one was arranged from the UK, and turned out quite well, though it wasn't the area we wanted to end up in. It was only for two months, and we could bring the dog!
These days, I'd certainly recommend NOT parting with any money until you see the place and meet the landlord .... too many scams running (especially on Kijiji!)
Dec 16th 2009, 8:26 pm
#13
where is my wonkey.....
Thread Starter
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 26
Re: How do you go about renting a property?
When you get on the site, just choose the province you want, then city and various categories come up. Look under Housing, House Rental - I just looked under Edmonton and there are loads.
BTW, good place to find a car also if you looking to buy privately.
Hope you find something!
BTW, good place to find a car also if you looking to buy privately.
Hope you find something!
Dec 16th 2009, 8:29 pm
#14
where is my wonkey.....
Thread Starter
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 26
Re: How do you go about renting a property?
We got two rentals through www.homerent.ca
Same thing ... there were no hassles at all, and don't recollect giving references. The first one was arranged from the UK, and turned out quite well, though it wasn't the area we wanted to end up in. It was only for two months, and we could bring the dog!
These days, I'd certainly recommend NOT parting with any money until you see the place and meet the landlord .... too many scams running (especially on Kijiji!)
Same thing ... there were no hassles at all, and don't recollect giving references. The first one was arranged from the UK, and turned out quite well, though it wasn't the area we wanted to end up in. It was only for two months, and we could bring the dog!
These days, I'd certainly recommend NOT parting with any money until you see the place and meet the landlord .... too many scams running (especially on Kijiji!)
Just wanted to ask, what do I do if they say they need a deposit if we see somewhere and we've contacted them?Thanks again
Dec 17th 2009, 2:41 am
#15
little snowy owl
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 6,921
Re: How do you go about renting a property?
It's horrible to say, and probably for a large percentage of the time you'd be perfectly safe, but think how you'd feel if you did get caught that way! My advice these days would likely be to book into a hotel/vacation property/B&B or whatever for a week or two until you get somewhere sorted that you are happy with.
Some stories for ya .... http://www.google.com/search?q=renta...rlz=1I7CYBA_en
Last edited by Alberta_Rose; Dec 17th 2009 at 3:11 am.