Renting Pitfalls in Calgary
 

Hi all

I've been a silent watcher of this forum for a while and its been invaluable so far. I've just got my Perminant Residency and we are planning to move to Calgary in Late September.

On brousing the rentals I've noticed that all need a credit check and reference letters as a minimum. This could turn out to be a major problem for us as 1. We don't have a Canadian credit history, and 2. We are home owners, in fact we are landlords and don't have any references.

Has anyone been able to overcome this hurdle or is it not such a big deal if you can provide a letter from your employer and bank statement?

Could anyone recommend a good agent that has experience with expats?

Many thanks in advance.

Re: Renting Pitfalls in Calgary
 

Snap - I was just offered a job there on Friday and booked flights to move there today. I'm going to fly out a week in advance of my family to find somewhere to stay which given the time frame will more than likely be renting.

It is supposed to be renters market at the minute with renters offering free months and all sorts to tempt people in. I'm hoping that combined with the willingness to pay 6 months in advance will alleviate any concerns that a credit check and references may address.

I got offered the job, and will be there in 4 weeks time! Can't believe how quick it is moving!

Re: Renting Pitfalls in Calgary
 

I arrived here on Wednesday afternoon. Currently staying at the wingate airport hotel. On Friday I was offered a very nice place in one of the best areas in the city, no references asked for or offered. I negotiated a $100. Per month discount for a 12 month contract, I could have moved in that afternoon. I am looking at another place on Monday that I actually want to move into, if that falls through, I will take the first one and will be pleased with it. I think you are over worrying about the problem.

Re: Renting Pitfalls in Calgary
 

Heads up for Calgary:

After years of 0.3% rental vacancy rates, with landlords jacking rental rates up year on year, the tide has turned with the recent oil downturn. Vacancy rate is currently at 8% I believe, and landlords are pretty desperate to get people into their properties. Even existing tenants are demanding, and getting, rent reductions from their landlords.

You'll be fine.

Re: Renting Pitfalls in Calgary
 

Out of interest what jobs have you new arrivals got and how did you go about getting them from the UK?

Re: Renting Pitfalls in Calgary
 

Too true. I was renting a fancy apartment down in Mission 3 years ago-1 bedroom-$1800pm + $135pm for u/g parking. Same one bed is now advertised at $1150.00 pm. Additional incentives being offered on cable/internet and $500.00 cash back after move in.

Re: Renting Pitfalls in Calgary
 

Thanks for the feedback.

I've now started looking seriously at the market and its such a relief compared to Vancouver!

Auburn Bay or Mahogany look nice enough. I have heard there are lots of new builds on the rental market as they haven't sold yet.

Re: Renting Pitfalls in Calgary
 

Are you using http://rentfaster.ca ?

Re: Renting Pitfalls in Calgary
 

I don't know if I'm allowed to post this, but I'm thinking about renting my 3 bedroom detached out in South Calgary and would love to get some expats in there, to help them out a little!

Get me through PM and I'll share some more details if this isn't against the site rules...i couldn't see anything specific about it, as I'm not really advertising anything yet lol :)

Re: Renting Pitfalls in Calgary
 

For credit referencing get a copy of your UK Equifax credit report. They use Equifax in Canada so recognize the name and this can help alleviate concern.

Re: Renting Pitfalls in Calgary
 

Very good point thanks for the info.

Yes I've been browsing rentfaster. The mapping mapping of nearby schools, transport etc is great. Lots of landlords are listing incentives on there too.

Re: Renting Pitfalls in Calgary
 

Got the place I wanted and got the bbq, mower and some furniture thrown in. Able to get $100 off per month also. I have no references, credit report or anything else.

I used kijiji and now live in Springbank hill near to some of the best schools in Alberta. We fell on our feet, the rental market is soft and the house buyer market is softer. I looked at auburn bay, it is miles to the city and is the biggest development I have seen. It is a lake community, you pay $500 a year for the lake, irrespective of whether you use it or not, most of the houses are reproduced by different companies to the same spec. It wasn't for us. I don't see the prices increasing in a hurry, if you put the house on the market, there will be a dozen being sold that look the same, this and the builders are still making them to the same spec, it is just 4 walls and no individualism.
Now that I have been here 5 days, I was surprised at the pessimism that the locals have for the employment market, jobs are being lost regularly and oil has dropped again.

I am lucky, I'm working remotely back to the Uk, this gives me the chance to get established here, network and hopefully find meaningful employment of my choice in due course. I would perhaps be a little less happy with my lot if I were looking for work with everything else going on here, do not underestimate the effort and expense involved getting yourself up to speed with everything you need to get sorted on arrival.

I have achieved so much, but I still need to sort out schools, driving licence, medical cover, car and house contents insurance, open local bank account, delivery and unpack of my chattels, if I was looking for a job too, I would be stressed-mucho!

Re: Renting Pitfalls in Calgary
 

:goodpost:

Re: Renting Pitfalls in Calgary
 

I don't know where are you looking but most apartment buildings in Alberta these days are so desperate for tenants that they are offering extra perks to lure new customers to sign leases. The whole application process in most rentals has been reduced to just a phone call, forget about references. The extra perks that I have seen so far are 50% discount on first and last month's rent (on 12 months' leases), reduced damage deposit ($200 - $300 tops), free gym, free parking, one year free internet and TV (this is mostly for new buildings) and even a grocery gift card worth $250 in some cases. Not to mention the rents have fallen like 2-%-30% from the highs of 2013-2014.

I helped someone sign a lease last month in a brand new building in Edmonton (where the economy is still better than Calgary) and got most of the above. If there was ever a time when you could get your way with the landlords I guess it is now.

Good luck.

Re: Renting Pitfalls in Calgary
 

Thanks for a the info everyone, invaluable info from people that have been there and done it.

I guess this has become the most poorley titled post on the forum as there seem to be very few pitfalls in the Calgary rental market...