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Re: Renting Pitfalls in Calgary
Originally Posted by Caribou Jones
(Post 12046014)
It's just been confirmed for me this afternoon that my LMIA has been approved and the employer wants me in Calgary for the end of October. Everything though in setting myself up is to be paid by me as it's a small company, which is fine, although I have to be very cost conscious.
I've been looking at Rentfaster and AirBNB for a couple of months and there are a couple of questions I have: 1. Does Calgary have any rent control regulation or could the landlords jack up the rent as much as they like when the markets undoubtedly change again? A landlord is only permitted to increase rent once per year on a month to month tenancy. On a fixed term tenancy, there can be no increase during the term. 2. If I looked for an AirBnB place, does a month rental seem excessive/about right to get myself sorted? Any hostels or other short term ideas? 3. Anything that is particularly different between the UK and Calgary rental procedures that I can prepare for? 4. Thoughts on parking options, eg covered, exposed, underground ,(powered is it as well??) If I was renting a condo, I would want a parking stall, preferably, one that is underground. If a house, attached garages are nice (no need to venture outside in cold weather - although you will likely have to clear snow off the drive). In descending order of preference - detached garage, drive, parking stall that opens onto a back lane, parking on street. Any thought would be really appreciated! However, the landlord lives in the same building (i.e., you are renting a basement suite), it doesn't apply |
Re: Renting Pitfalls in Calgary
Originally Posted by Almost Canadian
(Post 12046165)
Here is a link to the Residential Tenancies Act that should provide you with a starting point: Residential Tenancies Act
However, the landlord lives in the same building (i.e., you are renting a basement suite), it doesn't apply http://www.servicealberta.gov.ab.ca/...or_tenants.pdf |
Re: Renting Pitfalls in Calgary
Originally Posted by ChrisG1
(Post 12045775)
Hi,
I am new on here, also thinking about relocation to Calgary, In fact we haven't submitted the Express entry application yet so it will take some time from now. I saw the post above about working remotely which I feel can also apply to my situation.. I am a communication engineer working remotely for a Swiss company from the UK so I can pretty much work where ever I want. Is this acceptable as a means of working when becoming permanent resident? So if you definitely qualify for EE (make sure you're scoring enough on the CRS, as a lot don't without a job offer), then you can apply and work for pretty much whoever you like when you get PR. Good luck. |
Re: Renting Pitfalls in Calgary
Hi,
Thanks for the responses on this, that is great news actually. If I can keep my current job and emmigrate it could be ideal. Chris |
Re: Renting Pitfalls in Calgary
Originally Posted by ChrisG1
(Post 12050848)
Hi,
Thanks for the responses on this, that is great news actually. If I can keep my current job and emmigrate it could be ideal. Chris Good luck. |
Re: Renting Pitfalls in Calgary
So we have been in Calgary for almost 2 weeks and I thought I would share our experience.
We booked a lovely one bedroom flat in Sage Hill via Air B&B for 2 weeks. This may seem tight timewise for seeking a rental but with an intensive search/viewing agenda it turned out OK for us as we found a place within a week. We arrived on 6th Sept which meant we missed the 1st Sept availability window. We found that most of what was left was 'the dregs' of the market in 3+ bedroom homes in the NW. We had a choice - look everyday for new listings available immediately or pay extra for accommodation and wait for the Oct 1st availability. Saying that, we were lucky and found a very nice house listed at the last minute for a very good price. The drawback was that there were 7 applications in for the property but thankfully with a bit of 'Irish Charm', recent pay stubs and a whole load of references we got the place. Credit checks or advance months rent were not an issue. In general we found so far: A lot of private landlords are still asking too much for the current market, agents seem to be more realistic. If you can, check dates of photographs - a good way to check is if the photographs show an empty house but the property isn't available until a future date. This usually means the photos were, at least, before the current tenancy. In our experience the properties rarely lived up to the photos. Two Car Garages listed will rarely hold two medium sized SUVs. Also beware of un-insulated garages especially internal ones. You can't register for healthcare or register a vehicle without a permanent Alberta address. If you need a car - hire one for at least two weeks. We took a monthly rental which has given us time to shop around. It's not as easy as you think with no credit history, even with a good down payment. I hope this helps those planning to come to Calgary. We've only been here a short while and absolutely love the place. Mark |
Re: Renting Pitfalls in Calgary
Originally Posted by Markicof
(Post 12054538)
So we have been in Calgary for almost 2 weeks and I thought I would share our experience.
We booked a lovely one bedroom flat in Sage Hill via Air B&B for 2 weeks. This may seem tight timewise for seeking a rental but with an intensive search/viewing agenda it turned out OK for us as we found a place within a week. We arrived on 6th Sept which meant we missed the 1st Sept availability window. We found that most of what was left was 'the dregs' of the market in 3+ bedroom homes in the NW. We had a choice - look everyday for new listings available immediately or pay extra for accommodation and wait for the Oct 1st availability. Saying that, we were lucky and found a very nice house listed at the last minute for a very good price. The drawback was that there were 7 applications in for the property but thankfully with a bit of 'Irish Charm', recent pay stubs and a whole load of references we got the place. Credit checks or advance months rent were not an issue. In general we found so far: A lot of private landlords are still asking too much for the current market, agents seem to be more realistic. If you can, check dates of photographs - a good way to check is if the photographs show an empty house but the property isn't available until a future date. This usually means the photos were, at least, before the current tenancy. In our experience the properties rarely lived up to the photos. Two Car Garages listed will rarely hold two medium sized SUVs. Also beware of un-insulated garages especially internal ones. You can't register for healthcare or register a vehicle without a permanent Alberta address. If you need a car - hire one for at least two weeks. We took a monthly rental which has given us time to shop around. It's not as easy as you think with no credit history, even with a good down payment. I hope this helps those planning to come to Calgary. We've only been here a short while and absolutely love the place. Mark |
Re: Renting Pitfalls in Calgary
Originally Posted by Markicof
(Post 12054538)
So we have been in Calgary for almost 2 weeks and I thought I would share our experience.
We booked a lovely one bedroom flat in Sage Hill via Air B&B for 2 weeks. This may seem tight timewise for seeking a rental but with an intensive search/viewing agenda it turned out OK for us as we found a place within a week. We arrived on 6th Sept which meant we missed the 1st Sept availability window. We found that most of what was left was 'the dregs' of the market in 3+ bedroom homes in the NW. We had a choice - look everyday for new listings available immediately or pay extra for accommodation and wait for the Oct 1st availability. Saying that, we were lucky and found a very nice house listed at the last minute for a very good price. The drawback was that there were 7 applications in for the property but thankfully with a bit of 'Irish Charm', recent pay stubs and a whole load of references we got the place. Credit checks or advance months rent were not an issue. In general we found so far: A lot of private landlords are still asking too much for the current market, agents seem to be more realistic. If you can, check dates of photographs - a good way to check is if the photographs show an empty house but the property isn't available until a future date. This usually means the photos were, at least, before the current tenancy. In our experience the properties rarely lived up to the photos. Two Car Garages listed will rarely hold two medium sized SUVs. Also beware of un-insulated garages especially internal ones. You can't register for healthcare or register a vehicle without a permanent Alberta address. If you need a car - hire one for at least two weeks. We took a monthly rental which has given us time to shop around. It's not as easy as you think with no credit history, even with a good down payment. I hope this helps those planning to come to Calgary. We've only been here a short while and absolutely love the place. Mark |
Re: Renting Pitfalls in Calgary
Get a print out of your credit record from a major credit agency in the UK that's also in Canada. That's what I did.
You also will likely have to provide a massive deposit (like three months up front). That said, right now with how awful the economy is I doubt that you would have many problems finding somewhere to rent. If you sign a one year lease I think you'd be OK. PS The economy sucks - if you don't already have a job, make sure you have plenty of cash to last at least a year. |
Re: Renting Pitfalls in Calgary
Originally Posted by xxdb
(Post 12136407)
Get a print out of your credit record from a major credit agency in the UK that's also in Canada. That's what I did.
You also will likely have to provide a massive deposit (like three months up front). That said, right now with how awful the economy is I doubt that you would have many problems finding somewhere to rent. If you sign a one year lease I think you'd be OK. PS The economy sucks - if you don't already have a job, make sure you have plenty of cash to last at least a year. |
Re: Renting Pitfalls in Calgary
Nice one.
There are some (limited) benefits to a >snip< economy. In other but related news: IMO in general you never, ever, ever, ever (did I make my point enough) get bargains in Calgary. But lately, there are actual honest to goodness discounts on things. Hopefully I don't lose my job (again). |
Re: Renting Pitfalls in Calgary
Originally Posted by xxdb
(Post 12136407)
Get a print out of your credit record from a major credit agency in the UK that's also in Canada. That's what I did.
You also will likely have to provide a massive deposit (like three months up front). That said, right now with how awful the economy is I doubt that you would have many problems finding somewhere to rent. If you sign a one year lease I think you'd be OK. PS The economy sucks - if you don't already have a job, make sure you have plenty of cash to last at least a year. The deposit in Alberta cannot exceed one months rent. "The security deposit can’t amount to more than one month’s rent at the time the tenancy starts. It can’t be increased as rent increases." https://www.servicealberta.ca/securi...nd-changes.cfm Any landlord who does ask, is breaking the law and should be avoided, landlords unwilling to follow tenancy laws are not ones you want to rent from. I'll add BC in as well, in BC deposit cannot exceed 1/2 months rent. |
Re: Renting Pitfalls in Calgary
Originally Posted by xxdb
(Post 12136431)
Hopefully I don't lose my job (again).
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Re: Renting Pitfalls in Calgary
Originally Posted by Jsmth321
(Post 12136432)
That is not legal in Alberta.
The deposit in Alberta cannot exceed one months rent. And exactly how many prospective tenants know that? And exactly how many landlords are going to give a damn what prospective tenants in another country think? I had to fork out six months deposit when I came, legal or not, otherwise I was arriving with a tent to stay in. On the other hand, the economy was much better than it is now. |
Re: Renting Pitfalls in Calgary
Originally Posted by xxdb
(Post 12136491)
Uh-huh.
And exactly how many prospective tenants know that? I had to fork out six months deposit when I came |
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