Renting in Canada works differently depending on where you live, but tenant protections are real and enforceable everywhere. Landlords cannot evict you on a whim, charge whatever deposit they feel like, or keep your money without justification.
A note before you start: tenancy laws are provincial, not federal. The basics in this guide apply broadly, but specifics — like exact deposit limits and notice periods — vary by province.
Before you sign: the things to verify
View the place in person (or via verified video)
Rental scams disproportionately target international students because scammers know you're new, far from family, and often desperate to lock in housing before classes start.
The single biggest red flag: a "landlord" who refuses to show you the apartment in person, asks for a deposit before you've seen it, or claims to be out of the country and needs you to wire money.
If you genuinely can't view in person before arriving, ask your school's off-campus housing office whether they vet listings or offer a video-walkthrough service. Many do.
Understand what deposit you're actually paying
Across most of Canada, the legal deposit is first month's rent plus last month's rent — that's it. A few clarifications:
Ontario, Quebec, BC: First and last month's rent only. No damage deposit allowed in Ontario or Quebec. BC allows a separate "security deposit" of up to half a month's rent.
Alberta, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, the Atlantic provinces: A security deposit of up to one month's rent is generally allowed, in addition to first month's rent in some cases. Rules vary.
A landlord asking for "two months as a damage deposit" plus first month's rent is usually doing something irregular. Push back or walk away.
Your deposit must be returned at the end of your tenancy (sometimes with interest, depending on the province), minus reasonable charges for damage beyond normal wear and tear.
Read the lease before signing
This sounds obvious, but most students don't actually do it. Things to look for:
The term of the lease. A 12-month fixed term is most common. After it ends, most provinces automatically convert it to month-to-month unless you sign a new lease.
What's included in rent. Heat, water, and electricity — sometimes all included, sometimes none. Internet and parking are usually extra.
Rules around guests, pets, and subletting. Some provinces (like Ontario) protect your right to have guests and to sublet with consent. A clause banning all guests is unenforceable.
The landlord's full legal name and address for service. You need to know who you're actually renting from in case of a dispute.
👉 Your school's off-campus housing office will usually review a lease for free before you sign. This is one of the most underused services on campus, and it costs you nothing.
While you're renting: what landlords can and can't do
Rent increases
Landlords can't raise your rent whenever they feel like it. In most provinces, rent can only be increased once every 12 months, and the landlord has to give you advance written notice (usually 60–90 days, depending on the province).
Several provinces also cap how much rent can go up each year through "rent control" or a "guideline increase."
If your landlord tries to raise rent mid-lease or without proper notice, the increase is not enforceable.
Repairs and maintenance
Your landlord is responsible for keeping the unit in a livable condition. That means working heat in winter, hot water, functioning plumbing, no pests, no mold, no broken locks, and addressing safety hazards.
You're responsible for keeping the unit reasonably clean and reporting problems promptly.
If a repair needs to happen, put your request in writing (text or email — keep the receipts).
If the landlord ignores it, your province's tenancies board can order them to fix it, and in serious cases you may be entitled to a rent reduction.
Entry without notice
Landlords cannot just walk in. In nearly every province, they must give you written notice (usually 24 hours) and can only enter during reasonable hours for a specific reason — repairs, inspections, or showing the unit to prospective tenants near the end of your lease.
The one exception is genuine emergencies (a fire, a major leak).
If your landlord is letting themselves in without notice, that's a violation you can report.
Eviction
Landlords can only evict you for specific legal reasons — non-payment of rent, serious property damage, illegal activity, or sometimes because they or a family member need to move in (with strict rules and notice periods).
They must give you proper written notice using the correct official form, and in nearly every province you have the right to a hearing before any eviction is enforced.
A landlord cannot:
Change the locks to force you out
Cut off heat, water, or electricity
Remove your belongings
Threaten you with deportation or contacting immigration
These are illegal, and you can report them to your provincial tenancies board, which can fine the landlord and order them to let you back in.
Common scams to watch for
The "I'm out of the country" landlord. Always-traveling owner who needs the deposit wired before they fly back. Walk away.
Subletter scams. Someone claims to be subletting a place they don't actually rent. Verify with the actual landlord or property manager before paying anything.
Pressure to pay in crypto or gift cards. No legitimate landlord asks for Bitcoin or Apple gift cards. Ever.
Fake "credit check fees" before viewing. A landlord can run a credit check after you apply, but you should never pay a fee just for the chance to see a unit.
👉 If you're not sure whether a listing is legitimate, take a screenshot and email it to your school's off-campus housing office.
Staff there see scam patterns every term and can usually spot them quickly.
OR feel free to contact Passage support for their guidance 😊
What to do when something goes wrong
Talk to the landlord first, in writing. Many issues are resolved by a clear, polite email explaining the problem and what you want fixed.
Document everything. Take photos of damage, save all texts and emails, and keep copies of any forms you receive.
Contact your province's residential tenancies board. Every province has one — Ontario has the Landlord and Tenant Board, BC has the Residential Tenancy Branch, Quebec has the Tribunal administratif du logement, and so on. They're free or low-cost and handle thousands of cases a year.
Get help. Most cities have free legal clinics that handle tenancy disputes for low-income tenants and students. Many universities also have student legal services that can advise you for free.
👉 Three resources to bookmark today: your province's residential tenancies board website, your school's off-campus housing office, and the closest free legal clinic to where you live.
A starter checklist for renting in Canada
View the place in person before paying anything
Confirm what's legally allowed for a deposit in your province
Get the landlord's full legal name and a written lease
Take dated photos of any existing damage on the day you move in
Save the landlord's email address and use writing — not phone calls — for important requests
Find your province's residential tenancies board website and save the link
Know which free legal services or housing offices you can contact if something goes wrong
Most tenancies in Canada are uneventful, and most landlords are reasonable people trying to keep their units occupied.
But when problems do come up, knowing your rights changes the conversation entirely. You have more protection than you probably realize — use it.
This guide is general information, not legal advice. Tenancy law is provincial, and rules change. Always confirm current details with your provincial residential tenancies board or a legal advisor before making decisions.