Living

 

Temporary housing

One of your first needs after you arrive in Canada is a temporary place to stay until you can rent or buy a home. One option is to stay at a hotel or hostel.

Most hotels and hostels have a website with photographs, location, price, and a description of the services they offer. You can also use travel guides, forums, and other websites to find reviews. Learn more about hotels and hostels by reading the Welcome to Canada guide.

You can also contact an immigrant-serving organization in the city or town where you plan to settle. Ask if temporary housing for newcomers is available and how much it costs.

Refugees will get help finding temporary housing as part of the Resettlement Assistance Program.

 

Types of housing

  • Rental apartments: most apartments have one, two, or three bedrooms. “Bachelor” units have a single room that serves as a living area and bedroom.
  • Rental rooms: large homes are sometimes divided into several private bedrooms that you can rent.
  • Condominiums (Condos): for more information on condominiums, see the Condominium Buyer’s Guide
  • Houses: there are detached houses with surrounding properties, as well as semi-detached and townhouses where each house shares a wall with another.

 

Renting a Home

This guide is intended to provide the most common rental requirements across the country. However, landlord-tenant laws change from time to time in every province. This guide is not intended to provide legal advice. If you require specific legal advice, contact your local rental authority or a lawyer.

Rental issues can be similar in any area of the country, but authorities may treat them differently according to provincial or territorial legislation.

For both landlord and tenant, it is important to understand your rights and responsibilities. Your rental agreement or lease should cover most rules and terms, but treatment of the rules and terms in your lease may vary depending on the province or territory of the rental property. Knowing the rules for where you rent currently is crucial because the legal statutes may differ from province to province. For example, determining when a landlord can enter residential premises with or without notice differs across the country. The types of dwellings that fall under provincial or territorial tenancy legislation also vary from province to province. For example, in some provinces, mobile home park residents are protected under the provincial tenancy legislation, while in others they are excluded. Equipped with the right information, both landlords and tenants will be better prepared to deal with issues that might arise.

NOTE
Refer to your province or territory for specific answers to your questions and valuable links to additional resources. Rental authorities and advocacy agencies are there to help you.

 

Buying a home

This guide is here to make things easier for you by providing the information you need to make a wise homebuying decision. This section provides examples and worksheets that will guide you through the entire homebuying process, from the moment you make the decision to buy your own home to the moment the movers carry the first box through the front door. It couldn't be easier!

In this Section:

Step 1: Is Homeownership Right for You?
Buying a home is one of the biggest emotional and financial decisions you'll ever make. Prepare by learning about the process of home buying and the responsibilities of homeownership.

Step 2: Are You Financially Ready?
This step guides you through some simple calculations to figure out your current financial situation, and the maximum home price that you should consider.

Step 3: Which Home is Right for You?
Once you have a good idea about your finances, you’ll need to think clearly about the home you’d like to buy. You need to think about your current and future housing needs and what characteristics are important to you in a home.

Step 4: The Buying Process
Before you start searching for a home you need to think about your current and future housing needs and what characteristics are important to you in a home.

Step 5: Now That You're a Homeowner
Practical advice for homeowners on their financial responsibilities as well as the importance of home maintenance and renovations.

Words to Know When Buying a Home
This glossary provides simple yet accurate definitions of certain terms you may encounter in the Homebuying Step by Step guide.

PROCESSING UPDATE 2024

Congratuation!

Permanent Resident Approval


KIM, ** - Food service supervisor position
Oct. 2016 Express Entry Applied→Oct. 2016 Invitation Received→Jan. 2017 Final Approved


KIM, ** - Dental technician position
Oct. 2016 Express Entry Applied→Oct. 2016 Invitation Received→Jan. 2017 Final Approved


AN, ** - Hotel clerk supervisor position
Aug. 2016 Express Entry Applied→Aug. 2016 Invitation Received→Jan. 2017 Final Approved


SEO, ** - Retail store supervisor position
Jul. 2016 Express Entry Applied→Aug. 2016 Invitation Received→Jan. 2017 Final Approved


NOH, ** - Welder position
Jan. 2015 AINP Applied→Aug. 2015 Nominee Approved→Jan. 2017 Final Approved


CHI, ** - Welder position
Mar. 2015 AINP Applied→Aug. 2015 Nominee Approved→Jan. 2017 Final Approved


AMUNDSON, ** - Spouse sponsorship
May. 2015 Spouse Sponsorship Applied→Feb. 2017 Final Approved


 

AINP Approved


KIM, ** - Room attendant
Dec. 2016 Applied→Jan. 2017 Nominee Approved


YOON, ** - Alterationist
Jan. 2016 Applied→Jan. 2017 Nominee Approved


CHOI, ** - Housekeeping supervisor
Jan. 2016 Applied→Jan. 2017 Nominee Approved


CHOI, ** - Automotive service technician
Dec. 2016 Applied→Feb. 2017 Nominee Approved


KIM, ** - Retail store supervisor
Nov. 2016 Applied→Feb. 2017 Nominee Approved


KIM, ** - Sports instructor
Sep. 2016 Applied→Mar. 2017 Nominee Approved


LEE, ** - Cleaning supervisor
Nov. 2016 Applied→Mar. 2017 Nominee Approved


LEE, ** - Motel managing supervisor
Sep. 2016 Applied→Mar. 2017 Nominee Approved


KIM, ** - Food service supervisor
Oct. 2016 Applied→Mar. 2017 Nominee Approved


BERNABE, *** - Food service supervisor
Oct. 2016 Applied→Mar. 2017 Nominee Approved


KIM, ** - Retail store supervisor
Dec. 2016 Applied→Mar. 2017 Nominee Approved


 

SINP Approved


JUNG, ** - Food counter attendant
Nov. 2016 Applied→Jan. 2017 Nominee Approved


 

LMIA Approved


Retail store supervisor
Jun. 2016 Applied→Jan. 2017 Approved


Cook
Nov. 2016 Applied→Jan. 2017 Approved


Retail store supervisor
Aug. 2016 Applied→Jan. 2017 Approved


Retail store supervisor
Nov. 2016 Applied→Jan. 2017 Approved


Cook
Aug. 2016 Applied→Jan. 2017 Approved


Retail store supervisor
Dec. 2016 Applied→Jan. 2017 Approved


Cashier
Sep. 2016 Applied→Jan. 2017 Approved


Cook
Oct. 2016 Applied→Jan. 2017 Approved


Hotel clerk
Jun. 2016 Applied→Jan. 2017 Approved


Motel supervisor
Jun. 2016 Applied→Jan. 2017 Approved


Liquor store supervisor
Oct. 2016 Applied→Jan. 2017 Approved


Retail store supervisor
Dec. 2016 Applied→Jan. 2017 Approved


Cook
Sep. 2016 Applied→Feb. 2017 Approved


Food & Beverage Server
Jan. 2017 Applied→Feb. 2017 Approved


Cook
Oct. 2016 Applied→Mar. 2017 Approved


Cook
Dec. 2016 Applied→Mar. 2017 Approved


Cook
Feb. 2017 Applied→Mar. 2017 Approved


Retail store supervisor
Dec. 2016 Applied→Mar. 2017 Approved


Food service supervisor
Feb. 2017 Applied→Mar. 2017 Approved


Motel managing supervisor
Dec. 2016 Applied→Mar. 2017 Approved


Motel managing supervisor
Feb. 2017 Applied→Mar. 2017 Approved


Retail store supervisor
Feb. 2017 Applied→Mar. 2017 Approved


Retail store supervisor
Feb. 2017 Applied→Mar. 2017 Approved


Cleaning supervisor
Feb. 2017 Applied→Mar. 2017 Approved


Food service supervisor
Feb. 2017 Applied→Mar. 2017 Approved


Drywall installer
Feb. 2017 Applied→Mar. 2017 Approved


Martial arts Instructor
Jan. 2017 Applied→Mar. 2017 Approved


Food service supervisor
Jan. 2017 Applied→Mar. 2017 Approved


Updated until March 31, 2017