How to Prepare Your Rental Application Package in Canada
Jun 24, 2024
Table of contents
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The Criteria On Which Landlords Choose Their Renters
Due to high rent demands, the rental market has become competitive, and the main way you're assessed is through the rental application forms. The quality of your application is what makes you stand out to landlords. We've broken down the criteria and requirements for your residential rental application here.
Whether you are a domestic or international renter, the documents required to screen applicants differ. International applicants usually need background checks and additional information provided to strengthen their application and increase their chances of being approved for a rental unit.
The first and most important document is the Rental Application Form (Form 410 in Ontario). This document is provided by the landlord and will be filled out by you, the potential tenant. Filling it out completely and accurately is extremely important. The following information will be required:
Name of tenants that will be living on the property
Emergency contact
Current address
Previous address
Current employment details
Prior employer details
Personal references for employment
Guarantor information, if applicable
Vehicle information, if applicable
Pet information, if applicable
What if You Are Not Employed?
If you are not employed or self employed and still want to rent under your name, don't worry! You can apply with a guarantor. A guarantor is a person who will send rent payments in the event you are unable to pay the monthly rent yourself. It's important to note that your guarantor must typically be employed, located in Canada, and pass a credit check.
Depending on the landlord or property managers, there may be additional information required on the rental application form. This form is the most important document because it gives the landlord an idea of your financial information and past living experience.
What Documents Are Required?
Now, moving on to the documents required to screen tenants, which are accompanied by the application form. These documents are all listed below:
Government-Issued ID
This should be a valid government-issued ID, which could be either a driver's license or a passport.
Canadian Bank Statements/Pay Stubs
This is usually a bank statement for the most recent 4 to 6 months to check that your employment salary is going through and that you are able to pay rent on a monthly basis based on your income. The bank statement is sometimes replaced by just the pay stubs or pay slips.
Credit Report
A credit report is almost always required. It shows your landlord that you are in good financial standing in an easy-to-understand way (your credit score is a single number ranging from 300 to 900 in Canada), along with a snapshot of your financial history, such as your relationship with debt and other financial metrics.
References From Previous Landlords
A reference letter from your previous landlord is not always required but can be very useful to the new landlord to demonstrate a good history. It will often highlight your rental history and tell the landlord if you were an overall pleasant tenant to rent an apartment to.
Renter’s Insurance
Every tenant must have renter's insurance, which is a policy of coverage that ensures that you and your possessions at the rental property are insured. So, as part of your application, proof of possession of renter's insurance is often required.
What if the Renter Is International?
If prospective tenants are international, meaning they are not Canadian citizens or permanent residents, a background check and some additional documents may be required.
This will typically include your proof of legal status in Canada. This can be a study permit, work permit or other. You may additionally want to volunteer 4-6 months of rent upfront as a security deposit to make up for your lack of a domestic credit score and tenancy in Canada (with some landlords preferring even more).
Keep in mind that landlords cannot ask for (let alone require) such significant rent deposits, but they do nevertheless improve your chances of being approved for a lease on a rental property. While this practice does place disproportionate burdens on newcomers, companies like Chexy offer renters the opportunity to build credit on their rent and hopefully improve their chances of landing a new lease without having to front thousands of dollars on their next rental units.
Get started with Chexy today to build credit on your rental history while renting an apartment in Ontario or anywhere in Canada.
Subscribe to The Chexy Rundown for exclusive flight deals and credit card rewards you can earn while renting.
The Criteria On Which Landlords Choose Their Renters
Due to high rent demands, the rental market has become competitive, and the main way you're assessed is through the rental application forms. The quality of your application is what makes you stand out to landlords. We've broken down the criteria and requirements for your residential rental application here.
Whether you are a domestic or international renter, the documents required to screen applicants differ. International applicants usually need background checks and additional information provided to strengthen their application and increase their chances of being approved for a rental unit.
The first and most important document is the Rental Application Form (Form 410 in Ontario). This document is provided by the landlord and will be filled out by you, the potential tenant. Filling it out completely and accurately is extremely important. The following information will be required:
Name of tenants that will be living on the property
Emergency contact
Current address
Previous address
Current employment details
Prior employer details
Personal references for employment
Guarantor information, if applicable
Vehicle information, if applicable
Pet information, if applicable
What if You Are Not Employed?
If you are not employed or self employed and still want to rent under your name, don't worry! You can apply with a guarantor. A guarantor is a person who will send rent payments in the event you are unable to pay the monthly rent yourself. It's important to note that your guarantor must typically be employed, located in Canada, and pass a credit check.
Depending on the landlord or property managers, there may be additional information required on the rental application form. This form is the most important document because it gives the landlord an idea of your financial information and past living experience.
What Documents Are Required?
Now, moving on to the documents required to screen tenants, which are accompanied by the application form. These documents are all listed below:
Government-Issued ID
This should be a valid government-issued ID, which could be either a driver's license or a passport.
Canadian Bank Statements/Pay Stubs
This is usually a bank statement for the most recent 4 to 6 months to check that your employment salary is going through and that you are able to pay rent on a monthly basis based on your income. The bank statement is sometimes replaced by just the pay stubs or pay slips.
Credit Report
A credit report is almost always required. It shows your landlord that you are in good financial standing in an easy-to-understand way (your credit score is a single number ranging from 300 to 900 in Canada), along with a snapshot of your financial history, such as your relationship with debt and other financial metrics.
References From Previous Landlords
A reference letter from your previous landlord is not always required but can be very useful to the new landlord to demonstrate a good history. It will often highlight your rental history and tell the landlord if you were an overall pleasant tenant to rent an apartment to.
Renter’s Insurance
Every tenant must have renter's insurance, which is a policy of coverage that ensures that you and your possessions at the rental property are insured. So, as part of your application, proof of possession of renter's insurance is often required.
What if the Renter Is International?
If prospective tenants are international, meaning they are not Canadian citizens or permanent residents, a background check and some additional documents may be required.
This will typically include your proof of legal status in Canada. This can be a study permit, work permit or other. You may additionally want to volunteer 4-6 months of rent upfront as a security deposit to make up for your lack of a domestic credit score and tenancy in Canada (with some landlords preferring even more).
Keep in mind that landlords cannot ask for (let alone require) such significant rent deposits, but they do nevertheless improve your chances of being approved for a lease on a rental property. While this practice does place disproportionate burdens on newcomers, companies like Chexy offer renters the opportunity to build credit on their rent and hopefully improve their chances of landing a new lease without having to front thousands of dollars on their next rental units.
Get started with Chexy today to build credit on your rental history while renting an apartment in Ontario or anywhere in Canada.
Subscribe to The Chexy Rundown for exclusive flight deals and credit card rewards you can earn while renting.