Key takeaways
- A job letter is the strongest document you can show
- Savings that cover 6 to 12 months of rent can stand in for credit history
- Rooms and sublets rarely need a guarantor
- Provinces limit deposits: you never have to pay more than the law allows
- This tool educates only; it does not find or sell guarantors
How the checker works
Landlords look for three things: that you can stay in Canada, that you can pay, and that you will look after the home. The checker gives points for each thing you can show:
- Status: a PR card or a work permit counts in your favour. Students and people waiting for a decision are often asked for more.
- Work: a current job counts most, then a signed job offer.
- Savings: 6 months of rent helps; 12 months helps more.
- Credit history from home: some landlords accept it, translated if needed.
- Type of home: a room or sublet is much easier than your own lease.
You then see one of three results: good chance, possible or hard right now, with a list of what to offer and the deposit rules in your province.
Example: a new permanent resident in Toronto
Priya is a new permanent resident with a signed job offer, savings for 6 months of rent and no credit history. She wants her own apartment in Toronto. The checker scores her status (+1), job offer (+1) and savings (+1) and shows possible. Her best moves are to lead with the job offer and bank statements, add references, and offer a 12-month lease. If she waited until she started work and had a job letter, the result would move to good chance.
What works instead of a guarantor
- Employment letter on company letterhead with salary, start date and a contact.
- Bank statements for the last 3 to 6 months. Cover account numbers except the last 4 digits.
- Proof of status: PR card or confirmation, work permit or study permit.
- References from a past landlord, employer or settlement worker.
- Credit report from home, if you have one.
- A short cover letter about you and why you will be a good tenant.
Read the full guide to renting your first apartment for deposits, leases and utilities.
Be careful with advance rent and "guarantor services"
Offering several months of rent in advance can help, but you never have to pay more than your province allows. In Quebec a landlord may only ask for the first month. Pay only after you sign a lease with a verified landlord, and get a receipt. Fake landlords often ask newcomers for large advance payments. See how to spot rental scams.
Some companies sell guarantees for a fee. Read the terms, check reviews and the company’s registration, and compare the cost with simply renting a room first. We do not recommend or sell these services.
Does your city make a difference?
Yes. In busy markets with few empty units, landlords can be pickier. Rents across Canada fell 4.8% in the year to August 2026, with bigger drops in Vancouver, Calgary and Edmonton, so many landlords there are more flexible than they were a few years ago. Rules also change by province: in Quebec a landlord cannot ask you for a deposit at all, while in Ontario a last month’s rent deposit is normal. The checker shows the rule for your city’s province.
Next steps
- Work out what you can afford with the newcomer budget calculator.
- Open a bank account and start building credit. See building credit from zero.
- Ask a free settlement agency for housing help. Find one with the support finder.