Follow @Ontario_Tenants

FINDING APARTMENTS FOR RENT

Due to the overwhelming demands of this site's users, I am adding this apartment search page to list sites that provide listings of rental apartments. View it below.

The following are listings of available rental housing by services that do not charge to see the listings.

At the end of this apartment search listing you will find ideas how to find an apartment and things you may want to take into consideration when looking for housing.

Canada-wide Apartment Rentals

Canada apartments for rent from GottaRent

Shelter Net - Women's shelters across Canada

Greater Toronto Area and Peel Region Apartments for Rent: (Toronto, Mississauga, Brampton, Scarborough, North York, East York, Etobicoke, York, High Park, Parkdale, etc.)

Brampton apartments
Brampton apartments
Brampton apartments
Etobicoke apartments for rent
Mississauga apartments
Mississauga apartments
Mississauga apartments
North York apartments for rent
Scarborough apartments for rent
Toronto Apartments
Toronto apartments
Toronto apartments

Cornwall Apartments

Cornwall apartments For Rent
Cornwall apartments
Apartments for rent in Cornwall

Durham Region, including: Ajax, Oshawa, Pickering and Whitby

Ajax apartments for rent
Ajax apartments
Apartments for rent in Ajax
Oshawa apartments for rent
Oshawa apartments
Apartments for rent in Oshawa
Pickering apartments for rent
Pickering apartments
Apartments for rent in Pickering
Whitby apartments for rent
Whitby apartments
Apartments for rent in Whitby Ontario

Halton Region/Golden Horseshoe Housing: Hamilton apartments for rent, including Burlington and Oakville

Burlington apartments
Burlington apartments
Burlington apartments
Hamilton apartments
Hamilton apartments
Hamilton apartments
Stoney Creek apartments
Oakville apartments
Oakville apartments
Oakville apartments

York Region: Aurora, Markham, Newmarket, Richmond Hill, Thornhill and Vaughan apartments, condominums and houses for rent

Aurora apartments
Markham apartments
Markham apartments
Markham apartments
Newmarket apartments
Newmarket apartments
Newmarket apartments
Richmond Hill apartments
Richmond Hill apartments
Richmond Hill apartments
Thornhill apartments
Vaughan apartments for rent
Thornhill apartments
Vaughan apartments

Outside of Ontario

Calgary apartments for rent
Edimonton apartments for rent
Halifax apartments for rent
Montreal apartments for rent
Quebec City apartments for rent
Regina apartments for rent
Saskatoon apartments for rent
Vancouver apartments for rent
Victoria apartments for rent
Winnipeg apartments for rent

Apartment search and picking tips:

I always recommend that you try to get as much information about the place you are going to rent before you move in.

You certainly should inspect the apartment before moving in, though that is not always possible; You might be moving from another city, province or country.

You can not always take advertisements at face value. A perfect example are a couple of towers in Parkdale that the landlord has been advertising as "Beautiful and Quiet Apartments!" and "On-site friendly management staff". I have many friends in those particular buildings, and I believe both of these statements are blatantly false. I don't think I have to go into details about how bad these buildings are but they are two of the worst in the whole area and the city. The watch words when reading advertisements are "Caveat Emptor" (let the buyer beware).

There are good landlords out there but they are hard to find because people in those places don't want to move; They usually only move out if they are able to purchase housing, or if their personal situations change and they have to move for one reason or another.

There are many bad landlords out there.

How do you find the good landlords? The only ways I can think of is by asking your friends about where they live to see if they like the landlord (and you can also use this strategy to find out about the type of area it is too). Inspect the building to see if the hallways are clean before you move in.

There are many things to remember:

Be patient. Finding housing takes time. Don't get discouraged.
How much can you afford for housing? Do a budget of your income and expenses to help assess how much you can afford and allow extra for emergencies and unexpected items.
What is included in the rent and what do you pay for separately? Is electricity (hydro) in the rent? A parking space if you need one? Make sure it is clearly stated in writing in the lease before you sign.
What is near the apartment that is available? Is it behind the garbage chute and how much noise will that create for you? Is it near where the garbage bins are kept outside and if so, do you get offensive smells from it on your balconey or in your unit, especially during the summer? You may be willing to put up with these problems, but you shouldn't be paying premium prices for it, and you can let the landlord who is trying to rent it out know you want a lower price because of that.
Some buildings have laundry rooms on each floor. What hours they are open? How close is your apartment and how much if any noise does it create for you?
Is the unit on the top floor (pethouse)? If so, you won't have noise from tenants above, but it could have other problems such as mould, if the roof leaks.
Higher floors have the advantage of being away from street and driveway noise, but have the disadvantage that if the building has a problem with elevators breaking down, that you will have a lot of stairs to climb.
How good of shape is the apartment and the building? Is there good security, or is the lock on the lobby door broken or door propped open? Are there smoke detectors in the apartment and fire extinguisher in the hallway as required by law?
Tour the area to check the convience to amenities. How close are you to grocery shopping, public transit if you use it, and schools if you have children?

Where to look for housing:

Ask your friends. This has the added advantage that if they or their friends live there, they can give you information about problems and advantages of that location and building.
Many places to live, particularly the least expensive, (often floors of small houses or basement apartments,) are not advertised. You need to look in areas you are interested in, and literally go up and down each street to look for signs on apartment buildings and houses for rooms or apartments for rent.
Web sites such as the ones listed above.
Daily newspaper, classified ads, for rent sections.
Community newspapers.
Alternative newspapers, including college and university newspapers.
Bulletin Boards at grocery stores and even some community centres.
For college and university students, check with your student services, or housing department, for bulletin boards, as well as web pages (such as those listed below) with rooms for rent listings.
In some communities there are also specialty magazines that only provide (or have large sections of) rental listings.