Looking for a residential rental has never been easier. Technology has streamlined the process so that prospective Tenants can easily search by area, neighbourhood, number of bedrooms, amenities and price range. The more challenging part is knowing where to look and what to do after you’ve found the place you're looking for. Here is a list of top spots to find your next home:
Facebook Marketplace: https://www.facebook.com › marketplace
Select ‘Property Rentals’, then enter a city/town name and a search radius around your preferred city/town and an interactive map will pop up – voila! Zoom in and the price will appear or set your price budget in the filters.
Here is the good thing about Facebook Marketplace. Each post is attached to a verified user of Facebook. It is safer, has more pictures and more accountability for its advertising.
Facebook Groups There are also a lot of Facebook Groups that post rentals. While this will be different for every city/town, it allows Tenants to post what they are looking for to the group and interact with prospective landlords.
On the left side of your Facebook Page, select ‘Groups’, and in the search Groups bar, add your search. For Example, Hamilton Rentals, Niagara Rentals, Student Housing. Then join the group!
Zumper: https://www.zumper.com/ Zumper is used by millions of renters to find houses, rooms, condos, or apartments for rent. Look online or download the app. It even has alerts for when a unit in your criteria is listed. Zumper is a primary listing tool for Professional Property Managers.
Unless a unit is listed on the MLS including https://www.realtor.ca/ , it is up to the Tenant to contact the Landlord, Property Owner or Property Management Company to schedule a showing. Real Estate Agents can only show and represent you if the property is listed on the MLS.
There are other rental sites including rentals.ca, kijiji and classifieds. RENTER BEWARE! Only give a deposit AFTER you have a signed an Ontario Standard Lease from the Landlord, Property Owner or Property Management Company. This is the only recognized legal document for residential leases. Read more at https://www.ontario.ca/page/guide-ontarios-standard-lease
Happy home hunting!