Temporary Housing in Canada: Your Essential Guide for Newcomers

For Temporary Visitors

If you’re here for tourism, a business trip, training, or a short contract, temporary housing offers convenient accommodation. It provides you with a base for exploring the country or focusing on the purpose of your visit without the commitment of a long-term lease.

Types of Temporary Housing Options

There are many types of temporary housing units available, depending on how long you plan to stay and what your needs are.

Short-Term (Days to Weeks):

Hotels and Motels: These are great for very short stays, like the first few nights after you arrive. These temporary housing hotels are often located near major routes. Hotels generally offer more services like restaurants and room service, while motels are typically more budget-friendly for motorists.

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Bed and Breakfasts (B&Bs): If you prefer a more personalized experience, B&Bs offer a room in a private home, usually with a homemade breakfast included. You’ll have a private room but typically won’t have access to kitchen facilities.

Hostels: Budget-friendly with communal spaces and shared rooms, suitable for single travelers or small families looking for affordable short-term rentals or even cheap short-term rentals.

College and University Residences: Often available during summer months (May to August) when students are away. These can be an affordable option for short stays.

Cottages and Housekeeping Units: More common in recreational areas, these often have fully equipped kitchens and might offer daily or weekly rates, providing a bit more independence.

Medium-Term (Weeks to Months, potentially up to 2 years):

• Short-Term Apartment Rentals / Apartment Hotels: These are furnished suites with daily, weekly, or monthly rates. These are also sometimes called short term lease apartments. They are usually cheaper than hotels for longer stays and often include kitchenettes or full kitchens. Many offer flexible terms. Often these options provide furnished housing, making your move easier.
• Shared Accommodation: Renting a private bedroom in a house or apartment and sharing common areas like the kitchen and bathroom.  Furnished housing is often available in shared accommodations. This can be a very cost-effective option.
• Sublets: Renting a place from someone else who is temporarily leaving their rental unit. Sublets are often furnished and can be a good option for specific time frames.
• Home-Sharing Platforms (e.g., Airbnb, VRBO): These platforms offer a huge variety of options, from a single room to an entire house. While convenient and offering negotiation possibilities, it’s important to be cautious as they may have less regulation compared to other options. Many listings offer furnished housing.
• Serviced Apartments: These are designed for longer stays and are often used by business travellers or those relocating. They combine the space of an apartment with some hotel-like services, suitable for those needing long term temporary housing.

Transitional Housing

• Some non-profit organizations and newcomer services offer specific transitional housing programs. These provide supportive housing for a limited time, often with resources to help you settle and find permanent housing.

Factors to Consider When Choosing

Finding the right temporary place depends on your specific situation. Here are some key things to think about:

• How long will you stay? This is the main factor determining if a short-term or medium-term option is best for you. When you’re ready to look for long-term housing, understanding the difference between monthly versus yearly leases will be crucial for making a decision that fits your long-term plans.
• What is your budget? Costs vary a lot based on location and the type of place. Remember that short-term rentals often cost more per night than long-term ones. Look for affordable short term rentals, including finding cheap short term rentals, if budget is a primary concern.
• Where do you want to be? Consider how close the location is to public transportation, essential services like grocery stores and banks, areas where you might work, and neighbourhoods you’re interested in for long-term living.
• What amenities do you need? Think about what’s important to you – a full kitchen, laundry facilities, a private bathroom, reliable Wi-Fi, or if being furnished housing is a must (it often is for temporary places).
• Do you need flexibility? Some options allow you to extend your stay easily or have flexible departure dates.
• What are others saying? Always check reviews, especially when booking online. Look for comments on cleanliness, safety, and accuracy of the listing. If possible, seeing the place in person is ideal.
• Understand the rental terms and potential hidden costs. Be sure you know what’s included in the price and if there are any extra fees (like cleaning fees or utility costs). This is also important when you eventually navigate leasing in Canada for permanent housing.
• What are the lease requirements? While visitors can rent apartments, practical challenges (like needing Canadian documents or credit history) might make short term lease apartments or month-to-month options easier to access than traditional long-term leases initially.
• Specific Needs: Consider accommodation needs for families (size of unit, child-friendly), pets (pet policies and fees), or individuals requiring accessibility features.
• Security Deposits and Payment Structure: Understand typical deposit requirements (often up to one month’s rent for rentals, less for hotels) and how payments are processed (daily, weekly, monthly). Ensure you know the process for deposit return.

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Finding Temporary Housing

Ready to start looking? Here are some places to search:

• Online Platforms: Websites like Booking, Airbnb, VRBO, Hotels.com, Expedia, HostelWorld, and local classified sites like Kijiji are popular starting points. When using online platforms, always prioritize safety and know how to spot potential rental scams.
• Specialized Websites: Look for sites that focus on temporary or corporate housing rentals.
• Consulting Newcomer Services and Settlement Agencies: This is incredibly valuable! These organizations often have resources, lists of temporary housing providers, or even their own programs for newcomers. They can offer personalized, localized advice based on your needs and the city you are moving to. We highly recommend connecting with them!
• Checking local newspapers or online classifieds for sublet opportunities.
• Directly contacting hotels, motels, B&Bs, or university residences.
• Considering Seasonal Variations and Booking in Advance: Availability and prices can change depending on the season and local events. Booking your temporary accommodation well in advance is a really good idea, especially if you’re arriving during peak times or in a popular city.

Practical Steps Upon Arrival While in Temporary Housing

Your temporary address is more than just a place to sleep; it’s your first anchor in Canada.

• Establishing Proof of Address: You’ll need a Canadian address for many essential services like getting your Social Insurance Number (SIN), opening a bank account, or applying for a health card. While temporary addresses might require extra documentation, they are often accepted. If needed, ask your temporary housing provider for a letter confirming your stay, or explore options like using a friend’s address with permission (and mail forwarding) or a mail reception service. This proof of address is also vital when you eventually begin the process of leasing in Canada for a permanent home. For a complete first-week action plan, see our Arriving in Canada guide before you fly.
• Setting Up Essentials: Having a temporary address makes it much easier to set up that crucial Canadian bank account and get a local phone number or SIM card. These are vital for staying connected and will be needed when you start your search for long-term housing.
• Internet Access: Ensure your temporary place has reliable Wi-Fi. You’ll need it for job searching, researching neighbourhoods, contacting landlords, and accessing online resources.
• Insurance: If you are a visitor, make sure you have adequate travel insurance. If you are a newcomer staying in a furnished rental, consider getting limited tenant insurance (often called renter’s insurance) to protect your belongings. Clarify what coverage the property owner provides, if any.

Potential Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them

It’s smart to be aware of potential issues as you search:

• Scams and Fraud: Be very cautious of suspicious listings. Never send money upfront without verifying the legitimacy of the listing and the provider. Research thoroughly and consider on-site verification if possible. To protect yourself further, be aware of popular rental scams in Canada and how to identify them.
• Inaccurate Listings: Photos online might not always match reality. Check reviews carefully to get a sense of consistency and real-world conditions.
• Hidden Costs: Clarify all fees and exactly what is included in the price before booking. This is part of understanding your rental agreement, just like knowing the terms when leasing in Canada.
• Understanding Bylaws: Be aware that short-term rental regulations can vary significantly from one city to another in Canada.

Conclusion

Temporary housing truly is a vital resource for newcomers and visitors to Canada as soon as you arrive in Canada. It provides you with stability and a foundation while you navigate the exciting process of settling in. By doing your research and planning ahead, you can find the temporary accommodation that best fits your needs and circumstances.

This vital step will help make your transition to Canada as smooth and positive as possible, laying the groundwork for finding your long-term home and understanding what’s involved in leasing in Canada.

Frequently Asked Questions