No Canadian credit history? Here are the documents that reassure a landlord, neighbourhoods to look at and traps to avoid when renting in Montréal.
Arriving in Montréal to study, work or settle? The hardest part is often the first lease: without a Canadian credit history, a landlord lacks their usual reference points. Here's how to build a strong file.
Documents that reassure
- Photo ID (passport) and your study or work permit, or your permanent residence confirmation.
- Proof of income: an employment letter stating your salary, a work contract, or proof of scholarship or financial support for students.
- Recent bank statements showing you can pay the rent.
- A reference letter from a previous landlord, even abroad, translated if possible.
A word on the SIN: a landlord doesn't need your Social Insurance Number to rent to you, and you're not required to give it. At Imovia, we never ask for it.
What a landlord can't require
- A security deposit: in Quebec, the landlord may only require the first month's rent at signing, no additional deposit.
- Post-dated cheques for the whole year.
- A refusal based on origin, language or having children: that's discrimination, prohibited by the Quebec Charter of human rights and freedoms.
Neighbourhoods to look at
- Côte-des-Neiges: near Université de Montréal and many communities, very well served by the metro.
- Rosemont–La Petite-Patrie: Jean-Talon Market, neighbourhood life, ten minutes from downtown.
- Ahuntsic: quiet, family-friendly, Sauvé and Henri-Bourassa metro.
- The Village: right downtown, to do everything on foot.
Traps to avoid
- Never send money before visiting (in person or by video) and signing a lease: fake listings exist.
- The Tribunal administratif du logement lease form is mandatory in Quebec: ask for it.
- Check what's included (heating, hot water, appliances): it changes the budget a lot.
At Imovia
We rent to newcomers every week. Without a credit history, proof of income or scholarship and a reference letter are often enough. Apply online from any apartment's page: the team answers in French and English, and the site is also available in Spanish.