Use supporting evidence in place of credit
A credit history and a guarantor do not answer exactly the same question. The first provides information about certain past financial commitments; the second is a person who agrees to guarantee the obligations set out in the agreement. If you have neither, explain your situation and offer documents that show what you can establish in other ways.
The Tribunal administratif du logement du Québec gives examples such as statements from a bank, a former landlord or an organization that receives regular payments. McGill’s housing service also suggests discussing other financial information with the landlord when you do not have a Canadian history. These examples do not guarantee that an application will be accepted.
Prepare a short application package, adapting it for each request:
- the city, desired move-in date and length of stay;
- your housing budget and, if relevant, proof of available funds;
- proof of funding, such as a scholarship letter, if you have one;
- a reference from a former landlord or confirmation of regular payments;
- the contact information of a reference, with their consent.
You can offer a reference from abroad without assuming it will be accepted. Before sending sensitive documents, ask which items are actually useful and how to submit them. Never present income, a scholarship or a reference as confirmed if you cannot verify it.
First message: ask the question without sending your entire application
This first contact helps you check whether the rental and application requirements suit your situation. You can adapt the following message:
Hello,
I am looking for a place to live in [city] starting on [date], for a desired period of [length of stay]. I do not yet have a Canadian credit history or a guarantor.
Would you be willing to consider [bank statement / proof of funding / reference from a former landlord] instead? Could you also let me know the rent, what is included and the arrangements for viewing the property?
I can send the relevant documents after confirming your identity and the viewing arrangements.
Thank you, [Name and contact method]
If the answer is no, you can ask whether another document would be useful. Do not promise to find a guarantor if you do not have one, and do not automatically send all your statements in an attempt to make up for it.
A reference letter based on facts
If you have rented a home before, ask your former landlord for a precise reference. It will be easier to verify if it states the period involved and the contact information of the person signing it.
I confirm that I rented the home at [address] to [name] from [date] to [date].
To the best of my knowledge, the agreed payments were made [exact details]. I can confirm this information at [contact information], with the consent of the person concerned.
[Name, date and signature]
The wording should reflect what the person can actually confirm: an invented or embellished reference is not a solution. If you have never rented before, ask instead whether a bank statement or proof of regular payments would be suitable.
Compare options without assuming a guarantor is not required
You can explore several options at the same time. For each one, ask the same question first: “What evidence do you accept if I do not have Canadian credit or a guarantor?”
| Option | Questions to ask before deciding |
|---|---|
| Settlement residence | Is there a place available for my dates? What documents, payments and departure conditions are required? |
| Room or shared accommodation | Who signs the lease? What will my status be in the home? What do the rent and house rules include? |
| Independent rental | What alternative documents will the landlord accept? How long is the lease, and what fees are added to the rent? |
| Temporary accommodation | How long is the booking, what is the total cost of the stay, and what are the cancellation or extension conditions? |
None of these options guarantees a place or an exemption from having a guarantor. For shared accommodation, a written agreement can help clarify payments, tasks and house rules. However, it does not replace reading the lease and does not, on its own, determine each occupant’s rights. Renting a room in the owner’s home or an arrangement between occupants may be subject to different rules.
Compare the total cost and commitments, not just the advertised rent. If you choose a temporary option so you can continue viewing places in person, also consider what you will do if your search takes longer than expected.
Three provincial guidelines to check before paying
Rules are not uniform across Canada and also depend on the type of accommodation. The guidelines below apply to the regimes described by the authorities cited, not to every possible arrangement. They are based on the documents consulted on November 7, 2026.
| Province | Guideline to check for the lease in question |
|---|---|
| Quebec | According to the Tribunal administratif du logement, a landlord cannot require more than the first rental period in advance, up to a maximum of 1 month, or require an additional security deposit. |
| Ontario | The provincial standard lease guide, dated March 2021, describes a rent deposit for the last rental period, capped at the lesser of 1 rental period and 1 month. It also covers a refundable key deposit. |
| British Columbia | According to the provincial page updated on March 4, 2026, the initial security deposit cannot exceed half a month’s rent. Pet deposits are subject to separate rules. |
So do not treat paying several months’ rent in advance as a general solution to not having credit or a guarantor. Ask what each amount is for, then check the rules that apply to your accommodation with the relevant authority in your province or territory.
Protect your information and understand the limits of a request
An application may require certain information, but it is reasonable to ask why a document is being collected, what it will be used for and whether there is another way to meet the need. Privacy rules vary by location and context.
The Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada states that a Social Insurance Number is not necessary for a basic credit check. If you are asked for it for this purpose, ask why and offer another piece of identification. This does not mean that every request for identification or proof of income is prohibited.
In Ontario, the Ontario Human Rights Commission distinguishes the absence of a credit history from a poor credit record. A guarantor may be requested, but not simply because a person belongs to a group protected under the Human Rights Code. Protections and exceptions depend on the situation: if a request seems discriminatory, seek advice from the relevant organization rather than concluding that every request for a guarantor is illegal.
Before paying: verify the property and the person
A convincing listing and a pleasant conversation are not enough to confirm that a rental is legitimate. Take the time to:
- Verify the property and the identity of the person you are dealing with. Visit if possible, or ask someone you trust to do so. At a distance, a video tour can supplement your checks, but it is not a guarantee.
- Confirm that the person is authorized to rent the property. Even someone with access to the property does not necessarily have the right to rent it to you.
- Read the written terms. Check the address, rent, amounts requested, length of stay and departure conditions before committing.
- Be wary of pressure to act quickly. A request for money before a viewing or pressure to pay immediately calls for additional verification.
- Keep records of communications and ask for a receipt for any money paid.
If you suspect fraud after making a payment, contact your bank and local police promptly; keep the listing, messages and proof of payment. Your application without credit or a guarantor may require additional discussions, but urgency should not prevent you from checking who you are entrusting with your information and money.