Home Hunting Tips
Work with reputable agents or housing companies to be safe
Watch out for any landlord who does not use standard lease agreements with their tenants
Start your search early so you can find the best suitable accommodation in Toronto for your specific needs
Look at several similar offers before you commit to a contract
Stay close to major TTC lines and keep commute times to a minimum
Consider travel times to grocery stores and laundry facilities especially for the winter months
Make sure you are comparing apples to apples when looking at pricing...
...utilities, internet and cable bills can vary quite a bit and make your overall monthly costs fluctuate if they are not included in the overall rental price
Consider "X" factors
Who will I be living with if I stay in a shared setting?
Are the landlords local and accessible or will it be hard to get things fixed if there is a problem?
When looking for "furnished" rentals, does this includ cooking necessities, silverware and dishes, bed sheets and linens or only the basic furniture?
How long are my fellow house/flat mates going to be staying? Will I have to deal with constant new faces, or can I get to know who I'll be staying with?
Am I able to make safe and secure online rent payments to my landlord or will I have to plan on being in town on the 1st of every month?
Good Questions to Ask
What is within walking distance of my Toronto accommodation (grocery, pharmacy, clinic, theatre, pubs, shopping etc)
Is parking available and do I need a permit?
What items will I need to supply for myself when I move in?
How are cleaning responsibilities dealt with in shared settings?
Is there any sort of guest policy, pet policy and internet usage limits?
Top 10 Toronto Attractions
1. Eaton Centre
Join the Happy Community!
"The staff at HAI made it really easy for me to reserve my space in advance from abroad which was important since I could not visit the locations before my arrival! This was something unique that very few landlords were comfortable in offering me"Yumi, Japan
"Our place was furnished really nicely with a flat screen TV and we loved the balcony overlooking the park. The place was comfortable and clean"
Dan, Canada
"I was impressed with the amount of options that Homes Abroad offered me when I was trying to choose the best place to stay"
Marco, Columbia
"It was easy to get a hold of the staff when I needed a repair made in my flat"
Severine, France
"I really liked all of my roomies and they seemed to be well selected to match my lifestyle" Constance, Greece
"It was so easy to get downtown by cycling or on the streecar, plus there was lots of shopping across from my place...a big bonus for us!"
Caesar & Mireya, Mexico
"I felt at home immediately and the staff at HAI introduced me to everyone, thanks"
San, Belgium
"My english improved a lot because I had friendly housemates to practice with" Bader, Saudi Arabia
"I had no where to stay but when I contacted HAI, they had a place for me the same day! I was so pleased with their service"
Hyeong Jae, Korea
"I enjoyed staying in a clean, socialable environment"
Jorge, Spain
"I stayed with HAI during both of my internships, it was really convenient and affordable" Ujjwal, India
"I was nervous at first about having room mates, but Josh and Roxane helped me feel comfortable in my new surroundings...
thanks so much guys"
Alan, Ireland
