Moving/ Preparing for your move/ Renting in spite of bad credit

The best way to establish good credit and repair bad credit is to pay off debts and get a receipt or a letter from the landlord to confirm your rent payments. When applying for accommodations, bring this confirmation as proof. Being honest and upfront with prospective landlords could make them favour your rental application, regardless of past credit difficulties. Knowing that you pay your rent on time is becoming more important to landlords than other areas of credit. Use a recent landlord as personal reference, if required.

Help when money is tight

Rent banks assist people when they cannot pay their rent on time. Rent banks are available in some Canadian cities, and offer various levels of assistance. Some rent banks only provide the equivalent of one month’s rent, while others provide no-interest or low-interest emergency loans for multiple months with flexible repayment schedules.

Some rent banks do not require that the money be repaid at all. The best way to find out if there is a rent bank in your community is to ask staff at local municipality, resource centres or community organizations. Municipal phone numbers are usually located in the back section in the blue pages of the phone book.

Each rent bank operates differently and you must meet certain requirements to be eligible for assistance. Be sure to check with your local rent bank as soon as you experience financial difficulties to ensure that you qualify.

Rent geared-to-income (RGI), sometimes called subsidized, non-profit or social housing, is rent charged at a fixed percentage of the tenant's income, usually 30%. Tenants charged rent geared-to-income pay less than they would for the same unit in the private market. Because of their lower cost, these rentals have requirements that must be met before you may apply. There may also be a waiting list for RGI housing.

There are many different programs available across the country to support and provide subsidized housing to Canadians. These programs vary from one municipality to another, so the best starting point is to contact your local municipal offices. Look in the blue pages of your local phone book for the phone number of your municipality.

Other sources of help

You may find help from community organizations, friends or family. Sometimes an understanding employer or landlord will be the best solution for a temporary setback.

Community and religious organizations may also provide help if you cannot make rent payments. Charity organizations can usually provide assistance in other areas, from food and clothing to second-hand goods and daycare, which may ease some of the financial pressure when making rent payments.

To locate these organizations, ask friends and others you know in the local community for help. Your local MPP's office should also be able to provide assistance. Even if you do not belong to a particular faith, their community services are often available to those in need. Charities such as the United Way can be located through the Yellow Pages telephone book and other resources can be found by calling local community and social services in the Blue Pages of your telephone book.

Some of these assistance programs also have specific requirements and waiting lists and the amount of assistance may be limited.

Depending on the relationship you have with your landlord, you could negotiate a partial rent payment in exchange for providing services, such as yard maintenance or painting. Such agreements work best as short-term or one-time-only situations. Chronically missing part of your rent payment will not leave a good impression with your landlord and may lead to your landlord taking legal action against you.

Approaching family or friends for assistance is another possibility, even if you feel uncomfortable doing so. Also, consider discussing a payment advance with your employer.