Welcome to our detailed Vancouver furnished apartment rental guide. Here we list a step by step process of renting furnished apartment in Vancouver and Richmond, Canada. Everything you need to know from initial on line search, to finally signing of a residential tenancy agreement with your landlord.
When going through our furnished apartment rental guide. If you have more questions about renting furnished accommodations in Vancouver, first check frequently asked questions. Also, don’t hesitate to contact us as we’ll get back to you asap. We’ll do our best to find you a furnished home you will love.
1. Apartment search
The way to look and find a short term furnished apartment in Vancouver is by going through our Vancouver furnished rentals. Another way is to Google search “Vancouver furnished apartments” or similar phrase which will then list a number of websites like PadMapper for you to search through.
Tip: Before searching, have your budget set and what you’re willing to pay. Then think about the apartment size, location, utility bills or extra fees which will all affect the final rent price. Stay away from the cheapest rentals as they are cheap for a reason. You won’t know why, but will find out after you move in, but by then it’s too late.
2. Apartment viewing
Once you find several furnished apartments within your budget, start scheduling appointments for apartment viewings. If in person viewing, by yourself or a friend/co-worker is not possible, ask for a virtual tour. Get in touch with the apartment manager/landlord to book apartment viewing tour and start building a friendly relationship from the beginning. Be nice, polite and most importantly honest.
Tip: Besides apartment applications, apartment managers will use email and phone interactions to see if you’re a good fit for them. Use the same criteria in deciding if you want to deal and rent from them. Trust your instincts, and make sure the apartment you’re moving into is in a good condition during showings. Take full advantage of our furnished apartment rental guide.
3. Rental application
If apartment viewing went well and besides the apartment you like and trust the landlord and are ready to rent it. Don’t waste time, and ask for the apartment rental application right away. Most likely someone already applied, so if you really want it act on it fast. Fill out the application and submit it the same day.
Tip: Have all your important information ready. Make sure your current landlord, employer or school administrator, and parents are all aware that they will receive a call from the apartment manager for your reference check.
4. Tenancy agreement
When your rental application gets approved and you are offered to rent downtown apartment. Landlord will give you to fill out a residential tenancy agreement. It is a legally binding document between the landlord and a tenant. Make sure you know all the details before signing the lease.
Tip: Read thoroughly tenancy agreement and if you don’t understand any part of it, ask the questions. After signing it, the apartment manager has to give you your own copy.
5. Deposit payment
During the residential tenancy agreement signing in order to secure and book the apartment a booking deposit payment is required. Deposits are 1/2 months rent. Once it’s paid the apartment is finally yours.
Tip: If you pay your deposit with cash you should receive a receipt for it as a proof of payment.
6. Moving in
Moving day can be quite stressful, so make sure you coordinate well with your landlord and building management in order to be smooth and easy. During your Yaletown rental move in, the landlord and tenant will have to do an apartment inspection. To record if there are any apartment damages or deficiencies. This way tenants are not held responsible for something they didn’t do.
Tip: Be prepared to pay a one time move-in fee. All buildings require it to process your forms, and program your phone to the front door buzzer.
7. Utility bills
Depending on the Vancouver apartment rental you got and what’s included or not included in the rent. Be prepared to call utility companies and internet providers ahead of moving in. This way on your first day in the apartment everything is already set up for you.
Tip: Talk to your apartment manager for advice on the internet providers as they have the best knowledge from past tenants experiences.
8. Tenant insurance
Tenant insurance can be mandatory in order to rent some apartments. We require it in all our furnished rentals. This way your mind is at ease and you are protected against accidental personal and property damage to others. Apartment owners hold their own apartment insurance. Which doesn’t protect you or your personal belongings.
Tip: Good place to start looking for affordable tenant insurance is right here.
9. Tenants responsibilities
Every tenant should take good care of the Vancouver apartment like it’s their own. That will show the landlord that you really care, and in return they will show expedience and great effort in resolving and fixing any issues that you might face while living there. Notify the landlord immediately if any appliances break down. Especially if you notice any water leaks. Even a few drop leaks, if not addressed right away can turn into a disaster. Tenants responsibilities don’t just apply to the apartment, but to the building and your community of neighbors. After move-in you’ll be given building bylaws and regulations documents. It’s a common sense guide for all building tenants and their visitors to follow and abide by.
Tip: Respect your neighbors as you are now part of that community and read through your building bylaws.
10. Landlords responsibilities
Landlords main responsibility is for their apartment they rent out. They have to make sure all appliances are working properly and the apartment is taken good care of. At the same time they can be a great help for tenants with any issues they might have while living in the apartment. Let your landlord know right away if anything in the apartment broke down as it should be promptly looked at and fixed. If unfixable an item or appliance should be replaced with a new one.
Tip: Respect and be truthful to your landlord as they can make your life in their apartment much easier and worry free.
11. Apartment inspection
From time to time the landlord will come to do an apartment inspection. Usually every 3 or 6 months tenants will receive well in advance an apartment inspection notice. During the Vancouver condo inspection landlords and tenants will do a quick apartment walk through. The Landlord’s main concern is to make sure the apartment is in the same condition as before. They will check quickly for any water leaks from the pipes, make sure all appliances are working properly, and that all sprinklers and smoke alarms are not blocked and fully functional.
Tip: For the inspection tenant should make sure the apartment is presentable and well-kept.
12. Rent increase
Like every other bill in life, apartment costs over time go up as well. So, don’t be surprised if you received the rent increase notice. When a tenant lives in the apartment for over 1 year, the landlord if they choose can raise the rent. Rent can only be raised a certain percentage given by BC government guidance for that particular year. In order to do that, the landlord needs to give an official rent increase notice to the tenant at least 3 months prior to the rent increase.
Tip: Rent increase 3 month notice gives you lots of time to think about if you can afford raised rent or its time to move and find something within your budget.
13. Moving out
When the time has come to move-out of the apartment, the tenant needs to give the landlord a minimum 30 day move out notice. Landlords would appreciate an even earlier move-out notice, so they have more time to find a new tenant. As per residential tenancy agreement move-out notices are given just before your last month of the stay or before your last rent. For example if you decided to move out at the end of May, you have to give your notice on the last day of April.
Packing and cleaning all on the same day can be challenging, so hiring cleaners would be the easiest. We at Vancouver for Living hire professional cleaners for move-outs. During the move out landlord and tenant will have to do an apartment inspection again to check for any damages to the apartment while the tenant stayed there. If there are, all damages will be fixed or replaced with tenants’ damage deposit.
Tip: If you don’t want to be charged much for cleaning services, from time to time clean the Vancouver short term apartment or Richmond apartment, but especially before moving out. This way you’ll show your landlord during move-out inspection that the apartment is clean, and therefore you won’t be charged for extra cleaning.
14. Damage deposit refund
Landlord as per residential tenancy agreement, has up to 2 weeks after your move-out for a damage deposit refund. During move-out inspection you’ll know exactly how much deposit you’ll get back, and if there will be any deductions. Usually the landlord will deduct cleaning fee, parts and labor if there are any damages to the apartment, and to buy and replace if there are any broken items. The bottom line is that the apartment needs to be in the same condition as when you moved in.
Tip: Having a good relationship with your landlord usually results in an immediate damage deposit return.
Have any questions, send us a message. We’re here to help!