Move-in costs and furnishing

Moving to a new home in Canada involves more than just booking a truck and packing boxes. The upfront financial costs—rent deposits, insurance, and furnishings—can feel overwhelming, especially if you're arriving as an international student, new permanent resident, or family unfamiliar with Canadian housing norms. This guide breaks down what to budget for and how to minimize costs without sacrificing quality or security.

First and Last Month's Rent: What You'll Pay Upfront

In Canada, landlords typically ask for two substantial payments before you move in: the first month's rent and a deposit known as last month's rent. However, the rules vary significantly by province, so understanding your location's specific requirements is critical.

Ontario: Last Month's Rent Only

Ontario has unusually strict rules that protect tenants. Your landlord can collect only one rent deposit—the last month's rent, equal to one month's rent—plus the first month's rent at signing. Crucially, Ontario law forbids security deposits or damage deposits of any kind. This last-month's-rent deposit is held and applied to your final month when you leave, and your landlord must pay you interest annually on this amount at the rate of that year's rent-increase guideline.

British Columbia: Half-Month Security Deposit

In BC, you'll pay first month's rent plus a security deposit of no more than half a month's rent. This security deposit can cover unpaid rent and damages beyond normal wear and tear. Pet owners pay an additional pet damage deposit, also capped at half a month's rent. The province returns security deposits within 15 days of move-out if there are no deductions.

Alberta and Saskatchewan

Alberta allows a full month's security deposit in addition to first month's rent. Saskatchewan permits up to one month's rent as a security deposit, though at lease signing you may only pay 50% upfront, with the balance due within two months of taking possession. Both provinces require interest on deposits and specific return timelines.

Quebec: First Month Only—No Deposits Allowed

Quebec has the most tenant-friendly rules in Canada. Landlords cannot collect any deposit at all—not security, not damage, not pet, not key deposits. You pay only the first month's rent in advance. This reflects Quebec's philosophy of removing financial barriers to housing.

Budgeting for Move-In Costs: A Practical Example

Let's say you've found a one-bedroom apartment in Toronto (Ontario) with $1,500 monthly rent. Here's what you'll need upfront:

• First month's rent: $1,500
• Last month's rent (deposit): $1,500
• Tenant insurance (first month): $20–30
• Moving costs (truck rental, boxes, help): $300–800
• Essential furniture and items: $500–1,500 (less if buying secondhand)
• Total initial outlay: roughly $3,800–5,300

In BC or Manitoba with lower security deposits, you'd save $500–1,000. In Quebec, you'd save the last-month's-rent amount entirely. The lesson: calculate your move-in costs based on your province's rules before you commit to a lease.

Furnishing on a Budget: Secondhand, Free, and Community Resources

Brand-new furniture and household items can drain your budget quickly. Fortunately, Canadians embrace secondhand shopping, and a wealth of free and low-cost options exist for new arrivals.

Online Marketplaces

Kijiji and Facebook Marketplace are the most popular platforms for buying used furniture, appliances, and household goods across Canada. You'll find everything from couches to kitchen tables at 30–70% below retail. Both platforms allow you to filter by location and price, message sellers directly, and arrange pickup. These sites work particularly well in towns and suburbs where furniture is plentiful and sellers are motivated to offload items quickly.

Buy Nothing Groups

Buy Nothing is a network of free Facebook groups organized by neighborhood across Canada. Members post items they no longer need—furniture, dishes, kitchen appliances, even bedding—available for free pickup. There are active Buy Nothing groups in major cities from Vancouver to Halifax. Joining your local group costs nothing and can furnish an entire apartment at zero cost. The community aspect is a bonus: many newcomers find Buy Nothing groups welcoming and a way to meet neighbors.

Thrift Stores and Charity Shops

National chains like Value Village and local Habitat for Humanity ReStore locations offer used furniture, housewares, and appliances at very low prices. These stores are treasure hunts—you'll find vintage chairs, dressers, and kitchen items for a fraction of new prices. Charity thrift stores also support community causes.

Estate Sales and Garage Sales

Spring and summer in Canada bring a surge of estate sales and neighborhood garage sales. You can find entire household setups—dining tables, bedroom sets, decorative items—often at steep discounts as people downsize or relocate. Many estate sales post details online in advance, so you can scout items and prices before attending.

Tenant Insurance: Affordable and Often Required

Tenant insurance, also called renter's insurance, is one of the most underrated financial tools in Canada. It's remarkably cheap and increasingly required by landlords, yet many newcomers skip it—a risky mistake.

What Tenant Insurance Covers

A standard tenant insurance policy covers three main areas. Personal belongings coverage protects your furniture, electronics, clothing, and other possessions if they're damaged or stolen due to fire, theft, or other covered events. Personal liability coverage handles costs if you accidentally injure someone or damage their property—for example, if your water heater bursts and floods the unit below, your liability insurance covers repairs and medical bills. Additional living expenses cover hotel stays and temporary housing if your unit becomes unlivable due to a covered incident like a fire.

Cost: Remarkably Affordable

Tenant insurance costs between $15 and $30 per month across Canada, or roughly $180–360 per year. In Ontario specifically, the average is around $25 per month. This is less than the cost of one or two meals out per month—a tiny price for protection that could save you tens of thousands of dollars if disaster strikes. Some insurers offer policies as low as $12 per month, especially if you bundle multiple policies with the same provider or have safety features like smoke detectors.

Is It Required?

Tenant insurance is not legally mandatory in any Canadian province. However, an increasing number of landlords—especially in Ontario and BC—now require proof of a policy before handing over your keys. Even if your landlord doesn't require it, it's strongly recommended. Your landlord's insurance covers the building structure only, never your personal belongings or your liability to others. If you're uninsured and something happens, you're on your own.

How to Get Tenant Insurance

Tenant insurance is available through major Canadian insurers—APOLLO, Wealthvieu, YouSet, PC Insurance, and others. Most offer online quotes in under five minutes and issue a policy certificate the same day via email. You can often start coverage before your move-in date. When you get a quote, ensure you have enough contents coverage (at least $30,000 is standard) and at least $1 million in liability coverage. If your landlord requires proof, simply provide your policy certificate—the insurer will email it to you immediately after purchase.

Move-In Checklist: Protecting Your Deposit

Before you unpack a single box, protect your deposit by documenting the unit's condition. Many deposit disputes stem from disagreements over pre-existing damage, so this step is crucial.

1. Take dated photos or video of every room, closet, appliance, window, and corner—day and night lighting, looking for damage, stains, scratches, or dents
2. Record any notes about existing damage on paper or your phone, including locations and descriptions
3. Complete a move-in inspection report with your landlord if they provide one; ask them to initial or sign it
4. Test all appliances, plumbing, lights, and heating to confirm everything works
5. If possible, do the inspection together with your landlord so they acknowledge the unit's starting condition
6. Keep copies of all photos, videos, and signed reports in a safe place (email them to yourself or save to cloud storage)

When you move out, these records become your proof of the unit's condition at move-in, making it much harder for a landlord to wrongly claim you caused damage and withhold your deposit.

Key Takeaways

• Budget for first and last month's rent upfront. The amount varies by province: Ontario requires last-month's rent; BC and Manitoba require lower security deposits; Quebec forbids deposits entirely.
• Furnish secondhand and free. Kijiji, Facebook Marketplace, Buy Nothing groups, thrift stores, and estate sales can outfit your home for a fraction of retail cost.
• Get tenant insurance immediately. It costs $15–30 per month, covers your belongings and liability, and is increasingly required by landlords.
• Document your unit's condition at move-in with photos and a signed inspection report. This protects your deposit when you leave.
• Know your provincial rules. Deposit limits, interest rates, and return timelines differ by province. Ignorance can cost you money.