See what incentives landlords are offering renters

Landlords and property managers are still offering move-in incentives and promotions in June to attract the best tenants to rent their units.

They might not be as varied or creative as incentives pitched during the height of the pandemic, but these promotions are still abundant.

In reviewing the Rentals.ca Network sites – Rentals.ca, Rentfaster.ca, RentBoard.ca, Louer.ca, TorontoRentals.com and RentCanada.com – incentives abound for most of the major cities.

The only exception is Vancouver, the highest-priced city in Canada for renters. But even in Vancouver, a few promotions can still be found. 

Most promotional offers for prospective tenants before Moving Day are for one or two months free rent with signed leases, cash bonuses, gift cards, or free cable and/or Internet service for a prescribed period. 

In June, more landlords are offering prorated first month free rent incentives, which basically means more affordable rent through the year.

Below are some examples of renter incentives offered by landlords and property managers on Rentals.ca Network sites for six of the largest cities in Canada: 

1. Toronto

Rents continue to climb and stay high in Toronto, but incentives abound especially for older but renovated buildings. 

Prospective tenants will find promotions for one month’s free rent, gift cards or move-in bonuses – all worthwhile as rents continue to increase. Many incentives are for select units.

1. https://www.torontorentals.com/toronto/the-torontonian-id272342 Move in this summer and receive a $1,000 move-in bonus. In-person appointments available to book online, or virtual appointments if preferred.  
2. https://www.rentcanada.com/toronto-on/rentals/25399 –  Thirtenth month free rent, plus a $500 gift card from your choice of Amazon, Homesense, Costco or Wayfair.
3. https://rentals.ca/toronto/40-gerrard-st-e  One month of free rent on a one-year lease, plus a $750 signing bonus (applicable on studios and one-bedrooms only) for any leases signed by July 1.
4. https://rentals.ca/toronto/650-woodbine-avenue Qualify for $500 in gift cards if you bring your completed application and last month’s rent deposit back to the site within 72 hours. Gift cards will be awarded after move-in.
5. https://rentals.ca/toronto/99-dowling-avenue Receive one month free on select units, plus a $250 gift card. Conditions apply.
6. https://www.rentboard.ca/toronto-on/45-dunfield-avenue/34152 Move in this summer and receive a $1,000 move-in bonus. 
7. https://rentals.ca/toronto/697-eglinton-avenue-west-2 Two months free rent on a one-year lease. 

2. Montreal

During the height of the pandemic, Montreal saw many and varied incentives offered to prospective renters. 

Not as many can be found this month in Montreal, but incentives are still being offered, especially for renovated older buildings. 

One month’s free rent is the most popular promotion, but prospective renters can also find gift cards and student specials. 

1. https://www.louer.ca/appartement-a-louer-montreal-centre-ville-1212zzs/ Move in by July 1 and get up to one month free on a 12-month lease.
2. https://www.louer.ca/appartement-a-louer-montreal-centre-ville-450zzry/ Move in by July 1 and get up to one month free on a 12-month lease.
3. https://rentals.ca/montreal/6825-28e-avenue Get a $250 Visa gift card. https://rentals.ca/montreal/1430-rue-city-councillors-1 Student special: Receive a $250 signing bonus for referring a friend. Groups of two: Receive $200 off first month’s rent. Groups of three: Receive $225 off first month’s rent. Groups of four: Receive $250 off first month’s rent.
4. https://rentals.ca/montreal/2166-boulevard-de-maisonneuve-ouest Move in by July 1 and get up to one month free on a 12-month lease.
5. https://rentals.ca/montreal/2125-rue-saint-marc Move in by July 1 and get up to one month free on a 12-month lease.
6. https://rentals.ca/montreal/345-rue-de-la-gauchetiere-ouest Move in by July 1 and get up to one month free on a 12-month lease.
7. https://rentals.ca/montreal/1420-rue-crescent Move in by July 1 and get up to one month free on a 12-month lease.

3. Vancouver

Vancouver has had the highest rents in Canada for some time now, according to the monthly Rentals.ca National Rent Report. 

With high rents and low vacancy rates, the city’s landlords and property managers have not needed incentives to rent their homes.   

Even so, when taking a deeper search, a few can be found. 

1. https://rentals.ca/vancouver/4188-yew-street One-half month free rent on a one-year lease and one month free rent on a two-year lease.
2. https://rentals.ca/vancouver/1668-davie-st Rent a two-bedroom and receive one of the following incentives: one month free rent on a one-year lease; two months free rent on a two-year lease; signing bonus of $250.
3. https://rentals.ca/north-vancouver/165-19th-street-east – Ask about our early move-in and one month free rent promotion. Limited time offer on select units.
4. https://rentals.ca/north-vancouver/1883-fullerton-ave – One free month of rent on a one-year lease; two free months of rent on a two-year lease; Signing bonus of up to $500 (bonuses vary so inquire with the leasing team).
5. https://rentals.ca/vancouver/825-east-8th-avenue – Get one month free on select units. Conditions apply.

4. Calgary

Calgary rents are continuing to rise. According to Rentals.ca’s latest National Rent Report, average monthly rent in May in Calgary was up almost 14 per cent year over year for both a one- and two-bedroom home. 

But rents are still reasonable and vacancy rates high compared to other big cities in Canada, so landlords  offer numerous and a variety of incentives to prospective tenants in the city. 

Incentives include one or two months free rent, free cable or parking and student specials. 

1. https://rentals.ca/calgary/4515-varsity-dr-nw Rent today and save up to one month with exclusive rates on TELUS Optik TV and high-speed Internet.at Varsity Square Apartments. Students receive a $300 move-in bonus.
2. https://rentals.ca/calgary/2010-ulster-rd-nw Rent today and save up to one month with exclusive rates on TELUS Optik TV and high-speed Internet.at Varsity Square Apartments. Students receive a $300 move-in bonus.
3. https://rentals.ca/calgary/25-35-glengrove-close-sw Free early move-in, when signing a 12-month lease at select properties.
4. https://rentals.ca/calgary/15220-45-st-se Free early move-in, when signing a 12-month lease at select properties.
5. https://rentals.ca/calgary/510-12-avenue-southwest-id398277 One month free rent on select suites.
6. https://rentals.ca/calgary/1177-11-ave-sw One-half month rent free on a 12-month term and reduced security deposit ($1,000).
7. https://www.rentfaster.ca/ab/calgary/rentals/apartment/1-bedroom/lower-mount-royal/316344 Last month rent free on a 12- or 18-month term.

5. Edmonton

Edmonton rents are rising, but not nearly as fast as Calgary. According to Rentals.ca’s latest National Rent Report, average monthly rent in Edmonton in May was up almost 4 per cent year over year for both a one- and two-bedroom home.

Edmonton Is a gold mine for affordable rent and incentives compared to the other big cities. Besides months of free rent, offers include $600 Amazon gift cards, free groceries, gift cards, free Internet, free parking, $1,000 lease signing bonuses and student/senior/military/first responders specials. 

1. https://rentals.ca/edmonton/16255-51-st-nw Two months free rent on an 18-month lease or 50 per cent off first and last month rent with a 12-month lease, plus 25 per cent off Telus Optik TV and Internet services per month. Special offers for seniors, military and first responders.
2. https://rentals.ca/edmonton/11025-26-ave-nw One month free rent for one-bedroom suites. One-half month free rent on select two-bedroom suites. Up to $300 prorated rental credit. 50 per cent off TELUS PureFibre Internet and Optik TV for two years. 
3. https://rentals.ca/edmonton/11440-11444-ellerslie-road-sw Two months free rent on an 18-month lease or 50 per cent off first and last month rent with a 12-month lease. Plus 25 per cent off Telus Optik TV and Internet services per month. Special offers for seniors, military and first responders.
4. https://rentals.ca/edmonton/heritage-valley  Two months free rent on an 18-month lease or 50 per cent off first and last month rent with a 12-month lease. Plus 25 per cent off Telus Optik TV and Internet services per month. Special offers for seniors, military and first responders.
5. https://rentals.ca/edmonton/9837-110-street – For a limited time, select units are up to $100 off. See leasing office for details. One month free rent on a 12-month lease; free Telus TV & internet for one year; $600 Amazon gift card upon move-in on a 12-month lease.
6. https://rentals.ca/edmonton/2610-109-street-northwest-1 – $1,000 Visa gift card on a one-bedroom. Free TELUS PureFibre Internet and Optik TV for the first year. Half month security deposit
7. https://rentals.ca/edmonton/3624-119-st-1 – Receive up to $2,544 off rent plus $300 move-in bonus on select suites and exclusive rates on TELUS Optik TV and High-Speed Internet. 

6. Winnipeg

Winnipeg also has affordable rents in Canada, and landlords and property managers continue to offer incentives to prospective tenants. 

Common promotions in Winnipeg include one month free rent, $500 move-in bonuses, free internet and student incentives. 

1. https://rentals.ca/winnipeg/15-berwick-court  Get one month free rent on a 12-month lease. 
2. https://rentals.ca/winnipeg/389391-balmoral-street Special student promotion: Month-to-month renting for students plus a $500 move-in bonus with the option of one month free rent when leasing for three months and a $500 referral bonus.
3. https://rentals.ca/winnipeg/230-good-street Rent now and receive one month free rent.
4. https://rentals.ca/winnipeg/233-kennedy  Apply today and receive one and a half months free rent.
5. https://rentals.ca/winnipeg/389391-balmoral-street Special student promotion: Month-to-month renting for students plus a $500 move-in bonus with the option of one month free rent when leasing for three months and a $500 referral bonus.
6. https://rentals.ca/winnipeg/340-assiniboine-avenue $500 move-in bonus.
7. https://www.rentcanada.com/winnipeg-mb/1000-markham-road/37273  $500 move-in bonus.