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Finding a Rental on Kijiji in Canada: A Step-by-Step Guide
How to search Kijiji's For Rent section for apartments, houses and rooms, use filters and alerts, and avoid the rental scams that target classifieds sites.
Kijiji is a Canadian online classifieds site, and its Real Estate For Rent section is one of the places many renters check when looking for an apartment, house or room. Because anyone can post an ad, you will see everything from large rental buildings to a single basement suite offered by a homeowner. That variety is useful, but it also means you need to read carefully and stay alert to scams.
What you will find
The For Rent section is split into subcategories, including Long Term Rentals, Room Rentals and Roommates, and Short Term Rentals, along with commercial space and storage or parking. Listings typically show the monthly rent, number of bedrooms and bathrooms, photos, a description and the general location. Some property managers add details such as virtual tours, video walkthroughs or online applications.
Search tools let you filter by price and bedrooms, and there is a filter to show verified results. You can also turn on notifications so Kijiji tells you when new ads matching your search are posted.
How to search step by step
- Choose your city or region, then pick the subcategory you need, such as Long Term Rentals or Room Rentals and Roommates.
- Set your price range and number of bedrooms, then open All Filters to narrow by other features, such as whether pets are allowed.
- Turn on notifications for your search so you hear about new ads quickly.
- Shortlist listings with clear photos, a full address or nearby intersection, and a detailed description of what is included.
- Message the poster through Kijiji to ask questions. Keeping the conversation on the platform helps Kijiji spot suspicious behaviour.
- Book an in-person viewing. If you truly cannot attend, ask for a live video tour rather than a pre-recorded clip.
Deposits and fees in Canada
Rules about deposits and fees come from provincial and territorial tenancy laws, so what a landlord may ask for depends on where the unit is. Some provinces allow a security or damage deposit, often capped at a set portion of one month's rent, while others, such as Ontario, only allow a last month's rent deposit and a refundable key deposit. Before you pay, look up the rules for your province or territory and ask for a receipt for every payment. Get the lease in writing and read it fully before signing.
Scam warning signs and safety tips
Kijiji's own safety guidance highlights common patterns in rental fraud. Be cautious if:
- The rent is much lower than similar places in the area.
- The landlord says they are overseas or cannot show the unit in person, and offers to mail the keys after payment.
- You are asked for a deposit before you have viewed the property.
- You are pressured to send money quickly by wire transfer, cash, gift cards or cryptocurrency.
- The photos look copied from another listing or a builder's website.
To protect yourself, search the address online to check for duplicate ads, use street-level imagery to confirm the building matches the photos, and ask the landlord for identification and proof that they own or manage the property. Do not share your Social Insurance Number or banking details in response to a listing. If you suspect a scam, stop communicating, report the ad to Kijiji, and contact the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre and your local police.
Frequently asked questions
Is it safe to rent from a private landlord on Kijiji?
Many private landlords post legitimate ads, but you should always view the unit in person, confirm the landlord's identity and get a written lease before paying anything.
Can I get notified about new rental ads?
Yes. After setting up a search, you can turn on notifications so Kijiji alerts you when new matching ads are posted.
Should I pay a deposit to hold a unit I have not seen?
No. A request for a deposit before a viewing is a common sign of a rental scam, according to both Kijiji and the Competition Bureau.
Sources
Disclaimer: This guide is general information only and may not fit your situation or country. Rules, prices and requirements change, so check the details with the official source or a qualified professional before you act. Read our full disclaimer.