Renting in Toronto

[HeatSeeker]

I have been searching the web for a place to live in Toronto. I'd like to live near the ROM where I'll be working. Many of the sites I encountered have a waiting list and in order to get on this waiting list you have to provide personal information such as your social insurance number and your bank account number to name a few. That's rather personal for a waiting list. I don't feel all that comfortable giving out that information. I realize that they may ask you for permission to do a credit check.... but on a waiting list? Is this standard practice and something I'll have to live with or should I look elsewhere? Also, what can I reasonably expect to pay for a 1 bedroom in this area?

[slowtyper]

I've never encountered anyone that asked for my bank acct number but someone did ask for my SN to do a credit check. Instead I did my own credit check and showed it to the landlord. I wasn't sure if it was possible for him to pull my credit without the SN so I just spent a few bucks to get it done myself.

[ritsbits]

i've haven't had to give my bank account number yet for a waiting list, but i did have to give my SIN several times for the credit check. never seen a waiting list before that required all that info, but on one occasion i was requested to submit all my information and a signed contract "to be approved" (aka i'm locked in, and at the mercy of the landlord), but that was finalized within 24hrs. for a 1+den at college park (college and bay) i paid 1.7k (+parking and storage, electricity included); a 2 bedroom at murano (on bay slightly north of college) i managed to get for 1.7k (no parking, electricity to be paid by tenant). if you go further up bay, there are cheaper places (though i think not as new) that you may be able to get for 1.4/5k. if you're willing to go east of yonge, then it drops even further i believe :razz:

[UrbanPoet]

Thats very strange...

I thought you go check out the place... and if you like it you fill out the lease forms and give them first+last months rent... or in some cases post dated checks (to make it easier for them to collect), or a bank account number if they do direct debits for rent.

But this is after you seal the deal. Seems like a scam to me!



As far as rent... the Rom is right a long bloor..... stuff in the annex is expensive. A $1000 bachelor isn't all that uncommon...
I might even recommend leaving further east/west along the subway line. You'll save a few bucks, but since the ROM is right on bloor it'll very easily accessible by TTC... that extra 15 minutes you use a day for traveling could save you hundreds.

Try viewit.ca
They have neat ads with tons of pictures. They map out the rental listings in very specific areas, so it'll help you narrow down your search easier.

[taxman007]

you dont need to give all that personal info, especially if you find the right person to rent from.

Just beware that in toronto, there are a lot of scams that occur when people are renting to you, such as renting out a place that they dont even own. Try a search on google so that you are familar with the scams that can happen before you starting looking or giving any personal info out.

[HeatSeeker]

Here's a couple of examples I'm talking about.

http://real.rentmaps.ca/sites/affiliatesFB3/index.cfm?fuseaction=search.unitOverview&Un_ID=09010B0A&isSvc=0&fromBuildSite=jegerikkedom

Click on "apply now" and you'll see what I mean.

http://www.pinedaleprop.com/2730yon.htm

Click on "Fill out an application form" near the top left.

[wetnose]

On craigslist, try looking for a shared accomadation deal around Danforth, which is only 5 subway stops east. Expect to pay at least $600 for a nice place. Nice neighbourhood, good places to eat and shop.

[onexeyed]

http://www.myhood.ca

I was in your shoes last year and had to find a place to rent. This website will save you so many headaches before you rent. It tells you all of Toronto's neighborhoods, read the reviews and will tell you not to rent. Trust me there are so many horror stories of people renting at places there's bed bugs or cockroaches everywhere or management is horrible.

You do not have to give people your SIN to anyone unless its a government agency. Pay for your own credit check and give it to the landlord which I did.

Even Craigslist or Kijiji can be sketchy because I was in your shoes last year trying to find a place to rent. I visited places that were going for around $800and they were moldy basements. Renting a basement isn't for everyone but generally cheaper. Also beware, if the place and price sounds good to be true stay away because there are a lot of scams where you have to send them rent money to an international country in order to get a key. But that's just a scam.

West of Yonge is generally safer for living for renting because east of it can be sketchy like Sherbourne/Dundas, Moss Park, Regent Park, Cabbagetown, etc. However, pockets of Cabbagetown are sketchy and some places are nice. I find the Danforth a great place to visit and dine but little parking but that's only if you live near the station.

Bloorwest Village (Bloor West/Dufferin) is an okay area but rent is a lot cheaper. It's close to the Dufferin station along to Bloor-Dufferin subway line. Also it's very close to Dufferin Mall. I lived in the area when I first came to Toronto and liked it a lot.

Also generally renting apartments near the subway line cost more than those that are further. Davisville is an exception because they have cheaper older but cheaper for 1 or 2 bedroom apartments and all utitlties are included. It's a nicer area, quiet and but further near Yonge & Eglington but still a nice area. I decided to rent south near the entertainment district and not too far from the financial district because its close to work. It can get loud if you live near the bars/clubs. My apartment is close to everything like subway stations, restaurants and Eaton Center but renting a 1-bedroom apartment in the area can go up to $1,600, but prices can increase if you rent in a condo. I rent in an older apartment building where rent is cheaper and no air conditioning but still cheap. The downside is there are no real grocery stores near by but Chinatown is within walking distance where there's a lot of fresh fruits and produce.

[Hugh Jass]

OP, what's your approx budget? You can go for shared accom from about $400 to a few grand for a rented apt/condo.

[HeatSeeker]

OP, what's your approx budget? You can go for shared accom from about $400 to a few grand for a rented apt/condo.

Is $1000-$1200 out of the question for a decent 1 bedroom in the vicinity of the ROM? Shared accommodation is out of the question. Been there done that and it didn't work out.

[Hugh Jass]

Is $1000-$1200 out of the question for a decent 1 bedroom in the vicinity of the ROM? Shared accommodation is out of the question. Been there done that and it didn't work out.

Within walking distance, I'd have to say no. Within a 5/10 Minute subway ride in an east/west/north direction, yes.

As mentioned previously, west along bloor btwn Bathurst and Dufferin can be affordable and a decent area. East around Bloor and Sherbourne can be cheap but getting into shady areas. A little bit north, maybe st.clair w might be good for you. There's lots of accomodation around st.clair and bathurst which is decent.

And definitely get something close to a subway line. Forget about anywhere that requires a bus as part of your commute. The ROM is an excellent location as it's on both the east/west line and the north/side line. I lived for five years one block north of bloor and dufferin and often pitied the hordes of people waiting for buses once they got out of the subway.

[bkustra]

$1000 - $1200 actually sounds alright. The residential within a block or two of the ROM is all really high end. But there's a number of decent priced buildings on St. George Street just north of Bloor. That would be about a 10 minute walk to the ROM.

I have a friend living up there and his building seemed decent. Depends on the amenities you're after.

[83_gemini]

I pay just under $1200 for a (admittedly small) 1 bedroom on St. George (includes parking and utilities). You can certainly walk to the ROM from where I am (I moved in while I was still in Law School, which is right by the ROM) and it's handy to both St. George and Dupont. You can probably find cheaper, but expect to pay more then $1k.

[untaka]

I'm at st.clair and bathurst its a decent area no issues, the place I stay in is a little dirty and ghetto but its not sketchy like sherbourne and bloor. rent is around $900-1000 a month for 1 bedroom 600sq foot utils included. There are LOTS of apartments available here and I mean LOTS so you got choices. Again its a decent area that seems to be improving, but some of the apartments are dirty (but again this is toronto).

Oh and the loblaws here sucks big time, its expensive, low stock, no choices and just generally a horrible grocery store. So I go down the street to get my stuff from street markets.

[Hugh Jass]

I just noticed an ad in the free Toronto paper for 'college park suites', it says 1 beds from $1,110. www.vertica.ca

This would be about a 15min walk and a good central area.