Edmonton has made a name for itself as one of the best places in Canada for young families, professionals, students, and people from all walks of life. It’s a city with a thriving economy, great jobs, great education options, and a very affordable cost of living. In fact, not only is Edmonton affordable for a city its size, but it is the most affordable city in Canada for renters.
Whether you’re looking for your first apartment, moving to Edmonton for the first time, or you’re just searching for a new place, this is what you need to know about finding apartments for rent in Edmonton.
What Is the Average Rent in Edmonton?
The rent you can expect to pay in Edmonton depends on several factors, including the neighbourhood you want to live in and the size of the apartment you’re looking for. City-wide, the average rent for an unfurnished one-bedroom apartment was only $1,143 a month at the end of 2022. Not only was that among the lowest in large cities across Canada, but it was also about $300 less than a similarly-sized apartment in Calgary.
More bedrooms will naturally cost more, but as a rule, the cost per square foot tends to decrease with more bedrooms. Splitting the rent with a roommate or a partner can be a great way to get more space for less money.
How to Find an Apartment in Edmonton?
One of the best ways to find an apartment in Edmonton is to get smart with your online searches. Take advantage of online listings and learn how to use their filters to refine your search. You can refine your search according to factors such as:
- The rent you’re willing to pay
- Number of bedrooms
- Size in square feet
- Whether or not pets are allowed
- Furnished vs. unfurnished
- Whether or not utilities are included in the rent
Online searches can help you identify the perfect places to live and help you book more viewings.
What Rent Deposits Can the Landlord Ask for in Edmonton?
The laws and regulations around renting in Edmonton are the jurisdiction of the province, and they should largely be the same across Alberta. Every province in Canada has its own rules when it comes to rent deposits, so if you’re coming to Edmonton from another province, you can’t expect the rules to be the same.
The landlord can collect a security deposit from a tenant at the beginning of the tenancy. This deposit is used to cover damage done to the unit, as well as costs like unpaid rent or a cleaning fee when the tenant leaves. The deposit cannot be more than one month’s rent.
In addition, the landlord cannot demand any additional deposits. Pet deposits are not allowed, although there is a non-refundable that they can charge instead.
What Clauses Can and Can’t a Landlord Include in a Lease?
As mentioned above, there are certain clauses that a landlord can legally include in a lease and some that they can’t. These won’t necessarily be the same as in other provinces. Some of the more important clauses that a landlord can include (but may not always) are:
- No-pets clauses or restrictions on the type of pet you can have.
- Pet fees, a non-refundable extra charge for having a pet.
- No-smoking clauses.
- Subletting clauses, which can require you to get the landlord’s permission before subleasing the property.
- Occupancy limits, which can limit how many people live in the unit.
However, there are also some important clauses that cannot be included:
- Guest clauses, which restrict tenants from having guests over, although the landlord can prevent someone else from moving in if they are not on the lease.
- Payment for repairs that should be the responsibility of the landlord, such as electric, heating, and plumbing.
Does Edmonton Have Rent Control?
The presence of rent control across Canada varies province by province, and it is a matter that is regulated by the provinces. Alberta does not have rent control, which means that the landlord can raise the rent by any amount that they want.
That said, landlords cannot increase the rent whenever they want. They can only raise the rent after a minimum of one year of a fixed-term lease, and they can only raise the rent once a year after that. They must give tenants written notice 90 days beforehand.
Thankfully, average rents in Edmonton are pretty reasonable compared to other Canadian cities. If your landlord does raise the rent by more than you want to pay, you have a better chance of finding an affordable apartment in Edmonton than many other places.
Renting in Edmonton can be a lot less stressful than other places in the country. Make sure you know your rights and responsibilities as a tenant, but it’s a great place to rent on a budget.
