Probably the best place to start when considering renting a property or letting your own home is the governments Residential Tenancy Office at www.rto.gov.bc.ca – here you can check your rights and responsibilities as either a tenant or landlord. The Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation website also has a guide to renting in Canada as well as sample letters and worksheets to guide you through the rental process. They can be found at www.cmhc.ca.
In addition to houses or apartments, homes in Canada often have a self contained suite (like a granny flat). These are often rented out and are usually advertised in the local paper or via online classified listings. A suite can be either completely separate from the main home (individual entrance, own laundry facilities, separate utility bills etc) or can be more integrated with perhaps a shared entry or washing machine. As with all rental situations, prices vary according to size, conveniences and décor.
Once you have familiarized yourself with the basic process of renting a property there are numerous avenues for you to explore in finding a home. These include: