Many rental listing websites can be used for housing searches. To see a list of our suggested websites, refer to our Search Listings page.If you don’t have a computer or access to the internet, you can use the computers at a public library.
Tips for your housing search
- Beware of potential scams; NEVER send money without seeing the unit. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
- Before searching, determine your budget for rent. Don’t forget to include the cost of utilities, if not included in the rent. To find out if you are eligible for a credit on your hydro bill visit the Ontario Electricity Support Program website.
- Determine your requirements – keep in mind that you may need to prioritize your needs over your wants. Determine if you need to be close to any necessary amenities, schools, or public transportation.
- Average Market Rent – this is the average rent paid for housing in the private market. To see the Average Market Rent for each town or city in Ontario, click here. The numbers shown are averages and it is possible to find units above or below these rents.
- Because of the competitive market in Hamilton, we suggest looking online every day if possible, contacting landlords right away when finding a suitable listing, and trying to set up viewings as soon as possible.
- When leaving a voicemail, speak clearly and don’t rush the message. If you don’t hear back from the landlord, you can call the landlord again.
- While online rental listings are most common, you can also try newspapers, walking around your preferred neighbourhood, social media (i.e. Facebook), or your social network (i.e. friends, family).
- If you have a smartphone, you may wish to consider installing the Kijiji app.
- Consider posting a “Wanted Ad” on Kijiji
To better understand how to use Kijiji, please refer to the instructions below: