Should I use a real estate agent to find a rental in Toronto?

Should I use a real estate agent to find a rental in Toronto?

If you’re looking for a rental in Toronto, you probably already know how tough it is to get into a great place. Units get snapped up fast, landlords have schedules that don’t match up with yours, there’s a ton of paperwork…and even bidding wars! So what’s a frustrated would-be tenant to do?

Get a REALTOR® working for you.

We talked to Adam Hoffman, Sales Representative, about all the benefits of working with an agent to find a great rental in TO.

  1. It’s completely free. Yep, you read that right. As a tenant, you don’t pay a cent for an agent’s services. The landlord is the one who pays the agent’s commission. So why not take advantage of their expertise and connections when it doesn’t cost you anything?

  2. They’ll get you first dibs on great places. Ever spot a brand new listing and call to find it’s already gone? Someone working with an agent probably got in there early. At times, agents have access to exclusive of soon-to-be-marketed rentals that aren’t being advertised on websites yet.

  3. They do all the legwork for you. Forget scanning through dozens of listings to find the ones that fit your needs. As soon as you’ve let your agent know what you’re looking for, they’ll do the search for you, and present you with a narrowed-down list of options that fit your criteria.

  4. You can do all (or most) of your viewings in one day. Got 5 “maybes” you want to go see? Coordinating directly with 5 different landlords can be a huge hassle. An agent can take you to see them in one day. Having an agent with you means the landlord doesn’t have to be there.

  5. The landlord is more likely to say yes to you. An experienced agent knows how to position potential renters to the landlord for the highest chance of approval.

  6. They’ll help you get all your documents sorted. When you work with a Property.ca agent, they’ll help you get everything from your credit checks to your employer letter lined up before you even start looking. That way, you’ll know right away if you qualify for certain properties, and you’ll be able to move faster once you find one you like.

    Read more: Ready, set…rent: the condos.ca rental process explained

  7. You’re protected against fraud. You’ve probably heard those renter horror stories: deposits being stolen through fake Kijiji or Craiglist ads, or the “bait and switch” where the place you thought you were renting isn’t actually the one you got. That won’t happen with an agent: they’ve got your back and will steer you away from anything that’s not legit.

  8. They’ll protect your rights. Not sure exactly what you’re signing? Your agent knows, and will be able to advise you on your rights and obligations as a tenant.

  9. They are your sounding board. It’s easy to fall in love with a place as soon as you walk in – or have one inconsequential (or fixable) thing turn you off. An agent acts as the voice of reason, listing the pros and cons of every property. Yes, the view may be fantastic, but can you live with not having a balcony? Or you may hate the hideous paint colour, but your agent will remind you it’s an easy fix.

  10. They’ll advise you through the whole process. From explaining the terms and conditions in your rental agreement, to ensuring you’ve got your deposit, tenant insurance and utilities sorted, to confirming the elevator is booked and everything’s on-track for move-in day, you can count on a friendly, knowledgeable guide all the way through.

Looking for a great rental property? Sign up to condos.ca to find your perfect place, and an agent will be in touch to see how they can help!

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