Newcomers & international students
Moving to Canada? Find your room before you land
Most people moving to Canada start their housing search from abroad. Here's how to do it safely on FlexRoom.
1. Start with a city
- Pick the city you're moving to and browse verified listings.
- Save the rooms you like and compare prices with the city average.
- Create a free account so hosts can see you're a real person.
2. Tour before you pay
- Ask for a live video tour if you can't visit in person.
- Keep all messages in FlexRoom until you've seen the place.
- Never send a deposit, e-transfer, wire, crypto or gift card before a tour.
3. Spot the warning signs
- Rent far below the city average.
- A host who is 'abroad' and can't show the place.
- Pressure to pay fast or to move the chat to another app.
- Report anything suspicious — a person reviews every report.
4. Know the rules
- Rental rules are set by each province, so they differ between cities.
- Read your lease before signing and keep a copy.
- Don't share your passport, SIN or bank details until you've confirmed the host.