What Credit Score Do You Need to Rent an Apartment in Canada? (2026)
Most Canadian landlords look for a credit score of 650 or higher. Here's exactly what they check, what to do with bad credit, and how rent reporting can help.
Vol. 01
The ledger.
A field journal on rent, credit, and the financial life of renters in Canada, written by the team building TenantPay.
Featured
This month's reads.
Rent is the largest line item in most Canadians' lives. Here's what we've been thinking about it.
Latest
Fresh off the press.
Product changelogs, market commentary, and tactical guides for tenants and property managers.
Renters
Property managers
The Rent Reward: Win Free Rent with TenantPay
The Rent Reward is TenantPay's monthly draw that reimburses one tenant a full month of rent. Every on-time payment earns an entry - no forms, no fine print.
Credit
The Rent Reward: Get One Month of Rent Free
TenantPay's Rent Reward is a monthly giveaway that rewards on-time rent payments with a chance to win one month of rent covered - while building credit through Equifax Canada.
Product news
How to Build Credit as a Renter in Canada (2026)
Paying rent on time doesn't automatically build credit in Canada. This guide shows renters exactly how to start building a strong credit score today.
Credit
Pre-Authorized Debit for Rent in Canada: A Complete Guide
Pre-authorized debit lets tenants set rent payments to pull automatically each month. This guide covers how PAD works for rent in Canada, your rights as a tenant, and how to get started.
Renters
What Is Rent Reporting and How Does It Work in Canada?
Rent reporting sends your monthly payments to Equifax Canada so they count toward your credit score. This guide explains the process, the benefits, and how Canadian renters can get started.