First Apartment Checklist for Canadian Renters

Before you sign the lease

• Read the full lease, not just the rent amount — confirm what's included (heat, water, parking, laundry) and what isn't
• Ask what the process is for maintenance requests, and how quickly they're typically handled
• Confirm the exact move-in date and whether the unit will be professionally cleaned before you arrive
• Ask about guest policies, pet policies, and any building-specific rules before you sign, not after
• Get everything verbal that was promised — an included parking spot, a repair before move-in — in writing as part of the lease or a signed addendum

Before move-in day

• Set up hydro/electricity in your name, timed to start the day your lease begins
• Set up internet — book the installation appointment early, since availability can run 1-2 weeks out
• Get tenant's (renter's) insurance — many landlords require it, and it's inexpensive relative to what it actually covers: your belongings, and liability if you accidentally cause damage
• Confirm whether you need to set up your own contents insurance for a storage locker or parking spot separately
• Update your address everywhere important before or right at move-in — see the full change of address checklist for the complete list

Move-in day

• Photograph every room, closet, and appliance before you unpack anything — this is your record for the move-out inspection later
• Test every appliance, faucet, and light switch, and report anything not working within the timeframe your lease specifies
• Locate the circuit breaker panel, main water shutoff, and any smoke/CO detectors, and confirm the detectors work
• Change or re-key the locks if your lease and landlord allow it, especially if you don't know how many previous keys exist

What to actually buy first

• Bed, pillow, and bedding — this is the one thing worth not skimping on or delaying
• A basic kitchen set: a couple of pots and pans, a few plates and utensils, a kettle or coffee maker — not a full registry's worth on day one
• Shower curtain and bath mat, hand soap, toilet paper, a plunger
• Cleaning basics: all-purpose cleaner, a broom or vacuum, garbage bags
• A few command hooks or a small toolkit — most rentals don't allow drilling, and adhesive solutions solve more than people expect
• Everything else — a couch, a full spice rack, decor — can wait until you know what the space actually needs, which is rarely obvious in week one

Budgeting for a first place

• Move-in costs are usually more than first month's rent: expect a damage/last month's deposit, connection fees for utilities and internet, and the furnishing costs above
• Confirm exactly what deposit your province allows and how it's protected — rules on deposits and interest vary by province
• Budget for tenant's insurance as a recurring monthly cost, not a one-time expense
• Track move-in spending separately for the first month or two — first-apartment costs are lumpy and don't reflect your ongoing monthly budget

Practical tips

• Furnish in the order you'll actually notice the gap, not the order a checklist lists it in — most people regret rushing furniture more than they regret waiting.
• Keep every move-in photo and the lease itself in one place — your important documents checklist is the right home for both.
• A slow first few weeks of figuring out what the space needs beats a fully furnished apartment full of things that don't fit how you actually live in it.

Frequently asked questions