Rent Ottawa Apartments

Ottawa

When Canada celebrates its 150^th birthday in 2017, will you already be renting your apartment in Ottawa – Canada’s capital – to enjoy it?

Ottawa is the home of Canada’s Federal Government, hundreds of thousands of government employees, foreign embassies, the highest number of residents with post-secondary education in Canada, and countless immigrants, who make up nearly 22% of its diverse population.

Together, Ottawa (in Ontario) and the neighbouring city of Gatineau (in Quebec) make up Canada’s National Capital Region, a beautiful place to live in.

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Featured apartments in Ottawa

If you’re looking for rental accommodation in Ottawa and you’re bilingual, you can count yourself among the 44% of the population that speaks English and French. Those already living have immense pride in the heritage and history of their Capital, which offers a warm welcome to cultures from around the world and is recognized for its quality of life.

For tenants, Ottawa offers year-round activities, including skating on the celebrated Rideau Canal and the fabulous Gatineau Park, just a short bike ride or drive away from your downtown rental accommodation.

With its many universities, Ottawa is not just a place to work; it’s also a place to play. The many students of Carleton University, Ottawa University, Saint Paul University, Université du Quebec en Outaouais, and even the famous Le Cordon Bleu Ottawa Culinary Arts Institute, provide dynamism to this federal city.

Displaying 1 to 10 of 53 Ottawa apartment rental listings

Renting in Ottawa: A Basic Overview

Getting around in Ottawa

Ottawa’s transit system makes it easy to rent in any part of the city.

Ottawa’s OC Transpo buses and 3 trains shuttle people to every part of the city, with dedicated Transitway lanes for commuters. Then there’s the famous O-Train, with 5 stations fully integrated with the bus service, and several Park & Ride options.

Have you already found your home in Ottawa? Try out the Trip Planner or follow OC Transpo on Twitter @OC_Transpo and @OCTranspoLive to find out how to get around.

Biking around town? Download the cycling map, and you can even take your bike and then ride the bus!

If you’re working in Gatineau but renting in Ottawa, you’ll find that the two cities have different transit systems. In Gatineau, the transit system is the Société de transport de l'Outaouais, with different tickets, but transfers and passes are accepted on both systems.

If you’re still living in Ottawa by 2017, you might even get to ride the new Confederation Line light rail transit system, currently under construction.

Renting in Ottawa: Choosing your neighbourhood

Ottawa has a variety of neighbourhoods and a nice assortment of older and more modern high-rises and low-rises, apartments, townhouses and detached houses.

Centretown, which includes the heart of the downtown area of Ottawa, as well as the Golden Triangle, offers quite a mix of rental properties, including high-rises.

Around the Parliament buildings of downtown, you’ll find rental apartments in the neighbourhoods of Lowertown, Centretown, Sandy Hill, the Glebe, Downtown, Centretown West, and New Edinburgh, whose rich history will fascinate you. Ottawa Magazine does great job describing the East End, the West End, the South End and the Central area.

If you’re looking for an easy commute, or getting around by foot, the Central neighbourhoods are ideal, but for families or those wanting more space, head to the suburbs, where townhouses and single-family houses abound.

Wherever you decide to rent, weigh up the costs of being close to work or school against other considerations such as convenience and time and money saved on transportation. When you visit your apartment, along with the usual checklist, make sure to find out where the nearest amenities are.

Rental housing in Ottawa: What to expect

If you’re renting your first apartment in Ottawa, keep in mind that landlords can ask for a rent deposit of up to one month’s rent. This is not a damage deposit, so it can only be used to pay the last month’s rent, and not for damages.

Your first apartment in Ottawa will likely be unfurnished and you may have to pay for utilities yourself, but you’ll have to check the fine print on your lease to know if there are additional costs. You should also plan a budget for rental insurance. With some older buildings, you’ll want to winterize your rented apartment to keep costs down.

You may be subject to a credit check with a credit bureau. The landlord may ask for a guarantor if you’re studying or don’t have a credit history in Canada.

According to CMHC, the average monthly rent for a two-bedroom apartment is just under $1,000, but the Ottawa Sun has it somewhat higher, the third highest in the country. However, considering the size of the city and the average salaries of Ottawa, the cost of living in Ottawa is, according to some, among the lowest in Canada.

With so many universities, you could also look into sharing an apartment with a roommate to save money.

Moving? Check out the latest rent increase guidelines from the Landlord and Tenant Board.

If you’re studying and away for the summer, remember that you have to give notice and that your landlord will have to approve your sublet request in writing. Check out other rental rules for Ottawa.

Where to get help when renting in Ottawa

Local papers, the internet, and RentersPages.com should be your first stop to find an apartment for rent in Ottawa. If something goes wrong with your rented housingor you need resources, you can contact the Ontario Tenant's Rights and the Landlord and Tenant Board.

Enjoy our Nation’s Capital!