In only one year, rents have risen 12% in Canada. Today, the average renter pays $2,005 per month for housing. Leading the pack for high rents are Vancouver, Toronto, Burnaby, and Mississauga.
If you are like many Canadians, you may be struggling to keep up with rising housing costs. So, you may wonder: what are your options if you can’t pay rent?
The good news is that you do not have to worry about eviction. There are many options available to people who are struggling to meet rent obligations due to money problems.
Today, we are bringing you this guide to help you understand these options. If you want to know what to do when money’s tight, and rent is due, keep reading this post.
Options For When You’re Having Trouble Paying Rent
If you haven’t heard, COVID-19 rent moratoriums expired in 2020. Now, landlords and property managers can evict you for not paying rent. 2020 also saw the end of rent increase freezes.
You may think it’s okay to not pay rent just once. But even one late rent payment is enough to get you evicted. And even if you are evicted, you still have to pay the amount you owe.
To avoid the unnecessary stress of eviction and what comes after, consider the following options.
Check Your Lease Documents for a Grace Period
Some lease agreements allow for grace periods. Usually spanning a couple of days to a week, grace periods allow you to delay your rent payment without accumulating fines or risking eviction.
Not sure if your landlord or property applies a grace period to rent payments? Check your lease. Your lease document should contain a clause about grace periods and, if there is one, how many days it lasts.
In Canada, note that you can’t use the grace period every single month. You can only pay your rent late up to three times in one year. After that, your landlord or property manager has cause to evict you.
Talk to Your Landlord or Property Manager
Eviction is expensive not only for renters but also landlords and property managers. As such, talking to your landlord or property manager about your situation may be enough.
Property managers are more likely to help you out than individual landlords. Landlords often have mortgage payments to make on the home you’re renting. They can’t afford to miss a payment as much as you can’t afford to skip rent.
Make sure you approach the conversation with empathy. Do not make demands. Instead, explain your situation clearly and ask your landlord or property manager what you can do in exchange for reduced or canceled rent.
Contact Local Charitable Organizations
For most Canadians, rent is their most significant expense. That is why there are many programs and charitable organizations designed to help with rent payments. Check out the following to find out if you qualify for assistance:
- The Ontario Disability Support Program
- Ontario Works
- The Canadian Red Cross Community Housing Support program
- The Salvation Army’s Homelessness Prevention Fund
- The 211 Ontario program
- Local programs such as the Halton Region Housing Stability Fund or Windsor and Essex Counties’ Housing Stability Plans (HSPs)
Also, consider reaching out to local churches and charitable organizations. Many communities in Canada have rent banks to help people struggling with rent problems.
Consider Using Your Credit Card
If you have a credit card, you can always pay for your rent on credit. The only time you should use this option, though, is if you can pay back the amount before your bank charges interest on the amount.
Another option is to do a balance transfer. Balance transfers allow you to move your credit card balance to a new account. The new account may come with a preliminary interest-free period, giving you longer to pay back rent.
It is important to note that most balance transfers are not free, though. Most banks charge a fee as a percentage of your balance for this service. Make sure you take the balance transfer fee into account when considering this option.
Apply for a Short-Term Loan
Taking out a loan to pay rent can be a risky option. Only turn to this solution as a last resort, and only borrow the amount you need for rent. Do not take out a personal loan unless you know that you can pay it back on time.
Also, avoid taking out payday loans at all costs. These short-term loans may look good on the surface. But you must re-pay them in one lump sum — the amount you borrowed plus interest fees accrued.
So, what type of loan is best? Financial institutions like Tekaloan offer short-term installment loans in Canada for amounts ranging from $500–$1,000. Borrowers can pay back the amount over a loan term of three to six months.
If you can, we always advise borrowers to pay back loan amounts faster than the repayment term. This will minimize the amount you pay in interest, lowering the total cost of the loan.
Can’t Pay Rent? Teka Loan Can Help
If you are struggling to pay rent this month, you are not alone. Many Canadians can’t pay rent every now and then. Luckily, there are solutions, from contacting local charities to working with a short-term lender like Tekaloan.
Are you looking for easy-to-qualify-for fast loans to help with rent payments? Tekaloan.com does not require a credit check as long as you meet our criteria. Apply for a loan today — it will only take five minutes!