Housing stability planning

• List two or three people you could stay with for a few nights, with phone numbers.
• Save 2-1-1 in your phone — it connects you to emergency shelter and community services across Ontario, 24/7.
• Look up your municipality's housing help or shelter services page now, before you need it.
• Pack a small 'go bag' list: ID, medication, phone charger, keys, essential documents, a few days of clothing.
• Photograph your ID and key documents so you have copies even if originals are out of reach.

In a crisis right now? Open Emergency Help →

• Write down your real monthly income after tax — from all sources.
• List fixed costs: rent, utilities, phone, transit, insurance, debt payments.
• Set rent aside the day money arrives, in a separate account if you can, so it is never spent by accident.
• If rent regularly takes most of your income, call 2-1-1 to ask about local income supports and subsidy waiting lists — supports vary by municipality.
• Review the budget every month; small course corrections beat big emergencies.

• Make a simple table: each month, rent charged, amount paid, date paid, and how (e-transfer, cash, cheque).
• Gather proof of every payment — e-transfer records, receipts, bank statements. Ask for receipts for any cash payment.
• If your numbers differ from the landlord's, note exactly where and why.
• Communicate with your landlord in writing. If you propose a repayment plan, keep it realistic — only promise what you can actually pay.
• Ask 2-1-1 about rent banks and eviction-prevention programs in your area — some municipalities offer interest-free help with arrears.
• If you have received a notice about arrears, get legal advice before signing any agreement. Deadlines and exceptions may apply.

Received a notice? Start at the Eviction Centre →

• Budget for: first and last month's rent, movers or truck rental, packing supplies, utility connection fees, address changes, and cleaning.
• Get two or three written quotes for movers, and confirm what is included.
• Track every moving expense with receipts — some may matter later if a dispute is involved.
• Ask about deposit rules before paying anything: in Ontario, a rent deposit generally applies to the last rental period, and there are limits on what can be charged. Steps to Justice explains deposits in plain language.

Record costs in the Expense Tracker →

• Collect in one folder (paper and photographed copies): government ID, lease, proof of income, reference contacts, rent-payment history.
• Photograph important documents and store copies where you can reach them from any device you control.
• Keep every notice, letter, and order about your housing — even ones that seem resolved.
• Update the folder whenever something changes: new job, new lease, new contact information.

Keep an evidence index in the Evidence Vault →

• Prepare a one-page renter profile: who you are, work or income, how long you have rented, references.
• Line up two or three references who will actually answer their phone — a current or past landlord, an employer, or another responsible contact.
• Have proof of income ready: recent pay stubs, a letter from an employer, or benefit statements.
• Answer application questions honestly. Never provide false documents — it can end a tenancy later and cause serious problems.
• If you believe you were refused housing for a discriminatory reason, that may raise human-rights issues worth reviewing.

Learn about discrimination in housing →

• View a unit in person (or by live video walkthrough) before paying anything.
• Bring someone with you to viewings when you can, and share the address with a person you trust.
• Meet the landlord or property manager, and confirm who actually owns or manages the building if anything feels off.
• Give personal information (SIN, banking details) only when genuinely required — many applications do not need a SIN.
• Trust your instincts. A legitimate landlord will not rush you past basic checks.

• Red flag: pressure to send money before you have viewed the unit or met anyone.
• Red flag: requests for wire transfers, gift cards, or cryptocurrency — legitimate landlords do not ask for these.
• Red flag: rent far below similar listings in the same area, with a story about why.
• Red flag: a 'landlord' who is out of the country and cannot show the unit.
• Red flag: refusing to provide a written lease, or refusing to identify themselves.
• Before paying, search the listing's photos and address online — stolen photos reused across cities are a classic sign.
• If you were scammed, report it to your local police and keep all messages and payment records.

• Confirm in writing which utilities are included in rent and which you pay directly.
• Budget for seasonal swings — heating and cooling months cost more.
• If you fall behind, contact the utility company early and ask about payment plans and arrears programs — options are usually better before disconnection.
• Call 2-1-1 to ask about energy-bill assistance programs for low-income households in your area.
• Keep utility bills and payment records — they also help prove your address and tenancy.

• List what you would store, what you would keep with you, and what you could let go.
• Compare a few storage options and get pricing in writing, including insurance and access rules.
• Photograph and list everything that goes into storage, with its condition.
• Never store originals of ID or key documents — keep those with you.
• Keep storage receipts; they document a real cost of housing disruption.

Build an inventory in Property and Belongings →

• You can check your own credit report from Canada's credit bureaus — reviewing it does not lower your score.
• Payment history matters most: paying bills and debts on time, consistently, is the main driver of credit health.
• Missed payments, collections, and high balances relative to limits tend to hurt scores.
• There are no legitimate shortcuts. Be cautious of anyone charging fees to 'repair' credit quickly.
• If debt feels unmanageable, non-profit credit counselling services exist — 2-1-1 can point you to accredited ones in your area.

• Homeownership in Ontario generally requires a down payment, closing costs, and steady income — for most people it is a multi-year plan, not a next step.
• The habits that stabilize renting — budgeting, on-time payments, organized documents — are the same ones lenders look for.
• Government programs for first-time buyers change over time; check current federal and Ontario government sources when you are ready, rather than relying on old information.
• Be wary of anyone promising fast paths to ownership or asking for fees up front.