Imagine this: you finally find the perfect apartment in downtown Toronto. It’s close to transit, has in-suite laundry, and even a balcony with a view. But before you can sign the lease, the landlord asks for your credit report. Suddenly, that little piece of plastic you’ve been swiping at the grocery store becomes the deciding factor between moving in or losing the place.

For many Canadians—especially students, newcomers, and young professionals—the credit card impact on renting in Canada isn’t always obvious until they’re asked for proof of financial reliability. Yet in today’s rental market, where demand outpaces supply in cities like Vancouver, Calgary, and Montreal, your credit history often weighs as heavily as your income.

This blog dives deep into the relationship between credit cards and renting in Canada. We’ll explore how landlords interpret scores, why deposits are tied to your creditworthiness, and how using cards like the Amex Gold Credit Card or TD Cash Back Visa can position you for rental success.

Why Landlords Care About Credit in Canada

Credit scores are a shortcut for landlords to assess risk. Unlike employers, who may focus on résumés and interviews, landlords want to know: Will this tenant pay rent on time?

When landlords pull your report, they’re looking at:

• Payment history: Missed or late payments signal unreliability.
• Credit utilization: If you’re maxing out your credit cards, landlords may worry you’re overextended.
• Length of history: Longer credit histories show stable financial behaviour.
• Recent inquiries: Multiple new credit accounts can look risky.

In other words, your day-to-day use of a card—whether you pay balances in full on your Amex Cobalt Cash Back or carry high balances on multiple cards—directly affects your rental opportunities.

Deposits and Credit: The Silent Link

In Canada, landlords can request a security deposit (often called a damage deposit), but in many provinces, they can’t legally ask for more than one month’s rent. So what happens if they still feel uneasy about your financial reliability? They’ll lean on your credit score as reassurance.

• Good credit history → You may only need the standard deposit.
• Thin or poor history → Landlords may ask for co-signers or, in some cases, decline your application altogether.

Consider a newcomer to Canada. Even with a strong income, a landlord might hesitate if the tenant doesn’t have local credit history. That’s why opening a starter card like the Tangerine Credit Card Cash Back and using it responsibly for groceries, bills, or transit is so valuable. Over time, those payments build trust—not just with banks, but with landlords.

Younger Canadians: Building Credit While House Hunting

For Canadians under 30, credit cards are often the very first step toward building a financial footprint. Yet, many don’t realize how directly it influences renting.

A recent graduate in Montreal may have a strong job offer but no history of credit. Without any track record, their landlord sees them as a blank slate—risky, despite steady income.

That’s where early credit-building tools like the TD Cash Back Visa or Amex Cash Back become crucial. These cards allow young renters to establish positive payment histories, making them more attractive applicants when competing for apartments in tight rental markets.

Newcomers to Canada: A Double Challenge

For immigrants and international students, the rental process can feel even more daunting. While income and references are important, landlords also want Canadian-based credit. A newcomer arriving in Toronto with no local history may face higher scrutiny—even if they managed finances perfectly in their home country.

Here’s where cards like the Amex Gold Credit Card or entry-level products like the Tangerine Credit Card Cash Back help. By charging recurring bills—phone plans, groceries, even public transit passes—and paying balances in full, newcomers can build credit fast. Within a year, this can significantly improve their rental application odds.

How Many Credit Cards Should You Have While Renting?

A common myth is that having multiple credit cards automatically makes you “unreliable” in the eyes of landlords. The truth is more nuanced.

What matters is not the number of cards, but how you manage them:

• Keep utilization under 30%. For example, if your combined limits equal $10,000, aim to use less than $3,000.
• Pay in full and on time. Even one missed payment can hurt your rental prospects.
• Choose cards strategically. A mix of top-rated cash back credit cards and rewards cards like TD First Class Travel or the Amex Business Platinum Card shows depth without risk.

The Psychology of Landlord Credit Checks

While credit scores are numeric, landlords don’t always interpret them in purely mathematical ways. A score in the high 600s may pass with one landlord, while another insists on 720+.

Here’s where responsible credit card use comes into play:

• Using cards regularly shows consistent behaviour.
• Keeping balances low demonstrates self-control.
• A history of managing higher-tier cards (like the Amex Business Platinum Card) signals financial stability.

In competitive rental markets, these subtle signals can be the edge you need over another applicant.

The Bigger Picture: Financial Wellness and Housing

Your ability to rent in Canada is not just about shelter—it’s about financial wellness. By treating your credit cards as tools (rather than burdens), you can unlock more than rewards.

• Flexibility: Premium cards like the Amex Business Platinum Card or TD First Class Travel offer perks that extend beyond spending—travel credits, insurance, and purchase protection.
• Savings: Leveraging top-rated cash back credit cards allows renters to earn back on essentials like utilities and groceries.
• Confidence: Walking into a rental application with strong credit means less stress and fewer negotiations over deposits.

The takeaway? Responsible credit card use isn’t just about points—it’s about securing stability in one of the most important aspects of life: your home.

Ready to strengthen your credit and make renting easier? Start maximizing your rewards with the right mix of cards. Whether you’re eyeing the Amex Gold Credit Card, planning travel with TD First Class Travel, or looking for everyday savings with the Tangerine Credit Card Cash Back or TD Cash Back Visa, you’ll find the perfect fit.

Head to Great Canadian Rebates today and start earning while building the credit history landlords want to see.