Rentals, Housing and Shelter: Information and Helpful Links

Services/Programs:

• Housing

This page provides information and helpful links for rental housing, affordable housing and shelters in Delta and nearby communities.  

• BC Housing provides  information and links to rental housing options including: 
  • Affordable Rental Housing Learn how to use Housing Listings to search and apply affordable rentals and housing co-operatives.
  • Subsidized Housing Find out if you qualify for subsidized housing and learn how to apply.
  • Indigenous (Information & Links)  and  Indigenous Off-reserve Housing  A list of off-reserve Aboriginal housing available to households and individuals with Aboriginal ancestry, including status and non-status Indians, Métis and Inuit.

The following links provide information and resources for low income earners searching for housing:

• BC Housing – RAP Rental Assistance Program (RAP)  The Rental Assistance Program provides eligible low-income working families with cash assistance to help with their monthly rent payments.
• Red Door Housing Society - Provides subsidized rental housing and market and below market affordable housing for low income people in Metro Vancouver.
• SAFER: Shelter Aid for Elderly Renters - Lower income seniors renting in the private market may be eligible for a rent supplement through SAFER.
• BC Housing Rental Assistance Calculator - You could be eligible for rent assistance.  Click here to see if you qualify.
• Options Community Services: Finding Housing

Important Information for Tenants and Landlords: Know Your Rights and Responsibilities

• Tenant Resources - TRAC provides legal education and information
• Tenant Infoline When calling TRAC’s Tenant Infoline, please be prepared to answer some preliminary questions about your rental situation. Before providing legal information and referral services, it important that our staff and volunteers determine where you are calling from, what type of housing you live in, and whether you are covered by the Residential Tenancy Act. Hours of operation:
  • Monday: 1-5pm
  • Tuesday: 1-5pm
  • Wednesday: 430-730pm
  • Thursday: 1-5pm
  • Friday: 9-1pm

• Free online course: "Renting it Right"
• Social media: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram 
• More information is provided at the following links:
  • Clicklaw BC: Solving Common Problems (Housing, tenants, landlords, tenants)
  • TenantsBC: Resources & Information for Tenants and Landlords 

Other Online Links for Housing and Rentals

Click on a link to do a custom search for rental accommodation in North Delta, South Delta, Tsawwassen, Surrey and other Metro Vancouver locations.  You can set filters at these sites to find accommodation in specific locations at a range of prices.

These sites are updated frequently so check regularly for new listings:

• Free Rent Ads Online
• Aptrentals.net: Your Rental Apartment Specialist 
• Walk Score  - Rental Housing in Delta with a score to indicate distance to walk to community amenities.  Scroll down to see "Quick Links" to refine your search for pet-friendly rentals, rentals with pools etc. 
• Used.ca - See the clickable headings under "Rentals:" then click on House Rentals or on Apartment Rentals to refine your search.
• Kijiji (Use the search term "Rentals Available")
• Trovit
• Craigslist
• Barbican Residental Rentals: Tsawwassen
• Rental Listings on BC Classifieds Online

Avoid Rental Scams and Frauds: Tips from the Vancouver Police Department: Two common Scenarios

• A scammer poses as a landlord and says they are out of the country and require a deposit on the rental. Once the money is paid, usually through a money transfer, the new tenant discovers there isn’t actually a rental.
• A scammer has somehow obtained access to a property or place. They pose as a landlord / property manager and show the victim the property. They then request an immediate down payment to secure the property and inform the victim they can move in at a later date. On the move-in date, the victim arrives only to discover it wasn’t actually a rental and there have been other victims as well.

Red Flags and Tips: 

• Is the price too good to be true?
  Check rental rates in the same area. Often fraudsters will try to entice their victims with low prices to elicit multiple victims.
• Are they just communicating with you via email?
  Fraudsters will not want to meet their victims in person to avoid being recognized and investigated by police.
• Are they asking for cash only or a cash security deposit?
  Cash is untraceable and can be used immediately.
• Are they asking for money to be wired?
  Once money is wired, it is extremely difficult to cancel the transaction. Also, money transfers are difficult to trace.
• Have you seen the place and walked around with the property manager or owner?
  Never rent a place that you have not been inside and walked around.
• Are they asking for personal information such as a SIN, bank account, credit card numbers?
  That information is not required to rent a place.
• Are they the landowner or property manager?
  Only the landowner and property manager have the authority to rent out a place (there are exceptions to this rule however, it is rare).
• Ask the neighbours about the landowner and history of the property.
  Neighbours are a great source of information regarding the owner and property. They can often confirm who the owner or property manager is.

Preventing Rental Scams

Contact Information

Website: https://deltassist.com/about-deltassist/find-a-service