Market Rent Housing

Wait times for market rentals through CityHousing Hamilton are generally shorter than wait times for subsidized units. However, CityHousing Hamilton cannot provide an accurate estimate of the length of time you will wait for market rent units. Wait times depend on several factors, including vacancy rates and the number of people on the market rent wait list for each property. 

CityHousing Hamilton has market rent units in all areas of the City of Hamilton. The Building Selection Form(PDF, 107.73 KB) lists the properties available with market rent units. 

When your name comes to the top of the wait list, you will be contacted by a Residency Administration Representative to see if you are interested in viewing an available unit.

• You will be asked to go and see the unit and ask any questions you might have. You will then be asked by the Residency Administration Representative if you are willing to accept the unit. Please note that accepting a unit does not mean that you are guaranteed to be offered that unit. You must first qualify and be approved before you will be formally offered the unit.
• If you are willing to accept the unit, the approval process starts to determine if you qualify. You will be asked for the following:
  • Complete and sign an Information Verification Form. This form asks you questions about who lives in your household, your source of income, your assets, your bank accounts, any property you own, your bankruptcy history and gives CHH your consent to run a credit bureau check.
  • Complete and sign a landlord reference check form. This form asks you to provide information about your previous landlords and gives CHH your consent to do a landlord reference check.
  • Proof of income. Your Residency Administration Representative will let you know what you must submit for your household. The Income Verification Checklist(PDF, 37.2 KB) includes examples of income verification documents that you may be asked to provide. 
  • Identification for all occupants of the unit. Photo identification is required for each applicant.
• The above information will help determine if you can be formally offered the unit that you viewed. You will be sent a letter to let you know whether you have been approved for the unit or if your offer was refused. If you have been refused housing for a subsidized unit that you have applied for through Access to Housing, you have the right to appeal the decision. If you have applied for an affordable market rent unit, the decision is final and cannot be appealed.
• If you have been approved and accept the offer, you will be given a lease to sign. The lease is a legal document with rights and obligations for you and CityHousing Housing. The terms will be explained when it is signed.  If you are renting an affordable market rent unit, the first and last month’s rent must be paid in full before keys will be released,  by certified cheque (payable to CityHousing Hamilton), or money order.
• You will set up a move in date with your new Property Manager and get the keys to your new home!