The best neighbourhoods in Ottawa to rent an apartment

The neighbourhoods where to rent an apartment in Ottawa, rents recorded in 2026 and Ontario lease rules, so you can search without nasty surprises.

The Remoters editorial team

Published on

10 December 2023

Updated on

6 October 2026

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To rent an apartment in Ottawa, six areas come up in most searches: Centretown for living downtown, The Glebe for the Rideau Canal and a residential feel, Westboro and Hintonburg in the west, Sandy Hill next to the University of Ottawa, and Vanier, a French-speaking neighbourhood and one of the most affordable. Old Ottawa East and Old Ottawa South, quieter, round out the list for families, and Kanata attracts those who work in the tech hub in the west.

The federal capital is a bilingual city, and its rental market rests on the public service, the universities and the tech sector. Rents have fallen slightly over the past year: according to the Rentals.ca and Urbanation analysis reported by La Presse canadienne in May 2026, a one-bedroom apartment rented for an average of $1,945 per month in April 2026 (down 3.2% year on year) and a two-bedroom for $2,472 (down 4%). The amounts in this article are in Canadian dollars.

Here is what each neighbourhood offers, the budget to plan for, the lease rules in Ontario and the precautions to take, especially if you are searching from France.

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The neighbourhoods where to rent in Ottawa

Centretown: in the heart of the city

Centretown is Ottawa's lively centre, close to Parliament and the federal ministries. It is the choice of those who want to keep commutes short and do everything on foot. The area is well served by OC Transpo buses and close to O-Train Line 1. Rents there are among the highest in the city.

The Glebe: the Rideau Canal a stone's throw away

A residential neighbourhood bordered by the Rideau Canal, The Glebe attracts families and young professionals with its independent shops, restaurants and farmers' market. Demand is strong and rents are above average.

Westboro and Hintonburg: the rising west

Westboro, in the west, is appreciated for its cafés, local shops and access to Westboro Beach, on the Ottawa River. Its rents have risen in recent years. Hintonburg, its neighbour, is a former working-class district that has become a cultural and artistic area, with rents still more accessible than in Westboro, but rising.

Sandy Hill: the student neighbourhood

This is the neighbourhood closest to the University of Ottawa: much of it is within walking distance of the campus and buses run frequently. Rental density is high, and rents vary a lot depending on the street and the condition of the home. Just to the north, Lowertown and the ByWard Market offer a livelier atmosphere, but some streets are less quiet than others.

Vanier: French-speaking and affordable

A historic French-speaking neighbourhood, Vanier is one of the most affordable areas of the city. It is being revitalised and increasingly attracts tenants who want to stay close to the centre without paying its prices. Overbrook, next door, is also among the cheapest options.

Old Ottawa East, Old Ottawa South and Kanata

South of the University of Ottawa campus, Old Ottawa East and Old Ottawa South are quiet, family-oriented neighbourhoods, linked to the centre by frequent buses and cycle paths. Kanata, in the western suburbs, concentrates a large part of the tech sector: rents there are lower than downtown, but a car or long public transport commutes are often necessary.

Which neighbourhood for which profile

Student: Sandy Hill, Lowertown, or Vanier for a tighter budget.
Young professional working downtown: Centretown, Hintonburg or Westboro.
Family: The Glebe, Old Ottawa East or Old Ottawa South.
Tech job in the west: Kanata.

Together we will find your home

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What budget for an apartment in Ottawa

Here are the usual rent levels, cross-checked with data published in 2026:

Studio: from about $1,500 per month.
One bedroom: around $2,000 per month; $1,945 on average in April 2026 according to Rentals.ca and Urbanation.
Two bedrooms: around $2,500 per month; $2,472 on average in April 2026.

Central neighbourhoods like Centretown, The Glebe or Westboro sit above these averages, Vanier and Overbrook below. A furnished or recently renovated home costs more. If you are thinking of living across the river, the University of Ottawa records much lower rents in Gatineau, Quebec: $1,100 on average for one bedroom and $1,520 for two bedrooms in May 2026, based on its own listing surveys.

The charges to check

The advertised rent does not always include heating, water, electricity or parking. Before viewing, ask what is included and what the heating type is. If electricity is not included, you will open an account with Hydro Ottawa. Add internet, laundry if it is paid, and the Presto card for public transport. Winter is long and cold: a well-insulated home makes a real difference to the bill.

Leases in Ontario: what the law says

Mandatory standard lease: for most private homes, the landlord must use the Ontario standard lease for any new lease. If you haven't received it, ask for it in writing: they must give it to you within 21 days. Failing that, you can withhold one month's rent.
Deposit: the landlord can ask for a deposit equal to the last month's rent, but not a damage deposit.
Rent increases: for most tenants, rent can only go up once a year and within the legal rate, set at 1.9% for 2027 and capped at 2.5%. Watch out for exceptions: this cap does not apply to homes occupied for the first time after 15 November 2018, nor to the rent agreed between the landlord and a new tenant.
Joint liability: in a shared home, almost every lease makes you liable for the whole rent, not just your share.

The application and the viewing

Landlords generally ask for ID, proof of income (employment letter, payslips or bank statements), references from former landlords and sometimes a credit report. Arriving from France with no Canadian credit history is common: make up for it with an employment letter, bank statements and translated references.

The University of Ottawa's Housing Service advises starting early: don't wait until July to look for a home for September. During the viewing, test the taps, heating and appliances, and check the smoke detectors, locks and any signs of damp or pests. Note every defect, have the list signed and take photos on move-in.

Avoiding rental scams

Pay nothing before you have visited the home, in person or through someone you trust, and checked that the person you are dealing with is actually the owner or manager.
Insist on something in writing before any deposit, stating whether the sum is refundable.
Be wary of rents far below the market and of landlords "abroad" who cannot show the home.
Refuse a damage deposit: it is not allowed in Ontario.

Searching from France

Viewing remotely, understanding an Ontario lease and reacting quickly in the sought-after neighbourhoods is not easy from the other side of the Atlantic. A Remoters home finder based in Ottawa can search for you according to your budget and your workplace or school, visit apartments, put your application together and review the lease before signing. The first conversation and the quote are free.