Apartments for Rent Ottawa: Cheap 1-2 Bed Listings Under $1000

Q: What is the pet policy for most Ottawa rentals?

Pet policies vary by landlord and building. Outer neighborhoods like Vanier tend to be more flexible than downtown or uOttawa-area buildings.

Q: What utilities are typically included in Ottawa rentals?

Under-$1,000 listings commonly bundle utilities. Ottawa winters mean heating costs can add $100–$200/month, so an all-inclusive unit often costs less in total.

If you’re hunting for apartments for rent in Ottawa, you’re probably bracing for a pretty competitive search. Canada’s capital has a rental vacancy rate of just 1.7%, which means landlords can be picky and prices reflect that squeeze.

Listings available: 1650+ (Zillow) ·
Apartments listed: 310 (REALTOR.ca) ·
Avg 1-bedroom rent: $1120 ·
Vacancy rate: 1.7% ·
Rentals starting at: $1400/month (REALTOR.ca)

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts

Vacancy rate 1.7% (RentSeeker.ca)
Avg 1-bed rent $1120 (Rentola)
51 listings under $1000 on Zumper
51 listings under $1000 on Zumper

2What’s unclear

Exact sq ft for most listings
Whether prices include fees/taxes
Long-term lease details beyond sublets

3Timeline signal

Availability clusters May 1 for sublets
Summer sublet period May–Aug 2026
Some earlier dates: Apr 7, Mar 1

4What’s next

Tight supply keeps pressuring prices
Student housing demand peaks Sep
Budget options shrink as demand rises

Key facts at a glance

Metric	Value	Source
Vacancy rate	1.7%	RentSeeker.ca
Average 1-bedroom rent	$1,120	Rentola
Listings under $1,000	51	Zumper
2-bedroom starting price	$1,400/month	REALTOR.ca
Total listings	1650+	Zillow

Cheap apartments for rent Ottawa

Finding apartments for rent in Ottawa under $1,000 requires knowing where to look and adjusting expectations. Zumper lists 51 units under that threshold, but most are rooms in shared houses or basement apartments rather than standalone 1-bedrooms. Rentola shows the broader Ottawa average sits at C$2,052, which puts true budget finds in a different category entirely.

“The average monthly rent for an apartment in Ottawa is around 2052 C$,” according to Rentola’s platform data.

Under $1000 options

Two verified examples stand out from current listings:

305 Rideau St, Lower Town: 3-bedroom unit at $875, available May 1 — a summer sublet at THEO.
11 Euclid Ave #B: Listed at C$875 on Zillow.

Most other under-$1,000 options cluster around $850–$950 and are either rooms in multi-bed setups or basement units in outer neighborhoods. ApartmentHomeLiving shows Ottawa cheap apartments starting around C$900, though many studios or 1-beds edge above $1,000 once you filter for standalone units.

The trade-off: Lower prices usually mean shared living, smaller spaces, or locations farther from downtown core.

Budget neighborhoods

Four neighborhoods dominate the under-$1,000 landscape:

Sandy Hill: High concentration of student sublets. A room at 65 Templeton St #401A goes for $950 (May 1 availability, 5-min walk to uOttawa). Another room at 850 runs $850 with utilities and internet included.
Vanier: Basement 1-bedroom at 170 Genest St #1 for $1,000, 350 sq ft, utilities included, available May 1 — pet-friendly.
Glebe: 6-bed setup for $895 per room, available May 3, fully furnished with in-unit laundry.
Lower Town: Rideau Street corridor offers the $875 Rideau St unit and proximity to ByWard Market.

“Ideal for students, this modern rental offers fully furnished rooms with all utilities included for $800/room. Located just 450m from Algonquin College,” according to a Zumper listing for Algonquin Place.

The pattern: Student-heavy neighborhoods near Algonquin College and the University of Ottawa carry the most sublet and shared-room inventory priced under $1,000.

The catch

Standalone 1-bedroom apartments under $1,000 are rare in Ottawa. Most budget listings are rooms in shared houses or basement units, according to Apartments.com.

Ottawa apartments for rent 1 bedroom

The average 1-bedroom in Ottawa runs about $1,120, but that figure hides a lot of variation depending on neighborhood and building type. Zumper and Zillow together show roughly 1,650 total rental listings across the city, with 1-bedrooms making up a significant portion of that inventory.

Popular listings

Verified 1-bedroom examples from current market data:

Algonquin Place (101-115 Amaya): Rooms for $700–$920, in-unit laundry, furnished, near Algonquin College — technically listed as rooms but available individually.
Walkley station condo: Furnished 1-bedroom for $900, available April 7, all utilities included.
65 Templeton St #401A, Sandy Hill: 1-bedroom sublet at $950, May 1 availability, near uOttawa.

Beyond these, RentCafe reports 37 apartments under $1,000 in Ottawa (though many are studios or rooms), and Rentals.ca offers a map-based search for 1-bedroom units with photos and amenity filters.

Price ranges

The 1-bedroom market breaks down roughly as follows:

$700–$950: Rooms in shared houses, basement units, or student sublets
$950–$1,200: Entry-level standalone 1-bedrooms, often older buildings or farther neighborhoods
$1,200–$1,500: Mid-range 1-bedrooms in desirable neighborhoods (Glebe, Centretown)
$1,500+: Newer buildings, downtown core, or premium amenities

The implication: Budget hunters should prioritize Sandy Hill, Vanier, or Carlington if they want a standalone unit under $1,200.

Apartment for rent Ottawa 2 bedroom

Two-bedroom units typically start around $1,400 on platforms like REALTOR.ca, and that baseline reflects the tighter supply of family-sized rentals in the city. With a 1.7% vacancy rate, landlords for larger units can afford to be selective about applicants.

Family-sized options

Key platforms for 2-bedroom searches include REALTOR.ca (310 apartments listed), Rentals.ca (with Canadian-focused inventory), and Zillow. Most 2-bedroom listings cluster in suburbs like Kanata, Barrhaven, and Orleans, where newer townhouse complexes and apartment buildings offer more square footage.

305 Rideau St, Lower Town: The $875 listing is actually a 3-bedroom unit — a rare deal for anyone needing space and wanting to keep total rent low.
Glebe shared setup: 6-bed at $895/room works for families or groups who want private bedrooms with shared common space.

All-inclusive deals

Several verified listings bundle utilities:

170 Genest St #1: $1,000 total, utilities included
Walkley station condo: $900, all utilities included
65 Templeton St #401A: Sublet may include some utilities depending on arrangement

When comparing all-inclusive vs. not, factor in that Ottawa utilities (hydro, heat, water) can add $150–$250/month to base rent. An all-inclusive $1,100 unit might actually be cheaper than a $950 unit with separate utility bills.

The upshot

For families seeking 2-bedroom units, all-inclusive listings at $1,400–$1,600 often work out cheaper in total monthly cost than lower-base-rent options with separate utility charges.

Apartments for Rent Ottawa all inclusive

Rentals that bundle heat, hydro, water, and sometimes internet remove the variable billing headaches that plague many tenants. In Ottawa’s competitive market, all-inclusive units tend to get snapped up quickly.

Utilities included

Verified all-inclusive listings from current market data:

170 Genest St #1 (Vanier): $1,000/month, 350 sq ft basement 1-bedroom, available May 1
Walkley station condo: $900/month, furnished 1-bedroom, available April 7
Sandy Hill room: $850/month, utilities and internet included
Algonquin Place rooms: $700–$920/month, furnished, in-unit laundry included

Common amenities across all-inclusive listings: furnished unit, in-unit laundry, air conditioning, and utilities bundled. These features appear frequently in sublets and student housing because landlords know tenants value predictability.

Pet-friendly

Pet policies vary by landlord, but verified pet-friendly options include:

170 Genest St #1 (Vanier): Pet-friendly basement 1-bedroom at $1,000

Most other under-$1,000 listings don’t explicitly advertise pet policies. For pet owners willing to stretch to $1,200–$1,400, Rentals.ca and Zumper allow filtering by pet-friendly criteria.

The implication: If you have a pet, prioritize Vanier and outer neighborhoods where landlords are slightly more flexible. Downtown and near uOttawa, pet restrictions are more common due to building age and strata rules.

Apartments for rent Ottawa near uOttawa

Students and staff searching near the University of Ottawa face a specific challenge: proximity to campus commands a premium, but sublets and shared housing can still land under $1,000 during off-peak times.

Student housing

Sandy Hill is ground zero for uOttawa-adjacent rentals. Verified options include:

65 Templeton St #401A: 1-bedroom sublet at $950, available May 1, 5-minute walk to campus
Sandy Hill room: $850/month, utilities and internet included
Multiple shared setups in Glebe and Sandy Hill offering rooms at $850–$895

The university itself doesn’t directly list off-campus housing, but the uOttawa housing office maintains resources for students seeking shared living arrangements. Students should also check the Algonquin College area (accessible via O-Train) for more affordable options — Algonquin Place rooms at $700–$920 sit about 450 meters from the college campus.

Downtown proximity

For those prioritizing downtown access over campus proximity, Lower Town and Centretown offer a middle ground:

305 Rideau St (Lower Town): 3-bedroom at $875, near ByWard Market and transit
Walkley station condo: $900, south of downtown but near O-Train Line 2

Map-based search tools on Rentals.ca and Zillow let you draw radius filters around uOttawa or downtown and adjust price/bedroom criteria. This catches listings that might not appear in simple keyword searches.

Why this matters

Students who expand their search radius to include Algonquin College area and South Keys can save $200–$300/month compared to Sandy Hill while maintaining transit access to uOttawa via O-Train.

Upsides

Student neighborhoods (Sandy Hill, Glebe) offer rooms under $950
All-inclusive options eliminate surprise utility bills
Multiple platforms (Zumper, Zillow, Rentals.ca) with real-time listings
Gatineau QC cross-border options available for tighter budgets
Sublet market provides seasonal flexibility for short-term needs

Downsides

Standalone 1-bedrooms under $1,000 are extremely rare
1.7% vacancy rate means competitive bidding for desirable units
Most budget options require shared living arrangements
May 1 availability cluster means limited flexibility for other move-in dates
Pet-friendly under-$1,000 units are nearly nonexistent

Bottom line: The pattern: Budget-seekers who combine platform searches with willingness to consider shared housing, student sublets, and outer neighborhoods gain the most traction in Ottawa’s tight rental market.

How to find apartments for rent in Ottawa

Finding the right rental in Ottawa’s tight market comes down to using the right tools, moving fast, and knowing what landlords actually want to see from applicants.

Step 1: Search multiple platforms with alerts set

Start with Zumper (51 under-$1,000 listings), Zillow (8 under-$1,000), Rentals.ca (map-based Canadian listings), and REALTOR.ca (310 apartments, more mid-range). Set up daily email alerts on each platform — new listings in desirable neighborhoods can be gone within hours.

Step 2: Filter smartly

Use price range ($800–$1,200 if flexible), bedroom count, and location filters. For map-based searches, draw a radius around Sandy Hill, Vanier, or Glebe if those neighborhoods work for your commute. Check “utilities included” and “furnished” boxes if budget certainty matters more than personalization.

Step 3: Prepare documents before you need them

Landlords in a competitive market request: credit report, proof of income (pay stubs or employment letter), references from previous landlords, and government ID. Having a complete application package ready to email within 24 hours of seeing a listing puts you ahead of applicants who need to gather materials.

Step 4: Act fast on good listings

The $875 Rideau Street unit, the $900 Walkley station condo, the $850 Sandy Hill room — these kinds of listings disappear fast. If a listing goes live on a Wednesday, expect competing inquiries by Thursday morning. Schedule viewings quickly and have your deposit ready.

Step 5: Know your rights

Ottawa is governed by the Ontario Residential Tenancies Act. Landlords can only request first and last month’s rent, and they must use a standard lease agreement. Never pay a fee for an application itself — that’s a red flag. If a listing asks for money before you’ve seen the unit, walk away.

The bottom line: Renters who cast a wide net across multiple platforms, set daily alerts, and move quickly on verified listings will find the most options in Ottawa’s competitive market. Those who limit themselves to one platform or hesitate on good units will struggle to compete against the 1.7% vacancy squeeze.

The trade-off

Students who cast a wider net — including Algonquin College area, South Keys, and Gatineau QC — can access more inventory and lower prices, but should factor transit costs and commute time into their overall budget calculation.

Additional sources

apartments.com, zumper.com, trulia.com, zillow.com, apartmenthomeliving.com, rentcafe.com, rentola.ca, rentals.ca

Prospective renters scouting cheap 1-2 bed units under $1000 will find value in this Ottawa rental guide highlighting neighborhoods and stabilizing market trends.

Frequently asked questions

How do I search for apartments for rent in Ottawa?

Use multiple platforms simultaneously. Zumper, Zillow, Rentals.ca, REALTOR.ca, and Liv.rent each pull from different listing pools. Set alerts for your target neighborhoods and price range, then check new listings daily. Map-based searches on Rentals.ca let you draw custom radii around specific landmarks like uOttawa or downtown.

What documents are needed to rent an apartment in Ottawa?

Most landlords require a credit check, proof of income (pay stubs or an employment letter), previous landlord references, and a government-issued ID. Have these ready before you start applying so you can move quickly when you find a match.

Is the Ottawa rental market competitive?

Yes. The 1.7% vacancy rate is well below the 3% equilibrium that gives tenants leverage. With 1,650+ listings but strong demand from students, government workers, and families, desirable units in Sandy Hill, Glebe, and Centretown attract multiple applications within days of listing.

What is the pet policy for most Ottawa rentals?

Pet policies vary by landlord and building. Older buildings near downtown and around uOttawa often restrict pets due to straddle rules. Outer neighborhoods like Vanier and suburbs tend to be more flexible. The 170 Genest St #1 listing in Vanier explicitly welcomes pets at $1,000/month.

How long does it take to find an apartment in Ottawa?

Budget hunters should allow 2–4 weeks for a standalone unit under $1,200 in a desirable neighborhood. Shared-room seekers or those flexible on neighborhood can find options within days, especially during the May 1 sublet cluster. Students searching in August for September move-in should start in early July.

Are there short-term apartments for rent in Ottawa?

Short-term options exist primarily as summer sublets near uOttawa (May–August) and furnished corporate rentals downtown. Most platforms list long-term rentals only for sub-$1,000 units, according to Rentola. For short-term furnished needs, check dedicated short-term platforms rather than standard rental aggregators.

What utilities are typically included in Ottawa rentals?

Under-$1,000 listings commonly bundle utilities (heat, water, sometimes electricity) and sometimes internet. Mid-range rentals ($1,200–$1,500) more often list rent separately from utilities. Ottawa winters mean heating costs can add $100–$200/month, so an all-inclusive $1,100 unit often costs less in total than a $950 unit with separate heating bills.

For renters in Ottawa, the choice is clear: cast a wide net across multiple platforms, set alerts, and move fast on good listings — or accept a smaller space, shared living, or a farther neighborhood. The city’s 1.7% vacancy rate means the market won’t loosen up anytime soon, and waiting for prices to drop historically hasn’t worked in Canada’s capital.