Your moving date is approaching, but the apartment you are considering is several provinces away. Photos give you a first impression. A live tour and a clear application process can help you take the next step with confidence.
Renting in Winnipeg from out of province is possible without travelling here to complete every step. Towers Realty’s leasing agents can provide FaceTime or video call tours, and leases are sent for electronic signature. Before committing, confirm the suite’s availability, prepare your application documents and verify that you are communicating with the leasing team.
For a December or January arrival, arranging these details in advance also gives you time to plan the handover before winter travel begins.
Start Your Out-of-Province Rental Search With the Move-In Date
Your required possession date should guide your search before you gather documents for a particular apartment. Confirm that the suite is available when you need it and that the proposed lease term suits your plans. Work backwards from your arrival date. Allow time for a video tour, document requests, application assessment, electronic signing and payment arrangements.
An enquiry or viewing does not reserve an apartment by itself. Ask the leasing agent what must happen before the suite is confirmed and when you should expect an update. Build your shortlist around your actual destination. Someone starting work near St. Boniface Hospital may need a different daily route from someone attending the University of Manitoba’s Fort Garry campus.
Compare the full journey, including transfers and the walk from the stop. During a winter arrival, the walking portion matters just as much as the distance shown on a map.
Arrange a FaceTime or Video Call Tour
Towers Realty’s leasing agents can provide a FaceTime or video call tour so you can view an apartment before arriving in Winnipeg. Contact the leasing agent to arrange a time and confirm that the tour will show the exact suite you are considering.
A live tour lets you ask questions while the agent walks through the apartment. Request a closer look at features that are difficult to judge from photographs, such as closet space, kitchen storage and room layout.
Prepare a short checklist before the call:
- Confirm the suite number and floor plan.
- Ask about dimensions for your furniture.
- View the appliances, closets and storage areas.
- Confirm laundry access and parking options.
- Ask about any repairs planned before possession.
- Discuss the entrance, building access and surrounding area.
Tell the agent which details matter most to you. If you work from home, ask to see potential desk space and the location of electrical outlets. If you are shipping furniture, obtain measurements rather than estimating from the video.
Include your time zone when arranging the appointment. You can also ask someone you trust to attend a viewing on your behalf if you would prefer an in-person assessment.
Verify the Listing and Leasing Contact
Verify the person offering the apartment through a contact route you find independently. A copied logo, realistic photographs or a familiar building name does not establish that someone has authority to rent the suite.
Open the property manager’s official website yourself and compare the address, available suite and leasing contact. If an advertisement provides different instructions, call the published office number to confirm them. Manitoba’s Residential Tenancies Branch advises renters to deal directly with the actual landlord or property manager and verify the rental before committing.
A video tour is useful for assessing an apartment, but it should be part of that verification process. Confirm who is conducting the tour and which company manages the property. Be cautious if someone pressures you to transfer money before answering basic questions. If a payment recipient, property address or document does not match the arrangements you discussed, pause and verify it through the established office contact.
Keep the advertisement, messages and confirmed payment instructions together so you can refer to them throughout the process.
Prepare Application Documents for Your Circumstances
Prepare documents that explain who will live in the suite and how rent will be paid. Applying from another province does not remove the need for the property manager to assess your application.
Towers’ published requirements include identification, consent for reference and credit checks, and income verification. The appropriate supporting documents depend on your circumstances.
If you are relocating for a new job, include your employment offer letter and ask whether anything else is needed. Make sure the information clearly identifies your employer and relevant employment details. Students and applicants without previous rental history should ask about additional documentation and guarantor requirements before setting a deadline for their move.
Review the current rental application approval requirements and confirm what applies to your household. Each adult who will occupy the suite needs to complete the applicable application requirements.
Send identification and financial documents through the application method confirmed by the leasing team. Do not rely on an unverified social media account to tell you where sensitive information should go.
Review and Sign Your Lease Electronically
Towers Realty sends leases for electronic signature, allowing you to review and sign your agreement before arriving in Winnipeg. Confirm the signing process with the leasing team and read the documents before completing them.
Check the exact suite, lease term, rent, included services and possession date. Review parking, storage, utilities, pet rules and any additional charges, and make sure the agreement reflects what you discussed. If a repair was promised before possession, ask how that commitment will be recorded. Send questions to the leasing team before signing so you understand the terms.
Confirm when the security deposit and first rent payment are due, which payment methods are accepted and how you will receive a receipt. Verify any unexpected changes to payment instructions directly with the property manager.
Our step-by-step rental process explains the stages from viewing to signing. Electronic signing makes the documents accessible from a distance, while key collection and the move-in appointment still need to be arranged separately.
Plan the Handover for a Winter Arrival
Confirm key collection, building access and the move-in appointment before travelling. Your arrival time and the time you can take possession may be different. For a November, December or January move, ask where the moving vehicle can stop and whether elevator bookings or other access arrangements apply. Tell the leasing team if you expect to arrive outside normal office hours.
Keep essential medication, identification, warm clothing and confirmed contact details with you. They should remain accessible if your luggage or moving truck arrives later than expected. Ask how the move-in inspection will be completed and keep your copy of the condition report. Document any concerns through the property manager’s established process rather than relying on a conversation with a mover.
Our residential tenant FAQs provide additional information to help you prepare for your tenancy.
Give the Leasing Team a Useful First Inquiry
A clear first message helps the leasing team identify suitable options and explain your next step. Include your arrival date, preferred areas, bedroom needs, budget and any pets or parking requirements. Explain that you are currently outside Winnipeg and would like to arrange a FaceTime or video call tour. Provide your time zone and a few suitable appointment times.
Start with available Towers Realty apartments, then contact the listed leasing representative about a suitable suite. The team can explain the viewing, application and electronic signing steps so you know what needs to be completed before you arrive.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can an application be approved immediately because I am travelling soon?
An urgent travel date does not guarantee immediate approval. Tell the leasing team your deadline and ask about realistic processing expectations before making non-refundable travel or moving arrangements.
How can I prepare to sign my lease electronically?
Use an email address you check regularly and confirm that the leasing team has the correct contact details for everyone required to sign. If you have difficulty accessing or completing the documents, contact the team before your planned move-in date.
Can I record the video tour to review later?
Ask the leasing agent for permission before recording a FaceTime or video call tour. If recording is not available, take notes during the appointment and request clarification about any details you want to review afterwards.
What should I do if my travel date changes after approval?
Contact the property manager promptly if your arrival date changes. Ask whether the change affects possession, key collection or your payment obligations, and keep written confirmation of any revised arrangements.
