“Canada, Tenants Don’t Pay Agent Fee Or Lawyer Fee. It’s The Landlord That Does”- Nigerian Man Reveals As He Compares Canada To Nigeria Where You Pay An Agent And Still Need To Pray They Don’t Disappear After Collecting Your Money.

Nigerian man named Ugochukwu Nkwocha on Facebook has shared his experiences after observing that tenants don’t pay agent fee or lawyer fee in Canada. Says It’s the landlord that pays for everything.

Ugochukwu went further to compare Canada to Nigeria where people pay an agent and still need to pray they don’t disappear after collecting their money.

Sharing on Facebook, he wrote:

“Culture Shock. In Canada, tenants don’t pay agent fee or lawyer fee. It’s the landlord that does. E shock you? 🤣

The first time I heard it, I paused. Like wait o! so you’re telling me that tenants don’t have to pay anything extra to agents? Nothing like “agent and agreement” fee?
Just your rent and you’re good?

In Nigeria, you’re paying everybody from landlord, to agent, to lawyer, sometimes even the gateman wants something for “opening gate.” 😂

So here’s how it works: The landlord lists the property with the agent and agrees to pay them a commission (usually equivalent to one month’s rent) when they find a qualified tenant. The tenant just shows up, views the property, and if they like it, they apply directly.

No “viewing money.” No “drink money.” No agent running around asking for transport money.

The landlord sees it as a service fee. They’re paying the realtor to find them a good tenant, do the background checks, handle the paperwork, and save them time. Makes perfect sense when you think about it.

But for someone coming from a system where tenants pay for everything – including the privilege of viewing a property, this felt like discovering free money.

Even more shocking? Some agents here provide additional services to tenants at no cost. They’ll help you understand the lease terms, explain your rights as a tenant, and sometimes even negotiate better deals on your behalf.

Meanwhile, back home, you pay an agent and still need to pray they don’t disappear after collecting your money. 😭.

The system here protects tenants in ways I never imagined. There are rent control laws, strict eviction procedures, and clear guidelines on what landlords can and cannot do.

For example, in Ontario, landlords are only allowed to raise rents by maximum 2% annually. Landlords can’t just wake up and say “pack out” because their brother wants the house.

And the best part? Most of these protections are enforced. There are actual consequences for landlords who break the rules.

Recently in Hamilton, a landlord was fined $100k for illegal renovictions. She gave her tenant the excuse that she needed to renovate the house. By the time the renovation was done, she almost doubled the rent. One of the tenants was an elderly woman that had lived in the house for more than 20 years and was always faithful in paying her rent.

This is what happens when systems are designed to work for everyone, not just the person with the most power in the transaction.

Experiences like this remind me why we made the move. It’s not just about better opportunities, it’s about living in a society where fairness isn’t accidental, it’s intentional.

Source: Ugochukwu Nkwocha| Facebook

Email: elora.akpotosevbe@yahoo.com