Welcome to Banff!

The Banff Housing Corporation provides long term rental and ownership housing opportunities to eligible Banff residents through a waitlist. Our units are not typically someone’s first home when they arrive in Banff.

The information below includes other housing and local resources to assist you in your search and to help you get settled.

The Town of Banff website provides information locals need to know! Everything from community resources, connections, recreation, events, parking, transit – you name it, they have it!

Banff, AB – Official Website | Official Website

Local Newspaper

Weekly publication of the Rocky Mountain Outlook.

Banff News – Powered by Rocky Mountain Outlook – Bow Valley News (rmoutlook.com)

Local Property Managers

Check with Local property management companies and local real estate agents to see what housing they may have available for rent.

Asset West Property Management; Property Management and Rentals by PEKA Professional Property Management; REMAX Alpine Realty

Employer Provided Housing

Many businesses in town have staff housing, and this is generally the best way to find a place to live when you’re new to town. They’re often less expensive than renting on your own and most come already furnished. When applying for a job, ask about the availability of staff housing. The Job Resource Centre provides a guide to businesses that have staff accommodation.

• Job Resource Centre Staff Housing Guide
• Job Resource Centre • Banff / Canmore

Websites and Social Media

Websites such as Rent Faster and several social media pages/groups are devoted to connecting people to housing in Banff.  Accommodation can vary in type from a shared bedroom to a full apartment, with varied lease terms and rental rates. Be cautious using online resources and report rental scams to the local RCMP.

Word of Mouth

In a small town like Banff, word-of-mouth is still one of the best ways to find housing. Tell your friends, your employer, colleagues, and anyone else in your network that you are looking to rent and have them spread the word. Some landlords won’t advertise their rentals, preferring instead to rent to someone they know, or someone recommended to them.

The Banff Housing Corporation does not provide seasonal or short term housing.

Upon first arrival in Banff, there are a few ways to find accommodation for the short term. There are several hostels that offer short term stays while searching for something for an alternative. It’s common for seasonal rentals to be within  shared housing either as a bedroom within a home  or a bed within a shared room. If you have exhausted all of your local options, consider expanding your search further into the Bow Valley including Canmore (public transportation available), Exshaw, and Dead Man’s Flats.

Bow Valley Reginal Housing (BVRH)

 BVRH is a not-for-profit organization providing caring and affordable housing to older adults and other resident of the Bow Valley region. There are 55 units in Banff located at Cascade House and Mount Edith House. For information on units, programs, and how to apply, click the link below.

https://bvrh.ca/

As part of the Town of Banff’s commitment to creating an age-friendly community, the municipality has launched a new Home Support Program generously funded by the Wim and Nancy Pauw Foundation.

This program provides non-medical services to help older adults and community members remain in their homes and stay engaged in the community.   The program will serve Banff residents by providing light housekeeping, meal preparation, companionship, and assistance with errands or appointments. With a focus on maintaining independence and preventing social isolation, the program bridges the gap between medical home care services and independent living.

Eligible residents include adults aged 65 and older, adults with restrictive medical needs, single parents needing per-post natal support, post-hospitalization patients, and those managing long or short-term illness. Through this inclusive program, the Town of Banff’s Seniors Support Coordinator will help match residents with a Home Support Worker who can also connect clients with local resources, grants, and benefit programs. 

To learn more, visit https://banff.ca/HomeSupport

What is a rental scam? 

This is when someone misrepresents themselves or a property in an attempt to obtain money for a fraudulent offer.  This can include actions such as asking for a security deposit, a move-in fee, or months of rental payments upfront without ever seeing the rental unit or meeting the landlord with no intention of ever renting a unit to you.

Why does this happen? 

Scammers will try to take advantage of unsuspecting renters who are looking for housing in areas where there is low housing inventory, like we see across the Bow Valley.  As a renter, there are several warning signs to be aware of during your search for housing.

1. Rental listing – Be cautions if the advertisement has minimal detail, is listed on several platforms with different information, photos are only of the interiors or show high end finishings and appliances advertised at a below market rental rate, or outside window views that do not match our mountainous region. Follow up on the address of the unit provided to ensure it’s real. Be suspicious of units advertised at a very low rental rent – below market rent while not uncommon, is rare. 
2. The Landlord or Property Manager refuse to meet you in person – Most diligent landlords will want to meet a prospective tenant or have a legitimate property manager or representative vet a tenant on their behalf. Most scammers would not want to meet in person as they would not want to be reported to the authorities. Be suspicious of individuals who will not meet you in person or through digital communication only. 
3. They want you to move in immediately without viewing the property – Renters should always view the inside of a property before signing a lease or handing over any money. If the renter is not able to do this in person themselves, they should ask someone they trust to view on their behalf to ensure the unit is real and available.  Be suspicious if the individual advertising the property does not have any way to access the inside of a unit.
4. Asking for money before signing a lease agreement – Be suspicious if you are requested to pay a large sum of money (security deposit, first month’s rent), provide credit card details, or send money overseas without singing a lease agreement. Paying an application fee, which is used to cover costs associated with a background check, could be requested however, other requests are out of the ordinary. NEVER send money without verifying what you are paying for.

What do you do if you have been scammed?

If you are the victim of a rental scam, please report to the local RCMP detachment.

Phone: 403-763-6600

Address: 6600 335 Lynx St, Banff AB T1L 1K3