Student Life

How to Secure Off-Campus Housing

How to Secure Off-Campus Housing

The days of dorm parties, floor fellows and convenient laundry service are coming to end. You wave goodbye to the building that housed the memories of your first year and take a significant step towards adulthood. It can be scary, but here at Wize, we want to see you through all sorts of university experiences and have developed a helpful guide to securing safe off-campus housing.

Know your Rights as a Tenant
Every province or state has unique laws and regulations protecting tenants from abusive landlords. Before you even consider moving off-campus, you should arm yourself with the renting guidelines and appropriate documents. Grab your identification cards or passport, a chequebook, your awesome resume, and reference letters as you will surely be asked. If a co-signer (mom, dad, sibling, friend who can pay the rent if you fail to) is required, have their information ready to submit. Finally, when you receive your lease agreement, ask the landlord if you can look it over for a couple of days. This way you can be sure that everything is on the up-and-up and that your youthful exuberance doesn’t play against you.

Know Where to Look
If your friend’s cousin’s brother needs to transfer his lease, run in the opposite direction, quickly! My best advice is to use legitimate websites that protect you and your money. Kijiji and Craigslist are both reliable and very easy to use. Facebook Marketplace is also a great community where you can find listings and used furniture as well. Alternatively, most University websites regularly post rent listings for all students to see.

In any given listing you should immediately be able to answer the following questions:
· What kind of dwelling listing is this unit (house, apartment, room)?
· Where is the unit located?
· What is the monthly rent for this unit and when is it available?
· What kind of lease? (sublet, lease transfer, new)
· Contact information for either the landlord or co-tenant

Do you Like to Share?
If you decide to move in with roommates, make sure everyone signs the lease agreement; this way everyone is accountable for the rent. Moving in with your best friend can be a beautiful thing, but it will also test the relationship like never before. Create a Roommate Agreement that outlines all the house responsibilities and divide the tasks evenly.

Some examples of things you would want to ensure are included in your Roommate Agreement:
· How rent is divided: equally or dependent on the size of the room?
· The sharing of the appliances, furniture, etc; who buys/keeps what?
· Groceries: shop together or separate?
· How bills (hydro, gas, internet, cable, etc.) will be divided?
· Shared responsibilities of cleaning, taking out trash, clearing snow?

Location, Location, Location
Where your apartment is located is as important as what is between those four walls. Consider the distance to school, grocery store or mall, and availability of public transit. A park nearby is always a plus as the sounds and smells of the city can get old quick. Look for well-lit and well-populated streets to ensure your safety. Choose the location that best fits your lifestyle and you won’t be disappointed.

Asking the Right Questions
Some landlords might not be very forthcoming about the specifics of the apartment so prepare a series of questions beforehand. 

· Is the residence pet/smoking friendly?
· Are appliances included?
· Is hot water and heating included in the monthly price?
· How long have you owned/ lived in the building?
· Are there other students in the building?
· Who lives above and below this unit (if any)?
· Who should I contact in case of an emergency or for repairs?
· Is there a property manager on site at all times?
· What levels of security exist in the building? Intercom? Door locks? Deadbolts? Camera?
· Are any major repairs anticipated in the upcoming year?
· Have there been any major repairs or renovations done in the past year?
· Is liability and property insurance a requirement or choice

Visit Your College Housing Office

Did you know that almost all schools have a housing office? Most students don’t! Plus, the office can help with off-campus housing questions.

That’s right, the school housing office doesn’t just specialize in campus-related questions. Oftentimes, the school can provide you with a list of resources to start your search.

The office can also direct you to any housing boards run by them. Oftentimes, these are online services available solely to students that attend. On these platforms, you can find others who are looking for roommates or those who have a room to rent.

Look Online

You should also look online for off-campus housing. There are plenty of sites that specialize in renting apartments, houses, and rooms for students. Some of the most reliable for finding accommodations are Kijiji and Craigslist.

But, keep in mind that you should be careful when renting through these websites. Be sure to read through the fine print before signing a lease so you know what you are getting into.

You’ll also need to consider all the potential costs of renting on your own. Not only will you be paying for rent but you’ll have to pay for the internet, hydro, transportation, food, etc.

Consider Specialized Apartments

There are a number of apartments near schools that specialize in renting to students. These apartments can be hard to come by as they often work closely with the schools and only advertise through them. That’s why it’s best to speak with your housing office to see if they work directly with any off-campus housing providers.

Speak to Student Unions

The student union is another great resource. Simply speaking with older students that have more experience with renting can give insight into the process. They might also have some first-hand knowledge of available rooms that aren’t advertised.

Try a Homestay

If you’re not from the area but still want a cozy place to stay, consider trying a homestay. A homestay allows you to live off-campus, but with a local family.  This is mostly for international students who don’t want the hassle of having to get housing on their own.

Find potential families by contacting designated homestay companies and speaking with families to find a match.

Students shouldn’t feel limited with housing! There are a number of off-campus options available. And, with a little work, you too can find cozy accommodations.


Moving off campus can be a rewarding experience if researched properly, executed effectively and standards are sustained over the span of the lease.