Future Students

Balance your budget with other priorities. Set a realistic budget based on your financial situation and consider that cost is impacted by:

• Number of rooms or housemates: More housemates often mean lower costs.
• Location: Consider how close you are to transit and access to local services (groceries, etc.).
• Amenities: Features like parking and in-suite laundry will increase cost but add convenience.
• Utilities: Hydro (electricity), water, and internet may or may not be included in your rent and must be considered in your budget.
• Furnishings: Furnished units may be available but tend to be more expensive. Students may find it more economical to purchase items secondhand.

Housing scams are when criminals use fake rental ads to trick you into giving them money or personal information.

Housing Scam Warning Signs

• Rental rates that are well below the current market rates. If it seems too good to be true, it probably is!
• A request for money before your lease is signed.
• Links within emails that request personal and/or financial information. These links are considered phishing, which is a form of fraud.
• Rental advertisements that are vague. For example, they only show the outside of the property and no specific address.
• Spelling and grammar mistakes in a listing, or if the name on the email does not match name on listing.

Please be aware when using these and other free resources that rentals have not been inspected. Landlords, property managers, and potential roommates have not been interviewed or screened.

To protect yourself, we recommend visiting rentals in person, asking questions, checking appliances to ensure they work, making detailed notes to help you remember the conversation, and including all verbal agreements in a Residential Tenancy Agreement.

Some examples of where to look for housing include:

• Kijiji
• Rentals.ca
• Places4Students

Living with housemates can be a rewarding experience, can help with finances, and can also be challenging at times. While you do not have to be best friends with your housemates, you should align on topics such as cleanliness, lifestyle, and values. Some common problems students encounter are: Managing household chores/cleaning, partners or friends staying over, too much noise, garbage, utility management, etc. Carefully consider who you choose to live with.

• Visit the home in person when possible or attend a virtual showing.
• Have all of your documents ready to go (see the question “I found a place I like! How do I apply?”).
• Do not rush into anything. A lease is a contract. Once signed, you have legal obligations.
• Have a list of questions to ask during the showing.
• Walk around the neighborhood to ensure you feel safe and can access transit.

• Apply through the process requested by the landlord. This may be a website/PDF/or on paper.
• Documents you will need:
  • Be prepared to provide identification
  • A letter of enrolment (through ACSIS)
  • A bank statement to show you have funds for rent
  • The names of friends or family who can serve as character references
• You may be asked for a guarantor: someone who will pay your rent if you cannot. If you do not have this, show a statement of your bank account to prove you have the means to pay.
• If your application is accepted, you will sign a lease (rental agreement). It is typical to be asked to pay the first and last month’s rent. Be sure to request a receipt.
• You do not need to send a financial deposit when you submit an application.

A lease is a contract between the landlord and the tenant. Leases in Ontario must follow a standard lease template and include information such as:

• The rent amount and due date
• What amenities are included in the rent (for example, air conditioning or parking)
• Any rules about the unit or building (for example, no smoking)

Your lease should also include a section on renter and landlord rights and responsibilities, that explains what can (and cannot) be included in a lease. For example:

• Who is responsible for maintenance
• When your landlord can enter your unit

Learn about the Ontario Standard Lease or learn about the Quebec Standard Lease.

Your lease should include a section on renter and landlord rights and responsibilities.

Learn about tenant rights and responsibilities in Ontario or learn about tenant rights and responsibilities in Quebec.

• If you have roommates, know in advance who gets which room.
• Have your utilities (water, electricity, internet, etc.) set up in advance. Confirm with your landlord how to pay for electricity, heat, and water.
• Purchase tenant insurance to cover the cost of your belongings in the event of unexpected issues like fire or theft.
• Do a walk-through with your landlord and take photos. Ensure there is a working carbon monoxide detector and fire alarm.
• Ensure the landlord has kept all cleaning and repair promises.
• Before buying furniture, measure your space.
• Introduce yourself to your neighbors early on.