Housing & Accommodation

On-campus residence

Most universities and many colleges offer dormitories/residence. Pros: close to class, often includes utilities and sometimes a meal plan, easier to meet people in first year. Cons: usually pricier per month than a shared off-campus place, limited privacy, and spots fill up fast — some schools require applying months before the semester starts.

Off-campus rentals

Cheaper on average, more independence, but you take on more responsibility: leases, utilities, furnishing, and finding reliable roommates.

Where to look:

• Your school's official off-campus housing board (often the safest source — usually vetted)
• Established rental listing sites
• Local Facebook groups for your city/school (verify listings carefully — see scams below)

What a lease should include:

• Monthly rent and what's included (utilities, internet, parking)
• Deposit amount and conditions for getting it back
• Lease length and renewal/termination terms
• Landlord's legal name and contact information

Common rental scams — know these before you look

• "Send a deposit before you view it." Never wire money or e-transfer a deposit for a unit you haven't seen in person or via a live video call with someone you can verify is the actual landlord/agent.
• Fake listings using real photos. Scammers copy real listings, undercut the price, and ask for a deposit "because they're out of the country." If the story involves urgency + being unavailable to meet + wanting money fast, walk away.
• No lease, "cash only," no receipts. A legitimate landlord will give you a written lease and a receipt for any payment.
• Asking for full year's rent upfront — this isn't standard practice in most of Canada and is a red flag.

If something feels off, ask your school's international student office — many have seen every scam variation and can sanity-check a listing for you.

Know your rights as a tenant

Every Canadian province has a residential tenancy act and a tribunal/board (names vary — e.g., the Landlord and Tenant Board in Ontario, the Residential Tenancy Branch in BC) that governs things like:

• How much notice a landlord must give before entering your unit
• Rules around rent increases
• Proper eviction procedures (a landlord generally cannot just change the locks or throw out your belongings)
• Deposit limits and return timelines

Your immigration status does not remove these protections — as a tenant, you have real legal standing.

Practical tips for your first place

• Visit in person or via live video call before paying anything.
• Photograph the unit's condition on move-in day (existing damage, cleanliness) to protect your deposit later.
• Understand what "utilities included" really covers — heat and water are common; internet and hydro/electricity often are not.
• Renters insurance is inexpensive and covers your belongings and liability — worth getting even as a student.
• If you're arriving without housing lined up, book a hostel, short-term Airbnb, or a school-arranged temporary stay for your first 1-2 weeks rather than signing a rushed lease sight-unseen.