When Searching for a place to live please make sure you check for the following:

1. How much is rent?

2. Are utilities included?

3. Gas & Electricity

4. Are there laundry facilities available? Is it enclosed within your unit or is it shared?

5. Is your unit furnished or unfurnished?

6. Wi-Fi Included​?

7. Safety & Security

8. How close are you to amenities such as groceries, pharmacies, hospitals and public transportation?

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Quality of Accommodation

1. Is there sufficient cupboard/closet space?

2. What type of heating method is used?

3. Will moving in and out be difficult because of stairs?

4. Does the tenant have control over heating/air-conditioning? 

5. Is there any evidence of pests? Bedbugs, rodents etc.

6. Is the carpet/floor reasonably clean?

7. Are the walls in good repair?

8. Are overnight guests allowed? 

9. Is the water pressure adequate?

10. Is there a good supply of hot water?

11. Are there sufficient electrical outlets?

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Stay Away from Listings that have the following:

1. No pictures of listed unit available

2. Any landlord that requires you to view the property by yourself.

3. No chance to tour the property before signing the lease.

4. No written contract! Don't just take the Landlord's word for it! Ask your campus coordinator for a copy of a Written Agreement that can be used.

5. Apartments that restrict roommates or visitors. As tenant you are legally allowed

6. Any listing that requires you to do household chores, buy groceries or any other household maintenance outside of keeping your personal and shared spaces clean in exchange for a place to sleep.

7. Listings where there seems to be an overcrowding of students. In cases like these the landlord may be trying to horde as many students as possible to get the most amount of money. When it comes to listings such as these your safety isnt a main concern 

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After you've found a place to live, please remember to do the following:

1. Take pictures and videos of the unit. If you are a boarder sharing a room, take pictures of the room and all shared spaces BEFORE you move in. Any damages or issues that you see before settling in should be brought to the attention of your landlord. Send them a copy of what you have and make sure that it is dated. Keep a copy for yourself. This protects you from being held responsible for damages that you did not create.

2. Check all appliances. Make sure that stove burners and faucets are all in working order. If not, bring it to the attention of the landlord. Make note of any damages to walls, windows, cupboards etc. Makre sure that is all documented and brought to the landlord's attention. Keep a record of this for you and the landlord.

3. Save all text messages and screenshots.

4. Get Everything In writing. if you are renting an entire unit, you must sign an Ontario Residential Lease Form. However, if you are a student boarder renting a room within the Landlord's unit you must create a written contract for you and the landlord to sign. A copy of this can be made available to you from your campus housing coordinator.

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Roommates?

We advise you to negotiate a roommate agreement before agreeing to renting an apartment if you want to have a roommate or roommates. Experience has taught us that even people with the best of intentions and friendships may quickly turn into rivals when living together in an apartment. Before agreeing to share a room, it is advised that you think about the following:

Rent

• How much is each going to pay?

• What room will each get? (If renting separate rooms)

• How are each going to pay? 

Chores 

• Cooking

• Cleaning

House rules

• Are visitors and overnight guests allowed?

• Are you permitted to share household appliances?

• Are smoking and/or alcohol allowed?

• Are pets permitted?

• Privacy issues?

Once you have considered all these things, we suggest that you document it with a   that all parties commit to and sign, with witnesses.

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