Students in Canada often choose to live on campus during the first year of their college. However, this alternative of accommodation in Canada might appeal to international students as well. And why not? It’s an excellent way to meet new people & connect with them. Thus, if an applicant is moving to Canada for high school or an exchange program, they will likely stay with a Canadian family as a part of the homestay program. In addition, some private schools in Canada offer dormitory housing that enables applicants to live, eat, & sleep at the school. 

Today, we will discuss all about accommodation in Canada – ranging from living on campus to off campus. So, make sure you stay here till the end! 

Living On Campus At University/ College 

If you live in college or university accommodation in Canada, then this is called ‘living in residence’. 

For instance, if you arrive in Canada for one or two semesters, living in residence can be easier than seeking your own housing off campus. A room in the residence will be furnished with shelves, a desk, & a bed. In addition, the cost of living often includes the alternative of adding a meal plan so that you can have breakfast, lunch, & dinner on campus itself. 

Residence Room Alternatives 

The room in residence can either be single or shared. Well, a shared room costs less than a single room. Moreover, some universities only offer shared rooms to first-year students. 

When you live in residence, you have access to: 

  • Your personal room 
  • A shared bathroom 
  • Laundry facilities 
  • A kitchen 
  • Free Wi-Fi 

In addition, some universities also offer apartment-style residence buildings where you can reside with other students in an apartment. An apartment includes its own bathroom & kitchen. 

Benefits of Residence 

The advantages of living in residence include: 

  • Easy access to the library as well as the campus
  • Reduced need for transportation 
  • Opportunity to make new friends 
  • An effortless transition to living as a student in your new nation

When you register at the university, you can determine the cost of living in residence & decide if this alternative works for you or not! 

Living Off Campus In A Private Housing 

In case you choose to live off campus, the rental price might be lower than living in residence. However, you must remember that you will need to pay for additional items, like: 

  • Bedding & towels 
  • Furniture 
  • Cooking utensils 
  • Electricity 
  • Food & cleaning supplies 
  • Heating 
  • Internet connectivity
  • Cable television
  • Streaming services 

Laundry machines might be available onsite. However, if it isn’t available, you can take your clothing to a laundromat & pay to wash & dry your clothes. 

The advantages of living in a private accommodation in Canada can offer you the feeling that have: 

  • More freedom
  • More privacy 
  • The ability to integrate into Canadian society

Terms Of Accommodation In Canada 

When you choose private accommodation, you’ll need to know the definition of housing terms that are unique & common to Canada. Here are a few of them: 

  • Bachelor Apartment 

An apartment has one large room which acts as your bathroom & living room. It includes a bathroom & kitchen area. 

  • Duplex 

It is a building that contains two living spaces/ apartments.

  • Single-Detached 

It’s a building with only one living space, perhaps 2-3 storeys. However, if the building is only one storey, it’s called a bungalow. 

  1. Private Room 

As the name suggests, a private room is a room in a person’s home. When you rent a personal room, you get access to a shared kitchen, bathroom, & other parts of the room, like the living room. Well, this can be an affordable way to rent. In addition, some homeowners might also include ‘board’ with your private room. This implies that they will provide you with one or more meals per day.

  • Den 

It’s a small room & might or might not have a door. Many apartments consist of one bedroom plus a den. You could use the den as a living room, storage room, or office. 

  1. Ensuite    

An ensuite is a bathroom which you can access directly from the bedroom. Some apartments have an ensuite bedroom & another bathroom for guests.

  • Powder Room 

It’s a small bathroom with just one toilet & sink. Unlike powder rooms, a full bathroom always includes a bathtub or shower. 

  • AC 

Many Canadian provinces are hot during summers, but not all apartments or houses have an air conditioner. 

  • Furnished 

Rent for a house or apartment includes basic furniture, like a table, bed, couch, etc. A refrigerator & a stove will also be supplied. Well, you might also get a dishwasher, clothes dryer, etc. 

  • Unfurnished 

Renting an unfurnished accommodation in Canada might include a stove, dishwasher, fridge, & numerous other appliances. However, be sure to ask what your rent includes. An unfurnished rental implies that the rooms will be vacant when you move. Therefore, you need to supply your own furniture. 

  • Utilities 

Utilities refer to electricity, AC, heat, water, etc. It’s vital to note whether you or the landlord has to pay for these utilities. Sometimes, rent includes utilities, which the landlord pays, while other times, the tenant pays for them based on the electricity, water, or heat you use every month. 

  • Lease 

A lease is a contract between you & your landlord that sets out the rent. In addition, it also includes how long you will live in the apartment or house. 

  • Sublet 

If your lease hasn’t expired & you wish to leave the house/ apartment, you can arrive at a new agreement with the other person to assume the lease until it expires. Moreover, they can sublet the apartment/ house from you. Thus, be sure to ask your landlord for permission to sublet your house/ apartment. 

Signing A Lease & Paying A Damage Deposit 

When you rent an apartment off campus, you must expect to: 

  • Sign a lease 
  • Pay the first month’s rent 
  • Pay the last month’s rent in advance
  • Pay the damage deposit to the landlord 

A damage deposit is the money you pay the landlord before you move into the housing unit. It might be as much as one month’s rent. In fact, it can be any amount that your landlord decides to charge: 

  • If you damage the house/ apartment during your lease, the landlord will keep the amount of the damage deposit to pay for the repairs.
  • If you do not damage the housing, the landlord will return the amount of the damage deposit at the end of the lease.             

How To Find Private Housing 

Your university/ college might have a housing office which helps students find housing. Moreover, the student association/ student union on campus is another good source of information. They might offer an online list of private accommodations near the campus. 

However, you must note that: 

  • Canadians or permanent residents who own properties near large university campuses might rent rooms in their homes to students. 
  • Apartment buildings specializing in renting to students primarily exist near university & college campuses. 

Costs For Private Housing 

Private housing isn’t controlled or inspected by the college/ university. 

Quality & price can vary. Thus, be sure to schedule an appointment to view the housing before you sign the lease. v

Here are a few tips that can help you plan the cost of accommodation in Canada: 

  • Pay CAD 400 to CAD 800 to rent a room in the house. The cost might be slightly higher & might include food if the homeowner states they offer ‘board’ along with the room. However, if you rent a house shared by students, you’ll need to pay for your room & buy your own food. 
  • An apartment in a high-rise building might cost CAD 900 to CAD 2,000 monthly, depending upon the city/ town where you live & the number of rooms in it. Remember that you can reduce the costs by sharing an apartment with other students.
  • In significant cities like Toronto or Vancouver, apartment rentals are quite popular. An apartment rental can cost around CAD 900 to CAD 3,000 monthly, depending on how many bedrooms it has, the neighborhood, & the building’s age. 

Dealing With The Landlord 

When you decide to sign a lease to rent an apartment, room, or some other kind of housing, you enter into a legal agreement with the landlord. Both of you will have certain obligations. 

Your landlord needs to: 

  • Maintain the home in a good state of repair 
  • Provide utility services 
  • Not seize the property without following the legal procedure

In addition, as a tenant, you have to: 

  • Pay the rent on time
  • Keep the house clean
  • Avoid causing any damage & pay for the repairs of the damages you cause
  • Get in touch with your landlord as soon as you can in case there is a serious problem needing service/ repair 
  • Allow your landlord to enter the house for repairs

Most landlords might expect you to pay rent by cheque & may also ask you to provide 10-12 cheques to cover the entire period of your lease. Well, these are called post-dated cheques. Moreover, you must know that landlords do not accept credit card payments. 

In addition, landlords might add various terms & conditions for the lease. For instance, the lease might say you cannot smoke in the house. Similarly, some buildings allow pets, while others don’t. Ask for a copy, in this case! 

Furthermore, the landlord also has responsibilities, like keeping the house in good repair:

  • In an emergency, the landlord might enter the house without your permission. Otherwise, the landlord cannot enter the house without giving you a reason or advanced notice.  
  • If the landlord needs you to evacuate the premises, 60 days’ notice is required. 

In case you have trouble with the landlord, the housing office at your college might offer free or low-cost legal advice. They can definitely give you advice about where to get legal help from. 

Every province/ territory has laws that govern tenant-landlord relations. As an international student, you are protected by such laws. 

Conclusion 

Accommodation in Canada plays an integral role in the nation’s landscape. Be it urban places or rural settings; the nation caters to diverse preferences, encompassing internal students as well as Canadians.

In this blog, we discussed all about on-campus & off-campus living. The former fosters a strong academic & social community, while the latter offers a taste of autonomy. 

Thus, by prioritizing innovation in its accommodation facilities, Canada ensures a comfortable & inclusive living environment for all students, irrespective of their background & religion.