From housing rules and regulations to rental scams, roommates, insurance, transportation and your personal safety, we'll help you get started in your search to learn more about your big move.
Use this checklist to keep track of the rental units you have viewed. Once you have finished visiting places, you will have a record of the places you saw and important information on each one.
One of the biggest challenges with finding an ideal accommodation is being an informed consumer. Tenants in London need to be informed about their rights and also about their responsibilities and obligations as members of the off-campus Community.
Negotiating a roommate agreement may not seem important at first, but even close friends can run into conflicts. An honest discussion about habits and expectations is recommended, and in some cases, an agreement should be made before signing a lease to ensure compatibility.
Setting up a sublet agreement may not seem essential, but it helps prevent misunderstandings between the original tenant and subletter. Clear terms about rent, responsibilities, and duration should be discussed to avoid conflicts. Having a written agreement ensures both parties are on the same page.
When living off-campus, your safety is an important factor to consider and plan for. It’s important to be aware of your safety in all situations, including your home. You need to plan for your own safety and the security of your personal belongings by taking simple precautions.
You will want to ensure your off-campus rental is safe and secure. Consider the following: Are the external doors solid? Do all external doors and windows have working locks? Is the unit well-lit in the dark? Are there security cameras surrounding the premises?
There are many more questions you should answer, but if you start with these, you will be well on your way to finding accommodations that suit your needs.
When exploring potential off-campus student housing, it's important to think about fire safety. Make sure your rental unit includes working smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors, a fire extinguisher and a fire escape plan.
Fire safety checklist
Fire safety tips
Bed bugs are small biting insects that multiply quickly and travel easily. They are not a health hazard and not known to spread any human disease, but they can cause skin reactions and may be a source of stress and anxiety if you experience them.
Bed bugs have been a problem in cities across the country. It is possible for anyone to become infested with bed bugs, which are small biting insects that multiply quickly and travel easily. An infestation can cause anxiety and a feeling of shame. They can also cause secondary infections, allergic reactions and financial hardship.
When looking for housing, it is important to understand how bed bugs could affect communities locally and around the world. While bed bugs do not have a history of transmitting infectious diseases, they are a pest that that both landlords and residents should know about, treat and eliminate:
Be aware
Contact your landlord immediately if you find bed bugs in your rental unit. The sooner you deal with them, the sooner you can get rid of them.
Information and fact sheets (available in many languages) can be found on the Health Canada website.
