How to find and secure a rental within your budget

By: Leia Ali

I knew adulting would be hard, but I didn’t know it would happen so suddenly. Fast forward to me having to learn all about renting! As a newcomer to Canada, and especially as an international student, renting was very new to me. Before, I always had the privilege of living under my parents’ roof, where I did not have to worry about covering accommodation expenses. However, since my lifestyle has changed and I now study abroad, there are many things to note when it comes to transitioning into adulthood, with renting in particular. There are essential lifestyle tips that we sometimes don’t end up learning or being advised about because we never truly know when that time will be.

Here are 10 Tips You Should Know About Renting:

1. Start Researching Early

If you are an international student like me, and/or a domestic student that has moved from a different province, finding your own place to stay may be difficult. The most common question that people ask is, “Where do I start?” Thankfully, there are quite a few resources available for students when it comes to housing, and the first tip I would recommend before you arrive in Canada would be to start researching early. By doing this, you can save a lot of time and hassle and ensure that the environment that you reside in will be comfortable, safe, and an appropriate place when it comes to your life and studies. In doing research, you’ll find that there are many different options coming to housing, such as renting a single bedroom, a basement apartment, or even a house—which brings us to the next tip.

2. Understanding Rental Types

Everyone has specific preferences when it comes to rentals: whether it’s living alone or with roommates, wanting a great view, having affordable accommodations, and so on. Everyone’s options for rental types vary depending on what suits them best. If you prefer natural lighting, a basement apartment may not be the best fit for you. If you’re willing to share a kitchen and living space with others, but prefer a single bedroom, that may be something to consider as well. After evaluating your options and narrowing them down in the selection process, be mindful that every individual may also have a specified budget or amount of money they’re willing to spend, which will impact the types of accommodation you can choose from.

3. Budget Wisely

The third tip I will recommend would be to budget wisely. Managing finances is crucial when it comes to being an international student, as renting can be quite tricky when you also have other expenses, such as transportation, food, and groceries. It is wise to create a budget to keep track of how you spend your money as well as to save for your future needs. When it comes to renting, make sure to set aside funds that would be needed for security deposits, especially when you are signing a lease for a place. There are other problems you may run into when you’re looking for accommodation, which may include searching for roommates, finding the right resources, and looking for valid websites that justify your research while also giving you several options.

4. Where to Seek Out Housing Services

You can seek housing services through your institution and can also find on-campus options for living, such as Residence. Additionally, when it comes to housing services, it’s good to learn about your rental rights as a student or newcomer to the country. As well, being informed helps you to avoid scams. We host community fairs every semester and there are external representatives who also share their insights and ways to ensure that housing safety is acknowledged as well. Our on-campus SSU Legal Advisor, Bill Reid, is there for any questions or concerns you may have regarding rentals and reviewing your rights within Ontario.

5. Connecting with Local Student Communities

During your search for accommodation, it’s a good idea to connect with local students in online communities who are in the same boat as you. By doing this, you have a way to locate roommates during your process and you can also network with other international and domestic students. For example, prior to my arrival in Canada, joining groups on Facebook assisted me in finding links to websites and alternative ways and tips for locating housing. A new thing I learned while living here and moving from place to place was the importance of locating a realtor to assist during the search for accommodation.

6. Utilize Rental Websites and Be Aware of Scams When Doing Research!

While building these connections and finding multiple options in terms of research, some popular websites and apps students use to locate housing (besides the on-campus resources) are Kijiji, Places4Students, Facebook Marketplace, and realtor.ca, just to name a few. However, when doing research, it is recommended to be aware of scams and stay cautious when finding accommodations. It is important to distinguish between verified landlords and listings. For example, if a landlord doesn’t allow you to view or visit the premises, or asks you to sign something or make a payment before you’ve decided to rent the unit, consider these to be warning signs for a potential scam.
Since it can be difficult to tell if a rental is fake or not, the safest way to go about it is to choose a platform that is multi-layered, with manual verification protocols that can reliably spot and block suspicious listings and user profiles.

7. Ask for Help!

When finding an appropriate rental option, it is also wise—especially when in doubt—to ask for help. As a student, especially if you’re a first year, you’re going to learn about so many different things. Thankfully, Sheridan offers lots of resources that are accessible to all students, and it is good to ask for assistance whenever you feel unsure about a situation, and you need some guidance. There are many staff members who would be willing to extend a helping hand to you during your time here at Sheridan.

8. Have Someone Accompany You During the Viewing

When you have successfully bypassed the component of finding places and you have a couple of options, the next part is physically going to view the rental. Sometimes there are options for virtual viewings, depending on the landlord. If this is your first time viewing places for rent, it’s a good idea to have someone accompany you during the viewing! It would be good if a friend, a guardian, or an older adult joined you during your visit to make you feel more comfortable. During my many viewings at different accommodations, I always felt iffy about going by myself and felt concerned that the entire thing might be a scam. So, there were a few times I asked friends to tag along to feel a bit safer.

9. Legal and Leasing Considerations

Moving onto the actual selection process of a rental property comes the legal and leasing considerations. Now there are many things to consider when it comes to this aspect of renting, so it’s important to understand your rights as an international student renting, an immigrant, as well as a general tenant. It is wise to familiarize yourself with the local tenancy laws, lease agreements, and any other specific regulations that might be of use depending on where you choose to reside. For reference, each province and or city may have different laws abiding renting rights and procedures. Therefore, it is a must to take the time to review all clauses, terms, and conditions before signing any contracts or agreements. If you have questions, check out our free legal advice!

10. Prepare Your Documentation

Finally, my last tip is to prepare your documentation. One thing that landlords tend to ask when finalizing a rental agreement is to provide specific documentation. This may include bank statements, proof of income, status in the country, a form of identification, credit score records, and even possible references. Having these ready in advance will help expedite the process. Overall, keeping all these tips into consideration can greatly help your rental research process go smoother.
Good luck, Bruins!

Have questions about renting, landlords, and tenants?

We believe that the best #SheridanLife is one where students have access to crucial resources, such as free Legal Advice. As a Sheridan student, you have the opportunity to get in touch with our lawyer, Bill Reid, and ask your legal inquiries.