◀ RETURN TO HOUSING OVER PROFIT

HOW TO FIND A PLACE TO LIVE

You can start looking for housing 3-4 months before you plan on moving, note that you have to give notice to your landlord 60 days before you plan to move out.

STEP 1: KNOW YOUR BUDGET

If you are renting with roommates, decide whether you would rather find roommates first then look for an apartment together or if you have no preference for who your roommates are, then you can start the search on your own.  

Think about how much support you're getting whether it's from parents, savings, student loans and grants , etc.

Keep in mind all your other expenses such as food, medication, transportation, utility bills, and tuition fees. Ask yourself, will you have enough to support yourself after you pay your rent? You can use this tool to help you create a budget.  

Remember that if the building was occupied after November 15, 2018, it is NOT rent controlled and gives your landlord the ability to increase the rent by any amount after one year.

This map outlines the most commonly rented neighborhoods by students at uOttawa. You can find information on the average rent, the nearest grocery stores, transit, and more.

STEP 2: FIND THE NEIGHBOURHOOD THAT BEST SUITS YOUR NEEDS

Look through the different neighbourhoods in Ottawa.

STEP 3: KNOW ABOUT THE TOOLS TO FIND HOUSING

Not every renting tool is perfect, and sometimes you’ll need to pursue multiple strategies to find the place that suits your needs. Below is a table with all the good and the bad of what’s out there!

Places to find housing
Pros
Cons

Facebook Marketplace/ Kijiji / Padmapper/ Rentals.ca

Convenient to look through  

Lots of listings for housing near campus  

Commonly used by students to arrange sublets and short-term leases

Informal  

Risk of scams  

No standard for information you are entitled to know

Direct through websites of management companies

Mostly reliable and legal rental process, read reviews

Mostly provide clear terms and rules  

Property maintenance responsibility of the company

Variety in reputability of companies  

Less flexibility

Less direct  relationship / less access to landlord

Personal connections

More direct/personal relationship with landlord

Often easier to find housing as one person  

Potentially lower rent

Informal, often doesn’t ensure legal protections for the tenant

Landlord less likely to provide clear terms and rules  

Higher risk of violated tenants’ rights, ensure you sign a legitimate legal lease

uOttawa Student Housing

Designed for uOttawa students to find reputable housing

Includes sublets and short-term leases  

Decreased risk of scams

Small selection

Less direct way to find and connect with potential landlords  

More informal than other options with limited information provided  

Realtor

Legitimate process for finding legal leases  

Can guide you in the process of finding housing and inform you of your rights as a tenant

Helpful in finding high-quality or specialized needs housing

May charge for service of finding housing  

Options are often higher-end rather than budget friendly  

Less compatible with sublets and short-term leases

STEP 4: WHAT YOU SHOULD THINK ABOUT WHEN YOU’RE CONSIDERING A PLACE

THE ULTIMATE RENTERS CHECKLIST

STEP 5: IS IT A SCAM?

WHAT SHOULD YOUR LEASE LOOK LIKE?
COMMON RED FLAGS
THE ULTIMATE SCAM CHECKLIST

STEP 6: WHAT YOU NEED TO SECURE THE PLACE

Government photo ID, such as:

  • Driver’s license
  • Passport
  • Ontario Photo Card
  • Credit report or permission to conduct a credit check
  • You can also check your own credit for free with Equifax or TransUnion

Proof of income, such as:

  • Recent pay stubs
  • Employment or offer letter
  • Bank statements  
  • Parental support
  • OSAP  
    • Your landlord cannot discriminate against you based on the source of income, they are only allowed to decide whether you make enough to make the rent or not.
WHAT IF MY LANDLORD ASKS FOR A GUARANTOR?

STEP 7: AFTER APROVAL

Congratulations, you just got approved! Before moving in, make sure to:

  • Obtain a fully signed copy of the lease
  • Pay last month’s rent only
  • Confirm move-in date, key pickup, and unit condition inspection
  • Arrange tenant insurance (often required, always recommended)

On move-in day:

  • Complete a written condition report (photos + notes)
  • Test heat, water, locks, smoke and CO detectors
  • Keep all emails, receipts, and documents
  • Make sure you set up all utilities in your name  
  • Adjust your mailing address  
  • Consider getting tenants insurance, many landlords require this