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Getting Started in Canada

How to Find Housing in Canada

For an international student, it is more challenging to find a house in a foreign country. This section will provide a checklist that you can follow as you land in Canada and start searching for a house.

Things that should be clear from the beginning:

  1. There are two types of accommodations: On campus and Off campus (Accommodation Options, n.d.)
  2. Do not buy furniture as long as you are ready to move in.

On campus accommodation: Like many universities KPU don’t provide on campus accommodation. I recommend to research properly from your home country to make sure that your college /university has the option for on campus accommodation or they can help you find one off campus. It is beneficial for international students if they can find on campus accommodation as its more secure for a new student from a different country. Staying in the campus allows students to gain more exposure about the university itself and about the services that the institution provides.

 

Off campus accommodation: It is not easy for a foreign student to find accommodation off campus. It can take up to 1 month to find a suitable place. I would insist not to settle down unless you find the right place because it is really hard to move from places to places. Off campus accommodation is more challenging as it is hard to trust new people, new laws, however the students get more exposure to the culture and adapts the changes quickly.

 

Things to consider while looking for a house  (How to find,2019)

Rent and deposit

  • If you are living by yourself, you will be paying between $600-750 as part of your rent.
  • If you are living with roommates your rent can be from $350-500.
  • You have to pay a certain amount of money as security deposit which along with rent for the very first time; for any damages that you can do to the landlord’s property.
  • The deposit is usually half the amount of your rent.
  • Security deposit is a onetime payment and is refundable if no damages are done to the property.

Utilities

  • It all depends on the negotiation with the landlord and number of people in the house.
  • Normally, the cost of utilities includes the hydro, gas, electricity, Wi-Fi, and municipal expenses.
  • Your landlord can charge you $50-85 on top of the rent per person.
  • Or it can be included in the rent.

Lease and Tenancy laws

Number of roommates

  • It all depends on the size of the house /basement
  • Usually, students share a house /basement with 3-4 people.

Furniture and Groceries

  • There is no need to buy heavy furniture.
  • Most of the landlords provide necessary furniture like gas stoves etc.
  • All you need is a mattress to begin with.
  • Once you get used to the house you can buy the necessary furniture.
  • The monthly grocery bill for one person can be between $100-150 per month

 

Other options: While looking for accommodation you may encounter a term Homestay/Host family

Homestay/Host family: It is referred to as staying with a family where

  • They provide a room, three meals and all utilities.
  • Charge lower rent as compared to other landlords.
  • Secure and family environment.
  • The tenancy agreement can be different.
  • They might tell you to help them with certain tasks and charge lower rent.

 

References

Accommodation Options for International Students in Canada. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.canadavisa.com/accommodation-options-for-international-students-in-canada.html#gs.pmghxl

How to find student accommodations in Canada. (2019, June 24). Retrieved from https://www.applyboard.com/ca/2018/07/25/how-to-find-student-accommodations-in-canada

 

 

 

 

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International Student Survival Guide Copyright © by arley. All Rights Reserved.

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