Future Students

Our Student Housing Coordinator has created a list of apartment complexes near the Ottawa Campus. To browse our tailored list click here. Algonquin College provides this information as a service to its students but takes no responsibility for the student or landlord’s decision to enter into a rental/boarding arrangement. The College does not pre-screen the landlords’ nor students’ suitability as a landlord/tenant.

The City of Ottawa has a new property standards search tool. Use this tool to search the address of your potential apartment building to see if there is any current and/or past property standard violations. Click here to learn more.

4stay offers domestic and international students a convenient platform for finding and booking student-friendly housing. Visit housing.algonquincollege.com to browse listings, communicate with hosts, and securely book accommodations. Please note that by clicking on the above link you are leaving the Algonquin College website. By using the 4Stay site, the user accepts that Algonquin College is not liable to student for any issues caused by a host.

HomeStay allows students at our Ottawa and Pembroke campuses to rent rooms from a Canadian family while learning Canadian culture.

SpacesShared is a virtual platform that allows Students looking for safe and affordable homesharing arrangements to match with Older Adult Hosts. SpacesShared priority is safety and simplicity in finding a match that feels comfortable for you. SpacesShared will support the host and student throughout the duration of the agreement. Please note that by clicking on the above link you are leaving the Algonquin College website. By using the SpacesShared site, the user accepts that Algonquin College is not liable to student for any issues caused by a host.

Places4Students offers domestic and international students a convenient platform for finding and booking student-friendly housing. Places4Students allows you to browse listings, connect with potential roommates, and connect with landlords.

Please note that by clicking on the above links, you are leaving the Algonquin College website. By using the Places4Students site, the user accepts that Algonquin College is not liable to student for any issues caused by a host.

Customer Service: Monday-Thursday: 9am-7pm EST & Friday: 9am-5pm EST

• Email: admin@p4s.com
• Phone number: 1-866-766-0767

• Holiday Inn Express & Suites Ottawa West – Use this booking link for an exclusive Algonquin College discount
• Airbnb
• Hostel World
• Ottawa Tourism: Where to Stay
• Vrbo

Keep in mind average market rent for a one-bedroom apartment in Ottawa is $1900 when creating your housing budget. Students are encouraged to make a realistic budget based on their situation. Keep in mind the cost of the following: 

• Utilities: what is included in the rent? Keep in mind, if utilities are not included in your rent you should budget to spend an additional 200$ on things like heat, water, internet.
• Furnishings: is the unit furnished, or do I need to purchase items?
• Amenities: Is parking extra? Laundry in unit or shared? What is the cost of laundry?
• Transportation: Will I need to buy a parking pass on campus? Gas prices? Bus pass?

Keep in mind Ottawa has very cold and snowy winters. Is the apartment close to all essentials like grocery stores, the campus, pharmacies, etc.?

What are your transportation options at the apartment? If you are unsure of the bus route options, take a look at OC Transpo’s Travel Planner. Ottawa is very cycling friendly! Click here to take a look at the ways you could cycle to your essentials.  

Roommates can be a great option for those who are looking for a more affordable renting option. It is important when you are selecting a roommate you ensure your priorities and lifestyle align. If you go to bed early, you might not want to live with someone who likes to stay up late. It is also important to ensure you chose someone whom you are comfortable having difficult conversations with. Often living with friends sounds great, but problems can go unsolved if we are unable to talk to them about housing-related issues.

Important Questions to Ask Before Becoming Roommates  

1. How are you going to ensure your portion of the rent gets paid on time? 
2. Are we going to split utility costs? 
3. How often are you comfortable/interested in having guests over and how late will they stay? 
4. Should we split household chores? And how often should we complete chores? 
5. What is your current work/school schedule? 
6. What is your sleep schedule like? 
7. How often do you drink alcohol?  
8. Do you plan on having events/parties? 
9. If you have a partner, how often will they be sleeping over? Do you intend on them moving in? 
10. If we had a disagreement, how would we handle it?  

It is always encouraged you make a roommate agreement to hold each other accountable and ensure you and your roommate have the same understanding. 

Rental scams are real! To protect yourself keep the following things in mind while searching for housing: 

1. Look Up the Address Online. 

Often scammers with post apartment listings for units that don’t exist. Do your research! Look the address up on Google and look at it through Google Maps Street view.  

2. Do Not Provide Any Money to The Landlord. 

Your landlord cannot ask for any deposits until your application has been approved. Typically, this is provided during the lease signing.  

3. Always See the Apartment in Person. 

It is important that before signing a lease you look at the apartment in person. This will allow you to make sure the ad is real and see the status of the unit. In situations where you are unable to visit the unit in person see if someone you trust can go and take photos or ask the landlord to video call a walk through with you. 

4. Be Aware of Duplicate Ads. 

Often scammers will post multiple fake ads with multiple different landlord names and contacts. If you see the same apartment being listed multiple times with different information, it is likely fake. 

5. Know Your Rights as a Tenant.

Before viewing a unit or connecting with landlords’ research what your rights are as a tenant. This will allow you to naturally notice red flags through conversations with the landlord. 

6. Read Reviews.

Keep in mind people are more often to post negative reviews than positive. Everyone has a different experience! But if you find a property with multiple reviews from different users, that can help you verify the listing. 

7. Ask Questions About the Application Process.

Keep in mind renting is a business to a landlord. Landlords will require basic information from you before allowing you to rent one of their units such as photo identification and proof of income. Many landlords even ask for criminal record checks and credit checks. If you are meeting with a landlord and they aren’t requiring any of that information, it is likely a scam.  

8. Ask Questions! 

If you have any questions about the posting, during the viewing or during the application process ask them! It is better to make a fully informed decision.  

The Ontario Standard Lease (OSL) is a residential tenancy agreement between the landlord and tenant for private residential units. Since 2018, all landlords must use the Ontario Standard Lease when entering new lease agreements. The purpose of the Ontario Standard Lease is to make drafting tenancy agreements easier for both parties to use and understand. By signing the OSL the landlord and tenant are entering a legal contract that both must follow.  

Tenancies that do not need to use the Ontario Standard Lease:

• Business rentals 
• Public/Subsidized housing  
• Mobile homes and land lease homes 
• Housing co-ops 
• Sublets 
• Care Homes 

Have an Ontario Standard Lease? Use this cheat sheet so that you can have all of the important information in one spot!

The Residential Tenancies Act, also known as the RTA, protects renters in Ontario. It’s purpose is to set out both the rights and responsibilities of landlords and tenants. If a landlord or tenant feels their rights are being violated the RTA has steps to rectify the situation.   

Who is not protected under the RTA? 

• People staying in emergency shelters 
• People staying in hospitals or long term care facilities 
• People incarcerated  
• Students living in residences  
• People living in a unit that shares a kitchen or bathroom with the landlord and/or a member of their immediate family  

Tenant responsibilities: 

• Pay your rent on time and in full. This includes paying the way it is outlined in your lease. 
• Maintain the cleanliness of your unit. This includes things like throwing out trash, sweeping, mopping, sanitizing, etc. 
• Keep noise to an appropriate level. Keep your neighbors in mind when hosting events or when you stay up late! 
• Don’t damage your unit, but if you do, fix it! If you happen to put a hole in the wall you are responsible for repairing these things. 
• Obey City of Ottawa By-Laws! This includes number of pets, number of occupants, noise, and much more. 
• Report maintenance needs to landlord. This includes things like broken toilets, pest control, leaks, etc. 
• Provide notice when you want to move out. It is your responsibility to provide 60 days notice before moving out. 

Landlord responsibilities: 

• Complete maintenance requests in a reasonable time. 
• Maintain the cleanliness of all common areas such as elevators, parking lots, amenities, hallways, etc. 
• Provide 24 hours notice to enter the unit for maintenance or inspections, unless it is an immediate safety concern like fire, flood, or life at risk. 
• Ensure access to vital services are in good working order. This includes heat, water, and electricity. 
• Keeping units in good repair and ready for new tenants. 
• Provide all documents to the tenants. This includes leases, notices, and rent receipts. 

Apply through the process requested by the landlord. This may be through a website, with a PDF document, or on paper.

Documents you will need:

• Identity documents, with at least one piece being a photo ID
• A letter of enrolment from Algonquin College (through ACSIS)
• Proof of funds on how you will pay for rent (for example, a bank statement, proof of income, savings account)
• You may be asked for a guarantor. A guarantor is someone who will pay your rent if you cannot. If you do not have this, show a bank account statement to prove you have the means to pay.

You do not need to send a financial deposit when you apply for a place.

If your application is accepted, you will sign a lease (rental agreement). It is typical to be asked to pay a rental deposit equal to your monthly rent that is to be used towards your last month’s rent.

Please note: landlords can ask for the first and last month’s rent at the lease signing, so make sure you are prepared to pay for two months’ rent upfront. Be sure to request a receipt.

• If you have roommates, know in advance who gets which room.
• Have your utilities (water, electricity, internet, etc.) set up in advance. Confirm with your landlord how to pay for electricity, heat, and water.
• Purchase tenant insurance to cover the cost of your belongings in the event of unexpected issues like fire or theft.
• Do a walk-through with your landlord and take photos. Ensure there is a working carbon monoxide detector and fire alarm.
• Ensure the landlord has kept all cleaning and repair promises.
• Measure your space before you buy furniture.