Student housing in Canada
How student housing works in Canada, including providers, queues, deposits, contracts and practical risks to check before signing.
Read the complete Canada study abroad guide.
Housing
Residence on campus is the simplest first year and is usually guaranteed to first year undergraduates who apply by the deadline. It is not usually available to graduate students.
The private rental market in Toronto and Vancouver is among the most expensive in the world and asks for a credit history you do not have. Expect to provide a guarantor, several months of rent in advance, or both. Landlords in most provinces may not demand a damage deposit beyond what provincial law allows, and the rules differ by province: learn yours.
Housing pressure was one of the stated reasons for the study permit cap, so this is not an incidental problem. Universities in smaller cities have both cheaper housing and, often, better provincial health coverage.
Never send money for a place you have not seen. Listings targeting arriving international students appear every August.
Source: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/study-canada.html
Common questions
What should international students know about housing in Canada?
Residence for first years. Private renting wants a credit history you do not have, especially in Toronto and Vancouver.