7 Off-Campus Housing Tips


Living off campus is a completely different experience to living in a McMaster accommodation. You’ll have much more freedom, but also more responsibilities. To ensure that you find the right place, feel comfortable during your time there, and save money, there are some things you need to do.

1. Check Everything Before Making a Decision
Never feel too shy to poke around when visiting potential housing. Look out for red flags like water damage, mold, broken windows, creaky floors, and signs of bugs.

2. Choose the Right Roommates
Your best friends may not make the best roommates. Pick people you can trust to pay their share of the rent and utility bills and who want the same kind of lifestyle as you.

3. Read the Lease
Your landlord must provide you with a lease before you seal the agreement. Only sign if you are happy about terms like the number of people that can live in the house, the subletting policy, parking, who is responsible for maintaining appliances, and what is required for the return of your security deposit.

4. Find Cheap Furniture
Most places come unfurnished, which means you’ll need to acquire all the furniture yourself. The cheapest way to do this is to ask former students. The people leaving your apartment may be able to sell you their stuff. If not, get in touch with other graduates.

5. Plan for Home Maintenance
You need to keep the apartment well maintained if you are to avoid damages. Should an appliance or fixture need a repair, call your landlord and document everything.

6. Prepare the Kitchen
When you move in, purchase all the basics you need for the kitchen and split the cost with your roommates. Set ground rules about what essentials you will share, how you’ll label your food, and how you will divide the cleaning.

7. Meet Your Neighbours
Develop a good relationship with your neighbours. They will be useful contacts to have if you ever need to borrow something (like a hand tool) and they’ll be more likely to turn to you in the case of minor disputes (such as noise) instead of calling the police.

You can avoid many of the above complications by living in student accommodation. For instance, places like West Village Suites have dedicated maintenance personnel and all the suites are fully furnished. Plus, you are only responsible for paying your own lease, meaning you never need to worry if your roommates are late paying their bills.

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