Where to look for a room
Your institution’s off-campus housing service is a good starting point for finding resources suited to your city and campus. Then check several listings to compare what is available, without assuming that a platform has verified every offer.
In Montréal, McGill lists Places4Students as a partner for off-campus housing searches. You can find listings, sublets and roommate profiles there, among other things. The university also names Kijiji and Rentals.ca as places to look in Montréal. These are examples, not an exhaustive list or a guarantee of availability or reliability.
If you are studying elsewhere, look for resources specific to your institution and location. Be sure to check which campus you will attend before comparing travel times: a listing near one university building may not be close to the building where you will take classes.
Compare offers beyond the rent
An affordable room in a listing may be less appealing once you account for other expenses and the commute. For each offer, record the answers to the same questions:
| What to compare | Questions to ask |
|---|---|
| Monthly cost | What is the rent for your room? Which utilities or services are included or shared? |
| Upfront amounts | What are you being asked to pay before moving in, for what purpose and by what date? |
| Location | How long will it take to get to your campus? |
| Space | Which room is private? Which spaces and furnishings are shared? |
| Duration | What are the dates of the agreement, and what arrangements are being considered if you leave? |
Also ask how many people will share the space and how shared expenses are divided. If an important answer is vague, ask for clarification in writing. Then compare the monthly cost and the amounts due at move-in separately: a refundable deposit and a monthly charge serve different purposes in your budget.
Who signs, and with whom?
Before signing, ask to see the document that will govern your housing arrangement. Will you sign a joint lease with the other roommates, hold a separate lease, or have an agreement with someone who is already renting? These situations should not be confused.
In Quebec, the Tribunal administratif du logement distinguishes between a roommate who enters into a lease with the landlord and an occupant who has no contract with the landlord. By default, each roommate is responsible for their share of the rent. However, if the lease expressly provides for joint and several liability, each person may be held responsible for the full rent; the Tribunal also notes an exception, notably for married roommates. Even without joint and several liability, a missed payment can put the lease at risk.
In Ontario, the standard lease guide says that people who sign together are each responsible for the lease obligations, including the full rent. This does not automatically describe the situation of someone with a separate agreement or whose name is not on the lease.
In British Columbia, someone who has an agreement only with another tenant does not have the same relationship with the landlord as someone who signed the lease. The province also distinguishes disputes with the landlord from disputes between roommates.
The question to ask before deciding: “Who is renting the room to me, what document will I sign, and what amount will I be responsible for if someone else does not pay?” If the answer is still unclear, contact the housing authority or a qualified legal resource.
Deposits and advance payments: three provincial examples
The following information is general and dated November 7, 2026. It concerns rentals to which the cited rules apply: it does not cover every room or every province and territory.
| Province | What the cited rules provide | Point to watch |
|---|---|---|
| Quebec | The landlord cannot require more than the first rental period in advance, up to a maximum of 1 month, or an additional amount as a security deposit or for keys. | Some rooms in the owner’s principal residence fall outside the jurisdiction of the Tribunal administratif du logement under specific conditions. |
| Ontario | A rent deposit cannot exceed 1 month’s rent or 1 rental period if it is shorter. It is for the last rental period, not for damages. | A refundable key deposit is separate. Check that the rental rules apply to your situation. |
| British Columbia | For a tenancy governed by the provincial Residential Tenancy Act, a security deposit cannot exceed half a month’s rent. | A separate pet damage deposit may also be permitted, with its own limit. |
The housing arrangement matters. For example, in British Columbia, the provincial tenancy law does not apply when an occupant shares a kitchen or bathroom with the owner. In Ontario as well, some situations involving shared space with the landlord are not covered by the rental regime described by the Landlord and Tenant Board.
Before paying, ask for the name and purpose of each amount, as well as the conditions for its return if it is a deposit. In another province or territory, consult the relevant local authority rather than applying these examples.
Spot the pitfalls before transferring money
An unusually low price, a request for payment before a viewing or a refusal to show the property are reasons to pause. UBC Okanagan’s off-campus housing guide recommends, among other things, viewing the property and checking the information before paying.
If you are outside Canada, a video tour can help you examine the room and shared spaces; someone you trust can also visit in person. However, a video alone does not prove the other person’s identity or their right to rent out the property. Ask who the landlord is and, if someone who is already a tenant is offering you the room, what document governs their agreement with you.
Avoid sending personal documents without understanding why they are being requested and to whom they will be sent. Keep copies of your communications, the agreement and proof of payment. If you suspect fraud after making a transfer, contact your bank, the police and the platform you used promptly.
Prepare for shared living and a possible move
A place may look suitable on paper and still be difficult to share day to day. Before committing, discuss the quiet you need to study, use of the kitchen, cleaning, guests and sharing expenses. Also ask who buys shared supplies and how reimbursements will be handled.
The Tribunal administratif du logement recommends a written roommate agreement to set out this type of arrangement. It can also state what the group plans to do if someone wants to leave. However, this agreement does not replace the lease or the applicable rules: before assigning or subletting, check the procedure and required permissions separately.
When you move in, keep a copy of the signed documents and note the condition of the room and shared spaces. Dated photos can supplement your notes. Also keep receipts and communications concerning repairs or money paid.
Use your institution’s resources
Universities may point you to useful resources, but that does not mean they guarantee a room. For example, McGill brings together off-campus housing options for its downtown and Macdonald campuses. In Kelowna, UBC Okanagan’s guide helps you assess your budget, search for housing and view a property.
If you are interested in these institutions, their StudyCanada profiles can be a starting point for exploring your plans: McGill University and The University of British Columbia. For housing, consult the resources for the campus where you will study.
Before making your decision, return to four checks: the location, the person renting the room, your written commitment and the amounts being requested. If any of these points is unclear, take the time to clarify it before signing or paying.