● The Challenge of Student Housing in Toronto - And Some Tips to Navigate It

Josée Philips Chief of Operations

This summer was my second trying to find off-campus housing in Toronto, and it was not an easy task. Not only are the prices sky-high, but there is also a vast shortage of affordable rentals. As a student in a city with eight post-secondary institutions, it’s hard to face the fact that finding housing is almost impossible. Although the housing crisis seems to be taking many cities by storm, Toronto is almost unbearable to think about. Something I would not suggest doing is comparing the prices of available apartments in Toronto to those in other student towns, such as Kingston or Peterborough, as it will only make you feel more exasperated in the matter. During both of my housing searches, I went down many different roads: hiring a real estate agent, joining Facebook groups, and asking family friends, but it was challenging. It’s additionally hard at York University since it is very much a commuter school and many still live at home, (no shade - I wish) but as someone who grew up a few hours from Toronto, I had to move to the city to study. The bonus of using a real estate agent when looking for an apartment is that they will have access to listings that might not be available to everyone and that their costs will usually come from the leaser instead of yourself. The method with which I actually found both my apartments and subleased my room last summer is through one of the many housing Facebook groups I joined. The downside is that thousands of people every day are posting rentals, rooms, and subleases which can feel like finding a needle in a haystack, and caused me to feel discouraged. Perseverance is key! Many schools have off-campus housing resources that can be useful when starting out, in order to help us students find available units near campus, and to connect with other students searching as well. Some even offer free legal advice for students who might need help with rental advice and tenancy problems. One important thing to be aware of is scams. Since desperation for affordable housing is at an all-time high, people try to take advantage of those who might not have experience within the real estate market in Toronto, and what one should and should not be asked for when looking at a specific property. For example, I have come across many posts on these Facebook groups that use stock photos for multiple places, or that will ask users to send them money before having seen the place. It’s essential to proceed cautiously when posting and contacting those we find in the housing community groups. This is where it becomes important to know your rights as a tenant and to ensure that you visit the unit beforehand (if this is not possible, it can also be useful to have someone visit the unit for you). Furthermore, planning and timing are key. The last thing any of us want to be doing when summer is coming to an end and we are preparing for another year is to be scrambling around Toronto trying to find somewhere to live. Not only is this insanely stressful, the chances are even higher that the prices will be higher than if you had looked in advance. The general timeline, if you are looking to move in September, would be to start looking in April or May, and to find roommate matches prior to this so you can find something together. Speaking of planning, students should also think about their budget, and have an idea of what they are looking for and in what price range. As for roommates, make sure you both clearly communicate your expectations and specifications; you never know what you could be getting into… I have learned a lot from living and renting in Toronto - not without its challenges, however - and I hope some of this knowledge will help those of you who might be renting as well. At the very least, just know that renting in the city will provide you with some good stories to tell at a dinner party! All jokes aside, remember to be safe out there!

Source: https://www.thestar.com/ business/2022/09/12/five-tips-for-studentslooking-to-rent-in-toronto.html

Photo par Josée Philips