We use cookies on this site to enhance your experience.
By selecting “Accept” and continuing to use this website, you consent to the use of cookies.
Searching for off-campus housing can be an overwhelming and new process for a lot of university students. Sometimes, students will have the opportunity to live with their friends or classmates, and other times you could find yourself living with people you may not know very well or don’t know at all.
Regardless of who you’re living with or where you’re living it’s important for all students to be educated and aware of their rights as a tenant in Ontario. Renting in Ontario: Your Rights is a great place to start learning about one’s rights when signing a lease, communicating with landlords, or minimum expectations of living arrangements.
On this page:
When living in student housing often times students are signing a lease or applying to live in a rental unit for the first time. Ontario Standard Leases are legal binding documents agreeing to the payment of rent for a period of time therefore, you want to be aware of what your landlord is asking for and why.
Information and questions a Landlord can ask for:
Information and questions a Landlord cannot ask for:
Landlords are legally only allowed to ask for and collect the mentioned information above, therefore there are very few legitimate reasons a landlord can deny someone from renting their available unit. As a tenant, you have the right to equal treatment in housing without discrimination and harassment.
You cannot be refused an apartment, harassed by a landlord, or otherwise treated unfairly due to:
For more information visit: https://www.ohrc.on.ca/en/human-rights-tenants-brochure
If you feel as though you have been discriminated against regarding your housing or rental unit, please reach out to offcampushousing@wlu.ca , humanrights@wlu.ca , or studenrights@wlu.ca to learn more about your rights as a tenant.
Additionally, the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario can also provide you with an application (listed below) to file a complaint against the landlord in contact or provide advice, and insight on landlord relationships.
Throughout the academic year, and especially when things like summer semesters and sublets come into play, it is very common for students to live with people they don’t know. We understand this may feel awkward and uncomfortable at first, so check out some of the tips and resources below to help break the ice between you and your new roommates.
People grow up in different cultures, communities, and living situations which means that your roommates may have a different approach to living with other people.
Everyone approaches living off-campus differently so don’t stress if you and your roommates aren’t best friends right away.
Everyone loves to tell their stories of “this one bad roommate” but sometimes it’s important to reflect on your behavior as a roommate as well. Do you play music out loud in the shower at 6 a.m.? Does it take you 72 hours (about 3 days) to clean your dishes in the sink?
Last but not least, people can live very cohesively together without being each other’s best friends (sometimes, this works better than living with your best friends).
Laurier Centre for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Rainbow Centre
Waterloo: Main Floor, Machouse Residence
diversity@wlu.ca, x3208
Queer Sphere
Brantford: Main Floor, Grand River Hall
diversity@wlu.ca , x5459
Laurier Office of Human Rights & Conflict Management
humanrights@wlu.ca
Waterloo: Arts Building 1C12
Kitchener - Waterloo Services
oneROOF Youth Services (All Gender 16-25)
35 Sheldon Ave North, Kitchener
Open 24 hours at 519.742.2788
YWCA (age 16+ Cis & Trans Women and Non-Binary Individuals)
84 Frederick Street, Kitchener
519.744.0120
Spectrum - Waterloo Region's Rainbow Community Space
283 Duke Street West, Kitchener
226.779.9695
Brantford Resources
Nova Vita Domestic Violence Prevention Services
59 North Park St. Brantford, ON
519-752-1005
St. Leonard’s Cornerstone House (individuals 18-29)
519-758-9644
Housing Resource Center Brantford
255 Colbourne St, Brantford
226-227-7692
2SLGBTQ+ Programs and Services offered by Grand River Community Health
List of Events and Programs