Securing housing
Finding off-campus housing that’s right for you can take significant time and work. We provide off-campus housing resources that can assist you in your search.
It is the students' responsibility to secure their own accommodations.
It is important that you make your own inquiries about apartment suitability and standards. NSCC does not inspect or check homes or rental properties listed on Places4Students or other off-campus housing posting sites.
The rental application
To rent an apartment, a house or a room, rental companies usually require you to submit an application to prove that you have enough money to pay your rent. Private property owners may or may not require one. See what a typical application looks like (PDF 162KB).
When you submit your application, you'll be asked about:
- A guarantor: This is someone (e.g. a parent) who can take responsibility for your rent in the event you can't pay it yourself.
- A Canadian bank account: This is what you'll use to pay your rent (international students should open an account as soon as you arrive in Canada - or from abroad, if possible).
- Employer references (or other proof): This is how you show you're able to work on and off campus.
- Bank statements: These show that you have savings, enabling you to pay your rent.
You also may be asked to:
- Give biographical information about yourself and all other occupants of the property.
- Provide information about where you've lived before and offer references.
- Undergo a credit check.
- Pay a damage deposit (half a month's rent) to secure the apartment. If you've kept the apartment in good condition, you get the damage deposit back when you move out.
- Provide proof of tenant insurance. Even if you're not required to provide proof, you should have tenant insurance.
Note: Asking someone to pay more than half a month’s rent in advance is an illegal practice in Nova Scotia. Application fees or key money are also illegal.
Signing a lease
When you sign a lease or rental agreement, you’re agreeing to be a good tenant, committing to the duration of the lease and committing to paying rent on time. Once you've signed a lease, it's difficult to break the contract. You should always sign a lease (or a rental agreement). If the person you're renting from doesn’t want to sign a lease, think twice before renting from them.
- Read your lease: Check for the start and end date on the lease, description of your place, list of utilities that are included, number of people on the lease, inspection dates, amount of rent that you owe each month, amount for your first month’s rent and the amount of security deposit.
- Ask for changes: If there is anything on the lease that you don't agree with, make sure it’s changed before you sign it.
- Sign the lease: Once you sign a lease, it is difficult to break the terms of the agreement and you're responsible for paying rent, so make sure you read lease documents thoroughly before signing them.
- Get a free copy of your Residential Tenancies Act: The person you're renting from must give you a copy of the Act within 10 days of the day you sign your lease.
Protecting yourself
Learn more about protecting yourself from negative rental experiences – view our video about rental scams and other video resources for renters on YouTube.
Tips to avoid rental scams
- View the property before you apply: Make sure you see the place that's being offered for rent, not a space that's staged for viewing.
- Inspect the property when you move in: Check the place to see if anything is missing or requires repair. Cross reference with what's listed on your lease/rental agreement.
- Record everything: Take pictures and videos of the place, both when you move in and when you move out.
- Be safe. Don't pay your rent in cash.
- Watch out for illegal practices and rental scams: Application fees, key money or multiple months of rent paid in advance are all illegal practices. You can contact Dalhousie Legal Aid Service if you're experiencing problems with your lease and don’t know what to do.
Securing rent resources
We have many resources to help students better prepare for their housing search. Make sure you use the tools available to you.
NSCC Living in Nova Scotia: A Resource Guide for Students – Modules 5