Off-campus housing

Living in Victoria

Most students will live off-campus at some point during their studies. Get ready to rent by learning more about the different neighborhoods in Victoria and getting familiar with housing costs and rental terminology.

Victoria Neighborhoods

Distance to UVic (minutes)

Neighborhood	By Bus	By Car	By Bike
Gordon Head	15	5	15
Oak Bay	25	10	20
Saanich	25	15	30
Downtown Victoria	30	20	30
Esquimalt	55	25	45
View Royal	45	20	45
Langford/Colwood	60	30	60
Sidney	90	40	90

Types of housing

Single-family home: house that contains only one living space, usually with multiple bedrooms
Apartment: an individual living unit within a larger residential building
Condominium: similar to an apartment, but with individual ownership of the unit
Townhouse: a house that may share walls with neighboring units, often including a small yard or patio
Duplex: a single building divided into two separate units
Basement suite: a self-contained apartment located on the lower floor of a single-family home. Usually includes a separate entrance, kitchen and bathroom.

Types of Leases

Month-to-month: a lease with no predetermined end date
Fixed term: a lease with a pre-determined end/renewal date (often 1 year)
Sublease: temporarily renting from someone who has a lease on a dwelling
Short-term rental: vacation or travel accommodation (not a residential lease)

Housing Costs

The cost of housing in Victoria will vary widely based on location, type of housing, size of the unit, etc. Plan ahead by researching what the average rental costs for your desired housing situation would be. The best way to learn about the rental market is by looking at housing posts. You can also consult the following resources for rental market data and living costs for the Greater Victoria area:

Expenses

It will also be important to consider your living expenses on top of rent. While looking for housing, also consider your other potential costs including:

Utilities such as electricity and heating
TV or internet
Coin-operated laundry
Storage unit fees
Parking fees or permit
Transit costs
Tenant insurance
Security or pet damage deposit

Where to look

Short-term or temporary housing

You may need to stay in short-term accommodations while you look for a more permanent place to live. This will allow you to view potential housing options in person and can help you avoid scams.

Online resources:

Long-term housing

Once you have arrived in Victoria, you can shift your focus to finding long-term housing. While some landlords do post “for rental” signs in-person, most rental vacancies are posted online.

Important: Please be aware that off-campus housing options are not verified by UVic for legitimacy or quality. It is important that you or someone you trust visits the unit in person.

Victoria has several online classifieds where landlords or building managers will post available units. Be sure to read any advertisements carefully and be cautious with your personal information.

Facebook groups are commonly used by landlords and tenants in Victoria, and it can be easier to find subleases and roommate opportunities than on other platforms. Also consider looking in local community and cultural groups, as sometimes people post housing opportunities there.

You may find an apartment to rent directly through a local property management company.

Need help?

If you're having trouble finding a place to live, consider the following:

Can you stay with relatives or close friends?
Are you able to afford short-term accommodation while you look for a place long-term?
Try asking your friends or classmates if they know of any rental opportunities
Consider creating a "looking for housing post" on Facebook or housing classified sites
Walk around different neighborhoods and look for in-person "for rent" signs
Check out the bulletin boards in the Student Union Building

Contact the International Centre for Students if you need support.

What to look for

Viewing rental listings

Looking carefully at rental listings can give you a lot of information on whether the unit is going to be a good fit. Some details to look for include:

Location of the unit
Type of rental (entire unit, room, suite, etc.)
What the monthly rent is
Lease term (sublease, month to month lease, fixed term, etc.)
What is included (utilities, wifi, parking)
Laundry (is there laundry in the unit?)
Move-in date

If there is information missing, don't hesitate to reach out to the landlord with your questions.

Other considerations

Location and transportation

What transit options are available?
Will you take the bus, bike or drive?
Will you need a place to park a car or store a bike?
Do you need to be close to campus?

Children

If you have children, you will need extra time to find accommodation
It is illegal for landlords to refuse to rent to you based on your family status
Some landlords may limit the amount of people who can live in a rental unit

Pets

In Victoria, there are limited options for accommodations that allow pets
Search for listings that state “pet friendly”, "dogs allowed" or “cats allowed"
A pet deposit may be required by the landlord

TRAC's Renting it Right needs and preferences worksheet can help focus your search.

Viewing a suite

When viewing potential housing or communicating with a landlord, prepare a list of questions to help you make an informed decision about a unit. Do not rent a place if there is anything that concerns you.

How much is the rent per month?
How much is the security deposit?
Are any utilities included in the rent? TV, internet, heat, hot water, electricity, etc.
Are any features included in the rent? Laundry facility, storage locker, parking, etc.
Are there any restrictions? Smoking, pets, long-term visitors, etc.
Is there a minimum duration for the tenancy?
Do any repairs need to be made?
How is the heating system controlled? Can it be controlled inside this unit or room?
If there is an outdoor area, who is responsible for maintaining it?
Would it be possible to paint the walls or make any other decorative changes?
Why are the current tenants leaving?
When could you move in?

In the unit:

What is the neighbourhood like (does it seem safe?)
Check to see if the following are working
- Toilet (give it a flush and check for leaks)
- Shower (turn it on and off and look for leaks)
- Faucets/taps (turn on and off, and make sure water doesn’t drip after you turn it off)
Open cupboards and drawers and look for signs of pests
Clean carpet (carpet should be cleaned before you move in)
Level of noise (open the windows and check the noise level from traffic)
Look for mold or water damage (yellow or brown stains on ceiling or walls)
Where are the nearest grocery stores, shopping centres, and other amenities?
Are there strong locks on all the doors and windows?
What are the safety features? Are there smoke alarms?
Do all the appliances work?

Avoiding scams

Spotting Scams

It can be hard to determine if a listing is legitimate without actually meeting the landlord or viewing the property. If you think something is wrong, trust yourself and consider these important questions:

Is the rent really low compared to similar listings in the area?
Does the language in the listing seem different than other listings you have seen? For example, does the listing include many spelling errors or does it seem unrealistic?
Is the landlord unable to show you the unit or unwilling to arrange an in-person viewing?
Does the landlord seem pushy or too eager to rent the unit?
Is the landlord asking you to mail or send your deposit electronically before viewing the unit and agreeing on the arrangement?

The following resources can help you determine whether a rental listing might be a scam:

Staying safe

Here are some tips to help keep you safe in your housing search and avoid rental scams:

When possible, always view a unit in person. If you can't go in person, request a live video walkthrough or asked a trusted friend to see the unit for you.
Don't rent the first unit you see. It can be tempting to seal the deal, but shopping around will increase your chances of securing a higher quality residence.
Arranging short term accommodation for when you arrive can help give you some peace of mind and allow you the time to find a good fit.
Verify the unit's location on google maps. You can use reverse‑image search on listing photos to see if they appear elsewhere.
Confirm the landlord’s identity and confirm they own or manage the property. If you're uncertain, check the address in public property or land title records to confirm ownership.
Never pay deposits, first month’s rent, or fees before a signed written tenancy agreement and after verifying everything.
Don’t provide highly sensitive personal info (SIN, credit card numbers) over email and learn about what information your landlord can request.

Applying for housing

Application process

For most rentals, the process follows these steps:

Research and find prospective rentals
Contact landlord or property manager
Coordinate a viewing or visit
Submit an application
Landlord reviews application and contacts references as needed
If accepted, sign tenancy agreement
Pay deposit(s)
Move in

Other processes

Subleasing

A tenant temporarily moves out and rents their unit to another tenant (subtenant)
The original tenant must sign a new tenancy agreement (a sublease) with the subtenant

Lease assignments

A tenant permanently moves out and transfers their tenancy agreement to a new tenant
The original tenancy agreement still applies OR the new tenant and the landlord can also agree to new terms or sign a new agreement

Personal information and identification

Information your landlord can require:

Legal name
Contact info: phone #, e-mail address
Emergency contact
Proof of identity

Information your landlord cannot require:

Bank account or credit card #’s
Social Insurance Number (SIN)
UVic Student Number
Study permit or passport

Learn more about protecting your personal information and privacy.

References and proof of ability to pay

Most landlords will ask for the following when you apply for housing:

References

Residential history (dates and addresses of previous housing)
Landlord references (contact information for past landlords)
Personal reference (someone that can vouch for you such as a co-worker, employer, coach)

Proof of income

Landlords can request proof that you will be able to pay your monthly rent, such as:

Pay slip, contract, proof of savings, proof of scholarship or loan
Letter of parental financial support
Credit report (if you have a credit history in Canada or the USA)
Guarantor (parent or guardian obligated to pay if you are unable to)

Tips for applying

Look at more than one unit
Fill out and return the application as soon as possible
Compile your references in advance
Prepare proof of ability to pay in advance
Supply your own credit report
If renting with a pet, include a pet resume
Prepare a cover letter
Be responsive and available
Record all correspondence

Rights and responsibilities

Residential Tenancy Act

In BC the Residential Tenancy Act is the provincial law that outlines landlords' and tenants' rights and responsibilities.

Housing arrangements NOT covered under the Residential Tenancy Act include:

Shared bathroom or kitchen with the owner of the property
Accommodation provided to a student or employee by their school
Short-term accommodation under certain circumstances
Emergency shelters
Co-operative housing
Sublets or Occupant/roommates

A full list of housing not covered by the Residential Tenancy Act can be viewed on the the Tenancy Resource & Advisory Centre website.

Tenancy agreements

In BC, a tenancy agreement is a legal contract between a landlord and a tenant that outlines the terms and conditions of renting a residential property.

It includes key details such as the rental amount, payment schedule, duration of the tenancy (fixed-term or month-to-month), responsibilities for maintenance and repairs, and conditions for ending the tenancy. Tenancy agreements must comply with the Residential Tenancy Act.

Landlords must prepare a written agreement for every tenancy and both landlords and tenants must sign and date the agreement.

Living with roommates

If you will be sharing your housing with roommates, it’s important to understand the type of tenancy agreement you have. Depending on your situation, you may or may not be protected under the Residential Tenancy Act (RTA).

Co-tenants

Each individual name is on the rental agreement; therefore everyone is protected under the RTA.
Co-tenants pay rent to their landlord collectively, and must decide amongst themselves how to divide the cost.
Co-tenants are jointly responsible for everything that is related to their tenancy, which means that everyone is equally responsible for each other's behavior.

Tenants in common

Tenants in common live in the same rental unit, but each individual has a separate tenancy agreement with the landlord. Tenants are protected under the RTA.
Each tenant is responsible for their own behavior.
Tenants in common may not have control over who else is living in the home.

Occupant/roommates

An “occupant/roommate” is someone who rents from another tenant with whom they live – not the landlord.
Occupant/roommates are not protected by the RTA.
Legal disputes between roommates can be resolved through the Civil Resolution Tribunal.

Before you move in

Inspection report

Before signing anything you and your landlord should complete a move-in inspection report. This is a chance to document the condition of your home before your move in and when you move out.

Signing a tenancy agreement

Make sure you understand your rights and responsibilities before signing a tenancy agreement. If there is anything unclear or missing, talk to your landlord as soon as possible.

Although verbal tenancy agreements are covered by the Residential Tenancy Act (RTA), it is always best to have a written agreement with your landlord. Your landlord should provide you with a copy of your signed agreement

Security or damage deposit

A security or damage deposit secures the tenancy for you and for your new landlord. Once you have paid this deposit, you have committed to moving in and your landlord cannot rent the unit to someone else. The maximum deposit a landlord can charge is half a month’s rent.

Visit the Tenant Resource & Advisory Centre for more information.

Tenant insurance

In Canada, tenant insurance includes liability for fire and other damage and covers personal possessions against theft and loss. Some insurance policies also cover temporary displacement due to natural disasters or emergencies.

Some landlords may require tenant insurance, which must be stated on your tenancy agreement. Even if it is not required, consider getting tenant insurance as it could end up helping you in a time of crisis.

There are many tenant insurance providers, including banks and private insurance companies. Research your options and ask questions before making a decision. Tip: be sure to ask about student discounts!

Assistance for tenants

If you are experiencing an issue with your landlord or have questions about your rights and responsibilities as a tenant, reach out for assistance as soon as possible.

The Residential Tenancy Branch (RTB)

Provides landlords and tenants with information and dispute resolution services, guided by the Residential Tenancy Act. The RTB provides resources to help individuals know their rights and responsibilities as both landlord and tenant. If you have a landlord-tenant matter, RTB has a process for dispute resolution.

Tenant Resource & Advisory Centre (TRAC)

The Tenant Resource & Advisory Centre (TRAC) is a non-profit organization that provides free legal education, representation and advocacy on residential tenancy matters. TRAC has the following resources:

Renting it Right Course
Tenant Survival Guide
Online Tools and Resources
Free Tenant Legal Infoline: 1-800-665-1185

Other resources for conflicts or disputes

In addition to the resources above, for support in navigating conflicts with your landlord you can also reach out to:

Additional resources for tenants

Student Life: find information about traffic, parking, garbage, recycling, safety standards and being a responsible community member in Greater Victoria
Rental abbreviations and terms
Tenant Survival Guide - a plain language resource about tenants’ and landlords’ rights and responsibilities in BC

Video resources

The Housing Hunt

In this session, UVic ICS Settlement Advisers provided an overview of off-campus housing for international students. This included information on different types of housing, where to look for rentals, understanding housing costs, and how avoid scams. PLEASE NOTE: The data in this presentation is accurate as of May 15, 2025. Data is subject to change.

Ready to Rent

In this session, UVic ICS Settlement Advisers provided an overview of off-campus housing for international students. This included information on the applying for housing, signing a lease, moving in, and rights and responsibilities during a tenancy. Please note: the information in this presentation is accurate as of July 10, 2025, and is subject to change without notice.