housing
Mission
The Graduate Student Association-University of Waterloo (GSA-UW) is committed to fostering a supportive and appropriate environment for all graduate students (see GSA Political Position). One of our many focuses is on housing and providing housing information for incoming and continuing graduate students at the University of Waterloo. On this webpage, we provide information that will support students from finding a new home to informing students of our efforts regarding the issue of housing affordability in Canada and the rapid increase of living costs related to housing in our region due to gentrification.
If you have any feedback or wish to contact us on housing matters, please send an email to the GSA Housing Coordinator at gsa-residence@uwaterloo.ca
Research
This is a research project that seeks to learn more about international student families’ off-campus housing experiences, stories of homemaking and caregiving. For more information please visit their website.
During Winter 2023, our housing Research and Action group created resources to support students in their search for housing and affordable living in the K-W region. Please see links below for their resources:
This survey was conducted in collaboration between GSA and WUSA to identify what difficulties students may be having in relation to their housing experience and to determine how together we can support safe and affordable housing. The GSA-UW aims to use the data to assist in advocacy and research efforts to bolster the Municipal Housing Issues research. This is one more step in our advocacy initiative that helps to direct resources to action priority recommendations of the report and identify further supports to overcome grad student housing issues. See here the report and presentation.
This research conducted by graduate students provided an overview of housing-related challenges experienced by graduate students at the University of Waterloo (UW) and summarized recent actions taken by the university administration as well as local governments. It includes information, conclusions and recommendations to help inform potential revisions to the Graduate Student Association (GSA) Council’s political positions and future dialogue between the GSA, university administration and government. Click here to see the research report.
Where To Search for Housing
- Variety of different style living accommodations on campus available for students
- Graduate students who live on campus apply to live at Columbia Lake Village, a townhouse community or at United College which offers a variety of suites and graduate student apartments available for rent
- Jerome’s University Services offered: Private suites with shared common spaces, including kitchen and social space, available for rent. Optional meal plan is available. Contact/Access: info@sju.ca, 519-884-8111 ext.28209, https://sju.ca/louis-hall-graduate-student-residence
- Meal plans are available depending on the residence selected
- Off-Campus Housing has a variety of different housing options available in the Kitchener-Waterloo area.
- Places4Students offer property listings from local landlords and accommodation providers.
- Other property websites are available including: Rentals.ca, Kijiji, Zumper, Facebook Marketplace, RentCafe etc.
- United College offers short-term guest rooms as a temporary living solution
Local Property Management Companies
Note: We strongly encourage students to look at reviews online, talk to other students, and research any rental companies or landlords before signing a lease with them.
Services offered: Rental opportunities for students.
- Schembri Property Management: 519-589-2577, leasing@schembripm.com
- Domus Inc: 519-342-0608, living@domushousing.com
- Waterloo Off-Campus Housing (WOCH): 519-747-7276, info@rentwoch.com
- ACCOMOD8U: 519-340-0172, leasing@accomod8u.com
- HRS Property Management: 226-978-0101, info@hrsproperty.com
- Waterloo Premium Property Management: 519-208-1163, info@wpremiumpm.com
- RentCorp Property Management: 519-896-0101, ads@rentcorp.ca
- SAGE Living: 519-772-4556, rent@sagecondos.ca
- Preston House and Bridgeport House: 519-208-0208, live@prestonhouse.ca or live@bridgeporthouse.ca
- Grand River Property Management Limited: 519-886-8690
- Rez-One: 1-855-573-9663 ext.1
- ICON: 226-241-8818, leasing@abodstudentlife.com
- The University of Waterloo offers various financial supports for graduate students, click here for additional information
- To assess your expenses, use the Graduate Student Calculator to help you plan your living expenses
- If you are experiencing a housing problem, housing displacement, violence, fraud or critical circumstances, contact och@uwaterloo.ca for assistance with creating a safety plan and more immediate support.
Legal and Tenant Rights
Navigating the housing market and landlord-tenant disputes can be difficult. The following resources are available to graduate students to access more information and support when these issues arise.
Through a partner law firm and StudentCare coverage, full-time and part-time Waterloo graduate students have access to a legal consultation service to consult a duly certified lawyer in their province of study regarding any legal question via a toll-free legal assistance helpline. The Legal Protection Program also includes further counsel should students qualify for legal representation. Representation can be for academic, employment and housing disputes. Call the toll-free legal assistance helpline (1-833-202-4571). Details of this coverage are here.
Services Offered: Help finding a lawyer and access to free or discounted legal services for those with no income or are new to Canada.
Contact/Access: 1-800-668-8258 https://www.legalaid.on.ca/services/how-do-i-apply-for-legal-aid/
The WRCLS is a community legal clinic funded by Legal Aid Ontario. The GSA has partnered with the WRCLS to provide bi-weekly housing legal drop-in support via Zoom. These drop-in sessions allow graduate students to discuss any housing related issues with a member of the WRCLS legal team.
Services offered: Official Ontario regulations that outline your rights as a tenant
Contact/Access: https://www.ontario.ca/laws/statute/06r17 . For a quicker review, check out this page offered by Off-Campus Housing at the University of Waterloo: https://uwaterloo.ca/off-campus-housing/students or this page from the Ontario government: https://www.ontario.ca/page/renting-ontario-your-rights
Services offered: Helps resolve issues that arise between tenants (renters) and landlords. A good resource to contact to ask all questions related to your rights as a tenant or to file a dispute against your landlord for violating those rights.
Contact/Access: 1-888-332-3234, https://tribunalsontario.ca/en/
Housing-Related Resources
The GSA does not endorse these resources but these are common search tools that students use to navigate the on-campus and off-campus housing market.
City of Waterloo Website:
Follow the City of Waterloo on Instagram: instagram.com/citywaterloo
Lutherwood:
Services offered: Hosts a families in transition program for those who are seeking emergency shelter due to the risk of experiencing homelessness as well as a housing support drop in service.
Contact: fitreferrals@lutherwood.ca, 519-749-2450, https://www.lutherwood.ca/housing/families-in-transition-fit
Fire Prevention and Safety Tips: https://www.waterloo.ca/en/living/prevention-and-safety.aspx#
Information on Drinking Water in Waterloo Region: https://www.regionofwaterloo.ca/en/health-and-wellness/drinking-water.aspx
Information on Radon Gas in Your Home: https://takeactiononradon.ca/ontario/
Information on Carbon Monoxide Detection: https://www.oafc.on.ca/carbon-monoxide
Common Household Pest Identification: https://www.pestend.ca/household-pests-in-ontario/
Pest Control Companies in Waterloo: https://tinyurl.com/2p92jycb
Heating and Air Conditioning Companies in Waterloo: https://tinyurl.com/2bccyuxd
Electrician Companies in Waterloo: https://tinyurl.com/y23hnbte
Locksmith Companies in Waterloo: https://tinyurl.com/2nn6mwy3
*Please note that the responsibility of dealing with pest issues and other issues that arise in a rental are in many cases held by the landlord and not the tenant. We strongly encourage all students to understand their rights before putting money out for residential fixes.
Home Security Companies in Waterloo: https://tinyurl.com/2hu48xhx
Internet Providers in Waterloo: https://tinyurl.com/bdzkvdb2
Cleaning Services in Waterloo: https://tinyurl.com/2hxkdm8j
Moving Companies in Waterloo: https://tinyurl.com/2p87jbvm
Storage Companies in Waterloo: https://tinyurl.com/2p8j75ku
Living Affordably
The working centre: Affordable Housing | The Working Centre
Thrift on Kent: Thrift on Kent – MCC Thrift
Value Village: https://www.valuevillage.com/
Luster and Oak: Luster and Oak | Vintage and Consignment Clothing Store
Carrousel clothing: Home – Carousel Clothing
Plato’s Closet: https://www.platoscloset.com
Goodwill: Home – Goodwill Industries
Emergency Housing
Waterloo:
Services offered: A safe place for people to stay if they are experiencing homelessness.
Contact: Housing helpline: 519-624-9133 https://www.regionofwaterloo.ca/en/living-here/emergency-shelters-and-transitional-housing.aspx#Kitchener
Kitchener:
–House of Friendship: 519-742-8327
–Lutherwood Safe Haven Emergency Shelter: 519-749-1450 ext. 2240
–OneROOF Youth Services Shelter (ages 16-25): 519-742-2788
–YW Emergency Shelter: 519-744-0120
Cambridge:
–The Cambridge Shelter: 519-624-9305