HOUSING INFORMATION
OCAD University (OCAD U) does not have its own residence. The links below have been provided to help students with their housing search. OCAD U does not guarantee the accuracy of any information provided by third-party websites.
The facilities and services listed below are independently operated and have no formal relationship with OCAD University.
Note: if you have found ocadhousing.com in your search, please know that it is NOT an OCAD U site and does not have approval to use OCAD U's name or imagery. OCAD U is not affiliated with the site in any way.
University of Toronto Student Housing Service
OCAD U students can access the U of T Student Housing Service's extensive rental registry by showing a valid OCAD U student card or letter of offer from OCAD U. An eight-week guest membership ($24) must also be purchased.
Location:
Koffler Student Services Centre
214 College Street, Toronto
416-978-8045
www.housing.utoronto.ca
Housing Events:
U of T Student Housing hosts various workshops and information sessions throughout the year to educate students about their housing rights, assist in the search for roommates, housing search preparation and discrimination, to name a few.
Check out the U of T Housing Events page.
Hours of Operation:
September to June:
8:45 a.m. to 5 p.m.
July and August:
8:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Other Housing Resources:
Federation of Metro Tenants' Associations
The FMTA is a non-profit organization which advocates for better rights for tenants. Find a wealth of housing information and a housing hotline phone number which offers free housing information and referrals in 150 different languages.
Myhood.ca
Read building/property reviews by current and former tenants.
NOW Magazine
Review classified listings by street/intersection.
Ontario Student Housing
Comprehensive listing of student housing for all major Ontario colleges and universities.
Remax Condos Plus
Condo rental listings. Economical for students wishing to share accommodation.
The Toronto Star
Review classified listings by street/intersection.
Toronto Apartments
Search Toronto apartment, house and condo rental listings.
TransCanada Rentals
Specify your own search criteria based on location, price. Off-campus student housing section, roommate search and more.
Viewit.ca
Specify your own search criteria based on location, price and more. View property photos.
Home Stay
A popular choice of accommodation for students from outside Toronto — or Canada — Home Stay users enjoy the hospitality of a host family and often get help adjusting to a new lifestyle, a new neighbourhood, transit system and more.
- Friends International Services
- Homestay Connection
- Homestay Toronto (for females and married couples)
- Student Homestay Services
- Toronto Homestay
Housing Assistance and Emergency Shelter
The City of Toronto's Shelter, Support and Housing Administration division ensures that people have shelter and affordable housing options, and assists with emergency shelter during critical incidents.
Single adults, youth and couples can call the Assessment and Referral Centre: 416-338-4766 or 1-877-338-3398 (toll free from a payphone).
Families with children can call Central Family Intake: 416-397-5637.
The Shelter, Support and Housing Administration division also helps people avoid homelessness through a number of eviction prevention programs and by providing support to tenants in Toronto.
www.toronto.ca/housing/about-tenant-landlord.htm
Residence-style Accommodations
If you are interested in residence or dorm-style accommodations, contact the following places directly:
Campus Common
50 Gerrard St. East
Toronto, ON M5B 1J6
Tel: 416-593-1800
Fax: 416-593-1850
Campus Co-op
395 Huron Street
Toronto, ON M5S 2G5
Tel: 416-979-2161
Fax: 416-979-5561
Neill-Wycik Co-op
96 Gerrard Street East
Toronto, ON M5B 1G7
Tel: 416-977-2320
Toll Free (North America): 1-800-268-4358
Fax: 416-977-2809
New Horizons Tower
1140 Bloor St. West
Toronto, ON M6H 4E6
Tel: 416-536-6111
Tartu College Residence
310 Bloor St. West
Toronto, ON M5S 1W5
Tel: 416-925-9405
Downtown Hotels
Some downtown Toronto hotels offer student accommodation:
Primrose Student Residence Program
Primrose Hotel
111 Carlton Street
Toronto, ON M5B 2G3
Tel: 647-259-5436
E-mail for information
Residence Inn Marriot
255 Wellington St. West
Toronto, ON M5V 3P9
Tel: 416-581-1800
E-mail for information
Housing Tips
When should you start to look?
- Are you planning on moving in August/September? Start your search in late June/early July
- Landlords normally advertise accommodation four to six weeks prior to the intended move-in date
- Tenants are required to give 60 days notice of move-out
How to start your search:
- Determine your price range
- Decide where you want to live
- Map it out. Consider transportation, amenities, shopping, etc.
- Decide how you want to live (shared, residence-style experience, room and board)
- Set aside two or three days to come to Toronto to look
What to do next:
- Make a list of questions to ask (about rent, amenities, etc.), either on the phone or in person
- Make appointments with landlords to view the space
- If the space meets your needs, submit rental/lease application and first and last month's rent
Shared Accommodation:
Sharing can make your costs more affordable, offers security and can lead to opportunities for socializing and making new friends. If you don't know anyone, or don't have a roommate in mind, some places (such as U of T Housing Services) offer free matching services. Things to keep in mind:
- What are the house rules?
- Who will take care of collecting money from all roommates for rent, bills, utilities, phone, cable, etc.?
- Communicate/ask about living arrangements and expectations
- How do your roommates/landlord view additional roommates, overnight guests, smoking, food, sharing internet?
- Whose name(s) is/are on the lease?
Know your Rights: Familiarize yourself with the Tenant Protection Act.
Visit the Federation of Metro Tenants' Associations.
Important Information about Bed Bugs
Bed bugs have become a growing epidemic. Toronto is #3 on the North American list of the worst infested cities, after Columbus and New York.
When looking for housing, it is important to understand what is happening with the return of bed bugs to communities around the world. While bed bugs do not have a history of transmitting infectious diseases, they are a pest that that both landlords and residents should know about, treat and ideally eliminate.
Be aware. Know what to look for. Learn how to inspect and prevent transport and/or infestation.
Information and fact sheets (available in many languages) can be found on the City of Toronto's website. For additional assistance, contact Toronto Health Connection, 416-338-7600.
Last Modified:1/24/2012 12:57:32 PM
