Off-campus housing guide: Finding a place to live in Kelowna

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Browse listings

We recommend browsing for listings on Places4Students, a database for student housing vacancies in our area that includes photos, contact information and property features. Try to view any potential living spaces in person to assess if the listing information is accurate and if the unit meets all your needs. See Viewing Potential Properties for tips when scheduling a showing.

Starting early helps you understand the market, but listings increase closer to move-in, with peak availability in the second-last month before the semester begins. Waiting too long can limit your options, as rentals are first-come, first-served. Monitor listings even if you’re hoping for more options later.

Know your budget

When searching for rentals, it’s important to know what costs are included in the rental price and what other expenses you will need to account for.

For estimates on the cost of living in Kelowna, including food, gas and housing, visit Expatistan.

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Key considerations

When choosing a rental, it is important to consider what your needs are and how you will access basic amenities.

Transportation

Living off-campus means you’ll need to plan how you’ll get to UBC Okanagan. Students in areas like Academy Way or Quail Ridge may walk or use rentable e-bikes, but those farther away often need to rely on bus routes or personal vehicles.

Groceries

When deciding on a place to live, consider where you’ll buy your food from. The Food Map for UBCO Students is a useful tool to find grocery stores, fruit stands, international food stores, and more. If you would prefer not to take the bus or drive every time you need to visit a grocery store, grocery delivery apps/websites are a convenient alternative, but can be expensive.

Laundry

Will you have laundry available in your unit, on-site, or will you need to commute to a nearby laundromat?

Furnished vs. unfurnished

Will your rental be fully furnished? If not, consider how much furniture you will need to buy and how you will get your furniture into your new home.

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Types of rental properties in Kelowna

Apartment or suite

• Lease terms can vary, from short-term (a few months) to one year.
• May include amenities such as in-suite laundry, a dishwasher, utilities (hydro, water), air conditioning, and more.
• May be furnished or unfurnished.

Apartments vs. Condominiums

Apartments: Typically managed by a single property owner or company.

Condos: Individually owned, meaning you rent directly from the condo owner. Condos often come with added amenities like cleaning services, a pool or a gym and may cost more.

House/Townhouse/Duplex

• Renting a room in one of these typically means living with others (even the landlord) and sharing common spaces like the kitchen, living room, laundry, and possibly a bathroom.
• Because you’re living in someone else’s home, rules can be stricter.

Basement or garden suite

• Function like apartments, complete with living space, kitchen, bedrooms, and bathrooms, but are located in the basement of a house.
• Some have private entrances, while others require access through the main entrance, meaning you may or may not interact with the upstairs residents.
• Often include amenities like laundry, though these may be in shared areas rather than within the suite.
• Layout and size vary.

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Viewing potential properties

If you have found a place you think you would like to live in, the next step is to arrange a viewing to see in more detail what the property looks like. This is a great opportunity to have a conversation with the landlord and to ask any questions you may have.

Viewing a property is also a good way to ensure the unit and the information provided by the landlord are legitimate. It is always important to protect yourself against scams.

At a viewing, check:

The unit: Bring a cellphone/camera to take photos and refer to them when deciding about where to live. Check the functionality of the lights, locks and taps.

The costs: Inquire about what utilities are included with rent (if any). Ask about the costs for heating and air-conditioning.

The agreement: If you have a pet, check if pets are allowed in the building. Determine what move-in date is available.

Ask the property manager/landlord who to contact in case of emergency or for unit repairs, and for their contact information.

If you are not in Kelowna or are unable to visit:

Ask the landlord to have a video showing of the unit (over FaceTime, Facebook Messenger, WhatsApp, etc.)

If a live video showing is not possible, ask the landlord to send a video walkthrough of the unit. This helps to better understand the size and current condition of the unit.

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Housing scams and how to avoid them

Scams can be common when finding housing over the internet. Below are some flags to be aware of:

• Listings that advertise rent prices that seem significantly cheaper than others
• Photos that are blurry/low resolution or look very similar or identical to another rental listing
• Asking for money up-front
• Reluctance to let you view the unit or makes excuses as to why it can’t be viewed

Always be cautious when checking out rentals. Avoid making payments before viewing the property and always verify the information provided by the landlord.

What should I do if I get scammed?

It is difficult to track scammers down, but there are a few ways you can try to get your money back. If you do get scammed, you should:  

• Contact your bank and cancel any cheques or payments made to the scammer 
• Contact the police non-emergency line and give as many details of the crime as possible 
• Contact the online site so that they can prevent the individual from scamming others in the future
• Update your anti-virus software on your computer to prevent viruses from the scammer

Report fraud and scams in BC

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