Off-campus housing guide: I found a place to live – now what?
Sign your tenancy agreement
Also known as a lease, a tenancy agreement is an official contract between the tenant and the landlord for the right to occupy a rental unit. It is important for you to read the agreement thoroughly, as it is a legal document and has essential information that you should know as a tenant. All tenancy agreements should be in writing in case of future issues or disputes. Keep your tenancy agreement filed in a secure place.
If you decide to make any changes to the tenancy agreement, ensure those changes are in writing. Both you and your landlord should initial next to each change. Learn more about making changes to a tenancy agreement.
Connect with your roommate
If you choose to live with a roommate, consider discussing the following:
- Cleaning: How often do you and your roommate want to clean the place, and what level of cleanliness do you each expect?
- Bills: Will you be splitting the grocery bills, electricity, utilities, etc.?
- Guests: Will you allow guests to be over often, will they sleep overnight, the maximum number of guests, etc.?
- Noise/conflict: What can you do if the person is making too much noise, and how do you resolve the conflict?
To ensure that you and your roommates keep each other accountable, it is a good idea to create and sign a roommate agreement. Here is a Roommate Agreement Template to help you set your boundaries and effectively communicate your expectations.
Watch: Living with roommates in university
Roommate disagreements
If you experience conflicts with your roommate(s), you can always refer back to the signed and dated roommate agreement you made at the beginning of your tenancy. Communicate with your roommate clearly, and work together to find solutions.
If you cannot resolve the conflict, bring in a neutral person who can hear both sides of the issue and help you generate a solution. If you are having a conflict with another UBC student, consider seeking help from the Office of the Ombudsperson for Students, which ensures students are treated fairly and can learn, work, and live in a fair, equitable, and respectful environment.
Pay your security deposit and fees
A security (damage) deposit, is an up-front payment to the landlord after signing the tenancy agreement. The security deposit can be no more than half a month’s rent. This money is held by the landlord until the end of the rental period, and the amount that is given back to you is dependent on the condition of the rental unit. If there are damages to the property, the landlord can withhold some or all of the security deposit from you.
Ensure you can prove that you paid. Pay by cheque or money order, or get a receipt if you paid in cash.
Learn more about deposits and other fees in BC.
Complete your move-in inspection
As part of the move-in process, you and the landlord are required to complete a move-in inspection or “walk-through”. This means you will walk through the unit with your landlord and document any damages or concerns that existed before you move in. The report can be used as proof to determine who should pay for repairs, and is an essential process to ensure you get your security deposit back in full.
Learn more about what to look for during the inspection.
Get tenant insurance
We recommend you purchase tenant insurance to protect yourself and your belongings in the event your property is damaged or you are liable for damage to someone else’s property. You may choose to insure your belongings with any private insurance company or BCAA.
Set up your internet and utilities
Internet is often not included in the monthly rental fee. In these cases, you would be expected to secure internet for yourself. Some of the common options that students and landlords recommend in Kelowna are Shaw, Telus, Bell, and Rogers.
Electricity in Kelowna is supplied by FortisBC or BCHydro. You can set up an account on their respective websites to start the connection and pay for monthly services.
Know your rights
As a tenant, you have rights and responsibilities. Being familiar with these rights and responsibilities will make your off-campus housing experience much easier in the event that disputes occur. To learn more, visit the Residential Tenancy Branch and the Tenancy Resource & Advisory Centre.
