Finding off-campus housing can be challenging and time-consuming for students. St. Lawrence College wants to help make the process as easy as possible for you, so you can focus on studying and enjoying all the College has to offer. Please use the resources, guides and tips below to aid in your Off-Campus Housing search.
Please note: St. Lawrence College provides this information as a service to its students but takes no responsibility for the student or landlord’s decision to enter into a rental/boarding arrangement. The College does not pre-screen the landlords’ nor students’ suitability as a landlord/tenant.
If you have questions or need assistance, please contact our Off-Campus House & Outreach Coordinator at housing@sl.on.ca
The St. Lawrence College Off-Campus Housing Department does not operate any social media pages on Facebook, Instagram, or any other platforms. For all official communication, updates, and housing-related inquiries, please use the URSLC general channel and forum exclusively.
Beware of any unofficial accounts or pages claiming to represent our department. Always verify the source of information and reach out to housing@sl.on.ca with any questions or concerns.
Tips/Guides and Resources
- International Student Guide
- International Student Accommodation Guide
- International Students Pre-Departure Guide:
You can use the resources below to understand your rights and responsibilities when renting in Ontario:
Home Safety
- Landlords are required to provide effective locks for residences - contact your landlord if you have concerns about any security devices in your house. It is a good idea to keep your doors and windows locked, even when you’re at home.
- Leave an outside light on at night.
- Check the peephole or window before opening the door.
- Keep valuables out of sight – electronics, TVs, or other valuable articles are safer if not stored next to windows.
- Keep your keys in your possession, don’t lend them out to anyone who doesn’t live in your home.
- If you’re leaving for holiday break, or on vacation:
- Do not leave valuables on the property.
- Contact the appropriate agencies to hold your newspaper and mail
- Let your landlord know you will be away. Ask if they can keep an eye on the property.
Fire Safety
- Ensure that your landlord keeps the smoke and carbon monoxide detectors in working order. If the smoke detector is beeping, replace the battery or tell your landlord.
- Candles should be extinguished if you are leaving the room.
- Watch food carefully while cooking in the oven or on the stove.
- Extinguish a grease fire with baking soda or class B fire extinguisher.
- Having a fire safety plan for your home or apartment is a good way to be prepared in case of emergency.
Rental scams are real, so we caution our students to make informed decisions when they decide to rent.
Tips for avoiding scams:
- Never give out personal financial information (bank account number, SIN, etc.).
- Avoid paying with cash, or hard-to-trace equivalents such as Bitcoin because it is impossible to track.
- Obtain a written lease: A written lease, that includes the name of the landlord, helps prevent fraud and outlines the rights and responsibilities of both parties.
- Visit in person, have someone you trust see the rental property or request a real-time video walkthrough of the rental before signing a lease or making a payment.
- It is a good idea to bring someone with you when you’re viewing properties.
Finding Accommodations in Your Community
Each campus has an off-campus housing coordinator to support students in their housing search. Please contact housing@sl.on.ca to connect with them. You can access more information and listings through
URSLC Housing: Off-Campus Group
Current students can access the Off-Campus Housing Group for all their housing listings, events and information. *Students can join here.
*If you are looking to post your listings, please contact housing@sl.on.ca
Please find our Off-Campus Housing Resource booklet here. Inside you will find helpful checklists, lists of property management companies and hotels and other resources for each campus city.
Home Sharing Options
Home Sharing is an age old practice of opening up one’s home to share your space with a stranger in exchange of rent. These situations are not covered under the RTA. To address this, the college has partnered with the following companies to provide students with safe, regulated home sharing options: