Off-Campus Housing

Looking for a place to live in Hamilton or Stoney Creek?

Whether you are moving to the area, leaving residence or searching for a new rental, these resources can help you understand your options, find housing and prepare for life off campus.

Start Your Housing Search

You can search for student-friendly rental listings through:

• Places4Students: Search rooms, apartments and shared housing advertised to students.
• SpacesShared: Connects students looking for affordable housing with older adults who have extra space in their homes.

Mohawk College shares these resources to support your search but does not inspect, approve or guarantee rental properties, landlords or listings. Always view the property, review the agreement and ask questions before paying money or signing anything.

Choose the Right Type of Housing

Your options may include:

A room in a shared house or apartment
You will usually have your own bedroom and share spaces such as the kitchen, bathroom and living room with other tenants.

A private apartment

A self-contained unit with its own kitchen and bathroom. This could be a studio, basement apartment or one- or two-bedroom apartment.

A house

You and your roommates rent an entire house and share responsibility for the rent, utilities and upkeep.

Homeshare

You rent a room in someone’s home—often at a lower cost—and may agree to provide some help around the home. SpacesShared is one example of a homesharing program.

Homestay for international students

International students can live with a local host through the Canada Homestay Network. Homestay may include meals and can offer additional support while you adjust to living and studying in Canada.

Short-term accommodation

A hotel or short-term rental may help if you arrive before your permanent housing is ready. Remember that short-term rentals can be expensive and may not provide the same protections as a standard residential tenancy.

Protect Yourself from Rental Scams

Be cautious when a rental seems unusually inexpensive or when someone pressures you to act immediately.

Warning signs may include:

• The landlord will not show you the property.
• You are asked to send money before viewing the unit.
• Payment is requested through gift cards, cryptocurrency or an unusual money-transfer service.
• The person advertising the unit says they are outside the country and cannot meet you.
• The address, photos or rental details do not match.
• You are pressured to sign or pay immediately.
• The landlord will not provide a written agreement or receipt.

Do not send money or personal documents until you have confirmed that the rental and the person offering it are legitimate.

Understand Your Lease

A lease is a legal agreement between you and your landlord. In most Ontario tenancies, landlords must use Ontario’s standard lease form.

Before signing, make sure the lease clearly explains:

• The monthly rent and when it is due
• The length of the rental agreement
• What is included in the rent
• Who pays for electricity, heat, water and internet
• Parking, laundry and storage arrangements
• Rules for shared spaces
• The names of everyone responsible for the lease

Do not sign a lease you do not understand. Ask questions and get advice before agreeing to anything.

Deposits

A landlord can generally request a rent deposit of no more than one rental period, usually one month’s rent. It is normally used for your final month of tenancy.

Always ask for a receipt and keep a record of every payment.

Read the Lease FAQ

Know Your Rights and Responsibilities

Ontario tenants and landlords have rights and responsibilities under provincial rental laws. Depending on your living arrangement, different rules may apply—for example, if you share a kitchen or bathroom with the property owner or a member of their immediate family.

Resources are available through:

• City of Hamilton – Tenant Information: Guidance on leases, evictions, maintenance concerns, tenant responsibilities and local services. 
  
• City of Hamilton – Tenant Support Program: Help for Hamilton tenants facing eviction, above-guideline rent increases or possible violations of their rights.
• Ontario Government – Renting in Ontario: Your Rights: Provincial information about leases, rent, deposits, repairs, eviction and tenant protections.
• Ontario Government – Guide to Ontario’s Standard Lease: Explains the standard lease used for most residential tenancies in Ontario.
• Hamilton Community Legal Clinic – Tenant Rights: Free legal information, advice and possible representation for eligible low-income tenants.
• Mohawk Students’ Association – Legal Counselling: Legal counselling available to eligible Mohawk students, including support with landlord and tenant concerns. 

Eligible students can book a free appointment through the Mohawk Students’ Association to ask questions or have a lease reviewed.

Explore renter and tenant resources

Plan Your Monthly Budget

Rent is only one part of the cost of living off campus. Your monthly expenses may also include:

• Electricity, heat and water
• Internet and phone service
• Groceries and household supplies
• Transportation or parking
• Tenant insurance
• Laundry
• Furniture
• Personal and entertainment expenses

Ask what is included before comparing rental prices. A lower monthly rent may cost more overall if you need to pay for several utilities or travel a long distance to campus.

Explore Mohawk’s financial literacy resources

Consider Tenant Insurance 

Tenant insurance can help protect your belongings from theft or damage and may provide liability coverage if someone is injured in your home.

Your landlord’s property insurance normally does not cover your personal belongings. Compare plans, coverage and costs before choosing a provider.

Be a Good Roommate and Neighbour

Living off campus means becoming part of the wider Hamilton community.

You can help create a positive living environment by:

• Agreeing with your roommates on cleaning, bills, guests and quiet hours
• Paying your share of expenses on time
• Keeping shared spaces clean and safe
• Introducing yourself to your neighbours
• Following local noise, parking, waste and property-maintenance bylaws
• Putting garbage and recycling out on the correct collection day
• Clearing snow and maintaining outdoor areas when required
• Addressing concerns respectfully before they become larger problems

A written roommate agreement can help everyone understand their responsibilities, even when only one or some of the roommates are named on the lease.

Live Safely Off Campus

A few basic precautions can help protect you and your housemates:

• Lock doors and windows, even when you are home.
• Do not share your keys or building access codes.
• Tell your landlord immediately if a key is lost.
• Keep valuables out of sight.
• Walk with others at night when possible.
• Learn your transportation route before travelling alone.
• Check that smoke and carbon monoxide alarms are working.
• Never remove or cover alarm batteries.
• Know how to leave the building in an emergency.
• Save important emergency and property-management contacts in your phone.

Call 911 when someone’s health or safety is in immediate danger.

For a non-emergency police matter in Hamilton, call 905-546-4925.

Health and Wellbeing

The life of a student is complicated and unique. We know that many of our students are living in off-campus housing.  We recognize that this is a large part of the student experience, and we want to offer some tips and considerations on how to stay healthy and well".