Off-campus housing
Interested in off-campus student housing?
We’ll help you get started with important information about living off campus, including housing options, rental costs, roommates, insurance, housing laws and avoiding rental scams.
Are you a landlord? Review our information for landlords for off-campus student housing.
Residence style housing
These residence-style options offer student housing close to campus, with shared amenities and on-site support.
Barrie Campus housing options
Arcadian Student
Arcadian Student offers fully furnished suites with in-suite laundry, fitness facilities, social spaces and outdoor amenities like basketball and BBQ areas.
Georgian Green
Georgian Green offers affordable shared suites with private furnished bedrooms, study areas, flexible lease options and utilities included.
Georgian Heights
Georgian Heights offers apartment-style living with spacious layouts, in-suite laundry, furnished commons areas and full-time on-site management.
Owen Sound Student Residence
Located only a 15-minute walk from Owen Sound Campus, this 28-unit building offers private rooms, shared full-kitchens, common areas and amenities like wireless internet, utilities and tenant parking, while enjoying proximity to downtown Owen Sound and the waterfront.
Places4Students
Places4Students helps students find off-campus housing. It provides a platform where property owners and managers can list their rental accommodations, and students can safely search for available housing options near Georgian campuses.
The site includes features such as property descriptions, photos, maps, and contact information to help facilitate their search and rental process. It serves as a useful resource for students seeking convenient and affordable housing options close to Georgian College.
SpacesShared
Georgian has partnered with SpacesShared to offer home sharing in the Barrie area.
The platform connects students with older adults who have rooms available to rent. It includes background checks, profile matching and built-in tools to support a safe and secure experience. You can browse listings, connect with hosts, sign agreements and manage payments in one place. Support is available throughout the process.
Home sharing can be an affordable option and a way to connect with the local community.
Off-campus housing search options
Use the resources below to search for rental housing near Georgian campuses.
Rental listing websites
Realtor.ca
Search apartments, condos and houses listed by licensed real estate agents.
Kijiji
Browse local listings, including rooms for rent and shared housing options.
Facebook Marketplace
Search rentals and connect directly with landlords.
Zumper
Use filters to search for rentals that fit your budget and needs.
Property management companies
Melchior Property Management
View professionally managed rental units in Barrie with ongoing tenant support.
Property Management Barrie
Search rental properties managed by local companies offering a range of housing options.
Grey Bruce Property Rentals Inc.
Search rental apartments and houses in Owen Sound and surrounding Grey-Bruce communities.
Types of off-campus housing and potential rental costs
Explore common off-campus housing options and estimated rental costs in Georgian communities.
Room rental
Confirm what utilities are included and which shared spaces are available before renting.
Private room: A private room in a shared house or apartment.
Shared room: A bedroom shared with another tenant in a shared house or apartment.
- Average price for a private room: $500 to $1,000 per month (Source: RentBoard.ca)
Apartment rental
A self-contained unit that may include a living room, bedroom and kitchen. Bachelor apartments combine living and sleeping spaces into one room.
Basement apartments may offer similar amenities to above-ground units.
- Average price: $1,900 per month for a one-bedroom apartment (Source: RentBoard.ca)
House rental
A multi-bedroom home often shared with roommates. House rentals may include shared kitchens, bathrooms, living spaces and outdoor areas.
- Average price: $2,400 per month for a three-bedroom house rental (Source: RentBoard.ca)
Homestay
Homestay offers international students a private bedroom in a family home, often including meals and internet access, while providing opportunities to experience Canadian culture and practice English.
Avoiding rental scams
Be aware of common housing scams
Learn how to identify warning signs before sending money or signing a lease. If you suspect rental fraud, immediately report it to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) or your local police station.
Common rental scams
- Asking for deposits before showing the property
- Claiming to rent the unit from overseas without an in-person showing
- Requesting payment in exchange for mailed keys
- Advertising a unit that is no longer available
- Collecting deposits or application fees for fake listings
What to look out for
- Listings that seem too good to be true
- Requests to send money overseas
- Listings without photos or with repeated photos across multiple ads
- Missing or incomplete contact information
- Landlords unwilling to speak by phone or answer questions
Living with roommates
Living with roommates can be a great way to share costs, build connections and create a supportive living environment.
Tips for living with roommates
- Discuss expectations early, including chores, guests and shared spaces
- Respect each other’s privacy and belongings
- Communicated openly to help prevent conflicts
- Stay considerate of noise, schedules and shared responsibilities
Before and after you move in
Before moving in, introduce yourselves and discuss routines, communication styles and household expectations.
After moving in, consider creating a roommate agreement to help manage shared responsibilities and resolve issues if they arise.
Insurance coverage
Tenant insurance
Tenant, or content insurance helps protect your personal belongings from unexpected events like fire, theft or flooding.
- Your landlord’s insurance protects the building, not your personal belongings.
- Policies may cover items like furniture, clothing and electronics.
- Tenant insurance is often affordable and can be purchased through a bank or insurance broker.
Liability insurance
Liability insurance may cover costs if you accidentally cause damage to the property or harm to another person.
- Coverage may include situations like kitchen fires or burst pipes.
- Some leases require a minimum amount of liability coverage.
- You may need to provide proof of insurance to your landlord.
Please note: Georgian College has no affiliations with or recommendations towards any insurance company.
Housing laws and regulations
Know the laws that affect tenants and landlords in Ontario
Before signing a lease or moving into off-campus housing, learn about Ontario housing rules, tenant responsibilities and local by-laws.
Residential Tenancies Act
The Residential Tenancies Act (RTA) outlines the rights and responsibilities of landlords and tenants in Ontario, including leases, rent repairs and ending a tenancy.
Landlord and Tenant Board
The Landlord and Tenant Board (LTB) help resolve disputes between landlords and tenants and provides information about rights and responsibilities under the RTA.
Off-campus living resources
Learn about important off-campus living topics, including health and safety, roommates, budgeting and everyday life as a renter
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Looking for off-campus housing? Top questions you need to ask before renting
Looking for off-campus housing as a Georgian student? Here are some of the top questions you need to ask before renting.
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People of Georgian: Helping students ‘energizes’ housing coordinator
Meet Sarah Stackhouse, Housing and Outreach Coordinator, alumna and recipient of a Georgian College Board of Governors Award of Distinction.
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Help a student find a home
The Owen Sound Campus of Georgian College is growing. More new students arrive every semester. And they need safe and…
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Unique affordable housing option benefits students, community
Meet two student-resident matches through Georgian College’s partnership with SpacesShared.
Contact us
All Georgian campuses
249.388.1854
Email Housing