Roommates and Subletting

Are you looking for a housemate or sublet? Living with someone new can come with challenges and opportunities to learn more about yourself and others. We encourage students to read through our Roommate Compatibility Checklist! This checklist will help you and your roommates understand each other better before you decide to move in with one another! 

Subletting

Subletting is when tenants have someone else live in their accommodations for a part of the lease term. They will have to write a letter to the landlord asking permission to sublet. Because the law permits tenants to sublet their lease, the landlord cannot reasonably refuse, and if he or she does you can then move forward with ending your tenancy.  

To learn more about your rights to sublet, check out Community Legal Education Ontario. 

Off-Campus Living Website

The Off-Campus Living website is run by Student Life and Success in order to help you find off-campus accommodation. To get started, visit brocku.ca/off-campus-living  

Finding a housemate/sublet 

You can post a free advertisement with us to help your search. Instructions and tips can be found below. When you’re ready to begin, go to brocku.ca/off-campus-living. 

How to place a posting at the Off-Campus Living Listing service site

If you are advertising rooms for rent, some items that you may wish to include within your advertisement are: 

  • when students can move in; 
  • what the lease term is; 
  • what items (utilities, cable, internet, etc.) are included in the monthly rent; 
  • the general (not specific) location of the property; and 
  • its proximity to a bus route. 

Please note that the university does not permit postings related to off-campus housing on campus bulletin boards. All advertisements of this nature will be removed. 

And review our tips for avoiding online rental scams. 

Other ways to find roommates 

Many students will also connect with people in their program to find roommates. Unsanctioned groups on social media are often made by students to connect, and these can be a good tool. We also recommend students check ExperienceBU for a variety of events, drop-ins and mixers, this can be a great place to meet like-minded folks and find roommates! 

Off-Campus Living also runs the Brock Society of Off-Campus Students – or Brock SOCS. This is a great place to connect with other off-campus students and seek roommates. Learn more on the Brock SOCS page! 

Have questions? Need Support? Email us at ocl@brocku.ca to book an appointment!