When to start looking 
We recommend you start looking two months before you intend to move in. For September, start looking in June or early in July. 

Lease types
House and apartment rentals generally require you to sign a one-year lease. Meanwhile, rooms are often rented out for 4- to 8-month periods and sometimes for up to 12 months. 

Location and cost
Ensure you’re comfortable with the distance to campus and the public transportation, walking, driving and biking options. To fully evaluate the costs, consider all related expenses: utilities, heating, electricity, parking, internet, etc. Make sure they’re all affordable for you. 

Here are two map resources to help your location search. These links are external to uOttawa and the University is not accountable for any information found on external websites.

• The Google Ottawa Neighbourhood  Map shows the boundaries of different neighbourhoods. A short description is available for some, giving a quick impression of what it could be like living there. This map has all the standard Google Map functionality to easily find travel time to different campuses.
• The City of Ottawa GeoMap This map shows the location of different services offered by the city, with the location for the different facilities, parks, libraries, social services and more.

Safety/security
Are the doors equipped with good-quality locks (even the patio door)? Is there an easy means of egress? Are hallways and parking lots well lit? 

Model apartments
Never sign a lease based on a model. Insist on seeing your actual unit. 

Application deposit
Request a written agreement before paying a deposit, and check if the agreement indicates whether the deposit is refundable. 

Functioning order

• Check appliances. Run water in all sinks, showers and tubs. Flush toilets, and check the air conditioning and heating.
• Check that the smoke detectors in working order.
• Ensure the unit has well-fitted doors and windows that operate and lock adequately.
• Check if electrical outlets, fixtures and breakers have been properly installed.
• Examine the lighting (natural and fixtures).
• Find out what appliances and furniture are included.
• See what the laundry facilities are like, and if there are none, check how far the nearest public laundry is.
• Look for any traces of mould or signs of water damage.
• Look for traces of insects or other pests.
• Check if the garbage, recycling and composting facilities are adequately maintained.
• Check if the stairs, porches and railings are in good repair.

Appearance and inventory
Is the unit clean? Do the carpets look worn or smell bad? Has the unit been recently painted? Do the walls have nail holes? 
Note all defects on an inventory list, and have the landlord or an impartial witness sign it. Take pictures or videos of the unit when you move in.

Noise and parking
Check for noise and parking problems by visiting the unit at various times during the day, at night and on weekends. 

Landlord and neighbours
Speak to tenants living in the building. Does the landlord respect their privacy? Are repairs done quickly? 

• Read the lease and make sure you understand it.
• Be prepared to pay the full rent, not just your share. This is what “joint and several” liability, a term included or implied in nearly all leases, means.
• Get a copy of any rules and regulations in addition to the lease.
• Have all promised repairs and improvements written into the lease and signed by the landlord.
• Keep a copy of the lease and the rules and regulations with your important records.