Housing Basics
This legal document outlines the rules and agreements between a tenant and a landlord.
What is a lease?
This is the largest recurring expense students typically pay when living off-campus.
What is rent?
This person is responsible for maintaining a rental unit in good repair.
What is a landlord?
To avoid common roommate conflicts, it’s a good idea to set clear expectations about these three things before moving in together.
What are bills, chores, and guests?
This popular district near Western University is known for its high concentration of student housing.
What is the Masonville or Broughdale area?
In most provinces, a landlord must provide this many days notice before increasing rent.
What is 90 days?
Three common monthly expenses beyond rent.
What are utilities, internet, and groceries?
Unless it’s an emergency, a landlord must give 24 hours’ notice before doing this.
What is entering the rental unit?
If your roommate consistently pays rent late, this is the first step you should take before involving the landlord.
What is have a direct conversation with them?
If you're looking for rentals, this university-affiliated service can help you find verified listings or review your lease.
What is Western’s Off-Campus Housing Service?
A tenant who temporarily rents out their unit to another person while remaining on the lease is doing this.
What is subletting?
The maximum percentage rent can increase annually for most units.
2.5%
If a tenant needs to break their lease early, they may avoid penalties by finding this type of replacement renter, with the landlord’s approval.
What is an assignee or subletter?
To prevent misunderstandings and arguments over shared expenses, roommates should use one of these tools or methods to track payments.
What is a budgeting app or a shared spreadsheet?
The average cost of a one-bedroom apartment in London falls within this price range.
What is $1,500–$1,800 per month?
Before renting to a new tenant, landlords often require this upfront payment.
What is first and last month’s rent?
Some rental units include utilities in the rent, while others require tenants to set up and pay for these three common services separately.
What are electricity, water, and internet?
If a maintenance issue arises in your unit, you should take this step first.
What is inform the landlord in writing?
Your roommate keeps eating food you bought without asking. Instead of getting frustrated, this is the best way to set clear expectations moving forward.
What is having a conversation about shared vs. individual groceries and agreeing on a system for labeling or splitting food costs?
Students looking to save money on groceries in London, Ontario, often shop at these two budget-friendly stores known for their lower prices and discount options.
What are No Frills and Food Basics?
This person may be required to sign a lease with you if you have no credit history or income.
What is a co-signer?
Helps protect tenants from financial losses due to theft, fire, or damage to their belongings.
What is renter’s insurance?
Non-payment of rent, excessive property damage, and landlord’s personal use are legal reasons for this action.
What is eviction?
Roommates can avoid resentment and ensure a fair division of cleaning responsibilities by implementing one of these strategies.
What is a rotating chore chart or a cleaning schedule?
Students living downtown or in the east end of London often take this LTC express bus to get to Western quickly.
What is the 106 or 102?