Housing Education
We understand that the rental process can be intimidating, so we’ve compiled some helpful resources to make the process easier. We recommend taking either the Rent Smart or Renting It Right course, as they provide valuable information and tips on renting in Nanaimo, these courses can also be useful if you don't have references from previous landlords. Additionally, we have provided some links to other useful resources. We hope you find them helpful and please feel free to reach out if you have any questions or need more help navigating the rental process.
Tenant Resource & Advisory Centre
TRAC is a non-profit organization that provides free legal education, representation, and advocacy on residential tenancy matters. A leader in tenants’ rights since 1984, TRAC’s mandate is to enhance legal protections for all tenants living in British Columbia.
Other resources:
BC Rent Bank: Regardless of where you live in the province, you can access a rent bank and its support services to help stabilize your rental housing during unanticipated short-term financial challenges.
Ask an Advocate offer advice and support for income assistance, disability assistance and tenancy and housing.
Nanaimo Youth Services Association - Housing Centre: The intent of Nanaimo’s Youth Housing Centre is to provide safe, supportive and/or affordable housing and personal development options to youth between the ages of 16 and 25 years old
Here2Talk - Here2Talk connects students with mental health support when they need it. Through this program, all students – domestic or international – currently registered in a B.C. post-secondary institution have access to free, confidential counselling and community referral services, conveniently available 24/7 via app, phone and web. www.here2talk.ca
Canada-wide toll free, dial: 1-877-857-3397
Canada-wide direct, dial: 604-642-5212
Students’ Union Legal Assistance Plan: Your Students’ Union Health & Dental Plan offers timely, cost-effective access to experienced lawyers to guide you through most major types of law, including for landlords & tenants.
Call toll-free 1-877-333-3884 available 24/7
Finding rental properties in your area:
Places to search listings include:
There are a number of local rental resources, including many pages on Facebook: Nanaimo Rentals Facebook, Nanaimo rentals Facebook, Nanaimo Housing Rentals Facebook, Nanaimo BC Rental Properties Facebook, Nanaimo 4 Rent Facebook, Nanaimo BC Rental Properties Facebook, Nanaimo Real Estate For Sale or Rent Facebook, Nanaimo PET FRIENDLY ONLY rentals! Facebook,
Other places to search listings include: Student Accommodation One, Off-Campus Housing, Qdb, Used Nanaimo Rentals, Search4StudentHousing, Apartment Love, RentFaster, Rent Seeker, RentBoard, Kijiji, Craigslist.
You can also try Cold Moon Student House and local property management companies.
Many house-hunters join Nanaimo Facebook groups and post roommate or rental property requests. Have a look at some ideas for your post. Other places to find roommates are: VIU Student Union (VIUSU) app, VIU Co-Curricular App, Places4Students Roommate Finder, Roomies.ca
Off-campus accommodation is not checked by VIUSU for quality or legitimacy. VIUSU is not a part of any off-campus housing agreement. For tips on how to understand your agreement, check out the Tenant Resource & Advisory Centre: Tenancy Agreements.
Beware of Scams ... It is always best to view a property in person before signing a contract or handing over any money. If a landlord is asking for a security deposit before you have viewed the property, it is a good idea to be cautious and do some research on the landlord or agency to ensure they are legitimate. Additionally, make sure the contract is fair and covers all the important details like the rental amount, rental period, and any additional fees. Doing your due diligence can help to minimize the risk of a scam. Consider booking local temporary accommodation while you search. We appreciate the need to secure housing. If you are signing and sending money in advance, you can:
check the overall listing quality and language
avoid listings that are noticeably cheaper than the local average
check the address and postal code of the listing
do a Google search of the property and the landlord
ask for the landlord's ID and a recent utility bill from the address
get a contract (where applicable)
view the property in-person before signing a lease (or get a video viewing or a friend in town to visit)
do not advance more than is reasonable
only pay in $CAD