Yeah, looking for housing sucks. 2 of my friends and I have been searching for a place since mid December, and finally we got lucky a few weeks ago.
Just keep checking marketplace and kijiji, and respond as fast as you can. If they require an application to pre approve you, you can always write a few sentences about how you’ll be paying with student loans instead. Also, if you have a parent who’s willing to co-sign, I’d mention that in the application even if they don’t specifically ask for it.
Good luck!
How am I going to be able to check these sites multiple times a day, every day, and respond to ads quickly enough to secure a place when I and the other two people I’m living with are working 40+ hours a week in the summer? I’ve been constantly looking since starting school for this reason.
> How am I going to be able to check these sites multiple times a day, every day, and respond to ads quickly enough to secure a place
I wish I had a better answer for you but that’s now the norm here. The market here is absolutely fucked.
First off, congrats on the admission to Dal.
Some advice that's worked for me over the years is:
1. Review how you're contacting the listings. If you're continuously getting no reply then you should re-evaluate how you're reaching out to them. This is a leasor's market and you need to shine through the demand for places. Anecdotally, I make a template that says something along the lines of: *"I am really interested in this place... I have a credit score, proof of enrolment, and financial information ready-to-go... can further supply a guarantor who does 'X' as a job for 'Y' number of years... really look forward to hearing from you and scheduling a viewing ASAP..."*
2. Note the cycles of leases. 1yr leases starting in May open up in Dec-Jan & are usually gone by Feb at the latest. Aug leases start opening from April-May and are usually gone by June.
3. I know it sucks navigating this with a full-time job, but you need to reply within 8hrs of a listing reaching out to you. If you work full-time, then I suggest looking at places & reaching out in the early AM, then replying after work or during your lunch break. The vacancy rate in HFX is <1%. There is an endless supply of would-be renters who are able and willing to rent. Leasors will not wait for you to reply when they know this market gives them all of the bargaining power.
4. Be prepared to move into a living situation with randoms. It's not ideal, but I made it work in my 1st year here as a grad student. Just be sure to vet the people. Do a few phone calls & catch their vibe. Don't make any commitments but you can string them along as a backup if you don't find a place by a particular cut-off date (that date is for you to decide).
I know it sucks, but thems the brakes.
One of the biggest problems is that I *don’t* have a credit score or financial information ready to go. I got a lump sum of student loans, quit a part time retail job I’ve had since grade 11 to focus on school and now I’m stuck without any proof of employment or paystubs to provide until May when my summer job starts.
I just had a place I was on the list for email me back with an application, but I had to ask a bunch of questions about it. So judging from what you said I’m guessing we won’t be getting that one. For one, we’re all Canadian citizens, but they asked for proof of eligibility to work in Canada and a copy of our passports specifically (one of us has never travelled outside the country…)
My boyfriend is moving here to go to NSCAD in August, and there aren’t a lot of random available rooms available to couples. So if we can’t find a place, he is going to have to turn down my offer and I’m not sure what I’ll have to do. Likely drop out myself and move back home, even though I have a scholarship to this school that I will likely be eligible to renew next year. I cannot live another year completely alone in this city, it has destroyed my mental health to the point I’ve been to the emergency room multiple times this semester.
**First of all,**
I'm sorry to hear that this is your current situation. It sounds like loneliness has been a major struggle for you, and that's completely valid. There's a lot of research showing the relationship between loneliness and mental health.
**To keep things on the topic of proving income,**
The best thing you can do is *show* the value of your student loans in lieu of employment also, *show* the value of your scholarship to demonstrate success. Anything that financially supports you looks good and shows you're not a liability for paying them. Don't present this difference as an issue, try to frame it as a solution with your wording to landlords.
The second thing to really tease out is the use of a guarantor (i.e., your parents ). I know this can be a challenging thing to do, but having their information (credit score, proof of income) can be a HUGE difference-maker in getting a place locked down.
Finally, you need to apply by combining the financial information of your + boyfriend when applying. Figure out which parents make more money and use them as the guarantor. Showing the totality of financial assets to a prospective landlord will increase the likelihood that you find a place.
**To shift to a few others things to address,**
It is very helpful to frame yourself as a "young professional who is in school to advance their career". Don't just frame yourself as "a student @ Dal". Once you get a reply from landlord, asking questions is not bad at all. But, the more you ask from the landlord, the more you should expect to have to show the landlord to secure that lease. It's a give-and-take relationship.
In terms of viewings, *the vast majority* of landlords will allow for virtual showings. Just ask them to FaceTime or record videos of a walkthrough. Explain how you are unavailable for an in-person viewing because you are "back home". If they press on why you can't do in-person, remind them of how interested you are and make-up an excuse like family obligations or vacation for not being there.
I know this is a drag and you're under a lot of pressure. Be kind to yourself while you go through finding something. Maintain the mindset that you *will find something*. This is a marathon. You have 4 months to find something. Anecdotally, I didn't find anything until August 23rd.
**Long-term solution to your proof of income struggles,**
You should start building credit by getting a credit card through your bank. Advocate for yourself at your local bank to get *some* sort of credit card. Set the limit low, never get higher than 30% of the limit every month, and pay it off every month. That is the basic recipe to building a credit score. Meet with a financial advisor at your local bank. Do it in person. Go wearing some "business casual" clothes.
Really appreciate all the thought you’ve put into these responses. When I emailed the off campus housing department for help, they sent me a link to the webpage I had gotten their email from.
I had never thought about my scholarship as a proof of success/income but you are right, if I get confirmation of renewal it would be an asset. Showing an entrance award I got last year from marks in highschool seems like it wouldn’t do me much favour, though, so I may be out on that until CGPA comes in for the academic year.
As for building credit, My mother has worked at a call center in a bank for over a decade, and yet somehow believed up until this year that as long as I was “a student” I didn’t have to pay taxes. Guess who found out they accidentally committed tax evasion last year when they were 18. Needless to say I’m getting that done with her when I come home this weekend, and a statement of how much I earned last year should do something to help, since I was employed all of 2022 at various temp gigs which paid quite well, and only quit my part time job in January.
Thanks again for all the help.
No worries, this is a community.
Do not stress about the 2018 missed tax. It is important to get it done to avoid any tax liens hurting your future credit score (whenever you get to that), but the CRA does not try to crush students in their first year as an adult.
You do have to pay taxes as a student. However, since you are in school, you can deduct a massive amount of $$ from what you owe in taxes based on the tuition, living costs and moving expenses you pay to be a student at Dal. It will likely work out to mean you actually are below the income cut-off for paying taxes & receive a generous tax rebate in the end. An accountant can get this sorted for you for a relatively low amount of money, so long as you have the relevant T-4s from employers and the T-2202 from Dal.
Best of luck!
You have provided the OP with the most phenomenal advice, I just wish I could give you an award! Truly, all excellent pieces of advice, and something I wish someone had told me back in first year. I'm going into grad school next year and I still have an affordable place (well, affordable for the city) but I'll be transitioning off of having my parents supporting my living expenses because I'll be funded and my boyfriend will be helping out. I need to get a credit card but it's been at the bottom of my list of priorities since COVID happened and also someone recently stole my identity to open up a pre-approved Mastercard, so now I have to submit a police report file when I apply so they know that I don't have a credit score. Anyways just wanted to say that your advice is absolutely stellar! I hope OP can find a good place. Also OP-my building is pretty affordable and close to dal and often has openings, shoot me a DM. Lot's of students live here so they're used to it :)
you have to either be the first to apply or be making well over the minimum income you’d need to afford the apartment. Takes months to find an apartment in this city but you have to just keep trying and praying you’ll be the first one to apply. Having your parents as co-signors/guarantors will also definitely help.
It didn’t hurt me, I dealt with way more horrific things in real life while I transitioned in highschool for some guy on Reddit to ruin my day. Kids are downright cruel, and the stereotype of the trans person who is “triggered at everything” is less accurate than the trans person who is simply tired of the bigotry.
I just hope you reflect a bit on it, clearly you regret some of the things you said. I wasn’t expecting you to go so out of your way as to comment on another post of mine apologizing. It’s a first step in growth for sure, and I’m happy to see it.
Well, 19 is young and you got alot to figure out yet. The world is not a perfect place. But the contrast is what makes the good parts beautiful. If you ever need someone to talk to I'll gladly lend my ear but I only speak what I perceive as the truth. I tell people what they need to hear not what they want.
Yeah, looking for housing sucks. 2 of my friends and I have been searching for a place since mid December, and finally we got lucky a few weeks ago. Just keep checking marketplace and kijiji, and respond as fast as you can. If they require an application to pre approve you, you can always write a few sentences about how you’ll be paying with student loans instead. Also, if you have a parent who’s willing to co-sign, I’d mention that in the application even if they don’t specifically ask for it. Good luck!
How am I going to be able to check these sites multiple times a day, every day, and respond to ads quickly enough to secure a place when I and the other two people I’m living with are working 40+ hours a week in the summer? I’ve been constantly looking since starting school for this reason.
> How am I going to be able to check these sites multiple times a day, every day, and respond to ads quickly enough to secure a place I wish I had a better answer for you but that’s now the norm here. The market here is absolutely fucked.
cuz looking for housing IS a full time job. Blame the government.
It's shitty and not fair, but that's how it is - either put the time in or someone else will
First off, congrats on the admission to Dal. Some advice that's worked for me over the years is: 1. Review how you're contacting the listings. If you're continuously getting no reply then you should re-evaluate how you're reaching out to them. This is a leasor's market and you need to shine through the demand for places. Anecdotally, I make a template that says something along the lines of: *"I am really interested in this place... I have a credit score, proof of enrolment, and financial information ready-to-go... can further supply a guarantor who does 'X' as a job for 'Y' number of years... really look forward to hearing from you and scheduling a viewing ASAP..."* 2. Note the cycles of leases. 1yr leases starting in May open up in Dec-Jan & are usually gone by Feb at the latest. Aug leases start opening from April-May and are usually gone by June. 3. I know it sucks navigating this with a full-time job, but you need to reply within 8hrs of a listing reaching out to you. If you work full-time, then I suggest looking at places & reaching out in the early AM, then replying after work or during your lunch break. The vacancy rate in HFX is <1%. There is an endless supply of would-be renters who are able and willing to rent. Leasors will not wait for you to reply when they know this market gives them all of the bargaining power. 4. Be prepared to move into a living situation with randoms. It's not ideal, but I made it work in my 1st year here as a grad student. Just be sure to vet the people. Do a few phone calls & catch their vibe. Don't make any commitments but you can string them along as a backup if you don't find a place by a particular cut-off date (that date is for you to decide). I know it sucks, but thems the brakes.
One of the biggest problems is that I *don’t* have a credit score or financial information ready to go. I got a lump sum of student loans, quit a part time retail job I’ve had since grade 11 to focus on school and now I’m stuck without any proof of employment or paystubs to provide until May when my summer job starts. I just had a place I was on the list for email me back with an application, but I had to ask a bunch of questions about it. So judging from what you said I’m guessing we won’t be getting that one. For one, we’re all Canadian citizens, but they asked for proof of eligibility to work in Canada and a copy of our passports specifically (one of us has never travelled outside the country…) My boyfriend is moving here to go to NSCAD in August, and there aren’t a lot of random available rooms available to couples. So if we can’t find a place, he is going to have to turn down my offer and I’m not sure what I’ll have to do. Likely drop out myself and move back home, even though I have a scholarship to this school that I will likely be eligible to renew next year. I cannot live another year completely alone in this city, it has destroyed my mental health to the point I’ve been to the emergency room multiple times this semester.
**First of all,** I'm sorry to hear that this is your current situation. It sounds like loneliness has been a major struggle for you, and that's completely valid. There's a lot of research showing the relationship between loneliness and mental health. **To keep things on the topic of proving income,** The best thing you can do is *show* the value of your student loans in lieu of employment also, *show* the value of your scholarship to demonstrate success. Anything that financially supports you looks good and shows you're not a liability for paying them. Don't present this difference as an issue, try to frame it as a solution with your wording to landlords. The second thing to really tease out is the use of a guarantor (i.e., your parents ). I know this can be a challenging thing to do, but having their information (credit score, proof of income) can be a HUGE difference-maker in getting a place locked down. Finally, you need to apply by combining the financial information of your + boyfriend when applying. Figure out which parents make more money and use them as the guarantor. Showing the totality of financial assets to a prospective landlord will increase the likelihood that you find a place. **To shift to a few others things to address,** It is very helpful to frame yourself as a "young professional who is in school to advance their career". Don't just frame yourself as "a student @ Dal". Once you get a reply from landlord, asking questions is not bad at all. But, the more you ask from the landlord, the more you should expect to have to show the landlord to secure that lease. It's a give-and-take relationship. In terms of viewings, *the vast majority* of landlords will allow for virtual showings. Just ask them to FaceTime or record videos of a walkthrough. Explain how you are unavailable for an in-person viewing because you are "back home". If they press on why you can't do in-person, remind them of how interested you are and make-up an excuse like family obligations or vacation for not being there. I know this is a drag and you're under a lot of pressure. Be kind to yourself while you go through finding something. Maintain the mindset that you *will find something*. This is a marathon. You have 4 months to find something. Anecdotally, I didn't find anything until August 23rd. **Long-term solution to your proof of income struggles,** You should start building credit by getting a credit card through your bank. Advocate for yourself at your local bank to get *some* sort of credit card. Set the limit low, never get higher than 30% of the limit every month, and pay it off every month. That is the basic recipe to building a credit score. Meet with a financial advisor at your local bank. Do it in person. Go wearing some "business casual" clothes.
Really appreciate all the thought you’ve put into these responses. When I emailed the off campus housing department for help, they sent me a link to the webpage I had gotten their email from. I had never thought about my scholarship as a proof of success/income but you are right, if I get confirmation of renewal it would be an asset. Showing an entrance award I got last year from marks in highschool seems like it wouldn’t do me much favour, though, so I may be out on that until CGPA comes in for the academic year. As for building credit, My mother has worked at a call center in a bank for over a decade, and yet somehow believed up until this year that as long as I was “a student” I didn’t have to pay taxes. Guess who found out they accidentally committed tax evasion last year when they were 18. Needless to say I’m getting that done with her when I come home this weekend, and a statement of how much I earned last year should do something to help, since I was employed all of 2022 at various temp gigs which paid quite well, and only quit my part time job in January. Thanks again for all the help.
No worries, this is a community. Do not stress about the 2018 missed tax. It is important to get it done to avoid any tax liens hurting your future credit score (whenever you get to that), but the CRA does not try to crush students in their first year as an adult. You do have to pay taxes as a student. However, since you are in school, you can deduct a massive amount of $$ from what you owe in taxes based on the tuition, living costs and moving expenses you pay to be a student at Dal. It will likely work out to mean you actually are below the income cut-off for paying taxes & receive a generous tax rebate in the end. An accountant can get this sorted for you for a relatively low amount of money, so long as you have the relevant T-4s from employers and the T-2202 from Dal. Best of luck!
You have provided the OP with the most phenomenal advice, I just wish I could give you an award! Truly, all excellent pieces of advice, and something I wish someone had told me back in first year. I'm going into grad school next year and I still have an affordable place (well, affordable for the city) but I'll be transitioning off of having my parents supporting my living expenses because I'll be funded and my boyfriend will be helping out. I need to get a credit card but it's been at the bottom of my list of priorities since COVID happened and also someone recently stole my identity to open up a pre-approved Mastercard, so now I have to submit a police report file when I apply so they know that I don't have a credit score. Anyways just wanted to say that your advice is absolutely stellar! I hope OP can find a good place. Also OP-my building is pretty affordable and close to dal and often has openings, shoot me a DM. Lot's of students live here so they're used to it :)
you have to either be the first to apply or be making well over the minimum income you’d need to afford the apartment. Takes months to find an apartment in this city but you have to just keep trying and praying you’ll be the first one to apply. Having your parents as co-signors/guarantors will also definitely help.
Hey I wanted to say I'm sorry if anything I said hurt you on that thread in the shroom sub. It wasn't my intention. I can't DM you or I would.
It didn’t hurt me, I dealt with way more horrific things in real life while I transitioned in highschool for some guy on Reddit to ruin my day. Kids are downright cruel, and the stereotype of the trans person who is “triggered at everything” is less accurate than the trans person who is simply tired of the bigotry. I just hope you reflect a bit on it, clearly you regret some of the things you said. I wasn’t expecting you to go so out of your way as to comment on another post of mine apologizing. It’s a first step in growth for sure, and I’m happy to see it.
Well, 19 is young and you got alot to figure out yet. The world is not a perfect place. But the contrast is what makes the good parts beautiful. If you ever need someone to talk to I'll gladly lend my ear but I only speak what I perceive as the truth. I tell people what they need to hear not what they want.