Finding Housing in Halifax: What New Students Need to Know

 

If you are moving to Halifax to attend Mount Saint Vincent University, securing housing should be one of your top priorities. The city is currently experiencing significant housing challenges, including low vacancy rates, limited affordable rental options, and rising rental prices. As a result, finding suitable accommodation can take time and careful planning.

We strongly recommend arranging housing before you arrive in Halifax whenever possible. If you plan to live off campus, begin your search as early as you can to improve your chances of finding a suitable place.

Living on campus

Our on-campus residence buildings are the most convenient accommodations for students. Living on campus is also a great way to connect with other students and the MSVU community. You can learn more about living on campus through the Residence Life website.

  • On-campus accommodations are full 8-month leases. If you are starting in the Winter term, you may be able to rent a room for the Winter term.
  • Staying on campus for at least your first year allows you plenty of time to find a place off campus for the rest of your program. It will also allow you some time to identify some other students who would be interested in renting a space with you, which will lower costs.
  • The number of rooms is limited, so be sure to apply as soon as possible.
  • The deposit for your residence is not refundable under any circumstances. Applications are on a first-come-first-served basis.

Apply for Residence Today!!!

Arriving in Halifax without pre-arranged housing

If you do not arrange housing before you arrive in Halifax, you should plan to stay in temporary accommodations for at least a month. Most students will stay for this period in an Airbnb (external website), or they may choose to stay in a hotel. Some will also make private arrangements.

Please note that short-term housing expenses can be substantial.

Living off campus

If you choose to live off campus, you will be responsible for finding your own accommodations. You are encouraged to start your search early and be informed about the costs of living and your rights and responsibilities as a tenant in Nova Scotia. Take some time to familiarize yourself with the Residential Tenancies Guide (external website) and the Nova Scotia Tenant’s Rights Guide (PDF on the external website).

Budgeting

It is a good idea to make a budget for living in Halifax. Your budget should consider the following items:

  • Upfront costs, including your security deposit (equal to half a month’s rent), tenant’s insurance, your first month’s rent, and connection fees for services such as electricity and internet.
  • Ongoing costs, including:
    • Rent
    • Utilities (heat, water, electricity, etc.)
    • Internet, phone, and/or television
    • Food
    • Transportation

Your rent will probably be your most significant expense. Rents vary depending on location and quality as well as the number of people sharing an accommodation. According to the 2025 CHMC Survey (external website), the average rent for a two-bedroom apartment in Halifax was $1,826 a month (up by 6.7%). This rate, however, may have increased since it was first published.

Make a realistic budget by consulting the Numbeo Cost of Living website (current data on external websites).

Finding a rental Accommodation

If you are looking for off-campus housing, you can begin looking for an apartment or room on one of the following external websites:

You may also be able to find Facebook groups dedicated to student housing at specific universities with a search on Facebook (e.g., “Student housing around MSVU”). If you have any friends or family living in that area, they may also be able to put you in touch with someone in a place that needs a roommate.

Understanding definitions

If you are unfamiliar with renting in Nova Scotia or if this is your first time renting in Nova Scotia, take some time to learn more about what to expect.

 

 

Things to consider when viewing rental accommodations

It is very important to consider all of the details of the space you are considering. Leases are often for one year and it is very difficult to break the lease, even if you are unhappy with the accommodations.

  • We recommend that you view the potential space in person or virtually. Do not sign a lease without first viewing the rental accommodation.
  • When viewing an off-campus rental accommodation, be sure to take the Rental Viewing Checklist (PDF). This checklist will help you make an informed decision before you sign any legal documents.
  • You may also want to consider the location and your proximity to the MSVU campus, bus routes, grocery stores, laundry services, schools, and other amenities.

 

Applying for an off-campus rental accommodation

In most cases, you will be asked to apply for a space that you would like to rent. Completing a rental application is free and there should be no fees associated with a rental application.

To apply for a rental accommodation, you will need to complete a rental application form and possibly provide the following:

  1. Standard information, including your name and contact information, information about your employment, and other relevant information. Landlords can conduct credit and background checks on you, but they are not allowed to force you to provide your Social Insurance Number (SIN).
  2. References: Contact information from someone who can talk about their experiences with you as a renter. If you have not rented before, you may be able to provide a reference who can speak about your reliability and trustworthiness.
  3. Credit Check: A credit check is a way for landlords to verify your reliability of paying your rent each month. If you don’t have a credit history in Canada, you can also ask to pay an additional month’s rent as a deposit to guarantee your monthly payment.  Note: You can offer to make this additional deposit, but it is illegal for landlords to require you to pay another month’s rent in advance.

After your application has been approved, you will be asked to sign a lease. Leases are typically one year in length. If you are going to rent a place informally (i.e., your name is not on a legal document), you are at risk of being taken advantage of or scammed. We recommend that you always have a lease (rental agreement).

If you are an international student who has any questions about a lease you are considering, meet with your International Student Advisor, Kay Balite to discuss and review. Book an appointment with Kay online (Please log in with your MSVU email and password.)

Helpful resources

Note: the above links go to the external websites.