In the new year, York University is launching a new service for students: an online off-campus housing service that will list rental housing options from landlords interested in providing housing opportunities to students.
York has partnered with Off Campus Partners to create the York University Off-Campus Housing platform. The company has worked with university partners across North America since 2000.
York University is actively seeking listings to be included on the new website when it launches. It’s a free service for staff and faculty to post a basic listing and it is easy to do, either by phone at 1-877-895-1234 or via email at info@offcampuspartners.com.
“Our hope is that our students – many of whom are seeking rentals for the first time – feel comfortable and confident seeking out off-campus housing through this platform that provides educational resources and other features not found on other sites,” says Daryl Nauman, director of residence life at York University.
The service is designed to meet students’ needs, enabling local property managers, individuals, faculty and staff to advertise vacancies directly on the University website.
The mobile-responsive service will be integrated with Passport York and open to all York community members. It provides students with:
- access to comprehensive property listings with photographs, floor plans, a map demonstrating proximity to campus, a list of amenities as well as contact information;
- an overview of the types of off-campus housing available;
- information about tenant rights and responsibilities;
- a roommate finder tool;
- message boards; and
- tips about how to choose a good landlord, living with roommates and safety.
Faculty and staff are strongly encouraged to list opportunities on this site to expand the types of rental rooms and apartments to counter the competitive Toronto rental market. Searching for a clean, secure place to live with a reliable and trusted landlord has become harder and harder for many students in the Greater Toronto Area.
The new website will be found at offcampushousing.yorku.ca. Faculty, staff and students can visit the site and enter their email address to be notified when the new site launches.