*The information in this document is current as of January 9, 2025
LIVING IN VANCOUVER
As a newcomer to Vancouver, estimating the cost of living can be challenging, especially since it may
differ from what you are used to. To help you budget, we have outlined some of the basic expenses to
expect.
Living Cost: Below is a breakdown of essential monthly expenses to budget.
Expense Category Cost Estimate (per person, per month)
Grocery $300 - $450
Cellphone $50 - $100
Health Insurance (MSP) $75
Public Transportation (Compass Card) $107.30 to $193.80, depending on zones traveled
* If your housing arrangement does not include utilities, see below for cost breakdown
Housing Cost: Monthly rent can vary widely depending on which city or neighborhood in which you
reside. Rental costs increase, the closer you live to downtown Vancouver.
Housing Type Cost Estimate (per month)
Shared or Private Room in Shared Housing $700 - $1600
Studio $1400 - $2300
One Bedroom unit $1600 - $2900
Two Bedroom unit $2200 - $3800
Utilities and Tenant Insurance: Depending on your rental agreement, these costs may or may not be
included in the cost of your rent.
Utilities and Insurance Cost Estimate (per month)
BC Hydro (heat and electricity) From $25, depending on the size of your unit and usage
Wi-Fi $45 - $100, depending on needs and provider
Tenant Insurance $20 - $35
*The information in this document is current as of January 9, 2025
Housing: Here is some useful information about housing rental options.
Housing Type Name Description
Off-Campus Residences GEC Living Is the largest off-campus student housing in Metro Vancouver.
They currently have 6 locations across the city, all conveniently
located near SkyTrain stations. Their residences are well-
maintained and designed with a strong focus on student life and
well-being.
Flexible-Term YWCA Hotel Located 5-minute walk from the FDU Campus, it is a great
Accommodation budget-friendly option. They offer daily and monthly rental.
Short-Term Hi-Hostel Located in the West End and is a budget-friendly option. They
Accommodation offer private or shared rooms.
Sonder Sonder is a short-term rental company that offers apartment-style
accommodations. They have 2 locations, in the West End.
Housing type Platforms
Room Rental and Homestay Websites: Homestay 4Stay Vanmates
Many students prefer to rent a room or a shared
room.
Homestays are also an excellent way to
immerse yourself in the Canadian culture.
General Housing Websites: Craigslist Zumper Rentals.ca
If you wish to find a long-term unit, here are
some popular platforms to explore. You can
also find single rooms and short-term housing,
in some of these platforms. Be aware of scams;
never send money before you are in Canada.
Padmapper Liv.Rent Facebook
*The information in this document is current as of January 9, 2025
Steps to follow to rent your home:
1. Define your wants and needs: Ask yourself these questions: How big of a space do you need?
Who do you want to live with? What is your monthly budget? What neighborhood do you like?
How long of a commute are you comfortable with?
2. Start the home search: Research the housing platforms listed above and contact the listings in
which you are interested. Make a good first impression! Share a highlight of who you are.
Landlords want to know if you are a smoker, have a pet, if anyone else is moving with you and
how long you are planning to stay.
3. View units: Ideally, you want to view units in-person or have someone view the unit for you.
4. Appy to the units that you like: Once you view a unit you like, ask for an application form. If you
are renting a room in a shared space, ask questions about who the other occupants on the units
are.
5. Sign a lease: A lease is a legally binding document that outlines the terms of the rental
agreement. Lease agreement varies in length: from month-to-month, up to one year lease. It must
be signed by both the landlord and the tenant to be effective.
6. Send the damage deposit: The damage deposit is due at lease signing and should be one-half
of the monthly rent. If paid in cash, the landlord must give you a receipt.
7. Complete a move-in condition inspection: On the day you take possession of your new home,
you will meet with the landlord to do a walk-through of the space. Write down and take photos of
any damages and repairs needed. It is good to know that if a walk-though is not completed at
move-in, the landlord cannot keep any of the deposit money, in case of damage. Find the move-in
inspection template at: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/housing-and-tenancy/residential-
tenancies/forms/rtb27.pdf.
How to Avoid Scams: As a newcomer, you may be more vulnerable to scams, as you are new to
Canadian practices. Below are useful tips to follow, to ensure you have a positive rental experience.
• Verify listing and address: prioritizing safe rental sites (that verify the lister), increases the
safety aspect of renting a home. Units rented by property managers are also a safer option to
consider. If you rent a unit sight unseen, you will want to confirm the address exists and that the
building looks like the one advertised.
• Meet in Person: It is strongly suggested to meet the landlord in person. Be suspicious if the
landlord mentions they are away and can only show the unit by video. If you are renting a unit
sight-unseen, be extra vigilant and verify ownership, if suspicious.
• Verify Ownership: Verifying ownership of the unit for rent, is a great way to rent safely. You can
do a “land and title search” (https://ltsa.ca/property-owners/how-can-i/search-for-a-title/) or
request the landlord for their latest property tax. You will then want to verify that the name and
address matches the one on the lease.
• Do Not Make Cash Payment: Landlords should not request a wire transfer or cash payment.
Never send a deposit before you receive and review the lease. Damage deposit is often paid
by e-transfer or cheques.
• Avoid Red Flags: Listings with poor grammar, blurry photos, or prices below market rent can be
scams. Many scammers use existing listings, photo and create “fake” listings with stolen
information.
*The information in this document is current as of January 9, 2025
Tenants Resources: Tenants in BC should educate themselves about their rights and responsibilities.
Here are useful resources to explore:
Resources Description
Residential Tenancies Guide In this guide, tenants and landlords can find information to guide
them from start to end of tenancy.
Tenant Resources and Advisory Centre TRAC offers free legal education & advocacy for BC tenants.
Rental Tenancy Branch The RTB provides information, resources and dispute resolution
services for tenants and landlords.
A tenant and an occupant have different rights in BC:
• Tenant: A tenant is someone who signed a lease agreement with the landlord and who is legally
responsible for rent payment. Tenants have rights and protections under the Residential
Tenancy Act.
• Occupant: An occupant is someone who lives in the rental unit with the tenant's permission, but
who’s name does not appear on the lease agreement. Occupants do not have the same
protections under the Residential Tenancy Act, as a tenant.
*If you have any questions about your lease, tenancy, or rights, you should contact the Rental Tenancy Branch at 1-800-665-8779
(Monday to Friday, from 9am to 4pm).
If you require additional support or have any questions related to housing, please contact
Andrée-Anne, our housing coordinator at [email protected]
*The information in this document is current as of January 9, 2025
