Off-Campus Housing
Whether you’re moving to Canada for the first time, transitioning from campus housing, or already renting off campus, this page is designed to help provide you with resources to help with your off-campus housing search.
Conact Information
The Off-Campus Living Advisor helps you navigate housing beyond SFU’s campuses. Please note they cannot provide individual searches, process residence applications, or access waitlist information. Links provided are for informational purposes only
E: ocliving@sfu.ca
GEC Living
GEC provides fully furnished off-campus housing options exclusively for college and university students. Shared rooms, private rooms, and private apartments with variable lease lengths are available. GEC also offers in-suite laundry and housekeeping services, all-inclusive utilities, free monthly social events, 24/7 emergency support, and on-site staff.
GEC Burnaby Heights is just a 20-minute direct bus ride (R5) from SFU Burnabywith easy access to shops and restaurants.
Bosa Parkway
Just a short walk from SFU's Surrey campus, Bosa Parkway offers brand-new unfurnished studio, one-, and two-bedroom apartments for rent to the SFU community (students, staff, and faculty). Building amenities include study areas, rooftop lounges, a fitness centre, underground parking, and storage.
ALMA Gastown
ALMA Gastown offers fully furnished student housing in the Gastown neighborhood, close to the Stadium–Chinatown SkyTrain station and within walking distance of SFU’s downtown campus. The building includes common areas such as lounges, study rooms, a lobby, a fitness centre, bike storage, and a games room. Units are newly renovated and furnished with a double Murphy bed, induction cooktop, microwave, wall-mounted TV, and private bathroom.
RESOURCES
Avoiding Scams
Rental scams have become more common in BC’s housing market. To help protect yourself, consider the following questions from TRAC BC’s Renting It Right course.
- Is the rent suspiciously low? Look at the cost of similar rental units in the neighbourhood
- Is the person you are contacting not willing to arrange an in-person viewing?
- Are you being asked to send a deposit before viewing the unit?
- Does the person you are contacting seem too eager?Landlords usually ask for references and/or a credit check before committing to a tenant.
- What do the neighbours say? Ask them about the owner and property.
The following links provide additional information about how to avoid rental scams.
- Consumer Protection BC:
- Vancouver Police:
- RCMP:
Place4Students
SFU Residence and Housing is pleased to announce that we have partnered with to provide SFU and FIC students with off-campus rental listings. Places4Students is a leading online listing service which specializes in providing rental housing options for students.
Since they began in 2003, has helped over 79,000 landlords and property management companies advertise their housing vacancies to students effectively. More importantly, their service is completely focused on meeting the individual needs of each college or university and all of their services are provided to students and academic institutions for free.
Please Note: Neither SFU or SFU Residence and Housing assumes any responsibility for agreements made between the student and the landlord. We do NOT screen, inspect, warrant or approve any landlord, student or accommodation provided through the above noted service.
4Stay
4Stay is an online marketplace connecting students and interns with local hosts, room providers, and roommates near their destinations.
4stay simplifies the student housing search, offering a seamless process from start to finish. With its easy-to-use platform, diverse accommodation options, and dedicated support, 4stay ensures a stress-free and enjoyable housing experience for students.
Residential Tenancy Act
If you're renting in British Columbia for the first time, it's important to know about the Residential Tenancy Act (RTA). It’s the law that explains your rights and responsibilities as a tenant, as well as your landlord’s. It covers things like rental agreements, property rules, and what to do if there's a problem. If any issues come up, the Residential Tenancy Branch can help resolve disputes.
Tenant Resource and Advisory Centre
TRAC is a non-profit organization that provides free legal education, representation, and advocacy on residential tenancy matters.
If you are having problems with your landlord, you can contact the tenant info line at 604-255-0546. TRAC’s Housing Law Clinic also offers free legal advice and/or representation for tenants living in British Columbia.