Where to Search

There are a variety of places for you to start your search; and what is best to use depends on your individual needs. You need to assess your needs to decide which tool, or contacts are best to use.

Campus Housing

Campus housing is more than a place to sleep and eat; it’s a place to feel safe, secure and successful. When you live on campus, you’re exposed to opportunities and experiences that create community, promote inclusivity, and most of all, support your personal and academic success. For information about Campus Housing, visit the NSCC Campus Housing Webpage.

We currently offer campus housing at three locations, with more campus housing coming soon at three additional locations. NSCC uses a ‘first applied, first considered’ approach to campus housing admission. You don’t need to be accepted into an academic program to apply, but priority is given to students who’ve confirmed their acceptance offers. If you have questions about living on campus, email campushousing@nscc.ca

• Centre of Geographic Sciences (COGS) Campus housing in Lawrencetown, NS
• Strait Area Campus Campus housing in Port Hawkesbury, NS
• Truro Campus Campus housing in Truro, NS

COMING 2024

Three new campus housing projects have been announced by the Provincial government for NSCC’s Akerley, Ivany and Pictou campuses. Stay tuned for more information as it becomes available.

• Akerley Campus – opening in fall 2024 Campus housing in Dartmouth, NS
• Pictou Campus – opening in fall 2024 Campus housing in Stellarton, NS

COMING 2025

• Ivany Campus – opening in fall 2025 Campus housing in Dartmouth, NS

Looking for roommates

A roommate is a person who shares an apartment (or sometimes a room) with you. Signing a lease with someone you don’t know can be risky. Choose your roommate carefully and be honest about who you are. If you’re looking for a quiet spot, avoid roommates who want to be social regularly. Make sure you always meet with potential roommates prior to having them sign a lease.

You may also use Places4Students roommate finder to help find your roommate, by posting a profile and engaging with others who have posted profiles. On your profile you should include:

• Your name
• Your gender
• Your program
• Living preferences
• Budget

It’s important to have conversations around expectations before moving in with your roommate — especially if you don’t know them ahead of time. When more than one tenant signs a lease, they are all responsible for the lease. You should have a written roommate agreement, useful in case of disputes. Use the NSCC Roommate Agreement to help you navigate living with others. Disputes between roommates can be resolved through the small claims court.

Places4Students

Places4Students is a Housing Listing Partner with NSCC. NSCC encourages property owners to post their listings on Places4Students. To see what’s available near your campus, or to post a free ad for a roommate or sublet, use Places4Students.

Happipad

Happipad is a shared housing experience. NSCC encourages alumni and their communities with potential for shared living opportunities to create profiles on Happipad. To see what’s available near your campus have a look at the Happipad website.

Rental companies

Rental companies usually require you to submit an application. Private property owners might not require one. In general, to apply for housing, you must show that you’ll be a good tenant by abiding by the rental agreement, committing to the duration of the lease and paying rent on time. Once you’ve signed a lease, it’s difficult to break the contract.

Housing consultants

Van Sweet Home provides private consultation for international or domestic students who are looking to find a place to live. For a fee, they will seek out accommodations on your behalf and support you in the rental process. Van Sweet Home offers a discount to NSCC students; and only services the Halifax Regional Municipality. Find out more about their pricing and services.

Canada Homestay Network

Canada Homestay Network (CHN) provides an option for domestic and international students who are looking to live with local families in the Halifax and Dartmouth areas. Homestay families are carefully screened, and homes are vetted. You can apply directly for homestay through the Canada Homestay Network.

Websites and Social Media

Be sure to also check the internet (e.g., Google search, social media) for other rental listings. Websites like Kijiji and Facebook Marketplace are often locations property owners publish rental listings. Be sure you have reviewed the rental scam information from the previous module prior to using these tools.

Websites and Facebook Groups by Area

*Disclaimer: NSCC does not inspect or check homes and/or rental properties listed on Places4Students or other off-campus housing posting sites. NSCC does not take responsibility for the postings or webpages included below, and are included as community run resources.*

Annapolis Valley Campus (Middleton, COGS), Digby, Kingstec – Annapolis Valley

Burridge Campus – Yarmouth

Cumberland and Amherst Campus – Springhill and Amherst

Lunenburg Campus – Bridgewater

Marconi Campus – Sydney

Pictou Campus – Stellarton

Strait Area Campus / Nautical Institute -Port Hawkesbury

Truro Campus – Truro