Student Housing Checklist: What to Look Out For Student life can be a frenetic frenzy one moment and a chill day inside on others. In those moments when you feel like you're moving in a dozen different directions at once, it's time to pause and reflect. Prepare for your next big step. It's easy to feel pressured into choosing the first available housing option just to be done with it. We firmly believe that preparation is the key to be able to make quick decisions that don't end up haunting you a few months from now. Focus on the bigger picture with a quick checklist of all the small stuff to keep handy and questions to keep in mind while searching for student housing. Finding student housing can be challenging. We got you fam. 1. Location - This is the top spot for a reason - where you are will have a cascading effect on the rest of your daily life. A 30-minute commute adds up to dozens of wasted hours very quickly. 2. Sustainability - How efficient is the building? A modern property will be optimized for water and electrical conservation and have high-tech solutions for a low carbon footprint. 3. Security - Your home won't truly feel like home if you don't feel safe living there. Is there 24-hour security? What are the security features? 4. Fitness - How easy is it for you to be able to work up a sweat? A modern building will have fitness facilities available for residents 5. Community - Does it feel like the environment fosters a sense of community? A great ecosystem will reflect on how healthy it's environment is, because science. 6. Creativity - How conductive is the place towards your creative spirit? We all need an outlet so having options is always great. 7. Connected - Not just how good your internet is. How connected is your building to school resources? It'll save time and headaches in the future. For instance, HOEM is officially connected to Housing & Residence Life at Ryerson University. 8. Building Team - How many people are actively employed making sure your experience is a great one? 9. Academic - What kind of academic resources and spaces are available to students that want to get to work? 10. Furniture/Appliances - What does the building supply you with? Larger items can get costly and be a pain to move around. On a less positive note, there are things to look out for when looking at places to call home for the summer. Some landlords can be dishonest and misleading so when walking around to kick the tires on a new place, keep a sharp eye out for some warning signs. 1. Dampness/moisture - Lingering dampness is a big issue in older buildings and can lead to serious quality of life issues. Be aware of mildew smells and water damage on the walls and in the cabinets. Water stains and rippling are a dead giveaway. 2. Signs of pests - Look in the cracks and cupboard corners for signs of pests. Mouse droppings are obvious and cockroach poop looks like coffee grounds. Signs of pest control powders and poisons will be present in the cupboards 3. Working water - For anyone who's had to deal with it, water pressure can become a big issue. How well does the toilet flush? If multiple people use the water at once will it cause issues? 4. Major repairs/renovations - Have there been any major renovations to the building or unit recently? Why? Be aware of any future plans for renovation the building has. 5. Appearance - If the paint is scuffed and damaged and the common areas are dirty, how well was the rest of the building kept? Not very. 6. Parking (car/bike) - Is there a convenient and safe place to park your car or store your bike?

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