The best off-campus housing at every SFU campus

Metro Vancouver’s Simon Fraser University, or SFU for short, has four campuses — Burnaby, Great Northern Way, Surrey, and Vancouver. Which of these campuses you attend will depend on your program or area of study, and this guide will help you find housing no matter where your classes take you. We’re liv.rent, Canada’s safest all-in-one rental platform, and we’ve created this guide for anyone studying at SFU looking for secure off-campus housing — even if they’re not in Vancouver yet. Use the table of contents below to learn more about the campus you’ll be attending.

SFU off-campus housing overview

For students who choose to live off-campus, or weren’t able to secure housing in residence, there are plenty of options for living near every SFU campus. Finding accommodation in Metro Vancouver isn’t always easy though, particularly with current competition in the region. With the right tools on your side though, finding a place to call home for the semester can be easy and safe.

How to search for off-campus housing

For SFU students looking to begin their search, liv.rent is the ideal way for you to secure off-campus housing. You don’t have to fill out your profile, just your name and email, to start sending messages to landlords to ask about their units. You only have to complete your profile when you’re ready to apply.

Plus, we’ll save your entire chat history for you so you’ll never miss a message and to help you keep tabs on your lease.

Watch now: How To Search For Listings On liv.rent

Average rent in Metro Vancouver

Below, you can find the latest average rent prices for Metro Vancouver. SFU students will want to pay particular attention to Burnaby, Surrey, and Vancouver itself depending on which campus they’re attending. Having an understanding of the average rental rates in each area is key to ensuring you’re not paying too much for your new home, while also avoiding units that are priced suspiciously low. You can find the latest numbers in our monthly rent reports here.

Renting near SFU burnaby campus

The main SFU campus is in Burnaby. Located on Burnaby Mountain, it’s accessible by car, public transit, or bike for those athletic students.

For rent near SFU Burnaby campus

• Apartments for rent: SFU Burnaby
• Rooms for rent: SFU Burnaby
• Houses for rent: SFU Burnaby

SFU Burnaby campus transit

SFU is a commuter school, which makes living near transit an important factor when looking for off-campus housing. Take advantage of the U-Pass included in your student fees and make note of these four Translink bus routes to the main SFU Burnaby campus:

• R5 SFU-Hastings
• N35 SFU-Downtown
• 143 SFU-Burquitlam Station
• 144 SFU-Metrotown Station
• 145 SFU-Production Way Station

Here are a few of the neighbourhoods closest to SFU’s Burnaby campus that are convenient for students:

Burnaby Mountain and Lougheed Town Centre

The slopes of Burnaby Mountain are the obvious choice for SFU students to move off of campus but live nearby. The area features a wide variety of housing types — residential towers, low-rise condos and single-family homes that often rent out rooms or basements to students. 

Lougheed Town Centre is also a great nearby neighbourhood and with its large mall and transit hub, it’s the perfect option for off-campus housing without being too far from SFU.

Capitol Hill

Located just down Burnaby Mountain and east of “The Heights,” Capitol Hill offers beautiful views, parks and trails, and recreational amenities. This area is home to vibrant multicultural and student communities, great neighbourhoods and schools. You can walk your dog down the off-leash trails at Confederation Park or go for a morning swim at the Eilleen Dailly Leisure Pool.

The Heights

An extension of Vancouver’s vibrant Hastings-Sunrise community, “The Heights” (aka Burnaby Heights) in Burnaby lies north of Hastings, between Boundary and Gamma Avenue. Though a little further from the university, it does offer easy access to downtown Vancouver, which is a priority for many university students.

Here, you’ll find a mix of heritage homes and newer builds side-by-side along beautiful tree-lined streets and incomparable views of the city, mountains and Burrard Inlet. In addition, the business district is home to some of the best Italian delis in town as well as world-class restaurants and gelato.

Brentwood Park

Conveniently served by the SkyTrain’s Millenium Line, Brentwood has undergone a significant transformation in recent years. This neighbourhood features a wide array of modern condominium options thanks to recent developments around Brentwood Shopping Centre as well as many established, single-family homes. There is a good mix of affordable accommodation ideal for students living alone or sharing with others. Living here you are approximately 30 minutes away from SFU’s main Burnaby campus and the same, 30 minutes from downtown Vancouver.

Renting near SFU Great Northern Way campus

The SFU Great Northern Way campus, called the Centre for Digital Media, is in Vancouver, B.C. A joint venture between SFU, UBC, and ECUAD. Neighbourhoods nearby include Olympic Village, Mount Pleasant, and East Vancouver.

For rent near SFU Great Northern Way campus

• Apartments for rent: SFU Great Northern Way
• Rooms for rent: SFU Great Northern Way
• Houses for rent: SFU Great Northern Way

Renting near SFU Surrey campus

The SFU Surrey campus in Surrey, B.C. is in Central City right near the Surrey Central transit station.

For rent near SFU Surrey

• Apartments for rent: SFU Surrey
• Rooms for rent: SFU Surrey
• Houses for rent: SFU Surrey

Renting near SFU Vancouver campus

Right in the heart of Downtown Vancouver, the SFU Vancouver campus is located on Hastings Street.

For rent near SFU Vancouver

• Apartments for rent: SFU Vancouver
• Rooms for rent: SFU Vancouver
• Houses for rent: SFU Vancouver

Renting tips: how to find & secure off-campus housing

How to avoid rental scams

Rental scams are always out there. The best way to protect yourself is by knowing your rights and choosing trusted rental platforms. Here are a few of the most common scams to look out for:

• Scam #1 Rent is too low
  If the rental rate seems shockingly below the rental average for the city, it could be a fake listing.
• Scam #2 Urgent cash demand
  Renters don’t have to pay for anything until a lease is signed. So, if someone’s pressuring you to send cash now, don’t do it.
• Scam #3 Too much info
  Until you’re 100% ready to move forward with a lease, you’re not obligated to share your bank account or SIN number.
• Scam #4 Not enough details
  While some smaller landlords may withhold unit numbers for privacy, you should know the exact address of the unit you’re looking at. without that info, it could be a scam.

Pro tip: rent from ID-verified landlords on liv.rent to avoid scams.

Be smart with your rental search

• Tip #1 Know your needs
  Make a list of your priorities – pricing, location, amenities, lease duration, pet policy, etc. Then, use liv.rent filters to narrow your search. 
• Tip #2 Do your research
  Find out the average rent in your target area. It’ll arm you with the necessary info to negotiate terms & rates.
• Tip #3 Google the property
  See if there are any complaints online regarding building management, maintenance, noise, neighbourhood, etc.
• Tip #4 Video tours first
  If possible, view video tours first. Then, narrow down your selection and book viewings only for places you’re seriously considering. 

Tips to improve your search

• Tip #1 Don’t be afraid to check
  Have the landlord to demonstrate that all appliances are working – run faucets, check thermostats, flush toilets, turn on stoves, etc. Also, check that cellphone reception is adequate & verify connectivity.
• Tip #2 View in daylight
  Viewing a home in daylight will give you a better sense of the living space.
• Tip #3 Prepare questions
  And ask the hard questions (e.g. how much interest have you had for this unit) to uncover info not in the listing.

Stand out when you apply for your rental

Completing your liv.rent profile, or renter’s resume, is the easiest way to stand out. You can also go the extra mile and pre-submit your application before your viewing if you’re pretty sure you want to rent the unit. By introducing yourself upfront, it shows that you’re serious about the unit – leaving a strong impression on your landlord.

Pro tip: on liv.rent, we use Trust Score to rate renters trustworthiness and credibility — it’s free for students to get theirs with their profile!

Another way to stand out is by using your renter’s story in your renter’s resume to give landlords more information about your credit score. As students may not have strong credit histories yet, use this space to provide more context to a landlord to help them trust you.

How to secure a rental before arriving in Canada

International students can rent their off-campus Toronto home from abroad. When you sign up, as part of your profile you can select:

• “I don’t live in Canada.”
• and, “I’m a first-time renter.”

These profile options give landlords the full picture of you as a renter. It streamlines the rental process and makes it easy to understand why references or a previous Canadian address may appear to be “missing” from your application.

Watch the video below for a step-by-step guide to finding listings on liv.rent.

SFU off-campus housing resources

Blogs and resources to help SFU students obtain off-campus housing:

• Learn how to protect yourself from rental scams
• Everything you need to know about the B.C. Residential Tenancy Agreement
• Find out what a landlord is allowed to ask you as a renter
• See what $1800 can get you in Metro Vancouver’s different neighbourhoods
• Learn about credit scores and renting apartments

Use liv.rent to find your off-campus apartment for SFU — helping you save time, stay organized, and stay safe. Our trusted rental platform is perfect for students, no matter which campus you’re studying at.

Additional off-campus resources for students

• Canada Mortgage & Housing rental guide
• Tenant Resource and Advisory Centre
• Residential Tenancy Office

FAQ: SFU Off-campus housing

Where should I live near SFU?

This really depends which campus you’ll be attending. You can navigate to the section above that outlines housing options in your campus’ area for some ideas on where to start your search!

How much does it cost to live on campus at SFU?

Residence fees can vary greatly from year to year and even semester to semester. It’s always best to consult the latest guide to SFU’s fees here.

How many students live on campus at SFU?

SFU residences house approximately 1,500 students from around the world, with about 30,000 students attending the university in total.

Does SFU have residence?

Yes, however, it’s not guaranteed for every student. For those who aren’t accepted to residence, living off-campus can be a great alternative.

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