Best off campus housing for University of Toronto students

The University of Toronto (U of T) has three campuses across the Greater Toronto Area: St. George in downtown Toronto, the University of Toronto Mississauga (UTM) in Mississauga, and the University of Toronto Scarborough (UTSC) in Scarborough. On-campus residence is available at all three campuses but is not guaranteed for upper-year or graduate students, and offers can come late. This guide covers the best areas for students at each campus, how to search and apply for a rental, and how to stay safe.

For current average rent figures by neighbourhood and unit type, see the Toronto Rent Report.

Types of Accommodation in Toronto

Common rental types near U of T campuses include individual rooms in shared houses or apartments, studio apartments, one-bedroom and two-bedroom units, condos, and full houses. Many students share a larger unit with roommates to reduce costs in one of Canada's most expensive rental markets. To find rooms in shared spaces, use the "Room" filter under Housing Type on liv.rent and the map view to see what is available near your campus.

Renting Near the St. George Campus

The St. George campus is U of T's main and largest campus, located in the heart of downtown Toronto at King's College Circle. Four TTC subway stations surround the campus: Spadina, St. George, Museum, and Queen's Park. Buses and streetcars run along Bloor Street, Spadina Avenue, College Street, and Bay Street, connecting the campus to the rest of the city.

The Annex

The Annex is Toronto's most established student neighbourhood and borders the St. George campus directly to the north. It is home to large multi-bedroom character houses suited to shared living, low-rise apartment buildings, and a lively strip of restaurants, cafes, and shops along Bloor Street. Spadina and Bathurst subway stations serve the neighbourhood. For many students living in the Annex, the campus is within walking distance. Estimated commute: under ten minutes on foot.

Kensington Market and Chinatown

Just west of campus, Kensington Market and Chinatown form a dense, walkable area known for independent food vendors, cafes, and a strong community character. Housing is a mix of older apartments, rooms in shared houses, and basement suites. TTC streetcars on College Street and Dundas Street connect to campus. Estimated commute: ten to 15 minutes by transit or foot.

Yorkville

North of the campus and Bloor Street, Yorkville is a more upscale neighbourhood with newer condo buildings and higher average rents. It is steps from Bay and Bloor subway stations and suits students who prioritise proximity and urban amenities and have the budget for it. Estimated commute: under ten minutes on foot or by subway.

Cabbagetown

East of campus, Cabbagetown offers a quieter, more residential feel with Victorian streetscapes and a mix of condos and converted houses. TTC bus and streetcar routes connect to campus. Rents are generally more moderate than in the Annex or Yorkville. Estimated commute: 15 to 20 minutes by transit.

Renting Near UTSC

The Scarborough campus is located at 1265 Military Trail, approximately 22 kilometres east of the St. George campus. It is accessible by TTC bus, including the 198 U of T Scarborough Rocket which connects directly to Kennedy subway station. Students living in Scarborough can reach UTSC without needing to travel through downtown.

Scarborough has a wide range of rental options at generally lower price points than central Toronto, with apartment buildings, houses with basement suites, and shared accommodation all available. For students who primarily study at UTSC and want to minimise their commute, living in Scarborough's residential neighbourhoods near the campus or near Kennedy Station is the most practical approach. Estimated commute from central Scarborough: 20 to 30 minutes by bus.

Renting Near UTM

The Mississauga campus is located at 3359 Mississauga Road, approximately 27 kilometres west of the St. George campus. MiWay buses serve the campus and connect to TTC and neighbouring transit systems. Shuttle buses also run between UTM and the St. George campus for students who need to travel between campuses.

Mississauga generally offers lower average rents than Toronto and has a wide range of apartment buildings, townhouses, and houses available, particularly in the areas surrounding the campus and along Hurontario Street. Students at UTM who want a manageable commute are best served by looking in central Mississauga with access to MiWay routes that connect to campus. Estimated commute from central Mississauga: 20 to 35 minutes by bus.

Standing Out as an Applicant

Complete your liv.rent profile fully before applying. Upload proof of income or employment, verify your identity, and use the Renter Story section to give landlords context about your situation, particularly useful if you are a first-time renter or do not yet have a Canadian credit history. Pre-submitting your application before a viewing signals to the landlord that you are serious about the unit.

Applying as a Group

If you are renting with roommates, one person can apply as the primary applicant and add others as roommates, though most landlords will still want to screen each person individually. Alternatively, all group members can submit individual applications through liv.rent, each generating their own Trust Score for the landlord to review.

Securing a Rental Before Arriving in Canada

U of T students who have not yet arrived in Toronto or Canada can apply to listings on liv.rent from anywhere in the world. Once your profile is complete, you can indicate that you are a first-time renter and that you are renting from outside Canada, allowing landlords to assess your application accurately without requiring Canadian references.

Avoiding Rental Scams in Toronto

Toronto's competitive rental market makes it a frequent target for scammers. Key red flags:

• Rent priced significantly below the neighbourhood average
• Requests for a cash deposit before a lease is signed or a property has been viewed
• Pressure to send money urgently
• Requests for your SIN or banking details before you are ready to sign
• Listings that do not provide a full street address

Renting from ID-verified landlords on liv.rent removes most of this risk. For more on staying safe, see our [guide to rental scams in Canada].

Find Off-Campus Housing Near U of T

liv.rent lists verified rentals across Toronto, Scarborough, and Mississauga. Use the map view and filters to find verified listings near whichever U of T campus you are attending.