Living with housemates can be both challenging and rewarding. When I moved in with two of my closest friends, I was initially hesitant due to hearing negative stories about friendships being strained in shared living situations.
In Ontario, the N11 form plays a crucial role in the realm of tenant rights and agreements. As a student renting accommodation in the province of Ontario, it's essential to understand what the N11 form entails, its appropriate use, and how it may impact your tenancy. Here’s a breakdown to help you understand the N11.
What is the Ontario N11?
Embarking on the journey of living off-campus while attending university is an exciting transition that offers a mix of independence, responsibility, and the opportunity to delve into the local community.
I spent four years at Queen’s as an undergraduate student, so when I was navigating the transition to graduate school, I felt confident that I knew enough about Queen’s, the Kingston housing market, and my personal living preferences and that the transition to off-campus living as a graduate student would be seamless. I ended up living in a six-person house this year (the first year of my MA), and I had lived in big student houses with 6 people in previous years in my undergrad.
Queen’s University wasn’t always my top university of choice, nor was the program that I’m currently in. I got accepted to all 5 of the Canadian universities that I applied to with my applications ranging from Waterloo’s Biomedical Engineering Program to Western’s Medical Science program and Life Sciences at McMaster.
Tip #1: Start Looking Early
“Everything will work out” are the four words that I wish I could give to my past self when I first began my post-secondary education at Queen’s.
When I came to Queen’s University, the housing process seemed to work out okay! I decided to move in with a few girls I knew from high school which was a big help (especially during COVID-19 when I wasn’t really meeting new people). I thought this would be a great opportunity as I already knew them so well, that we were on the same page and would get along! Over time, we only grew closer as friends and were able to succeed in being on the same page for a lease and house.
Welcome back Queen’s University students!
Moving into your off-campus property this fall and getting your school year started is an exciting time. With so much going on, it can be easy to forget the best practices to protect yourself and ensure a smooth move in. So what do you need to do?
