Renting near the University of Windsor

The neighbourhoods around the University of Windsor and St. Clair College's downtown campus have steady demand from students, many renting by the room.

Leasing by the room

• Use a separate Ontario Standard Lease for each room, so one tenant's notice or arrears doesn't affect the others.
• Spell out shared spaces, utilities and parking in each lease. All-inclusive rent is common and easier to fill.
• First-year international students often have no Canadian credit history. Ask for a guarantor or proof of funds rather than ruling them out.
• Showings in an occupied house still need 24 hours' written notice, and in a rooming house only that room's tenant gets the notice.

Timing

• Demand peaks before the September and January terms. List 6 to 10 weeks ahead.
• After the first lease term, Ontario tenancies carry on month to month. A student can't be required to leave in April just because classes end.
• Tenants who want to leave give an N9 with at least 60 days' notice, ending on the last day of a rental period.

The City's rules

• Windsor ran a rental licensing pilot in Wards 1 and 2 (around the university) for two years. It was paused in spring 2025.
• In July 2026 Council decided not to bring in citywide rental licensing, choosing education and proactive enforcement of property standards instead.
• Property standards, zoning and the Fire Code still apply to every rental, including working smoke and carbon monoxide alarms. Rooming houses have extra zoning and fire rules, so check before converting.

Rules change. Check with the City of Windsor before adding units or converting a house to rooms.