Housing in the Vancouver area can be a challenge, particularly for newcomers. Rental and real estate prices in the Vancouver area are among the highest in the world, though some there are some budget-friendly options including BCIT Student Housing and shared off-campus housing. Costs can vary significantly, but expect to spend between $800 to $2500 per month on housing.
If you are planning to come study at BCIT and don’t already have your accommodation secured, it’s best to start researching housing options as early as possible. Be aware that housing scams do occur and often target newcomers. Be vigilant and review our tips below on this page to help protect yourself so you don’t become a victim of a fraudulent housing post.
BCIT Student Housing
With the opening of the Tall Timber Student Housing in Fall 2025, BCIT has significantly increased our on-campus housing options and availability. International students accepted into a full-time, cohort-based BCIT program are eligible to apply to stay in Student Housing.
All of our Student Housing options are located at BCIT’s main campus in Burnaby, which is conveniently located between Brentwood Town Centre and Metrotown – both major regional centres with many restaurant and cafes, plenty of options for shopping, and easy SkyTrain access.
Learn more about BCIT Student Housing!
Off-Campus Housing Options
There are a variety of Housing options in the Vancouver area but be aware that a very low vacancy rate means that costs are high and competition is fierce for available units.
The average monthly rental cost for a 1-bedroom apartment in the city of Vancouver is over $2,500, though shared housing options may be found for as little as $600 per month. As a general rule of thumb, housing costs tend to be higher towards the west and north sides of Metro Vancouver, and lower towards the eastern and southern sides of the metro area.
Learn more about various off-campus housing options below.
Signing a lease in Canada
Lease is the commonly-used local term for a tenancy agreement. It is a legal document in Canada that an individual may sign with a landlord or property manager in order to rent a property. Once a lease is signed by both parties, a tenancy is begun and the leaseholder and any other occupants listed on the lease (i.e. family members, housemates, etc.) become tenants. In BC, tenants have certain rights as well as responsibilities as established by the Residential Tenancy Act.
Before signing any lease, read through our tips below.
Housing scams and fraud
Be aware that unfortunately there are bad actors out trying to steal money from other people. A common scam involves fraudulent housing listings that often appear “too good to be true” and require payment to be sent in advance. When the victim arrives in Canada, they realize the place that they paid to rent doesn’t exist and the money along with the scammer are nowhere to be found. For your own well-being, we advise against transferring funds for housing before you travel to Canada unless you are absolutely sure that you can trust the other party involved.
Learn more about rental scams from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.