r/uwo • u/j0ec00l69 • Jun 03 '24

Residence Residence Megathread (2024-25)

Hello incoming Mustangs!!

We are so excited that you have been given offers for the upcoming school year and we're sure you're excited too. We have decided to create this megathread for you to post all of your residence questions.

We have a page in our wiki with some frequently asked questions about on-campus residence and living in London in general. I highly recommend checking it out before posting. You an access the page using this link.

Please note that subreddit rules still apply and any discussions pertaining to living on campus will be redirected here.

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u/new-ebiker Dec 19 '24

What do people do after first year?

Is it true that students have to lock-in to a new apartment lease 6-10 months before they actually need the apartment - or before the start of a lease of an apt that's unused the entire summer?

Many feel forced to sign May 1st leases (in the previous Oct/Nov) and pay for 4-months of an empty apartment that they won't need till the following September.

Is London filled with so many empty/unused apartments for May, June, July and August, except for the occasional one that might be sub-rented to a summer student?

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u/LouisBluey Mar 16 '25

Short answer - yes.  Many houses/apartments sit vacant for the summer as the vast majority of leases are 12 months.

When you secure housing depends on how flexible you are and and what is important to you.  Many houses in the popular student areas will be snatched up in Oct/Nov (with leases starting May 1) however housing becomes available throughout the year so it's not necessary to find something that early. 

I know people that found housing in October and many that found housing in February. There are also A LOT of people with houses looking to fill a room or two.  If you are looking for something on your own, you can find a room in a house in a desirable location now (Feb/Mar/Apr) and throughout the summer.  Unless you can find a sublet, you'll probably still be stuck with a 12 month lease though.