Off-Campus Budget and Planning

Students are encouraged to try and create a budget for living in Halifax. It’s suggested that students organize their finances before they move to Halifax including the following considerations:

Rent

• • The largest living expense students need to budget for is rent. Rental prices vary depending on many different factors. The average rent is increasing in Halifax due to high demand and low vacancy rates.
  • While the current average rent for a 2-bedroom apartment in Halifax is $1,628 (according to a recent CMHC Rental Market Report), please note that new leases are generally higher cost.
  • According to an April 2024 rent report by Urbanization and Rentals.ca, the average cost for a new 2-bedroom lease is $2471.
  • Please ensure you do your own research surrounding rent costs when looking for off-campus housing in Halifax.

Utilities (electricity, heat, water)

• • Check with your landlord if you are unsure what utilities are included in your rent.
  • Ensure you set up your NS Power account at least 7-10 days before you move in to your new space, if electricity is not already in place.
  • In most instances, the landlord will cover the cost of water. If required, you should set up your Halifax Water account at least 7-10 days before you move in to your new space. If you need financial assistance with your Halifax Water bill, you can apply for the Financial Assistance Program, H2O Fund.

Internet, phone, television

• • Multiple providers offer student discount packages for your home internet, cell and home phone as well as cable.
    • Bell Aliant
    • Eastlink
    • CityWide
    • Internet Atlantic

• • • Internet Only, Purple Cow

Pets

• • It can be very difficult to find pet-friendly accommodations in Halifax. In Nova Scotia, property owners have the legal right to add rules to the rental/lease agreement – to not allow pets, allow only certain sized pets, or allow only certain animals.
  • If you sign a lease that indicates there are no pets allowed, and you bring a pet to the space, you will be in violation of the agreement and could be evicted for breaching the rules of the lease.
  • Pets are a big responsibility and come with their own unique set of requirements both budgetary and time related. Ensure you are able to balance school and home life before bringing a pet in to your life.

Insurance

• • Though tenant insurance is not mandatory at a provincial level, many property managers, landlords and rental companies will not accept a lease without proof of tenant’s insurance.
  • Tenant’s insurance is crucial for student renters as it protects their belongings, provides liability coverage in case of accidents and ensures peace of mind, safeguarding against unexpected events like theft, fire or water damage that can disrupt studies and living arrangements.

Food

• • Check out Numbeo’s Cost of Living in Halifax for up-to-date market prices.
  • King’s Day Students are able to purchase a residence meal plan and use their student ID to ‘tap-in’ to Prince Hall. There are also community dining plans available for purchase.

Transportation

• • Halifax is a vast city but quite well interconnected! Many day students live a bit further than the Halifax Peninsula and commute with Halifax Transit on a regular basis. Often finding more affordable housing options from Dartmouth to Bedford and from Clayton Park to Spryfield have helped students better control their monthly budgets.
  • King’s Students are eligible for the UPass Transit Pass.
  • Find out more and search routes on the Halifax Transit page.

Avoiding scams

• • Assess if the place seems “too good to be true” by considering:
    •      Comparative rental prices in the area
    •      Authenticity of listing photos
    •      Adequacy of amenities offered for the price
  • Request to see the unit in person or via video call if unable to visit physically.
  • Be cautious of scammers who claim to own the unit but may not or have current tenants.
  • Scrutinize the landlord’s profile on platforms like Facebook Marketplace for legitimacy.
  • Seek advice from trusted friends or family members if uncertain about a listing’s authenticity.
  • Refrain from sending any money before signing a lease.
  • Remember that landlords should not (and can not legally) charge more than the first month’s rent and a damage deposit of ½ of one month’s rent.