Skip to main content
OMNI College

Accommodation

Homestay

The city of Vancouver welcomes hundreds of international students each year, and many of them choose to spend their first few months living with a Canadian homestay family. It’s a great way to learn very quickly about Canadian culture as well as to practice your language skills as often as possible.

There are several homestay placement agencies that specialize in helping international students find the right place to live, so students may find their home away from home. The placement agencies usually charge a fee for the service, as they must pre-screen the homestay families to provide a safe and supported home before offering it to students.

The monthly cost of living at a homestay starts off at around $750 CDN.

OMNI College has pre-screened local homestay options, and we have a select group of friendly and trustworthy homestay service providers available to OMNI students. Homestay arrangements as well as additional optional airport pickup services are booked directly with the homestay placement agency.

Once registered with OMNI College, you will be directed to a list of trusted providers to choose from.

Hotels

Many newly arriving international students may opt for hotels for the first few days of their stay.  Hotels may provide more privacy and self-independence and can serve as a temporary option before committing to more longer-term accommodations. 

Hotels with kitchenettes and private entrances are also very suitable to meet government self-isolation requirements when you first arrive in the country.  Below are a few options near the OMNI College campus:

  • Accent Inn – Vancouver Airport Hotel.  Many rooms come with kitchenettes and private entrances.  Rates start at $88/night.  
  • La Quinta Inn by Wyndham Vancouver Airport Hotel.  Rates start at $72/night.  
  • Sandman Hotel Vancouver Airport.  Rates star at $106/night.  

For details contact the hotel directly to inquire.  This should not be considered in any way an endorsement or referral by the college, these are simply a sample of hotels located near the college.

Other Accommodation:

Some students may choose to live in their own apartment or find a room mate to share with. OMNI College can also assist you by directing you to the appropriate sources. 

In British Columbia (BC), tenant rights are primarily governed by the Residential Tenancy Act (RTA), which outlines the legal framework for rental relationships between landlords and tenants. Here’s a summary of key tenant rights in BC:

1. Tenancy Agreements

  • Written Agreement: Landlords are required to provide a written tenancy agreement, commonly known as a lease, which must be signed by both parties. Even in the absence of a written agreement, the standard terms of a tenancy apply once a security deposit is paid.

2. Security Deposits

  • Limit and Payment: Landlords can request a security deposit of up to half a month’s rent, payable at the start of the tenancy.

  • Return of Deposit: Upon moving out, tenants are entitled to the return of their security deposit with interest, provided there are no damages beyond normal wear and tear or unpaid rent.

3. Rent Increases

  • Notice and Frequency: Landlords must provide at least three months’ written notice before increasing rent, and such increases are permitted only once every 12 months.

  • Limit on Increase: The provincial government sets a maximum allowable rent increase percentage annually.

4. Maintenance and Repairs

  • Landlord Responsibilities: Landlords are obligated to maintain the rental property in a state that complies with health, safety, and housing standards.

  • Tenant Responsibilities: Tenants must keep the unit clean and report any necessary repairs promptly.

5. Privacy and Access

  • Notice for Entry: Landlords must provide at least 24 hours’ written notice before entering a rental unit and can only do so between 8 a.m. and 9 p.m., unless there’s an emergency or the tenant consents to a shorter notice period.

6. Ending a Tenancy

  • Tenant Initiated: Tenants must give one month’s written notice to end a month-to-month tenancy.

  • Landlord Initiated: Landlords can end a tenancy for specific reasons, such as non-payment of rent or if they or a close family member intend to occupy the unit. Proper notice and, in some cases, compensation are required.

7. Protection Against Discrimination

  • Human Rights: The BC Human Rights Code prohibits discrimination in tenancy matters based on race, color, ancestry, place of origin, religion, marital status, family status, physical or mental disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, and lawful source of income.

8. Dispute Resolution

  • Residential Tenancy Branch (RTB): The RTB offers dispute resolution services for tenants and landlords, providing a formal process to resolve conflicts.

For more detailed information and resources, tenants can consult the Tenant Resource & Advisory Centre (TRAC), a non-profit organization that provides free legal education, representation, and advocacy to tenants in BC.

Understanding these rights can help tenants navigate their rental relationships more effectively and ensure their legal protections are upheld.