⚠️ Student Housing & Scams

🔍 1. Where to Look (Safe vs. Risky)

Not all websites are equal. Scammers hunt where new students look.

✅ The "Green Zone" (Safest)

• University Housing Portals: Most colleges (Seneca, Humber, Langara) have official listings. Always start here.
• Places4Students.com: A verified platform partnered with many colleges. Landlords here are ID-checked.
• Realtor.ca: 100% verified listings by licensed agents. Best if you are renting a full apartment or condo with friends.

⚠️ The "Orange Zone" (High Caution)

• Facebook Marketplace / Indian Student Groups:
• The Good: Great for finding "Desi" roommates or shared basements.
• The Bad: 80% of housing scams happen here.
• TVT Rule: Never pay a deposit until you (or a verified friend) have physically stepped inside the house.

💸 2. The "Big 5" Housing Scams (2025 Edition)

Scammers use specific scripts. If you hear these lines, block them.

1. The "Phantom Landlord"

• The Script: "I am currently out of town (on vacation/missionary work), but I can mail you the keys if you send the deposit."
• The Reality: The house exists, but they don't own it. You will send money and never get keys.

2. The "Pay-to-View" Trap

• The Script: "There is high demand! Send me $50 to reserve a viewing slot."
• The Reality: Illegal. It is against the law to charge fees just to see a property.

3. The "Hijacked Ad"

• The Script: You see a luxury condo on Realtor.ca for $2,500. Then you see the same photos on Facebook for $1,500.
• The Reality: A scammer stole the photos. If the price is "too good to be true," it is a scam.

4. The "Cash Only" Demand

• The Script: "I only accept Bitcoin, Western Union, or Amazon Gift Cards."
• The Reality: Legitimate landlords accept Cheques, E-Transfers, or Bank Drafts. Never use untraceable payments.

5. The "Crowded Room" (Slumlord Trap)

• The Script: "Indian female student preferred. Shared room, $500."
• The Reality: You arrive to find 4 girls crammed into one bedroom with mattresses on the floor. This is an illegal rooming house and a fire hazard. Do not live here.

💰 3. Rent Expectations (2025 Estimates)

Budget realistically. Prices vary by city (Toronto/Vancouver are highest).

• Shared Room (2 people): $600 - $900 CAD/month.
• Private Room (Basement): $800 - $1,200 CAD/month.
• Private Room (Condo): $1,300 - $1,600 CAD/month.
• 1-Bedroom Apartment (Private): $2,200+ CAD/month.

💡 Hidden Costs: "Utilities Included" usually means Heat/Water. WiFi ($60) and Laundry ($5/load) are often extra.

🛡️ 4. Street Smarts & Safety Protocols (The "TVT Way")

We gathered these tips from real student experiences in Brampton, Toronto, and Vancouver. Follow them to blend in and stay safe.

🚌 Protocol A: Transit Safety

• The "Night Bus" Rule: If you are traveling late and the bus is empty, sit near the driver. Do not sit at the back or upper deck alone.
• The "One Ear" Rule: Never wear noise-canceling headphones with both ears covered when walking at night. You must be able to hear footsteps or cars behind you.
• The "Sleep" Risk: Do not fall asleep on the subway/train. Phone snatching is common if you are dozing off.

🚶 Protocol B: Neighborhood Awareness

• Toronto Red Zones: Avoid walking alone at night near Sherbourne & Dundas or Moss Park (Downtown Eastside). These areas have higher drug activity.
• Vancouver Red Zones: Avoid East Hastings Street. It is a known area for open drug use and can be volatile.
• Brampton Note: Avoid renting illegal basements with no windows. In a fire, you have no exit.

🤝 Protocol C: Social Norms (Don't Be "That" Guy)

• The Deodorant Rule: In Canada, people stand close on transit. Strong body odor is considered extremely rude. Wearing deodorant/antiperspirant daily is a strict social requirement.
• The Queue (Line) Culture: Canadians take lines very seriously (at bus stops or Tim Hortons). Cutting in line is aggressive. Wait your turn.
• Tipping: 15% is the minimum expected tip at sit-down restaurants. If you cannot afford the tip, order "Takeout" (no tip required).

👮 Protocol D: "Desi" Specific Scams

• The "CRA" Call: If you get a call saying "You owe taxes, pay now or you will be deported," HANG UP. The Canadian government NEVER calls to threaten deportation. They send letters.
• The "Cash Job" Trap: Avoid working for cash below minimum wage. Employers often exploit students by withholding pay and threatening to "call immigration." If you work legally (SIN job), the law protects you.