Finding a place to live near Fanshawe College is one of the first big things you have to figure out as a new student in London, Ontario. Whether you're coming from another city, another province, or another country entirely, the rental market here moves fast — especially in July and August when thousands of students are looking at the same time.
This guide will walk you through the best neighbourhoods to rent near Fanshawe, what you should expect to pay, how to apply for a rental without getting scammed, and what to know before you sign a lease. It's written for students who've never rented in Ontario before, so it starts at the very beginning.
Where Is Fanshawe College, and Why Does That Matter for Housing?
Fanshawe's main campus sits in the east end of London, just off Oxford Street East near the corner of Fanshawe Park Road. That location shapes where most students live.
The closer you are to campus, the more you can rely on walking or cycling. The further out you go, the more you'll need the London Transit Commission (LTC) bus network — or a car. Transit in London is decent but not as frequent as in Toronto or Ottawa, so it's worth thinking carefully about location before you commit to a lease.
The Best Neighbourhoods Near Fanshawe College
Argyle (Right Next to Campus)
Argyle is the neighbourhood that borders Fanshawe's east campus directly. If you live here, you can walk to class in under 15 minutes. It's a quiet, residential area — mostly detached houses and basement apartments rented to students year after year.
Rents in Argyle tend to be reasonable compared to downtown London. You'll find basement units, shared houses, and some small apartment buildings. The trade-off is that it isn't the most walkable neighbourhood for amenities — you'll need a bus or a bike to get to groceries, restaurants, or anything social.
Good for: students who want a short walk to campus and a quieter environment.
Huron Heights / Northridge
Directly north of the main campus, Huron Heights and Northridge are popular with Fanshawe students because they're close to campus but also close to Fanshawe Park Road, which has more shops, restaurants, and transit options.
The LTC Route 27 runs along Oxford Street East and connects you to campus directly. There's a Walmart, several grocery stores, and a range of fast food and sit-down restaurants within a short bus ride.
Good for: students who want to be close to campus but also want easy access to amenities.
Old East Village
Old East Village (OEV) sits south of Fanshawe's campus along Dundas Street East. It's a 15–20 minute bus ride to campus on Route 4 or Route 10, both of which run frequently.
OEV has become genuinely interesting over the last decade. There's a real mix of independent cafés, the OEV Community Farmers Market on Saturdays, and a growing number of small restaurants and shops along Dundas. Rent is generally affordable here, and the housing stock is mostly older detached homes and duplexes.
Good for: students who want character, community, and value — and don't mind a short bus ride.
Downtown London
Downtown London is about 25–35 minutes from Fanshawe by bus, depending on traffic and route. But it has things that the areas closer to campus don't: nightlife, bigger grocery stores (Covent Garden Market, No Frills on Wellington), and easy connections to almost everywhere else in the city.
Rents downtown have climbed in recent years, and you're more likely to find apartments in purpose-built buildings. If you're used to city living and want to be central, downtown works — just account for the commute.
Good for: students who want an urban feel and don't mind commuting to campus.
White Oaks / South London
South London is further from Fanshawe but worth mentioning because rents tend to be lower here, and housing options are larger — think two or three-bedroom units that students share. The White Oaks Mall area has a Canadian Tire, a grocery store, and a few transit routes that connect back to campus, though you're looking at 30–40 minutes by bus.
Good for: groups of 2–4 students who want more space and are comfortable splitting rent.
What Does Rent Actually Cost Near Fanshawe?
Rent in London is significantly lower than Toronto or Vancouver, which comes as a relief to most students. Here's a rough picture of what to expect in 2026 near the Fanshawe area:
- Bachelor / Studio: $1,100–$1,350/month
- One-bedroom: $1,350–$1,600/month
- Two-bedroom (split two ways): $1,700–$2,000/month total, or $850–$1,000 per person
- Three-bedroom house (split three ways): $2,100–$2,700/month total, or $700–$900 per person
- Basement apartment: $1,000–$1,350/month (often utilities included)
Basement apartments near Fanshawe can be an excellent deal if they meet safety requirements. The City of London now requires rental units to have proper licences — look for this when you're viewing a place.
A few things that change the price significantly: whether utilities (hydro, heat, water) are included, whether parking is included, and whether there's in-unit laundry. A unit that costs $1,500/month with hydro and heat included might cost less than a $1,300/month unit where you pay your own utilities.
Do the full math before you decide. Ask specifically: what utilities are included, what's the average monthly cost for the ones that aren't, and is internet included or separate?
When to Start Looking for a Rental
This is the most important timing advice in this entire guide: start early.
The best units near Fanshawe get rented out by April and May for September move-ins. By July, the selection is thinner and competition is high. By August, you're competing with hundreds of other students for whatever's left.
If you know you're attending Fanshawe in September:
- Ideal: Start searching in February–March
- Still good: April–May
- Competitive: June
- Difficult but possible: July–August (you'll need to be fast and flexible)
If you're an international student arriving later, contact landlords and explain your situation early. Many will hold a unit for you with a deposit if you can communicate reliably and show you're organized.
How to Find Available Rentals
Here are the main places Fanshawe-area landlords list their properties:
- Kijiji.ca — Still the most-used platform in London for residential rentals. Set up alerts so you get notified when new listings go up.
- Facebook Marketplace — A lot of smaller landlords post here, especially house rentals. Also look for London, Ontario renter groups on Facebook.
- Rentals.ca and Zumper — More apartment-focused, useful for buildings with multiple units.
- Fanshawe's own housing board — Fanshawe College has an off-campus housing resource page and bulletin boards on campus. Check the Student Services section of the Fanshawe website.
- Property management companies — Companies like Prospera Properties list available units on their website and can also notify you when new listings come available. Working with a managed property often means you have a professional landlord who responds quickly to problems.
When you find a listing you like, respond the same day. A message that says "I'm interested, when can I view it?" is enough. Speed matters.
How to Apply for a Rental in Ontario
Most landlords in London will ask you for:
- A rental application form — Your name, current and previous addresses, and employment or income information.
- Government-issued photo ID — Passport or driver's licence.
- Proof of income or enrollment — Your Fanshawe acceptance letter, a scholarship letter, a letter from parents, or an employment offer letter all work. If you're an international student, a letter confirming your enrollment and any OSAP or funding details helps.
- References — A previous landlord or a personal reference (a professor, a family friend, someone who knows you). If you've never rented before, just be upfront about it.
- A credit check — The landlord may run one, which requires your written permission. International students often don't have a Canadian credit history, and most landlords in London understand this. Offer a larger last month's rent deposit if needed, or ask a co-signer (such as a parent) to co-sign the lease.
A co-signer is someone who signs the lease with you and agrees to be responsible for the rent if you can't pay it. Many landlords will accept a first-time renter with no Canadian credit history if there's a co-signer.
What to Watch Out For (Rental Scams and Red Flags)
Unfortunately, students are a common target for rental scams. Here's how to protect yourself:
Never send money before seeing the unit in person. A landlord who asks you to e-transfer a deposit before you've viewed the property is almost certainly a scammer. Legitimate landlords show you the unit first.
Renter Resources
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If the deal sounds too good to be true, it usually is. A fully-furnished two-bedroom near Fanshawe for $700/month is not real in 2026. Be realistic about what things cost.
Meet the landlord in person and see the actual unit — not just photos. Photos can be from a different property entirely. Walk through before you commit anything.
Ask who owns the property. You can search the City of London's property lookup tool to verify that the person renting to you actually has the right to rent it. Legitimate landlords have no problem with this question.
Get everything in writing. Before you hand over any money, you should have a signed lease that includes the rent amount, what's included, the start date, and both signatures. In Ontario, most residential rentals must use the Ontario Standard Lease — a government form that protects both you and the landlord.
Understanding Your Lease
Once you're approved, the landlord should give you an Ontario Standard Lease to sign. Here's what to look for:
The lease term. Most student rentals are one-year leases starting September 1. Some landlords offer month-to-month after that. Read the term carefully — if you're only here for eight months on a co-op placement, a 12-month lease means you're responsible for rent until the end, even if you leave early.
What's included. Utilities, parking, internet, and laundry should be spelled out clearly. If it's not in the lease, don't assume it's included.
The last month's rent deposit. In Ontario, a landlord can only collect first and last month's rent upfront. They cannot legally ask for a "security deposit" or a "damage deposit" in addition to this. If a landlord asks for first, last, and an extra deposit — that extra deposit is illegal.
Additional terms. Landlords sometimes add their own rules in the "additional terms" section of the lease. These can't override Ontario law, but read them carefully. If something seems strange, ask about it.
Once you sign and receive a copy, keep it somewhere safe. You'll need it if there's ever a dispute.
Your Rights as a Tenant in Ontario
Ontario has strong tenant protections. Here are the ones that matter most as a student renter:
Rent increases are limited. Once you've moved in, your landlord can only raise your rent once per year, and only within the provincially set annual guideline. For 2026, that guideline is 2.5%. They must give you 90 days written notice before any increase.
Your landlord needs notice to enter. They cannot just walk into your apartment whenever they feel like it. Except in emergencies, they must give you 24 hours written notice before entering, and only between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m.
You can have guests. Your landlord cannot prohibit guests or tell you who can stay with you.
Repairs are the landlord's responsibility. If something breaks — a heater, a stove, a hot water tank — the landlord is legally required to fix it. You have the right to a unit that's in a good state of repair and meets health and safety standards.
You cannot be evicted without a legal process. A landlord cannot change your locks, remove your belongings, or shut off your utilities to force you out. The only legal way to end a tenancy is through a proper notice process, and in most cases, you have the right to dispute it at the Landlord and Tenant Board.
If you're ever in a dispute with your landlord and don't know what to do, contact Community Legal Education Ontario (CLEO) or the legal aid office at Fanshawe. They provide free advice for students.
Tips for International Students
If you're coming to London from outside Canada, a few extra things to know:
You don't need a Social Insurance Number to rent. Your passport and student visa are enough ID for a landlord.
No Canadian credit history is normal and expected. Say so upfront, offer references from your home country, and offer a co-signer if possible.
Get tenant insurance. It's not mandatory, but it protects your belongings in case of fire, theft, or flooding. It's usually $15–$25/month and is well worth it.
Fanshawe's International Student Services office is a resource. They can help you with housing questions, connect you with other students who found housing, and point you toward legitimate landlords.
January intake is easier for housing. The September rush is the hardest time to find a place. If your program starts in January, you'll have far more options and less competition.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to rent near Fanshawe College in 2026?
A one-bedroom apartment near Fanshawe's main campus typically costs $1,350–$1,600/month. Basement apartments are often cheaper at $1,000–$1,350/month, sometimes with utilities included. Shared houses are popular with students — splitting a two-bedroom brings the cost down to around $850–$1,000 per person per month.
Is it safe to rent a basement apartment near Fanshawe?
Many students rent basement apartments near Fanshawe and they're fine — but not all basements are safe or legal. Before renting any basement unit, check that it has proper ceiling height (at least 6 feet 11 inches), proper egress windows, working smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, and that the landlord has a City of London rental unit licence. You can ask the landlord to show you the licence, or check the City of London's rental licence lookup online.
Can I break my lease early if I need to leave for a co-op or internship?
A lease is a legal contract. You can't simply stop paying rent and leave. But you do have options: you can ask your landlord to agree to an early end in writing (use an N11 form), or you can try to assign your lease to another tenant — essentially finding someone to take over your spot. Your landlord cannot unreasonably refuse an assignment. Talk to your landlord early if you know you'll need to leave before your lease ends.
Do I need tenant insurance as a student?
It's not legally required, but it's strongly recommended. Tenant insurance covers your belongings if there's a fire, flood, or theft. It can also cover you if something you accidentally cause (like a bathtub overflow) damages the unit. Policies for students typically cost $15–$25/month and can usually be purchased online in under 10 minutes.
What bus routes go from the Fanshawe area to downtown London?
Several LTC routes connect the Fanshawe campus area to downtown. Route 4 (Dundas) and Route 10 (Oxford) are the most useful depending on where you live. The No. 27 connects Oxford Street East to the downtown transit terminal. Bus frequency varies — check the LTC website for current schedules and the Transit London trip planner for point-to-point directions.
Ready to Find Your Place?
August is the busiest month for student rentals in London. If you're still looking, the window is narrow — but units do still come available.
Prospera Properties manages rental homes across London and surrounding areas. If you want to see what's currently available or get notified when a new unit comes open that fits your budget and location, reach out directly. We work with students and newcomers regularly, and we'll give you a straight answer on what's available and what it costs — no runaround.
View available rentals or contact us to get on the notification list.