ESL (English as a Second Language) International Students
We welcome international students, and many have stayed with us. Some of them have stayed with us while they were attending ESL classes.. This page is dedicated to answering questions that are frequent concerns of ESL students newly arrived in Canada.
We do rent for short terms in the summer, but all of our leases must end on the last day of August. Many students have said they are look for accomodation, but they don't know how long they will be studying English, and so they would like to stay for a variable amount of time. Sometimes we are not able to meet that kind of request for accomodation.
We do not offer a Homestay program. A Homestay includes having meals prepared by the host family, and sharing the meal times with them to provide an oportuntiy to enter into conversation during the meals. We do not offer any meals. You would have to cook for yourself, or eat out. We have very strict rules about cleaning up your dishes after you cook, before you leave the kitchen so that it remains tidy and clean.
Our rooms are all furnished, and we can supply bedding, towels etc., if you need them.
Only one person can occupy the room, and there are NO overnight visitors permitted.
We usually have a mix of male and female students. Most of the time we can not meet a request that only male students or only female students live at the house.
We have two shared bathrooms, none of our rooms have private bathrooms.
It takes about 6 minutes to walk to Algonquin College, to the B building where the ESL courses are held.
If you have difficulty talking in English, you are welcome to have another friend come with you when you come to look at our house.
We only accept students who are willing to sign a lease, for a fixed duration of time. We require the first and last month's rent payment at the time of signing the lease, and in advance of moving in. This is the normal practice of landlords in Ontario.
Our non-smoking policy means you do not use any tobacco products of any kind, at any time, or any other similar product such as shisha . We will NOT accept anyone who states that they only smoke outside. This is not what is meant in Canada as a non-smoker.
Please be generous with information if you are contacting us by e-mail. We suggest that you provide at least the following information:
- Your full name and age
- Your Gender
- Phone numbers
- City and country that is your permanent address
- University or college that you plan to attend, or are attending after you finish your ESL program
- The start and end dates of your accomodation
- Do you plan to bring a car?
Normally we expect ESL students to be in Canada, and to come in person to an interview before we consider renting to them.
If you are inside Canada, and we have not met you in person, then payment for an advance reservation will only be accepted in the following ways:
- E-mail money transfer
- Bank draft issued by the TD Canada Trust bank
- Cash in Canadian funds sent by mail or courier service (not recommended)
Thank you
Mr and Mrs Landlord