2020 marked our 7th full-year of weekly blogging about the off-campus housing industry - and what a year it was! Many of our blogs provided information on the effects of COVID-19 in the student housing industry and offered suggestions for students to stay safe. We’ve compiled some of our best blogs for students from 2020 as a recap.

To read each full article, click on the images below.

1. Students: Rent Receipts for Tax Refunds

Students are often unaware of income tax deduction available to them when renting a place while away at college or university. This could provide a larger refund at the end of the year from the government. Claiming rent on a tax return is something that every student living off-campus should be doing, when applicable. 
 

2. Tools for Transitioning to Online Classes

The effects of COVID-19 have been far reaching and resulted in changes to our education systems in North America. While colleges and universities have been transitioning to online classes, students are trying to adapt to learning outside of the classroom.

Below are some tools, tips, and applications to help make this time of transition smooth and successful for students.
 

3. Ways to Stay Connected from a Distance

Whether students have been traveling away from family to attend college or university, leaving friends to move back home due to this unprecedented change in our world, or isolated in their off-campus residence, every year students deal with being distanced from others. Below are some fun ways for students and landlords to keep things social while dealing with social distancing.
 

4. Tips for Maintaining a Safe and Clean Living Space

Whether students just want to be near campus while studying online or need to attend classes in-person, it’s important to practice good hygiene for their safety, as well as others in the community. Below are some tips for students to clean and keep their rental unit a safe space.
 

5. Benefits of Roommate Agreements

After roommates have been selected and a lease has been signed with the landlord, the next step is to start ironing out the specifics of the living arrangements. These details include deciding how rent will be divided and paid, how bills will be split, how chores will be shared, and much more.
 

6. Students: Be A Good Neighbor

Students attending college or university for the first time and living off-campus often experience new situations in life, such as living independently and having a roommate or neighbors. Especially during these uncertain times caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, it is important to work together as a community to be good neighbors and help keep everyone safe. Here are some suggestions on how students can be a good neighbor!
 

7. Benefits of Living Off-Campus During the Pandemic

While everyone continues to figure out a daily routine of normal during this pandemic, students are still faced with the question, “Which is better for me, living on-campus or off-campus?” As COVID-19 continues to evolve, additional pros begin to arise regarding living off-campus. Below are a few benefits of living off-campus during the pandemic.
 

8. Decorating Tips for Students During the Holidays

When living in an off-campus housing unit, it’s important to think about what kind of decorations you will use, since you don’t own the property. Below are a few things for student tenants to keep in mind when decorating their rental unit this year.
 

9. COVID-19 Effects on International Students

Right now, international students who are looking to study abroad are navigating many uncertainties. With the current rules and travel bans in place for Canada and the United States, international students are trying to figure out if and when to secure off-campus housing. Here are a few things for students travelling abroad to consider.
 

10. Choosing a Roommate: Should I Live with My Best Friend?

Students may opt to attend the same school as their best friend, in order to stay close to one another. In this circumstance, the two best friends will often consider living together while they attend school. While this may seem like a great idea, there are several pros and cons to consider before rooming with a best friend.
 

SEE ALSO:  The Best Off-Campus Housing Blogs from 2019 - For Students