Introduction: The illusion of “cheaper rent” in Ottawa

You open Facebook Marketplace or Kijiji and spot it. A one-bedroom apartment in Sandy Hill for C$1,000/month. Unfurnished, yes, but still. A thousand bucks in downtown Ottawa? Seems like a steal. You imagine throwing in a mattress, maybe a second-hand couch, and calling it home.

But fast-forward a few weeks. You're hunting for furniture on buy-nothing groups, coordinating with three different sellers across the city, trying to squeeze a dresser into a friend’s hatchback. Your Wi-Fi still isn’t set up, your hydro bill just arrived, and your landlord wants an extra deposit for something you didn’t read in the lease.

That C$1,000 “deal” now feels like a full-time job. And it’s still not livable.

That’s the hidden truth of student housing in Ottawa. Furnished vs unfurnished is not just about furniture. It’s about cost, time, convenience, and mental space. And that C$1,000 apartment is rarely what it seems.

Let’s break it down.

Why students fall for unfurnished housing traps

At first glance, unfurnished listings seem like the financially wise choice. They almost always list at lower monthly rent. For a student juggling tuition, books, and grocery bills, this is a huge draw. But what’s often missed is how quickly these listings spiral into more costs, delays, and stress.

Most unfurnished leases in Ottawa are designed with long-term tenants in mind. They assume you’re bringing your entire life with you, not arriving from another city, province, or country with two suitcases and a backpack. When you factor in the realities of a student schedule, short-term semester needs, and the logistical nightmare of moving furniture in and out of walk-up apartments or student dorm replacements, unfurnished rentals become less a savings and more a liability.

And then there’s the math.

Breaking down the real cost of unfurnished housing

Let’s say you found that mythical C$1,000/month studio in Centretown. Here’s how quickly the “affordable” setup can change:

• Furniture: Basic essentials like a bed, mattress, desk, chair, dresser, lamp, and kitchenware can cost C$1,200 to C$1,800 even with second-hand sourcing

• Internet: Decent student plans run between C$60 to C$80/month

• Utilities: Hydro, heat, water, and sometimes gas can add another C$120 to C$180/month depending on season and usage

• Transport costs: If your unit’s location isn’t near campus, you may be adding a monthly transit pass or gas/Uber rides

Suddenly your C$1,000/month unit is creeping towards C$1,350 to C$1,500/month without factoring in the time and stress you spend setting it all up.

And this is assuming you get lucky with second-hand finds and your landlord doesn’t have strange utility arrangements buried in your lease.

The hidden cost of time, delays and chaos

Let’s go back to you, week one in that C$1,000 unit. You’ve just arrived in Ottawa for the new term at uOttawa or Carleton. Orientation starts tomorrow. Your room is empty. You’re tired. Everything is unfamiliar.

But instead of setting up your workspace or going to campus mixers, you’re deep in the Facebook Marketplace trenches trying to arrange furniture pickups. You realize most listings are in Nepean or Orleans. You don’t have a car. You beg a new classmate for help.

You spend two hours assembling a wobbly IKEA bed. Your Wi-Fi appointment gets delayed again. You miss three readings because you’re waiting on a mattress delivery. By the end of week two, you’ve spent more time setting up your apartment than settling into your new city.

Furnished housing would have meant arriving, unpacking, and starting life immediately.

What "furnished" really means (and why it’s more than just a bed)

Furnished isn’t just about beds and couches. It’s about systems already in place. When you walk into a furnished student rental in Ottawa, especially one designed with students in mind, you’re walking into a functioning home.

That usually includes:

• A fully made bed with a frame and mattress

• Study desk and chair

• Closet or wardrobe

• Fast, pre-installed Wi-Fi

• Onboarding support (maintenance, check-in instructions)

• Sometimes even cleaning, kitchen tools, and communal spaces

In short, you're not just renting a space. You’re renting readiness.

Platforms like Harrington Housing have leaned into this fully. With multiple furnished student rentals in Ottawa starting at C$1,050/month, they offer everything from move-in ready studios to shared coliving spaces, all designed for students who want to skip the chaos and get straight to living.

Furnished vs unfurnished: Which one actually saves you money?

Let’s run the numbers side-by-side over a standard 8-month school lease in Ottawa:

Unfurnished Apartment
Rent: C$1,000/month → C$8,000
Furniture (basic setup): C$1,500 (one-time)
Utilities and Internet: C$180/month → C$1,440
Total: C$10,940

Furnished Student Rental (like Harrington Housing)
Rent: C$1,050/month (fully furnished, all-inclusive)
Furniture: C$0
Internet and Utilities: C$0
Total: C$8,400

That’s C$2,500 saved. Not counting your time, your sanity, or the joy of having a working lightbulb on day one.

Where furnished student housing is actually available in Ottawa

Most traditional landlords in Ottawa won’t bother furnishing units, but some student-first providers specialize in this model. Harrington Housing, for instance, offers units in high-demand locations near uOttawa and downtown, with flexible lease lengths and no extra setup needed.

Their locations include:

• Sandy Hill: A favorite for uOttawa students, walkable to campus, downtown, and Rideau Centre

• Downtown Ottawa: For those who want to live near Parliament, ByWard Market, and public transport

• Centretown: A quieter, balanced zone with parks, cafes, and easy bus access to campus

• Market area units: For those who crave nightlife, cafes, and downtown vibes

The benefit? You’re not sacrificing location for convenience. These neighborhoods are all within easy transit range of campus, with walkability and bike-share access that make daily commutes painless.

And for students who’d rather not commit to long leases or drag furniture across semesters, options like Harrington's Ottawa listings offer a middle ground. Private space, shared amenities, no setup stress.

What students actually say: Real move-in experiences

Sarah, a second-year Carleton student, moved into a furnished unit near Sandy Hill this past January. She landed from Vancouver in minus 15 degree weather with two suitcases and a 7 a.m. class the next day.

“If I had to go furniture hunting, I would’ve cried. The room had everything. Bed, Wi-Fi, desk - even a kettle. I moved in, changed clothes, and made it to my lecture.”

She estimates she saved at least C$1,200, and more importantly, three weeks of setup time.

Stories like hers aren’t rare. Especially among international and out-of-province students, furnished housing often means the difference between a smooth start and a logistical nightmare.

Conclusion: Furnished isn't a luxury, it’s a strategy

Ottawa’s student housing market is tight. And it's tempting to grab whatever listing pops up first on your feed, especially if the rent looks low. But furnished student rentals aren’t just about convenience or aesthetics. They’re often the smarter financial decision when you add up the real costs.

The next time you see a too-good-to-be-true C$950 apartment, remember. That’s the entry fee. The real price starts after you move in.

Or you could skip the whole circus, and choose something designed for students, like Harrington Housing. With move-in ready rooms, no furniture drama, and all bills included, it's how modern student living should feel.

And yes, you can schedule a tour before you commit.

Also read What no one tells you about renting a room in Ottawa as an international student