Step 1: Access the application
Log into the Housing Hub, click on the Campus Housing Application button, and select the appropriate contract terms.
Note: While we offer winter-only and spring-only contracts for all students, fall contracts are only available as two-term (fall/winter or fall/spring) for undergraduate students.
Step 2: Request roommates (optional)
Want to request roommates? We offer 3 ways to invite others to live with you, or you can skip this step to be assigned with student roommates.
- Know who you want to live with? Locate your roommate search screennames on your Roommate Groups page of the application and use the “Search for Roommates by Details” to find each other and form a roommate group.
- Want to search for students who might make good roommates? Use the “Search for Roommates by Details” to search for keywords like “engineering, crochet, Bridgerton” or other hobbies, academics, or interests to see if there are students with things in common.
- You can also use the “suggest roommates” tool to have roommate suggestions appear based on similar responses to the lifestyle questions.
IMPORTANT: You must form roommate groups before bookings begin and/or you are issued a timeslot to proceed to book as a group. Check the important dates page on when bookings begin for each term and student type.
Once you have a roommate group and are ready to select your room(s):
- Only one group member (group leader) should log in and select the rooms for the group. If the group leader is unavailable during the selection time, the group can decide on another group member who can select rooms for the whole group.
- If the group leader is unable to select rooms, another group member may be designated to complete selection for everyone.
- You must choose a unit that can accommodate the entire group, so check the number of vacancies in the selected unit before proceeding.
If you are currently in a roommate group but no longer wish to be in one, you can navigate back to the roommate selection part of the application and leave/disband the group.
Step 3: Rank your preference for room types.
While not all room types may be available to select when you get to the next step, ranking your preferences helps us plan what room types have the most demand for current and future housing availability.
Step 4: Review our Important Dates website to learn when bookings start.
If room bookings have already started:
- You may be able to proceed through the application to book a room and pay the deposit without requiring a timeslot (if you can proceed through the application now, then this is your situation), OR
- If you cannot move through the application to book a room, don’t worry! We will email you within 5-7 business days with next steps, which could include having a dedicated timeslot during which you can book your room and pay the deposit.
Step 5: Book your room!
- Add a room to your cart. Once a room is added, a countdown timer will appear near the Log Out button. You must complete your selection before the timer expires.
- Click Room Info to review details such as building location, air conditioning, and accessibility features.
- When selecting a room, you will see different room type designations:
- Co-ed: Students of all genders may live in these units. If a resident moves out, any student may move in.
- Female only: Only female students may live in these units.
- Male only: Only male students may live in these units.
- Unassigned gender (single gender): The first student to book determines the gender for all remaining rooms in the unit.
- If you have an approved accessible housing recommendation and do not see an appropriate option, email housing@uwaterloo.ca for assistance.
- Select Confirm Bed only when you are certain of your choice. This step is final, and you will not be able to edit your application afterward.
Step 6: Complete your booking
After completing room selection, you must:
- Accept your housing contract, and
- Pay the $500 non‑refundable housing deposit
If you do not complete these steps by the deadline shown in your Housing Offer, your booking will be removed.
You will receive a confirmation email when your room booking is complete.
