Moving Out: What You Need and Where to Find It

The end of a term rarely means just one thing wrapping up. You might be studying for exams, packing up an apartment, figuring out a lease, or thinking about where you’ll live next. Whatever stage you’re at, leaning on the resources already available to you via your WUSA membership can go a long way toward making the move less overwhelming. 

Before you get too far into packing, it’s worth knowing what’s already in place. We have a range of resources for the food you can’t take with you, the food you might need more of, the clothes you’re ready to part with, and the lease questions you haven’t gotten around to asking. None of it replaces doing your own research or getting professional advice when you need it, but it’s a solid starting point. 

 

Moving Out, Signing a Lease, or Looking for Your Next Place? 

Whether you’re ending a lease, looking for a subletter, or getting ready to sign somewhere new, The Housing Playbook can help you take the right steps and avoid common rental problems. Use it to check whether a fee is legal, recognize possible rental scams, understand how much notice you need to give, compare subletting with assigning a lease, and learn what to do when repairs or maintenance issues are not being addressed. 

Checking the details early can help you protect yourself, ask better questions, and avoid unexpected costs or conflicts. The Housing Playbook also includes housing and tenant rights resources that can help you better understand what applies to your situation, especially before signing, paying, or agreeing to anything. 

If you’re already dealing with a housing challenge or conflict, WUSA’s Advocate’s Toolkit can help you organize your concerns and figure out how to speak up for yourself. It can support you in preparing what to say, understanding what outcome you are asking for, and communicating more clearly when something does not feel right. 

For situations that need more support, such as a landlord dispute, eviction notice, unexpected charge, or ongoing issue with your rental, WUSA’s Legal Protection Program may also be worth exploring. 

These resources are not a substitute for legal advice, but they can help you understand your options and decide on your next step. 

Before you sign a lease, pay a fee, hand over your keys, or make a decision about your rental, take a few minutes to check the information available. It could save you time, money, and stress later. 

 

Affordable Food Support Near the End of Term

Money gets tight at the end of a term, especially with moving costs stacked on top of everything else. If groceries or basic supplies are feeling out of reach, check in with our Food Support Service. It is a low-barrier, confidential option for access to food and hygiene hampers.  

Our Pay-What-You-Can (PWYC) Program is available for immediate food support. PWYC offers hot, pre-packaged meals, prepared fresh daily in our kitchen.  

Available through The Bomber self-order kiosk on weekdays, while quantities last. Please check the website to learn more about the program and end of term availability updates. 

Pay-What-You-Can Program

For immediate food support, WUSA’s Pay-What-You-Can (PWYC) Program is available. PWYC offers hot, pre-packaged meals, prepared fresh daily in our kitchen.  

Available through The Bomer self-order kiosk on weekdays, while quantities last. Please check the website to learn more about the program and end of term availability updates.

 

Have Unopened Food You’re Not Taking With You? 

Every move turns up food you forgot you had, such as cans, packaged snacks, and unopened pantry items that are not worth packing. Before tossing anything packaged, unexpired, and still in good condition, check whether it can go to the WUSA Food Support Service instead. Donated food helps students in the community who are facing food insecurity. 

Food donations can be dropped off in bins located at: 

• Student Life Centre, near the Flock Stop stairs on the first floor 
• South Campus Hall 
• Renison University College 
• Claudette Millar Hall
• William M. Tatham Centre
• Campus 2, near IST 

There is currently no dedicated residence move-out collection, so food should not be left behind in residence rooms or common areas. 

Not every item may be accepted, so it is worth checking the Food Support Service page for what is currently being collected, updated bin locations, or information about arranging a larger donation. 

 

Donating Clothes Before You Leave 

Moving is a good time to think about where things go next. Consider donating gently used items you no longer wish to keep to WUSA Thrift, giving them another life. 

Due to store closure for renovations, WUSA Thrift is currently taking in limited donations of gently used clothing, footwear, and accessories. Please contact manager.thrift@wusa.ca before dropping anything off. 

 

Moving out doesn’t have to mean figuring everything out from scratch, or doing it all on your own, check what WUSA already has in place and it might save you more time, money, or stress than you’d expect. 

Explore the resources linked above, and come back to this page any time your housing situation changes.