Residence Contract Information

Contract Agreements

View a sample contract in this section and familiarize yourself with contract agreements, conditions and dates. 

Contract Agreement Sample

The Residence Housing Contract is part of the Residence Application. This outlines the conditions regarding living in Residence at Lakehead University.

• View a Residence Housing Contract - sample only (PDF Format)

Conditions for Termination of the Residence Contract

The University may terminate a resident's agreement for:

• Violation of the regulations or rules of Residence
• Conduct which is considered to be detrimental to the well-being of the Residence community
• Conduct which is considered to be a threat to a person or persons living in Residence

In cases where the termination of the Residence agreement occurs for reasons stated above, written notice of termination will be provided to the resident. In most cases the resident whose agreement is terminated may not re-enter any Residence building. If a person does enter Residence unlawfully, he/she may be charged with trespassing under the Trespass to Property Act.

Furthermore, in cases where termination of the Residence agreement occurs for reasons stated above, the student evicted will be assessed a penalty of $500.00 or half of the term remaining, whichever is greater, as an eviction penalty.

Income Tax Information

For income tax purposes, students in Residence do not pay taxes on their Residence fees as the University Residences are on tax-exempt land. On Line 6114 (Student Residences) on your income tax form, you can claim $25 as your occupancy cost for the part of the year you lived in Residence. You do not need to have proof of Residence or tax receipts for residence fee payment.

Receipts

The Department of Residence does not provide receipts. If you are filing either a paper or an electronic income tax return, you do not need to include receipts with your return.

Cancelling Residence

Learn what is involved in cancelling your stay with us in Residence. Cancellations before and after arrival are addressed in this section.

Room Cancellations

Room Cancellations Prior to Residence Check-In

If you have returned your residence contract and wish to cancel your room reservation before moving into Residence, please note the following procedures.

All room cancellations MUST be directed to the Residence Office. Email cancellations will only be accepted from Lakehead University email accounts. Telephone cancellations will NOT be accepted.

Room Cancellations During the Residence Contract Period

The Residence Contract is binding for the full academic year.

Withdrawing from Lakehead University and Residence

Students who withdraw from the University and Residence by November 7, 2025 in the fall term or by March 6, 2026 for the winter term will be entitled to a prorated adjustment for both room and/or board. These students will be subject to a Residence Cancellation Penalty of $250.00 which will be applied to their student accounts.

Withdrawing from Residence Only

A student who withdraws from Residence (but not the University) will be subject to the following conditions as outlined in the chart below:

Please note that moving out of Residence and leaving your keys in your room or returning them to the Residence Front Desk does not release you from your financial responsibilities.

Room Changes

Review how to change rooms within Residence and what procedures are involved.

Living with a roommate or housemates may be challenging. A key to living with others is compromise and acceptance. If, for some extreme reason room or building changes are necessary, the student(s) involved should contact their Resident Assistant. Students will be referred to the Residence Life Coordinator who must approve the room change. A signed roommate/house courtesy agreement will be required for approval. Room changes will be assessed a $50.00 administrative fee per student.

Room and building changes will not occur until the first business day in October.

Residence reserves the right to change room or building assignments at any time during the year.

Student Requested Room/Building Transfers

Starting October 1^st students may meet with the Residence Area Coordinator to discuss room or building changes. Student initiated room transfers will be subject to a $50.00 room transfer charge.

Residence Initiated Room/Building Transfers

The University reserves the right to fill vacant residence spaces at any time during the academic year, to assign roommates, to change room or house assignments and/or to consolidate vacancies by requiring residents to move from one accommodation to another. Residence will make every effort to notify current occupants of new roommate/housemate arrivals. Please understand that this notice may not always be possible.

Insurance, Liability and Privacy

Familiarize yourself with specific Residence policies

NOTE: The policies listed here are IN ADDITION TO ALL Lakehead University policies

Insurance and Liability

Lakehead University, including its directors, officers, employees, agents, volunteers, and contractors, assumes no liability for loss, theft, or damage to items of personal property, no matter how such loss, theft, or damage are caused and no matter where they may occur, including storage facilities.

Personal Information Privacy

Lakehead University Residence respects your privacy and will utilize your personal information in our possession, including your contact addresses and your Lakehead University email address, only as permitted by law for regular Residence business. Unless obliged by law, or by necessity to the extent permitted by law (for example, in an emergency), Lakehead University Residence will not, without your consent, provide your personal information to any person who does not need it to conduct Residence business or to any organization external to Lakehead University.

Damages

Learn about the damages policy and how damages in Residence are handled.

NOTE: The policy listed here is IN ADDITION TO ALL Lakehead University policies

Residence cannot accept claims from residents that the last person to leave shared accommodations (bathrooms) will ensure that all areas are in order. These responsibilities cannot and will not be assigned to one resident. All matters regarding cleanliness, room furnishings and overall condition of the living area must be in order before each resident leaves. It should be noted that the Department Residence will not accept claims from individuals that a particular resident is responsible unless the named student(s) accepts responsibility for the situation in a document outlining the damage/deficiency and bearing his/her signature.

Damages to individual rooms will be assessed to room occupant(s). Any damages done to common areas and individual rooms will be assessed at the end of each residence term or when a student changes Residences or leaves Residence.

Any accidental damage will be charged to the responsible individual(s). An example of this would be playing catch outside and accidentally breaking a window. If you cause accidental damage, report it immediately to the Residence Front Desk.

Residents are responsible for all actions of their guests, who may have caused damage.

If damage was deliberate, the person(s) or House or building may be disciplined in addition to paying damages. Damage charges will be assessed at the current rate of repair or replacement. Please be advised that individual and House damages are dealt with throughout the academic year. Damages that cannot be assigned to an individual, House or building will be divided equally among all Residents who had access to said locations. These All Residence Charges are tallied throughout the academic year and are applied to student accounts at the end of the Residence Contract.

Only University personnel or contractors will be used to repair all damage.

Residents can help curb vandalism by reporting what they know about acts of vandalism to their Resident Assistant. Remember, individuals who damage Residence property are spending your money.