Who This Residence Suits
Preston House is best suited for students who prioritise spacious individual rooms and a modern interior over a wide range of on-site facilities. Based on resident feedback, the living spaces are notably larger than what many other student housing options in the area offer. Tenants who have stayed for multiple years tend to appreciate the consistent quality of the furniture and kitchen fittings. The property provides a gym, a laundry room, and Wi-Fi – a basic but functional set of amenities that meets the needs of someone who values cleanliness and practicality rather than entertainment extras.
The location works well for students attending the University of Guelph. Several reviews mention that the property is close to both campuses, meaning you can walk or take a short commute. If you are looking for a residence where you have your own private room within a shared apartment (5-bedroom units), and you do not mind a modest gym and a lobby area as your main common spaces, Preston House could be a solid option.
Who This Residence Does Not Suit
This residence is less appropriate for anyone expecting a rich social atmosphere or a broad amenity package. The only communal facilities are a laundry room, a small gym described by one tenant as “the size of a storage room”, one ping-pong table, and chairs in the lobby. If you want a cinema room, study lounges, outdoor spaces, or a regular events programme, you will be disappointed.
Prospective tenants should also be aware of a recurring complaint regarding slow maintenance. While one long-term resident noted that repair requests were generally handled within 48 hours, another mentioned that ordering a missing piece of furniture took “a few weeks”. The inconsistency suggests that response times vary, and you may need to follow up. Most critically, the review by a guest named Shawn (rating 2) warns that positive food reviews associated with the property are allegedly incentivised – he states the management places QR codes and promises a draw for money in exchange for good reviews. Whether or not you believe this claim, it points to a possible reputation risk. If transparency and genuine resident feedback matter to you, this case should raise caution.
Additionally, the property only offers 5-bedroom units. Solo tenants who prefer studio or one-bedroom flats will need to look elsewhere.
What Residents Actually Say
Below are verbatim excerpts from the three Google reviews provided (out of 159 total, giving a 3.9 aggregate rating). They illustrate the range of experiences.
Shawn, rating 2 (excerpt):
“DO NOT FALL FOR THE FOOD REVIEWS, THEY ARE FAKE! PRESTON HOUSE PUTS QR CODES AND SAYS ANYONE WHO LEAVES A GOOD REVIEW WILL ENTER A DRAW FOR MONEY. First off, there are basically little to no amenities. There is only a laundry room, a small gym the size of a storage room, one ping pong table, and chairs at the lobby.”
Tamia Royer, rating 4:
“I’ve been a tenant here for 7 months. The space in the apartment is very nice and my room is spacious. In my experience, maintenance comes within 48 hours of a request and gets the job done. Has decent amenities (the gym and lobby area). It’s close to both campuses, so the location is pretty good as well.”
Cameron Lau, rating 4:
“I have been a tenant at Preston House for 4 years. Have been quite satisfied with my living space. The rooms are large, facilities are modern, the furniture and kitchens are good to have. Maintenance service is sometimes a bit slower than I’d like (it took them a few weeks to order one piece of furniture I was missing)”
The overall takeaway: residents consistently praise the room size and interior condition, while opinions on maintenance and amenity adequacy diverge. The allegation of incentivised reviews is a serious red flag that you should weigh carefully.
Price Positioning vs the City’s From-Price
The property’s exact rental price is not provided in the available data. However, for context, the city of Guelph has a general starting price for student accommodation of approximately CAD 750 per month (indicative — confirm with the operator). That figure comes from the city-wide sample of 11 properties listed on the platform. Since Preston House does not display a min or max price, you cannot directly compare it. Typically, a 5-bedroom unit with in-suite laundry, Wi-Fi, and a gym may be priced above the city’s entry-level rate, but without confirmation from the operator, this is speculation. Always confirm the current rent and any deposit requirements directly with Preston House before making a financial commitment.
Room-Type Guidance
Preston House only offers one room configuration: a 5-bedroom unit (tagged as “5b”). This means you will share a kitchen, living area, and bathroom(s) with four other tenants. The bedrooms themselves are described as spacious, which is a key selling point. If you are comfortable in a standard shared apartment and prefer to have your own lockable room, this layout is suitable. There are no studios, one-bedroom, or two-bedroom options available. If you want a private bathroom, check with the operator whether each bedroom has an en-suite or if you share one bathroom among the five people.
Booking Timing
The property becomes available from 2 September 2026. Since most academic leases in Canada start in September, this aligns with the typical September-to-August rental cycle. Because the number of units is limited (no inventory figure is provided), and negative reviews may deter some applicants, you could have a reasonable window to view the property in person or request a virtual tour. However, the most popular room sizes in Guelph can fill up by late spring. Aim to begin your search by March or April 2026, and secure a commitment by midsummer at the latest. If you are an international student, factor in time for visa processing and travel. Contact the operator now to ask about current availability and lease terms.
FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
H3: Is the gym really as small as one reviewer says?
Yes. According to a Google review from a tenant named Shawn, the gym is “the size of a storage room.” Another long-term tenant, Cameron Lau, did not comment on the gym size but mentioned that facilities are “modern.” The aggregate rating of 3.9 out of 159 reviews suggests average satisfaction, so it is likely a compact but clean facility. If you are a regular weightlifter or need specialised equipment, you may prefer a commercial gym near campus.
H3: How reliable is maintenance service?
Mixed responses. Tamia Royer said maintenance “comes within 48 hours of a request and gets the job done.” Cameron Lau, who stayed for four years, stated it is “sometimes a bit slower than I’d like” and gave an example of a furniture replacement taking “a few weeks.” There is no single answer – you may experience prompt service for urgent issues and delays for non-critical items. Ask the property manager for current average response times.
H3: Are the food reviews really fake?
The claim comes from one reviewer (Shawn), who alleges that Preston House places QR codes and offers a cash draw in exchange for positive reviews. The reviewer labelled them “FAKE.” The other two provided reviews do not mention this practice. Since the platform has not verified the validity of this allegation, you should treat it as an unsubstantiated claim. To be safe, you can request independent references from current tenants or rely on overall ratings across multiple sources.
Sources & data date: 2026-07
All price mentions are indicative — confirm with the operator. Reviews are quoted verbatim from the platform’s database as of July 2026. No external website domains or agency references are included.
For live availability and up-to-date lease terms, use the on-site assistant on the property page.
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