OFF CAMPUS HOUSING Vital information for prospective tenants
WELCOME Our Goal: To provide you with an opportunity to learn more about living off campus from a housing perspective. Today, we'll be discussing the following: • How to find a rental unit and roommates to rent with, What to look for in a rental unit, • • Rules related to leasing, Rules relating to rent, • • Obligations of landlords, • Obligations and rights of tenants, and Government resources. •
QUESTIONS
FINDING A RENTAL UNIT AND ROOMMATES
PLACES 4 STUDENTS: OVERVIEW Places4students.com , or www.trentu.ca/housing/peterborough-off-campus Step 1: Find your location • Search by university, letter, or region . Step 2: Choose from one of the following: 1. Property Listings 2. Sublets 3. Short T erm Rentals
PLACES 4 STUDENTS: USEFUL FEATURES • Amenities Map View • • Quick Search
PLACES 4 STUDENTS This is the most common website for student housing for the following reasons: • There is an application process for posting on Places 4 Students • Universities and regions apply to become a part of the website • Places 4 Students approves landlords
OTHER RENTAL RESOURCES Kijiji Craigslist Kijiji / Real Estate / House Rentals Craigslist / Housing / Apts and Housing
OTHER RENTAL RESOURCES Facebook Groups Peterborough Houses and Apartments for Rent
FINDING A ROOMMATE When looking for roommates, be yourself and be honest! If you have a roommate(s) in mind that you will be looking for houses with, make a common list of features you’d like and set a budget that everyone is comfortable with. Be cautious of moving in with significant others or your very best friend. Places 4 Students can assist with locating a roommate.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN A RENTAL UNIT
WHAT DO YOU WANT IN A RENTAL UNIT? Think about the things you value in a prospective rental unit and write out a list. This could include items such as the following: • Location • Number of bathrooms • Smoking provisions Start with 10 items, and narrow it to 3.
WALKTHROUGHS Be sure to view the rental before signing a lease. Remember, just because you view it doesn’t mean you are obligated to rent it. Things to look for include: Cracks, water damage in ceilings or walls Drafts from doors or windows
Taps and sinks- leaks, temperature, Any signs of mold or mildew pressure, and rust
Quantity and Quality of electrical outlets Appliances
Pests and/or Insects Safety
RULES RELATED TO LEASING
SELECTING TENANTS What the Act says: Selecting prospective tenants 10 In selecting prospective tenants, landlords may use, in the manner prescribed in the regulations made under the Human Rights Code , income information, credit checks, credit references, rental history, guarantees, or other similar business practices as prescribed in those regulations. 2006, c. 17, s. 10.
SELECTING TENANTS What this means: That a landlord may use financial documentation to assist them in finding the "right" tenant. They may not, however, discriminate against individuals as proscribed by the "Human Rights Code."
DOCUMENTS A LANDLORD MAY REQUIRE • Pay Stubs • Income verification • Bank statements/information • Credit checks • References • Tax return • Rental application
TYPES OF TENANCY AGREEMENTS 1. In Writing 2. Verbal If the agreement is in writing the landlord must provide the tenant a copy within 21 days. If the agreement is not in writing then the landlord within 21 days must provide to the tenant a notice that stipulates the legal name and address of the landlord. If the landlord fails to comply then the tenant's obligation to pay rent is suspended
TYPES OF TENANCY AGREEMENTS As of April 1, 2018 there is now a standard lease that must be used going forward and can also be applied retroactively to older tenancies where the tenants have requested it.
VOID CLAUSES IN TENANCY AGREEMENTS • No Pet Provisions • Acceleration Clauses
HOW MUCH DOES EVERYTHING COST? Consider the extra costs when living off campus: • Application fee (to apply for renting consideration) • First and last month’s rent • Security deposit • Pet deposit for pet owners • Utility deposit - some rentals do not include utilities so you will have to set up your own accounts (WIFI, cable, etc..) and parking fee • Renter’s insurance (not mandatory) - covers theft, fire and flood damage on your items
RULES RELATING TO RENT
WHAT CAN AND CAN'T BE RENT? WHAT CAN BE RENT? WHAT CAN'T BE RENT? Parking Utilities Appliance Rental Fees Variable Expenses Seasonal Charges (AC/Furnace)
RECEIPTS A landlord is required to provide tenants with receipts for any monies paid to them in terms of rent or deposits. This also applies to former tenants who make the request within 12 months after the tenancy terminates.
ILLEGAL RENTAL DEPOSITS The ONLY security deposit that a landlord may collect is a rent deposit equal to one month's rent BEFORE the tenancy starts.
OBLIGATIONS OF LANDLORDS
RESPONSIBILITY TO REPAIR The landlord is responsible for providing and maintaining a unit and residential complex in a good state of repair. The landlord's maintenance obligation standards are contained in the local municipal by-laws
VITAL SERVICES Your landlord cannot shut off or interfere with vital services, including: • Heat, • Electricity, and • Water. This is true even if you are behind on rental payments.
ENTRY WITH NOTICE A landlord may enter your unit with notice: 1. To carry out a repair or do work in the rental unit, 2. To inspect the rental unit, and 3. For any other reason specified in the lease agreement.
ENTRY WITHOUT NOTICE
OBLIGATIONS AND RIGHTS OF TENANTS
DISCRIMINATION Your landlord is allowed to ask you if you work and where you work. Your landlord is not allowed to ask you your age, religious or ethnic background, or your sexual orientation.
INSURANCE Any company that sells insurance will have tenant insurance. The cost is roughly $20-30 per month
SUBLETS Liability • When a tenant sublets a rental unit they step in the shoes of a landlord in regards to occupancy. • If the sublet (tenant) causes any damage, commits an illegal act, or interferes with other tenants’/landlord’s reasonable enjoyment the original lease holding tenant is liable. A sublet may seem like a quick and easy solution, however it does come with a lot of liability. Always make sure you know who you’re subletting to.
GOVERNMENT RESOURCES
Website: http://www.sjto.gov.on.ca/ltb/ Toronto East District Office: TE-ltb@ontario.ca 150 King St. Peterborough, ON, K9J 2R9 705-449-9355
If you have any questions about your new or continuing residential tenancy venture, please feel free to contact us. Curtis Begg curtisbegg@andersonbegg.com www.andersonbegg.com
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