Renters Resource SECTION. Helpful tips and worksheets to make apartment hunting a breeze!

Transcription

1 Renters Resource SECTION Helpful tips and worksheets to make apartment hunting a breeze!

2 What to look for in an apartment By Jane Herman Are you feeling a little overwhelmed by the challenge of trying to find an apartment? Even wading through all of the ads and listings in Renters News can be daunting, unless you understand how they are organized. But where do you start? THE FIRST CRITERIA IN YOUR DECISION SHOULD BE PRICE: How much can you realistically afford to spend per month? Most financial planners recommend that your rent (not including extras such as parking, hydro, cable, etc.) should amount to less than 30 per cent of your monthly income. This may be hard to achieve, but thinking about how much you can spend on rent will also help you to set up a budget. Include all expenses you ll be responsible for each month (food, utilities, telephone, transportation, laundry, parking, etc.) and other, annual or variable expenses, such as clothing, moving expenses, renter s insurance, savings, recreation, entertainment, etc. The more you spend on rent, the less you ll have available for other things. Next, determine what area you want to live in. This can be as narrow as Yonge and Eglinton or as general as Downtown Toronto. How will you determine where to look? If you are new to Toronto, you may want to live near friends or relatives, within a certain commuting radius of work or school. If you have children, do you want to live in a particular school district? Are parks and play areas nearby? Is proximity to the subway or a major highway may be a priority Is the area convenient to shopping, library, recreation facilities, entertainment, restaurants, etc. What are the traffic patterns in the neighbourhood? How is the traffic at rush hour? How are the noise levels in the area at different times of the day, and would this be a factor in your decision? With these factors in mind, make a list of several different neighbourhoods in which you could look: Area 1: Area 2: Area 3: TYPE OF ACCOMMODATION: The majority of apartments for rent in Toronto are highrises. A highrise building is one that is six or more storeys, has elevators, security, laundry facilities, and, frequently, sports and/or recreation facilities and other amenities, as well as efficient electrical, heating and plumbing systems. A walk-up or low-rise would be less than five storeys high, may have no elevator and few conveniences. However, the rent would generally be less at this type of apartment than at a highrise building in the same area. OTHER KINDS OF APARTMENTS YOU COULD RENT INCLUDE: A basement apartment is a basement in a house that has been converted to an apartment. It may have a separate entrance. The apartment may have its own bathroom, kitchen, laundry room and heating system, or it may share those amenities with the rest of the home. A low rise apartment building may also have basement apartments. A duplex, triplex or fourplex is a group of two, three or four apartments together in the same building. APARTMENT FEATURES Search through the Renters News listings to find those that match your criteria. They are organized by area. You should also use Renters News companion website, hometrader.ca. It is an excellent source of apartment listings in the GTA, also organized by area. You can also find potential apartments by walking around or driving through the area you have chosen, or through word of mouth. If a friend or relative is happy living in a particular building, chances are you will be too. When you go to look at apartments, inspect them thoroughly before you sign the lease or give a first month s rental deposit. Some landlords have a condition checklist on which to record details upon move in and move out. Be sure to inspect walls, floors, bathroom and kitchen faucets and fixtures, appliances, windows, doors, etc. Make sure you note such things as the condition of the property and the building. Note the size and location of the closets. You may want to take along a tape measure to see how your furniture might work in the space. If you go through the process carefully, chances are you ll be more satisfied with your decision after you move in.

3 Rental Agreements What You Should Know Before you Sign a Lease When you rent a home or apartment in Canada, the landlord will usually ask you to sign a written rental agreement. This legal contract is also often called a lease. Under the laws of each province and territory, tenants and landlords have certain rights and responsibilities whether they have a written agreement or not. Nevertheless, a written lease agreement can help spell out all the terms you and your landlord want to have covered and agreed to. You may also wish to seek legal advice before accepting the terms. To help you know what to expect, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) offers the following list of terms that can be found in most rental agreements: The names of the landlord and tenant(s). The address of the home or apartment you are renting. The monthly rent you agreed to pay, with or without utilities, parking, cable television or other services. The date when the rent is due (for example, on the first day of each month). The amount and terms of any rent, security or damage deposits you agreed to pay. A list of which repairs or upkeep will be your responsibility. The term of rental period (most rental agreements are usually for one year, but some may be month-tomonth or week-to-week). The conditions for ending or canceling your lease, including financial implications and the amount of advance notice you must give the landlord if you decide to move out (for example, 60 days notice). The rules or restrictions for subletting the property. The amount the landlord is allowed to increase the rent in the future. Any other specific restrictions (such as whether or not you can smoke in the home and whether you can have boarders, pets or a waterbed, etc.). Details on when and how the landlord can enter your home or apartment. The procedure for making changes to the contract. A method for resolving any disputes or disagreements (for example, disputes about late rent payments, damage to the property or eviction). Contact information for both you and your landlord in case of an emergency (usually including a phone number, fax and ). For more information or a free copy of CMHC s Guide to Renting a Home, call CMHC at or visit our website at For more than 60 years, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) has been Canada s national housing agency and a source of objective, reliable housing expertise.

4 Packing Tips and List Tips to make your move a little easier. PACKING TIPS Gather boxes in all sizes from friends, neighbors, and stores. Collect cushioning material such as bubble wrap, foam pellets, furniture pads, old blankets, plastic bags, tissue paper, newspapers, and small towels to use as padding inside boxes. Create a portable packing kit with marking pens, a tape measure, packing tape, twine, and scissors. Carry it with you as you pack up items around your home. Reinforce the bottom of boxes with extra tape for added strength. Label each box with the name of the room in your new home where it should be placed. List the contents of the box on the side of it. Number the boxes and keep a list of which boxes go in which room in your new home. Label boxes containing fragile items with large red lettering. Place china in plastic bags and stack plates upright on their sides, not flat. Pack your TV, stereo, and computer in their original boxes whenever possible. Keep boxes to 50 pounds or less. Pack heavy items into their own smaller boxes and place lighter items together into larger boxes. (Hi nt-don t pack all your books into one box!) Don t move flammable, combustible, corrosive, or explosive items such as paint, gasoline, and ammunition. Pack a bag of personal items you ll need during the move (change of clothes, toiletries, medicine, maps, food, and drinks). Keep it in an easy-to-find place when you pack GENERAL MOVING TIPS Disconnect and bundle cords on television and stereo components. Label each cord with masking tape and a description of where to connect it. Plan and measure where you furniture will be placed in your new home. It s helpful to draw a layout of your new home and sketch in the major furniture pieces. To save time on moving day, move your boxes from the basement, upstairs, or attic to the main floor prior to the move date. Consider carrying items from the back yard to the front yard or garage ahead of time. Keep your phone connected through moving day to stay in touch with friends, family and the moving company. Packing list by room KITCHEN Cupboards s Drawers Box numbers for kitchen: DINING ROOM China cabinet or hutch Light fixture and lamps Furniture: tables and chairs Box numbers for dining room:

5 Packing List Packing list by room continued LIVING ROOM Bookcases and contents Entertainment center and contents: stereo, TV, CDs, videotapes, and so on Knick knacks and artwork Lamps Furniture: couch, chairs, and tables Box numbers for living room: FAMILY ROOM Entertainment center and contents: stereo, TV, CDs, videotapes, and so on Knick knacks and artwork Furniture: couch, chairs, and tables Lamps Box numbers for family room: MASTER BEDROOM Box numbers for master bedroom: BEDROOM #1 Box numbers for bedroom 1: BEDROOM #2 Box numbers for bedroom 2: BEDROOM #3 Box numbers for bedroom 3: STUDY/OFFICE Computer equipment: CPU, monitor, and printer Desk and contents Bookshelves and contents File cabinets and contents Box numbers for study/office: BATHROOM(S) Cupboards and contents Linens and towels Knick knacks and wall hangings File cabinets and contents Box numbers for bathroom(s):

6 Rental Unit Evaluation Worksheet Make copies of this sheet and bring them with you when apartment hunting! Address of rental: Available as of: Name and telephone # of landlord/agent: Basic monthly rent: $ Additional Costs Estimate monthly costs for utilities (not included) and these other costs... Heat (gas/oil/electric?) $ Hydro $ Internet $ Water heater/heater rental $ Water $ Garbage collection $ Telephone $ Cable/Satellite TV $ Parking $ General details Good repair? Any odours? Lease (yes/no) Clean? Needs painting? Security deposit (yes/no) Pest-free? Noise levels? Your living space checklist Furnished/unfurnished Air conditioning Laundry facility Hardwood floors/carpeting Fireplace Cable-ready Parking, # spaces Security system Multiple phone jacks Separate dining room Multiple floors Other: Yard/balcony/loft Microwave Amount of natural light Dishwasher Note restrictions on: What works? What needs repair? Appliances allowed? Taps Stove Pets/type of pets allowed? Toilet Lights Parking? Water pressure Electrical outlets Smoking? Fridge Other appliances Safety Secure main entrance Good window locks Smoke alarm Solid front door Safe parking Fire extinguishers One-inch deadbolts Good lighting in walk areas Sprinkler system Peephole Well-lit walk from transit Carbon monoxide detector Security personnel, gated/video entrance Do tall trees or bushes impede safety? Coded visitor telephone Neighbours nearby Building Clear view of the entrances and exits Newer/older Handicapped accessibility Garbage disposal facility Quiet area Recreational facilities Business services Elevator(s) Pool/Sauna/Gym Doorman Play area for children Tenant gardens Guest suites available Adequate visitor parking Party room available Other? Your overall impression of the location: For more than 60 years, CMHC has been Canada s national housing agency and a source of objective, reliable housing expertise. For more information, visit