Generally, our
choices are restricted to availability and affordability.
Immigrants who
land into Canada normally search for affordable rental and end up taking accommodation
which way away from main stream city. This not only increases your travelling
time but you also pay up more for commuting between office and home.
Now searching for
your house, how to search and where to search.
How to Search:
·
You
can use the general source like newspapers and community papers servicing the
area you decided.
·
Publications
in local retail stores and rental ads.
·
Bulletin
posting at libraries, community centers, grocery stores, laundry and places of
worship.
·
Real
estate offices.
·
Visiting
the location to catch a for rent signs.
Online search.
Where to search:
It is important
to know the place before your rent a home.
Important facts
before you rent a house:
1. Crime rate in the area
2. Distance between work/school and Home.
3. What are facilities offered?
4. Is the place easily reachable?
5. You also need to check if all the
utility bills like Electricity, cable TV , water , heating system and internet
is included else you will end up with ever more bigger bill than normal.
6. You also need to check on
parking and laundry cost in the rental budget.
Before your approaching a landlord:
·
Have
your list of short listed houses ready before meeting them.
·
If
there is reference involved have the details ready with you.
·
Letter
from current employer stating your salary or pay slip.
·
Credit
references if applicable.
·
Leave
your shoes off at the door before you entry when you go to view a rental unit.
Sharing accommodation:
Sharing
accommodation is more affordable for first time arrival immigrants. It will
also have many issues like utilities which need to be attended before you sign
up.
While sharing
accommodation ensure the responsibilities are equally shared.
There is a need
to set right rules about personal property , keys , rent payment, phone ,
internet, cable bills and respecting each other privacy and living area.
Not having lease
agreement for shared the accommodation with the landlord may result in being
responsible for roommate’s liabilities. You will be only responsible on what is
written in your lease document. So Ensure to get lease agreement in place
before you shift.
Safety:
Before you decide to rent a place, tour around the
area in day time and at night to understand on the facts available on the
location. You can trust your instinct on this.
Check the locks
and insist the landlord to change the security codes. Check on fire safety,
space heaters, and fireplace.
Before you start
to look for accommodation be ready with check list.
1. Are the utilities included in the
rent?
2. Can we make changes in the home like
painting or decorating?
3. Parking, do you need to pay extra?
4. Who are the other tenants?
5. Who maintains the property?
6. Conditions on ending a lease?
7. Repairs.
8. Any specific restriction and
conditions on cancellation of lease?
9. When can the Land lord entry into the
house during the rentals.
10. Safety of the place?
11. Sub-let the place to share
accommodation?
Do find out on the
local rules before you finalize your accommodation to avoid inconvenient
surprises.
Follow our Blog on http://www.jobsog.com/blog/