Living On-Campus. (McGill Property)

Transcription

1 Off-Campus Living

2 Living On-Campus (McGill Property)

3 Did you know You can stay in Residences? You can continue living in residences for an additional year Priority of rooms given to upper year students Benefits include meal plan, security, on-site maintenance and operations, proximity to university

4 McGill Apartment Style Residences Greenbriar Apartments (3575 University) and Hutchison Apartments (3464 Hutchinson) Benefits include proximity to university, on site laundry, building security, on-site maintenance and operations Single and double rooms available Book a tour NOW by contacting housing.residences@mcgill.ca

5 Living Off-Campus (Non- McGill Property)

6 We will cover the following... When, Where and How to start your housing search Different areas, apartment sizes and costs Living with roommates Visiting an apartment Application forms/sign leases, sublets and lease transfers Québec Lease Laws What to do when you have problems with your apartment Subletting scams and lease transfers And much more..

7 Things to Consider Before You Start Your Housing Search Apartment Sizes Costs Locations Roommates

8 APARTMENT SIZES HOW TO READ LISTINGS IN MONTREAL

9 Understanding Montreal Apartment Sizes In Montréal apartment sizes are determined by how many rooms there are in total in the apartment Each room counts as one, except for the bathroom, which counts as a half Size What that means 1 ½ One combined bedroom/kitchen/living room 2 ½ One closed bedroom and a living room/kitchen 3 ½ One closed bedroom, a kitchen, and a living room OR two closed bedrooms and a kitchen/living room 4 ½ Two closed bedrooms, living room and kitchen OR one closed bedroom, kitchen, living room and dining room 5 ½ Three closed bedrooms, living room and kitchen OR two closed bedrooms, living room, dining room and kitchen After 5 ½ each additional room listed is usually a closed bedroom

10 1 ½ Living room, Bedroom and Kitchen all one adjoining room 2 ½ Living room and kitchen adjoining, separate closed bedroom 3 ½ Living room, kitchen and bedroom all separate rooms

11 COSTS RENT, UTILITIES AND COSTS OF LIVING

12 The 3 Factors That Control Your Rent Factor 1: Location Factor 2: Utilities Factor 3: Number of people sharing the apartment Rent increases the closer to the city center Farther from University means you ll need to include cost of transit in your monthly budget (monthly fares for students with valid ID = $49.25) If heat, hot water and electricity are not included in the rent, factor that cost into your monthly expenses before you sign your lease. You can get an estimate of that cost from Hydro-Québec. You might also need internet or other utilities. Number of people sharing the apartment

13 Apartment Building v. Walk-up When looking for an apartment there are pros and cons to different types of buildings Apartment Buildings Walk-Ups Higher average rents Lower average rents Entrance through a lobby with a secure intercom Entrance off the street Heat and hot water usually included Heat and hot water usually not included Garbage and Recycling room often in building No garbage or recycling room in building Laundry room often in the building Outlets for washer and dryer in the apartment though renters must often provide their own machines

14 For Years Student Expenses Plan your overall expenses and resources for your full program at McGill. a) Input your One Year education cost and your overall two, three, four or five year program expense will be calculated. b) Input your One Year living expenses and your overall two, three, four and/or five years(s) living expense will be calculated ANNUAL OVERALL Expenses Notes One Year Two Yrs Three Yrs Four Yrs Five Yrs NOTES Education Expenses Tuition input your annual tuition to calculate your 2,3, 4 or 5 year cost $ - $ - $ - $ - $ - Books and Equipment input your annual estimate for the cost of books and equipment $ - $ - $ - $ - $ - Total Education Expenses $ - $ - $ - $ - $ - Living Expenses Rent are you 100% responsible for a lease or are you with roommates? $ - $ - $ - $ - $ - Heating/Electricity if heating and electricity are included in rent, do not input $ - $ - $ - $ - $ - Food think about cost of eating out as well as groceries $ - $ - $ - $ - $ - Clothing think about necessary outdoor wear as well as impulse buying $ - $ - $ - $ - $ - Toiletries/Laundry think about necessary personal hygiene items, cleaning expenses $ - $ - $ - $ - $ - Telephone/Cell land lines are less necessary, but think about your cell expenses $ - $ - $ - $ - $ - Internet /Cable shop around for internet/cable deals, maybe you can do without? $ - $ - $ - $ - $ - Transportation monthly transit passes are tax deductible, car and gas very costly $ - $ - $ - $ - $ - Amusements think about how you have fun and what you can afford $ - $ - $ - $ - $ - Insurances you may want tenant insurance or need supplemental health $ - $ - $ - $ - $ - Other Expense(s) specify: i.e. travel costs, medical expenses, unexpected emergencies $ - $ - $ - $ - $ - Total Living Expenses $ - $ - $ - $ - $ - Total Education+Living Expenses $ - $ - $ - $ - $ -

15 Insurance Most parent/guardian home/personal liability insurance extends to children up to age 25 and covers accommodations while out of province/state/country in other schools Home owners can purchase tenant insurance under their students name for larger coverage Ex. For computers and other electronics Most students should get Tenants insurance, it will typically be quoted at 10% of parental insurance premiums Students should create a home inventory Purchase for $20.00 McGill s security tracking system for laptops Look for personal liability insurance with private companies in Montreal and look at for home insurance rates with your respective bank branch

16 LOCATION KNOW YOUR MONTREAL NEIGHBOURHOODS

17 The Neighborhoods of Montreal Each of Montreal s neighborhoods has something different to offer. Balance factors like distance from campus against apartment size and price when looking at listings Whether you re looking for an apartment on the Off-Campus Housing apartment listings or with another service, the way Montreal s neighborhoods are listed remains relatively consistent

18 McGill Off-Campus Housing Zones Zone A/B - Milton Parc (also known as McGill Ghetto) Zone C/D - West of Campus Zone E - Around Concordia Zone F - Lower Plateau Zone G - UQAM, Village, Latin Quarter Zone H - Hampstead Zone J - Cote Des Neiges Zone K - Around University of Montreal Zone L - Plateau, (Parc Lafontaine) Zone M - Mile End Zone N - NDG, Cote St Luc Zone MAC - MAC CAMPUS (Ste. Anne de Bellevue, Point Claire, Dorval, Senneville) Zone O - Outremont Zone P - Old Montreal Zone R - Rosemont Zone S - St Henri, Little Burgundy Zone T - Town of Mt. Royal (TMR) Zone V - Verdun, Point St Charles, La Salle Zone X - Parc Extension Zone W - Westmount Zone Z - all other areas such as Ville la Salle, Ville St. Laurent, Laval, Brossard, St. Leonard etc (easily accessed by public transportation)

19 ROOMMATES WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN A ROOMMATE WHAT TO TALK ABOUT AND ROOMMATE AGREEMENTS

20 Picking Your Future Roommates Things to consider when choosing your roommate(s) Level of cleanliness Level of noise in the apartment Sleeping schedules Before moving in together, you and your roommate(s) should set ground rules about: Guests overnight guests, friends in the apartment, etc Groceries will you share, how will they get done, etc Bills what services do you want (e.g. internet, cable), how will hydro/internet bills be divided Furnishings what do you have, what do you need RENT! how will the rent be divided for different room sizes, how will the rent be paid to your landlord? **To establish house boundaries early on before problems arise, consider a roommate agreement**

21 Roommate Agreements A roommate agreement is a contract between roommates that sets out the rules everyone will follow while living with each other. Before moving in, all roommates sign and date the agreement, and everyone gets a copy Roommate agreements usually cover: Rent division who pays how much and why (e.g. divided equally or scaled to room size Sharing appliances who will provide what Groceries how groceries will be shared or not, who will buy what, how much you pay, etc.. Bills how they will be divided, how they will be paid, who will be responsible for what Cleaning cleaning public spaces, chore rotations, etc Trash and Recycling Guests rules for house guests, notification requirements, rules for overnight guests Any other general house rules

22 STARTING YOUR APARTMENT HUNT WHEN AND WHERE TO LOOK

23 When should you start looking? Consider that: Almost all Montreal leases begin on July 1 st Around McGill it is possible to find some leases that begin on May 1 st, June 1 st, July 1 st, August 1 st, or September 1 st Apartment tenants do not have to inform their landlord that they re leaving the apartment until three months before the end of their lease

24 The majority of apartment listings will appear around March or later Start of Lease Tenant deadline for non-renewal Landlord will start advertising May 1st January 31st February/March July 1st March 31st April Aug 1 st /Sept 1 st May 31 st (many landlords will find out in April or earlier) Mid-March to September Don t sign a lease until you know what else is out there!

25 How should you start looking? McGill Off-Campus Housing listings Classifieds (both online and in newspapers) On Foot look for For Rent or À Louer signs Networking ask friends if they know anyone who s leaving their apartment Waiting lists put your name on the waiting list of a building you really like. They may call you when an apartment become available

26 APARTMENT HUNTING LISTINGS, APPLICATIONS AND HELPFUL TIPS

27 Listing Types and What They Mean Apartment for rent (Appartement a louer) The option to rent an apartment directly from owner/building manager Roommate wanted (Colocataire) Moving into an apartment currently rented by someone else Sublets (Sous-Logement) Taking over someone else s apartment until the end of their lease Lease Transfer (Transfer de baille) Taking over someone else s lease These differences are very important. The LEASES section will explain why

28 Apartment Visits: What to Keep in Mind Safety/Security Quality - turn everything on/open everything Negotiate - renovations, painting Additional Costs Hydro Quebec, Gas, Internet, Transport, Cable, Groceries For a detailed apartment visit check list as well as things to watch out for, check the Off-Campus Housing Survival Guide

29 Application Forms An application form = pre-lease Once you submit it to the landlord and they accept it, you are legally responsible for the apartment. Important Tips: Only fill out only one application form at a time; If you have already filled out one and then you find another apt that you like better, you need to get in touch with the first landlord to let them know your intention and if they agree, go meet with them and get it in writing that they are releasing you from the application form you submitted; When you fill out an application form sometimes the landlord will ask for a deposit that will go towards the first month rent, MAKE SURE that you get a receipt and it says refundable if credit check does not go through.

30 Applications: Know Your Rights When filling out an application, it is important to know what the building owner/manager is and is not allowed to demand on the form Legal Illegal Ask for a reference or a credit check Require a co-signer for students without income Ask for first-month s rent upfront Ask for a furniture deposit if the apartment is furnished Ask for credit card #s, passport # s, bank account # s, SIN # s or any info about nationality or citizenship Ask for post-dated cheques Ask for last month s rent at the beginning of the lease Ask for any deposit other than first month s rent

31 Tips: When looking at apartments, ask the current tenant about their experience in the building and with the landlord. If they won t talk to you in front of their landlord, make a point to go back later If you do make a deposit for something other than your first month s rent, make sure you get a receipt as proof you paid the deposit, and so that you can claim it when you move out If you rent a furnished apartment, take pictures of the furniture the day you move in and do a little inventory, if there is any piece of furniture not in good condition, report it right away to your landlord Always get everything in writing! Whether it s how you intend to split your rent or renovations that your future landlord promises to make, write it down and get all parties to sign If your landlord is not on hand to sign the lease in front of you, make sure to take pictures of what you signed Always talk to the landlord before signing a sublet or lease transfer to make sure you have the option to renew

32 International Students International students or newcomers to Québec may not have a Canadian credit history. In the absence of a credit check, the landlord will determine the documents or means that will allow them to evaluate the future tenant s ability to pay, while complying with the various legislation in force. The method the landlord chooses must be reasonable according to the guidelines set out by the consumer protection office

33 LEASES LEASE TYPES, YOUR RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES AND HELPFUL HINTS

34 Regular Lease vs. Subletting v. Lease Transfer Regular Lease Sublet Lease Transfer Length of Lease? 12 month term + option to renew The term of the sublet agreement The remains of the lease + option to renew Responsible for the apartment? You are legally responsible Former occupant is legally responsible You are legally responsible Negotiation Power? Can negotiate repairs or renovations before signing with owner As is - owner is not obliged to renovate As is owner is not obliged to renovate Possible fees? No finder s fee Possibility of furniture rental fees Relationship with former occupant Former occupant has no rights to the apartment Former occupant can reclaim the apartment at the end of the sublet Possibility of furniture rental fees Former occupant cannot reclaim the apartment at the end of the lease

35 Joint Tenancy A joint tenant, is a tenant with a written or verbal lease who rents the same dwelling with one or more other tenants. This is different than an occupant; someone who occupies the same dwelling as another tenant. Joint tenants are both responsible to the landlord. An occupant is responsible to the other tenants Lease Rent Joint Tenancy Each tenant signs the lease and is legally responsible to the landlord Each tenant is responsible for paying their share to the landlord Occupancy One tenant signs the lease and is legally responsible to the landlord The signatory gathers the money and pays the full amount to the landlord Rent default Each tenant can be sued for their share of the rent owed * unless solidarity responsibility is stated* The signatory can be sued for the full amount of the rent owed Legal rights Tenants each have the legal protection of a lease. Tenants can pursue each other if one violates the lease terms Only the lease signatory has the right to renew the lease. It is more difficult to pursue a derelict occupant * a solidary responsibility clause can be added to the lease by the landlord. It states that in case of default, one tenant can be sued for the full rent amount

36 Tenant s Rights In accordance with the Régie du logement, Québec s housing authority, by signing your lease, you are entitled to: remain in the apartment as long as you want (with a few exceptions) refuse an unreasonable rent increase go to the Régie du logement to mediate problems between yourself and your landlord if a reasonable agreement cannot be reached 36

37 Responsibilities By signing a lease together, both you and your landlord must: You Your landlord Give notice of non-renewal on time Pay the agreed rent Use the apartment with prudence Respect the laws of safety and sanitation Keep a normal enjoyment Inform landlord of serious defects Remove all moveable effects upon leaving Deliver the apartment in good, clean, and habitable condition on the agreed date Maintain the dwelling in good condition Allow peaceful enjoyment of the property Respect the laws of safety and sanitation Make sure number of occupants respects safety and sanitation laws Make all necessary repairs Leave the dwelling in good condition upon leaving For a full and exact list of your rights and responsibilities as a renter, go to 37

38 More Tips Get a copy of your lease within 10 days of signing it Confirm the move-in date and time with your landlord and the tenant Ask the landlord if you can change the lock or add an extra lock when you move in (don t forget to give them a copy!) If you ve chosen a lease transfer, ask to see a copy of the original lease before you sign. You need to know your obligations and the landlord is not obliged to make any improvements not listed in the lease. Make sure you get a copy if you sign According to the law, no excessive noise is allowed after 11 p.m. Let your neighbors know if you re going to have a party If your landlord wants to make repairs or see the apartment, they are allowed to access the apartment between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. with proper notice If your landlord wants to show your apartment to prospective tenants, they are allowed to access the apartment between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. with proper notice 38

39 For any questions about: noise access to dwelling major/minor/or urgent repairs assigning or subletting joint tenancy rent increases renewing your lease asking for compensation preparing for a hearing check out 39

40 SCAMS WHAT IS ILLEGAL AND WHAT TO WATCH OUT FOR 40

41 Finder s fees While ill advised, finder s fees are not strictly illegal You may run into someone asking for a finder s fee when the current tenant is looking for a lease transfer or a sublet Often referred to as a buy my old used furniture fee, a finder s fee is where the current tenant holds a bidding war or wants payment from prospective tenants in exchange for signing over the lease We strongly encourage you not to pay finder s fees as it perpetuates a system that disadvantages students 41

42 City of Montreal Fines and Fees Now that you ll be living on your own, you will be responsible for obeying all of the City of Montreal s rules and regulations. Here s a list of common fines to watch out for: Garbage and recycling: if you end up in a building without a garbage and recycling room, you will be responsible for putting your trash out on collection days. The city of Montreal is very strict about collection. Make sure both your trash and recycling is put out at the proper time, in the proper place using the proper bags or you could end up with a fine over $150. Noise: Excessive noise is not allowed after 11 p.m. If you run into trouble with your neighbors, excessive noise violations can cost you upwards of $300 42

43 How to handle problems with your landlord Do Go to the Régie as soon as problems start Take pictures of any damage or problems Make sure everything is written down Bring a witness for meetings with your landlord Don t Withhold rent Make repairs and bill your landlord Subtract costs from the amount of your rent Just leave

44 FOOD MEAL PLANS AND EATING ON CAMPUS

45 The Mandatory Meal Plan Roll-Over The Mandatory Meal Plan is non-refundable and will expire at the end of the Academic year (April 30, 2016) At the end of the fall semester, your remaining balance was automatically carried over to the winter semester At the end of the winter semester, any remaining balance over $50 will automatically be converted into a Rollover Meal Plan Rollover plans: Must be used in the academic year * Must be used on campus Will be subject to Federal and Provincial taxes *if you are going on exchange or away from campus in the year, a roll-over extension can be made. Contact SHHS at food.fds@mcgill.ca for more information 45

46 Structure of the Rollover Plan Like your Mandatory Meal Plan (MMP) the funds that are transferred to your Rollover plan are divided into two sorts: Home Base and Flex Remaining Home Base and Flex from your MMP will be transferred into the same categories for your Rollover The same rules that apply to your MMP Home Base and Flex will apply to your Rollover Home Base and flex For more information about your Rollover Plan, check out the McGill Student Housing and Hospitality Services Food and Dining webpage 46

47 Saver Meal Plan vs. onecard Saver Meal Plan onecard Initial purchase of $ for one semester Can be used in all food service locations No taxes on any purchases Remaining balance non refundable Can be transferred into onecard for minimal fee at the end of the semester Minimum initial purchase of $ Can be used in all food service locations, vending machines, delivery payments for Double Pizza and St. Hubert Express (Parc Ave.) Must pay taxes on purchases Multiple options for topping up funds Will remain with you as long as you are a student at McGill Remaining balance is refundable

48 QUESTIONS? For any additional questions, or call