Finding a safe and affordable place to live

Safe, affordable housing for everyone.

Many people talk about affordable housing, but few really define what that is. According to our government, the cost of affordable housing should be approximately 30-40% of a person’s or household’s income.

Unfortunately, in a country as wealthy as Canada safe and affordable housing simply doesn’t exist for many people.  It is difficult enough for the average person or family, for vulnerable, low-income people and families the potential of homelessness is very real.

This crisis affects many different demographics from seniors to students, single parents to multi-generational households. A safe, affordable place to live should be a basic human right, which due to its scarcity in our communities is one of the single greatest contributors to poverty.

This post is intended to help navigate the very Darwinian market of housing supply and demand. In a small way, it might help to illuminate some of the questions, workarounds, solutions, and resources that are available to help.  

Start the process …

Decide what you would like.  Begin by making a list of the things you need, want, and/or that are important to you. For example, the number of bedrooms, a ground floor apartment, location, parking, elevator, and house/apartment.  Other considerations might include access to public transit, grocery stores, schools, and distance to work or school.

Calculate what you can afford.  Ideally, you should not be spending more than 30 or 40% of your income on housing. This might seem to be impossible but try to ensure that you have enough money to pay your other bills. Although the lack of affordable housing is a huge problem in many communities, it does not mean that you should accept whatever you can find.

When considering a new home, don’t forget utilities.  For example, an apartment in an older house, a Victorian home with 10-foot ceilings, no ceiling fans, and electric heat may not be affordable on a tight budget.  If the utilities are not included, ask for copies of the most current bills for a year.  Ensure that hydro, gas, and water meters are separate for each apartment.

Learn about rent subsidies or assistance that might be available.  Single parents, seniors, students, people on Ontario Work – type programs, and/or disability pensions.  The United Way offers free financial advice, as do other charitable organizations. Learn about these types of local programs by using 211.  911 is for police, fire, or ambulance, and 211 is a free online or phone service to help direct anyone to local government and social programs.

Consider finding a roommate(s). Renting or leasing a room, apartment, or home is beyond the reach of most people … alone.  Teaming up with a roommate is a common way of pooling resources to afford a home.  Whether a friend, family member, co-worker or a stranger teaming up with a roommate has its challenges.  Always begin with an interview to check compatibility.  Trust your “gut” and check references.  Establish some shared ground rules in writing, such as agreements on cleaning, groceries, cooking, using the bathroom, and sharing furniture.

Remember not everyone can live together.  Expect to go through several stages – it is normal.  At first, you will wonder why you ever agreed to have a roommate as each person adjusts, it is important to work collectively through this stage.  Make the effort to connect and do things together, even if you seem to be doing more work than you planned. 

Questions to ask …

Are the utilities included?  Who controls the thermostat or the air conditioning? If the utilities are not included, you have the legal right to ask for copies of the most recent bills. Never sign a lease or rental agreement without understanding how much to expect utilities to cost.  If the property uses well water, how often is the water checked?

Ask about internet connections and fees; snow removal; frequency, storage, and location for garbage collection and recycling, as well as any other charges to expect.

Are the appliances supplied?  Do they work?  Test and never assume that they work before completing the signing process.  Ask who is responsible for repairs to appliances or to the unit, how you contact that person or what are the repair processes, and how quickly they normally respond.

If you have a vehicle(s), is parking available? Is it included or is it a separate charge? Be careful if the only parking available is on the street because many municipalities prohibit parking in the winter months.

Are guests allowed?  Are parties allowed?  Are pets allowed?  Also, consider these types of questions when interviewing possible roommates or if someone wants to sublet their portion of the unit. 

Will the property owner change the locks? It is impossible to know how many former tenants might have old keys to your new home so ask for new locks when you move in.

Is Laundry included?  Laundromats can be expensive, cumbersome, and lack privacy.  Having onsite laundry facilities is a big plus for any tenant.

Mail Delivery.  Is it secure?  If not consider getting a box at your local post office.

What is the neighborhood like? How are the surrounding buildings maintained?  Look for broken windows as a sign of how healthy the neighborhood is.  Do you feel safe?  How far do you have to walk to get transit?

Decorating.  What are the rules for painting, pictures, and making other changes?  Try to have them in writing.  Some property owners may actually help with the cost of decorating. 

What information does the property owner require for a credit reference? (Usually your employer, family, or income source). 

Expect personal references to be required.  Have two or three prepared and willing to vouch for you.  Try to build up your reputation as a good tenant in each place where you live.

How does the property owner expect rent payments?  Have the process in writing and always try to be on time, if something unexpected happens, contact the property owner before the rent is due and explain your situation, most property owners hate surprises.

Ask for rent receipts. The property owner should issue them monthly or at the very least annually. Avoid paying by “cash,” if you do pay by cash INSIST THAT YOU ARE GIVEN A RECEIPT WHEN YOU PAY. Remember the amount of money that you pay can be claimed on most income tax forms.

Property Owner Inspections.  Your rental or lease agreement should clearly explain inspections.  Property owners are allowed to conduct inspections; however, usually with notice and according to a set procedure.

Arrange before searching …

“Contents” insurance for your belongings. The property owner will have their own insurance, but it does not cover your things. If the monthly rate is too high, look at increasing the deductible.

Your insurance should include sewage backup/septic protection for obvious reasons, particularly for ground-floor units. 

Enough money for the first and last month’s rent.

If you are renting a basement apartment, plan on purchasing a dehumidifier.

Searching …

Searching online is a great start, but plan on searching and visiting in person.  Ask friends, neighbors, and co-workers to let you know if they know of an available place.  Competition can be fierce, but do not get rushed into accepting something that will make you miserable.

Create automatic “saved searches” on platforms like Kiiji to advise you of opportunities in the areas in that you want to live.  Students, also check with the housing office on campus.

Beware of “scams.” Do not e-transfer funds unless you have toured the property or know that the person requesting funds is authorized to rent out that unit.

Check out the “bed bug” registry. The local health unit should have this information or try 211.  Additionally, google the address for any comments or ratings.

Checking the place out …

Is it clean?

Are there water marks or mold on the ceilings, walls, or floors?

Flush the toilet and check the pressure and compare the refill time to your current place. Very slow toilets are never a good sign. 

Is it as advertised?  Does everything work? (Lights, fans, etc.)  Ensure the appliances work.  With ranges check that all top and baking elements work.

Check the windows for cracks and broken seals and ask them to be repaired. 

Where are the electrical outlets, are there enough, where are they, and are they cracked or broken?

What are the closets like? Are there storage places for bikes and other large items?

Signing a lease or rental agreement

In the province of Ontario, property owners are required by law to use a standard rental/lease agreement. If a property owner tries to use something other than the government-provided agreement consider not renting from that property owner.

READ IT and do not sign anything you do not understand.

Everything that you have agreed to must be in writing, avoid verbal agreements.

Take pictures of all of the rooms, the walls, and the ceilings, and ensure they have a date stamp to protect yourself from false damage claims.

What if …?

In Ontario make sure you check out the Community Legal Education Organization (CLEO) website for easy-to-understand legal questions. In addition, Tribunalsontario.ca will also be a great resource for helping to navigate your rights and obligations, particularly the brochure “information for new tenants” which will summarize your rights and obligations under the “Residential Tenancies Act”.  Other provinces and states will have similar protections in place.

The following questions are examples of the answers that these links can help you with:

• Your property owner asks for a deposit for security, damage, or for the key. In Ontario, it is illegal for property owners to ask for deposits of any kind other than last month’s rent. 
• You are concerned you are on an “unofficial, do not rent to list.”
• The property owner asks for extra money on top of the rent because many other people want the apartment.
• The property owner demands you make a decision right now because many other people want the apartment.
• The property owners want to evict you to complete renovations.
• Your property owner asks for sex, (in addition to checking with CLEO, call the police, Crimestoppers, or your local women’s crisis center or 211).
• You have issues with mold and mildew. 
• The property owner tries to raise the rent, more than what is legally allowed.
• Your property owner wants to have constant access to your apartment.
• You have pets and the property owner objects.
• Drug use in the building is a problem.
• You have problems with another tenant or with a guest or roommate who has taken over your apartment.  Home takeovers are a growing issue in many communities.

Remember:

Many property owners are very good to deal with; however, protecting your rights is something good property owners will appreciate.

Do not be afraid, many tenants are afraid to complain for fear of being evicted.  There are protections in place, remember KNOWLEDGE IS THE KEY TO DEFEATING FEAR.

Try to build a good relationship with your property owner.  If you have a concern about something like mold or mildew:  speak to them at least twice about the problem, and give them a chance to solve the problem, then if nothing happens then escalate to public health

Do not jump at the first place you look at, just because you are afraid that someone else will take it.  Do not allow anyone to put pressure on you, including yourself.

Finding a good place to live is not easy.  The questions outlined in this post can help, use them, add to them and create your own checklist.  The time and effort will only help you find the safe and affordable housing you deserve. 

Good luck,

Paul.