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We know that the winter season can get cold and heating bills can get costly. Sometimes it feels like it’s impossible to keep the heat inside, so here are some tips and tricks for getting your apartment ready for winter and reducing the time your heaters are running. Doors Warm air escaping underneath your doors is one of the many ways that your home will lose heat this winter. There are a couple of things […]
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Leases are a binding contract between a tenant and a landlord and breaking a lease is a breach of this contract. Despite this breach, you may find yourself with a valid reason for needing to break your lease – such as moving to another city. If you are in this situation, we want to help you try to avoid – or at least minimize- penalties from your landlord. The best way for you to do […]
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Whether you are moving to a whole new city or just a new neighborhood, its never easy! The faster you get to know your new neighbourhood, the sooner you will feel at home again. There are a couple of ways you can get to know your new surroundings. Here are some of our favorites! Maps and guidebooks Although you might think a guidebook is for tourists, you would be surprised how helpful these can be […]
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If you don’t have air conditioning or if you just want to keep your electricity bill down this summer, here are some ways to battle the heat in your home. Curtains Keeping your curtains closed, especially during mid day hours, keeps the hot sun out and the cool air inside. Make sure that you close them before leaving for work in the morning. Having light coloured curtains will attract the sun even less. Lights Leaving […]
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Different types of buildings offer different advantages and disadvantages. Before you start looking, you might want to decide what type of building suits you best and what kind of rental accommodation you are looking for. High Rise Apartment Building Advantages An advantage of looking for an apartment in a high-rise building is that there are a lot to choose from. Many apartments for rent can be found in these buildings and can often offer great […]
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If you are leaving home for the first time to go to school, you might be trying to decide if living in the school’s residence is for you or if you are going to look for an apartment. There are some significant differences that you should consider before making the choice that is right for you. Here are the main advantages and disadvantages of life in residence vs having an apartment.
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Leases are a binding contract between a tenant and a landlord and breaking a lease is a breach of this contract. Despite this breach, you may find yourself with a valid reason for needing to break your lease – such as moving to another city. If you are in this situation, we want to help you try to avoid – or at least minimize- penalties from your landlord. The best way for you to do […]
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Leases are a binding contract between a tenant and a landlord and breaking a lease is a breach of this contract. Despite this breach, you may find yourself with a valid reason for needing to break your lease – such as moving to another city. If you are in this situation, we want to help you try to avoid – or at least minimize- penalties from your landlord. The best way for you to do […]
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Leases are a binding contract between a tenant and a landlord and breaking a lease is a breach of this contract. Despite this breach, you may find yourself with a valid reason for needing to break your lease – such as moving to another city. If you are in this situation, we want to help you try to avoid – or at least minimize- penalties from your landlord. The best way for you to do […]
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Leases are a binding contract between a tenant and a landlord and breaking a lease is a breach of this contract. Despite this breach, you may find yourself with a valid reason for needing to break your lease – such as moving to another city. If you are in this situation, we want to help you try to avoid – or at least minimize- penalties from your landlord. The best way for you to do […]
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Leases are a binding contract between a tenant and a landlord and breaking a lease is a breach of this contract. Despite this breach, you may find yourself with a valid reason for needing to break your lease – such as moving to another city. If you are in this situation, we want to help you try to avoid – or at least minimize- penalties from your landlord. The best way for you to do […]
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Leases are a binding contract between a tenant and a landlord and breaking a lease is a breach of this contract. Despite this breach, you may find yourself with a valid reason for needing to break your lease – such as moving to another city. If you are in this situation, we want to help you try to avoid – or at least minimize- penalties from your landlord. The best way for you to do […]
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Leases are a binding contract between a tenant and a landlord and breaking a lease is a breach of this contract. Despite this breach, you may find yourself with a valid reason for needing to break your lease – such as moving to another city. If you are in this situation, we want to help you try to avoid – or at least minimize- penalties from your landlord. The best way for you to do […]
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Leases are a binding contract between a tenant and a landlord and breaking a lease is a breach of this contract. Despite this breach, you may find yourself with a valid reason for needing to break your lease – such as moving to another city. If you are in this situation, we want to help you try to avoid – or at least minimize- penalties from your landlord. The best way for you to do […]
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Leases are a binding contract between a tenant and a landlord and breaking a lease is a breach of this contract. Despite this breach, you may find yourself with a valid reason for needing to break your lease – such as moving to another city. If you are in this situation, we want to help you try to avoid – or at least minimize- penalties from your landlord. The best way for you to do […]
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Leases are a binding contract between a tenant and a landlord and breaking a lease is a breach of this contract. Despite this breach, you may find yourself with a valid reason for needing to break your lease – such as moving to another city. If you are in this situation, we want to help you try to avoid – or at least minimize- penalties from your landlord. The best way for you to do […]
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One of the decisions you may need to make when looking for an apartment, condo or home is whether or not you want your new home to come already furnished. The majority of apartments are not furnished when you move in, but there are some advantages and disadvantages to consider if the apartment you are looking at is furnished. Advantages: Cost savings If you don’t have any furniture at all, furnishing a whole apartment can […]
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Whether you have been living with your roommate for a while and are best friends or don’t know each other well at all, you should talk about gift giving! The last thing you want is for one of you to give a gift around the holidays and the other be embarrassingly empty handed. There are a couple of simple things to talk about that can help avoid any awkward situations. Are you going to exchange […]
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Take Inventory Before you start to furnish your new apartment, make sure you know exactly what you need. You don’t want to spend money on purchases you don’t really need or already have, especially if you are running on a tight budget. Your inventory of things for your new home may include items that friends or family no longer need and are willing to donate so keep this in mind. Use our ”First Move Checklist” […]
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When you move into your new apartment you may want to revive your rooms with a fresh coat of paint. Even if it is just a coat of crisp white paint, it can make your apartment look brighter and new. Depending on the current conditions of the walls when you move in, your landlord may take on the responsibility of painting for you, but if not, here are some things to know if you are […]
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Cutting costs is not easy and can be frustrating if you are trying to save up for something special. Maybe you want to put money aside for a trip, school, a big purchase or just create a security blanket in the bank in case of emergency. Regardless of your reason to save, here are some great ways to make it happen! Create a Budget Creating a budget is the first step to saving. Knowing where […]
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Why create a budget? It is easy to let spending get out of hand, an extra drink at the bar, splurging on a long weekend get away or indulging in the new iPad that you just don’t need. No one ever said you should count pennies but being smart about your money is always a good thing. Having a budget can mean finding a way to put money aside for an important purchase or creating […]
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How to resolve conflicts effectively Whether you are living in a house, small complex or large apartment building, you will always have neighbours. Good relationships with your neighbours can mean the difference between having someone reliable to pick up your mail while you are away and having to listen to music blare until the wee hours of the morning. When you have a neighbour that does something repeatedly annoying or disrupts the quality of your […]
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How to Deal with Disagreements There are many different reasons why a conflict might arise between you and your landlord, but there are also many different things that you can do to make sure that the end result of any disagreement or dispute ends in your favor. Here are some common reasons for disputes between a landlord and tenant: Late rent payments Repairs Property Damage Discrimination All of these situations can be touchy or provoke […]
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When meeting your new landlord for the first time, you will most likely be exchanging personal information, signing a lease and discussing specifics about move dates or building regulations. Make sure you go prepared and come out feeling confident about your interaction, even if it is your first move! Here are some key tips and tricks to follow: 1. Try to visit the apartment with your new landlord Meeting your landlord at your new apartment […]
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Spring (March- May) If you are apartment hunting in the spring, and want to have lots of choices, you are in luck! This a common time of the year for lease renewal so tenants are deciding whether or not they are staying in their apartment for another year or not and new apartment listings are popping up all the time. The weather is also becoming milder, making pounding the pavement more pleasant when visiting multiple […]
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What are you looking for in your new apartment? When you start your apartment search, you are going to realize that there are hundreds of options on the market. In order to narrow down your search and make your apartment hunt as efficient as possible, there are a couple of factors you should consider before you begin. Thinking about these different aspects of your future home will help save time because you will easily be […]
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Do you need insurance for your apartment? The short answer is yes. Why Get Insurance? Although landlords will have insurance for the property or for liability, as a tenant it is still important to get renters’ insurance. Renters’ insurance will protect all of your personal belongings within your home in the case of theft, a fire or flooding. Depending on the coverage you purchase, renters’ insurance can also protect you against a guest who injures […]
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Leases are a binding contract between a tenant and a landlord and breaking a lease is a breach of this contract. Despite this breach, you may find yourself with a valid reason for needing to break your lease – such as moving to another city. If you are in this situation, we want to help you try to avoid – or at least minimize- penalties from your landlord. The best way for you to do […]
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Leases are a binding contract between a tenant and a landlord and breaking a lease is a breach of this contract. Despite this breach, you may find yourself with a valid reason for needing to break your lease – such as moving to another city. If you are in this situation, we want to help you try to avoid – or at least minimize- penalties from your landlord. The best way for you to do […]
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How does it work!? There are many rumors about moving in with your best friend or significant other for the first time, about how it can destroy a relationship or change EVERYTHING. Let us shed some light on the issue and give you some recommendations for things to go as smoothly as possible! Firstly, remember that all relationships are based on communication. If you stay open and communicate your excitement, fears, frustrations and insecurities about […]
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Sometimes when you are moving out for the first time or looking to decrease the cost of living in an apartment, finding a room mate can be a great option! There are however important considerations before making the choice to share your living space. Here are some of the advantages and disadvantages to having a room mate! Advantages: Rent is Cheaper! In almost all cases, your monthly rent will be less expensive when you live […]
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Moving in with someone is a big deal whether they are a best friend, acquaintance, boyfriend or someone completely new! There are some key things to know about your new roommate before you move in that will help things go smoothly and make sure you don’t have any surprises! Communication is Key It is very easy to make assumptions about what your roommate was thinking when they left wet laundry in the wash or forgot […]
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Do I need to sign a lease or tenancy agreement? This depends on the choice of rental period, which can be periodic, fixed, or any other term. Periodic lease: one is not required to sign a lease or tenancy agreement. A fixed term lease of more than 3 months: must be in writing. If the rental agreement is written, the landlord must give a signed copy to the tenant within 20 days of when the […]
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Do I need to sign a lease or tenancy agreement? No. However, if written, the applicable lease form of the Régie du logement must be used. In the case of an oral lease, the landlord must give the tenant a form entitled “Mandatory Writing” within 10 days of the agreement. This form is sold at the offices of the Régie du logement and Quebec bookstores; it is not available online. Types of rental periods, which […]
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Do I need to sign a lease or tenancy agreement? No. A verbal agreement can still be binding. However, where a written rental agreement exists, there are a number of requirements: The landlord must provide the tenant with a full copy of that agreement within 21 days of the date that the agreement was signed. If the landlord does not provide the tenant with a copy of the written agreement, the tenant is not bound […]
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Do I need to sign a lease or tenancy agreement? No. However, if the tenancy agreement is not in writing, the tenant must be provided with written notice of the legal name and address of the landlord for the purpose of giving notice or delivering other documents. The landlord must provide the tenant with this information within 21 days after the tenancy begins. If the landlord fails to provide the required information, the tenant’s obligation […]
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Do I need to sign a lease or tenancy agreement? No. However, if a written lease exists, it must include elements of a prescribed lease outlined in the regulations. Without a lease, the landlord-tenant relationship is still guided by the standard terms of the prescribed lease. A written-agreement form is available online by the Government of Nova Scotia: http://www.gov.ns.ca/snsmr/pdf/ans-residential-tenancies-standard-form-lease.pdf Types of rental periods, which determine how long you can stay in the apartment: Periodic Lease: […]
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Do I need to sign a lease or tenancy agreement? No. A tenancy agreement may be written, verbal or implied, though a written tenancy agreement is recommended. Most landlords use written agreements. Types of rental periods, which determine how long you can stay in the apartment: Periodic Lease: the rental period can relate to a calendar week, month, or year Fixed Term Lease: lease of predetermined period Is a signed move in/move out condition report […]
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Do I need to sign a lease or tenancy agreement? No. A verbal agreement is binding; however, a signed written lease form is recommended. Types of rental periods, which determine how long you can stay in the apartment: Week-to-week Month-to-month A fixed term of not less than 6 months and not more than 12 months Is a signed move in/move out condition report required? No. A checklist is recommended, but is not mandatory. The following […]
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So you are considering moving and don’t know if you should you buy or rent in your new city? This article has been written to assist you further when answering the age-old question of should I buy or rent my home. While it is certainly wise and essential for you to calculate the costs of both approaches, the numbers are not everything. Before getting started, an important caveat is that it is difficult to explore […]
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You are thinking of moving but you don’t know how to terminate your lease? Here are a few steps to get you started. You will want to keep in mind that specific requirements vary by province. Once you are ready for the specifics, refer to our links by province. Step 1 – Review Your Lease Take a close look at your “lease agreement” or “tenancy agreement”. Review the section dealing with cancellation. Leases are not […]
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Do I need to sign a lease or tenancy agreement? No. A tenancy agreement may be written, verbal, or implied. A written tenancy agreement is recommended, but the law does not require it. Most landlords use written agreements. Types of rental periods, which determine how long you can stay in the apartment: Periodic Lease: the rental period can relate to a calendar week, month, or year Fixed Term Lease: lease of predetermined period Is a […]
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Do I need to sign a lease or tenancy agreement? No, it may be written or oral, express or implied. However, where a tenancy agreement in writing is executed by a tenant and delivered to the landlord, the latter shall ensure that a fully executed duplicate original copy of the tenancy agreement is delivered to the tenant within 21 days. Types of rental periods, which determine how long you can stay in the apartment: A […]
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Do I need to sign a lease or tenancy agreement? Yes. Two copies of a standardized lease, called the Residential Lease, must be signed by both the landlord and tenant for all tenancies. In situations where the landlord and tenant did not sign the required Residential Lease, its terms will still apply to the tenancy and the tenancy will have a month-to-month term. Residential Lease forms are available online at the Service New Brunswick website: […]
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Do I need to sign a lease or tenancy agreement? No. However, if the agreement is a written one, both tenant and landlord must sign it and the landlord must give the tenant a copy of the agreement within 21 days after the tenant has signed it. Tenants who haven’t received a copy of their lease may contact the Residential Tenancies Branch – (Winnipeg Office): Telephone: (204) 945-2476 Toll Free in Manitoba: 1-800-782-8403 FAX: (204) […]
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Do I need to a sign lease or tenancy agreement? Yes. A landlord is obligated to give the tenant a copy of the tenancy agreement within 21 days of signing. Types of rental periods, which determine how long you can stay in the apartment Periodic Lease: the rental period can relate to a calendar week, month, or year Fixed Term Lease: lease of predetermined period. *Note that most tenancies in BC are month-to-month. Is a […]
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Do I need to sign a lease or tenancy agreement? No. However, if you (the tenant) choose to present a signed agreement to the landlord, he or she must sign it and return it within 21 days. The 21-day period begins when you sign the agreement, and you may withhold payment until the agreement is signed and returned to you. Types of rental periods, which determine how long you can stay in the apartment: Periodic […]