By Anne Levy-Ward
Congratulation! You have just graduated and are ready to strike out on your own. Here are some tips to help you find your new home.
You have finished your studies and found your first job. And now, where are you going to live? Your parents’ house may be too far from where you will be working. Or your parents have decided to move into a smaller home. It may also be possible that it is time for you to have your apartment. However, before planning your housewarming party, plan your apartment search first, as it takes a lot of work.
A Toronto native and graduate since 2009, Greg Ward knows a thing or two about apartment hunting. Her most important piece of advice is: read your province’s landlord and tenant law. “It’s easy to find online, and the document contains a lot of information that your landlord will never give you,” he explains – like the maximum allowable security deposit (in Ontario, it’s equal to one month’s rent).
“If the landlord warns you about anything out of the ordinary, for example, the upstairs neighbour who doesn’t like noise very much, you can be sure that’s an understatement,” says Greg. “The neighbour in question will probably complain if he hears the slightest sound.”
So, before signing a lease, here are some tips:
Explore the neighbourhood where the apartment is located
Is the apartment near where you work? Andrew Schrage, co-owner of Money Crashers Personal Finance, says this is very important: “Living close to where you work gives you more free time, reduces stress and can save you a lot of money. money on gasoline and car maintenance.”
Is the apartment within walking distance of a bus stop, train station or metro station? Can you get to work with few or no transfers? Is the public transit service offered in the evenings and on weekends?
If you need it, is there parking? How much will it cost you?
How far are you from a grocery store? For Greg, who doesn’t have a car, the grocery store must be walking distance.
Is the home near noise sources, such as railroad tracks, highways, flight paths, or nightclubs? If you’re looking for an apartment during the winter, open the windows and listen for outside noises that you might not hear until the temperature warms enough to keep the windows open.
Is the neighbourhood safe? Would you be comfortable coming home late in the evening? There is a difference between a somewhat quirky and bohemian neighbourhood and a downright dodgy neighbourhood. It would probably be best if you didn’t rent an apartment near an all-night bar.
A basement apartment may be less expensive, but the lack of natural light can be an issue. Greg recommends looking for high ceilings and higher quality windows if you opt to live underground.
Scrutinize the apartment.
Are the plumbing, heating, air conditioning and appliances working? Do not hesitate to open the faucets, check the drains, open the doors of the devices, flush the toilet. “Even though many of these issues can be fixed by the landlord, you’ll have enough to think about when you move out without having to worry about getting repairs done,” says Schrage.
Is there a laundry room? Are the washers and dryers in good repair, and is the room clean and well lit?
Look for signs of cockroaches and other similar creatures. A mousetrap in a corner is not a good sign – especially if a victim is there. Ask if the apartment has been sprayed recently by an exterminator.
Note, if the windows are open in winter, the owner may be trying to cover up a bad smell. Close the windows and sniff well.
Calculate the costs
Is the cost of utilities included in the rent? What about connection fees?
Consider purchasing tenant insurance. As the Insurance Bureau of Canada explains, standard tenant insurance policies protect you in the event of fire and theft of your personal property and if you are held liable for property damage. Others or injury to another person.
Moving incurs costs. You could save by renting a truck to move your belongings and paying for pizza and beer for your friends who have agreed to help you. Otherwise, you will have to shell out several hundred dollars.
