Some great comments guys!
I live off-campus and I think it was a great decision. I'm about a 10-15 minute walk to campus, which is the only downside to my house. But the house I'm living is a way above-average one which was the reason my housemates and I picked it. A warning I'd give is most houses near Mac are in very poor condition and dirty, your typical 'student house'. Watch out for a bad apple, you should ALWAYS tour every house you are interested in. Photos usually are always a lot prettier than in real life, so never trust photos in classified ads, go see the property for yourself!
Things to ask about
:
- are utilities included? (some landlords don't mention it until you ask - it could tack on a good $40-80/mo!). Ask how much the average cost is, it will change depending on if your house decides to get cable tv, and also depends on how many people are in your house
- Read the Tenant Act of Ontario to see your rights as a tenant of a house! There are things a landlord can and can not do legally. Read up on things like 24-hour notice, when they can come in the house, what they can do and not do inside your house, what they are allowed to charge you for, etc. For example, beware if a family member of the landlord lives in the house! Read the
tenant protection act to see your rights.
- Bring the lease to the
Off-Campus Resource Centre in the basement of the Student Centre (MUSC). They will look it over and tell you if theres something on there that the landlord shouldn't/can't ask for. For example, they can ONLY take the LAST MONTH'S RENT payment from you initially. No other deposits (for example, 'damage deposit' that some try and scam out of you to cover damage to the house when you leave, etc). Don't put up with fees landlords add to leases for unsuspecting newbies!
- Ask how old things are that may need replacing. Windows, water heater, appliances (especially the washer and dryer!). My house had outdated washer/dryer which broke a few months into our lease. They were replaced with brand new ones soon after, but were a nuisance to wait for. Ask if the landlord has plans to replace old appliances.
- Heating/cooling. Does the house have central air? heating? If there's gas/electric radiators in the rooms then take that into account cost-wise. Electric heaters take up a LOT OF POWER and will make your electricity bills go way up in winter!
- How close is the house to a grocery store?
- Walk to campus from your house and time yourself. See how long it
really takes. Some landlords put '5' or '10' minutes to campus on their flyers, when really it is a lot longer to walk to campus. See if you're comfortable with the distance.
- Meet your housemates before signing the lease (if possible) and definitely BEFORE moving in. Go and schedule a dinner or lunch with everyone and meet each other, learn their names, and get aquainted before moving in. Go and decide who gets what room beforehand, and plan a move-in day ahead of time so everyone is on the same page. You can schedule it so you arrive at the same time and help each other carry things into the house.
- PLAN FURNITURE ARRANGEMENTS. Is the house furnished? If not, you need to not only furnish your own bedroom, but the entire house (common room, kitchen, bathroom, etc). It may not seem like a lot at first, but there's so many things to take into account when furnishing a house. From dishracks to garbages, toilet paper to couches, tvs to toasters. Plan out with your housemates who is bringing what so you don't double up on things by mistake and share the load of large heavy things (couches, tv's, etc) and small things. Danielle wrote a few great articles with 'what to bring' to your house when you move in. Search it in the articles forum.
That's all my tips for now!
Goodluck everyone!!!
