A repair classified as an emergency will usually consist of something within the rental unit that you use every day, and it is a vital part of your daily routine.

For example, If you find water leaking through your roof, or the furnace breaks down, you have to immediately call the landlord.

Emergencies tend to cause a panicked reaction and if the landlord does not react immediately then tenants tend to react hastily.

Before going ahead and ordering major repairs, tenants have to understand what an emergency repair is and what situations warrant action.

A must for any tenant, you should have insurance to cover any damages to your belongings due to problem in the residence.

Problems in the residence would include such repairs as a leaking roof. In this case where your belongings were damaged by such a problem, then the landlord is liable for the replacement of all damaged belongings.

Before we go any further, let us classify what an emergency repair is. An emergency repair is required when something in the rental unit has broken and the health or safety of the tenant is in danger or the building or property is at risk until repairs can be made.

By law, the landlord should handle and pay for emergency repairs.

Next time, you will find out what to do if you cannot contact your landlord, and what problems classify as an emergency repair.

Heleen Jacobsen
Broker of Record with InfoMarket Group GMAC Real Estate
www.infomarketgroup.com

You have to look at the relationship with your landlord as a long term relationship, and of course you want to make the best out of it.

At the beginning of the relationship, both parties will be enthusiastic with one another, and everything will look good. As your tenancy progresses, you will find this rosy view slowly disappear, and issues will begin to arise.

These issues can, and will vary from the tenant wanting repairs to happen more quickly or major issues as not paying the rent.

This section of the Canadian Renting Guide will address practical tenancy issues:

Emergencies and Repairs

This part will address any emergency repairs and explains how one should respond to them

Regular Repairs

You will examine the process of getting non-critical things fixed

Handling Complaints

This will explain how you should handle complaints. You do not want to go about it the wrong way, as it can make a small problem into a much larger one

Rent Increases

This will provide an overview of the process for increasing the rent.

Lease Renewals

This will explain the process of how leases are renewed, and what you should do if you do not want them to be renewed as well.

We are nearing the end of the Canadian Renting Guide, I hope that this helps you with renting accommodations within Canada.

Glen Chapman
Broker of Record with Club “100″ GMAC Real Estate
www.club100realestate.com

The issue of household pests is huge in any home. Vermin, rodents and other household pests can occur in some rental properties.

Pests live anywhere they can find food, water, warmth and shelter. Pest control companies regularly service many apartment buildings.

Pests are serious health hazards to residents; therefore the landlord is responsible for getting rid of them.

If tenants are unable to eliminate household pests, the landlord is obliged to hire a professional exterminator.

There are several methods to remove pests, the most favourable being non-toxic methods.

Learning to identify pets, and their risks and how to get rid of them is essential. You have to inspect rental units carefully to find any traces of pests so you can avoid moving into an infested home, being left to deal with the problem.

You should be aware that many common household pests come out only at night. Therefore, you should consider this, and ask the landlord to view the rental unit after dark, or ask other tenants who live in the building.

You do not want to move into a rental unit, and after the agreement is signed, you have to deal with this issue.

If you do find you have household pests, the best course of action is to hire a professional. You can try to deal with the problem yourself, however it might make the problem bigger if done wrong.

Take the path to deal with the problem efficiently, rather than inexpensively.

Jeff Markewich
Broker of Record with InfoMarket Group GMAC Real Estate
www.imgrealestate.ca

Continuing from last time, I will get into a list the obligations that the landlords and tenant each have.

The landlords must:

• Maintain the tenant’s rental unit in a good state of repair and fit for habitation and at the landlord’s expense, complying with health, safety, housing and maintenance standards

• Not withhold the reasonable supply of fuel, electricity, hot and cold water and other utilities (the exception to this is if the tenant agreed to obtain and pay for these services him/herself.)

• Not interfere with the reasonable enjoyment of the tenant and members or his or her household and guests

• Not harass or interfere with the tenant

• Not seize the tenant’s property without legal process

The tenants must:

• Pay rent on time

• Behave well

• Clean the rental premise

• Repair any damage caused by the tenant or a person who the tenant permits on the premises

• Hot harass or interfere with the tenant

• Contact the landlord in the event a serious problem arises involving repairs or services

• Permit entry for repairs or showing of premises for next tenant or purchaser

These are the general guidelines of the responsibilities of both the landlord and tenant. Both parties complying to these rules with help bring forth a healthy relationship.

Glen Chapman
Broker of Record with Club “100″ GMAC Real Estate
www.club100realestate.com

Every landlord will expect a tenant to pay their rent on time. Paying rent by post-dated cheques is convenient; however it is illegal for the landlord to demand this form of payment in some provinces.

In the event the tenant faces money problems, you might find your landlord to be understanding and help you from time to time; however tenants can face serious legal implications for failing to pay rent.

If you are constantly late in making your payments, it might force the landlord to seek compensation for that loss through courts, and they may proceed with eviction. Further problems with paying your rent can even harm your credit rating and references.

You rent is due on the actual day stipulated in the rental agreement, and your rent is considered late on the day after it is due.

It is the tenant’s best interest to pay the rent on time, because frequent late payments are grounds for non-renewal of a rental agreement.

If you run into financial difficulties, you can possibly get help from a local rent bank.

When tenants do not pay their rent, a landlord has the right to give them a notice to move. In most provinces, the landlord can give this notice as soon as the rent is late, and in others, after a 3-day grace period.

A notice of non-payment of rent must include: the amount of rent that the tenant owes, the date the tenant is to move out, and the statement that says the tenant can disagree with the landlord’s notice.

In the event the tenant does not move, or pay the rent, the landlord can request help from the provincial or territorial rental authority to order the tenant to move.

To make it simple, make your payments on time and in full, and you will not see yourself with these problems.

Heleen Jacobsen
Broker of Record with InfoMarket Group GMAC Real Estate
www.infomarketgroup.com

Having an inspection is important for both the tenant and the landlord. In some provinces, it is required by the law that this is done; British Columbia is an example of this.

When you inspect a rental property, consider the following:

• Enlist an extra pair of eyes

• Document everything in your rental property; videotape or photograph problems if you can.

• Have your landlord sign the initial inspection sheet and keep it in a safe location

• Request, in writing that the landlord make the necessary repairs by a specific date.

• Keep all copies of any documents

When you are inspecting structural details of the rental property, consider the following:

• Look for any damages on the walls and ceilings. This includes any dents, holes, cracks, scuff marks, etc.

• Note any stains on the floor; cracked tiles; dents, scuffs or stains on hardwood floor

• Ensure that electrical outlets function

• Make sure all pipes work, without any leakage

• Ensure that there are no chips on fixtures and tiles

• Ensure that exterior doors and windows are sealed properly and the locks work

I will reiterate this fact; both the tenant and the landlord should sign the pre-inspection report noting any building items that needs repair or replacement, for each room in the rental unit.

You do not want to be stuck with someone else’s bill because you did not thoroughly and properly inspect the rental unit.

Heleen Jacobsen
Broker of Record with InfoMarket Group GMAC Real Estate
www.infomarketgroup.com

When it comes to your rental unit, you have to be aware of several things. The landlord cannot hold tenants responsible for normal wear and tear, however tenants can be required to fix damages, such as stained carpets or damaged walls.

It is vital that you establish the conditions of the premises on moving day, allowing you not o be held liable for damage that existed prior to your tenancy.

When examining your new place, you have to be thorough, and you must document everything you notice.

I would even advise that you inspect the rental unit with your landlord.

In some provinces, a security deposit is only repayable upon final written inspection of both the tenants and the landlord. Once your moving out inspection matches the details on your moving in inspection, then you should not have any problems regaining your security deposit or any interest that it acquired.

I cannot stress the importance of inspecting your rental unit; although you will be inspecting it before you sign the rental agreement or even before you take a second glance at it.

The difference with the inspection you are doing now, is that you are now inspecting the unit on the terms you are living there for a certain amount of time, despite what is happening

In the next part of this section, details will be given on what should be looked for during an inspection.

Glen Chapman
Broker of Record with Club “100″ GMAC Real Estate
www.club100realestate.com