subject: Typical Canadian Apartment Leasing Conditions And Terms [print this page] These typical Canadian apartment leasing conditions are important to know and understand, especially for first timers. Whether you are renting your apartment in Vancouver, British Columbia, in Calgary, Alberta or Winnipeg, Manitoba, this guide can help you understand the agreement you are signing.
Most rental agreements are for a period of one year, unless otherwise specified. When you are looking for a place for the summer, check out the student housing office where you can probably find short term rental housing for a fairly decent price. If you and your landlord are happy with each other at the end of the lease, you can usually renew easily.
One of the conditions of ending a lease, whether your lease is up or not, is giving adequate notice to your landlord. Most provinces require a minimum two month's notice. This gives your landlord time to find new tenants for when you leave. This two months' notice also applies to your landlord. If he wishes to have you move out at the end of your lease, he must also give you two months' notice so that you can find a new place to stay.
Subletting is generally not allowed in most rental agreements. If you must sublet, your landlord will likely not allow you to remove your name from the lease, and if your sublet does a midnight move, the landlord is going to come after you for payment. Generally speaking, subletting is a last ditch thing to do. Resist it at all costs.
Depending on the landlord, the premises and the type of heat that is present in the unit, you may or may not be responsible for your own heating costs. Most leases will specifically spell out whether you are responsible for your own heat costs or not. They will also inform you whether you will need to pay for your own use of electricity. Check this carefully.
You may think that a stove and refrigerator are just part of your rent, however, not all Halifax Apartments include these appliances as part of the package. Read your lease carefully. Also look to see if a washing machine and or a dryer are included in the rental agreement.
If there are plumbing problems which are not caused by you, the landlord should be responsible for their prompt repair. However, if you are responsible for cracking the washroom basin because you put ice in it, then you will be held liable for repairs. Be careful when it comes to plumbing. The same can be said for electrical repairs. Do not attempt to install your own disco ball.
Some landlords will repaint Cambridge Apartments before you move in in order to freshen the place up. However, if the landlord has not done so yet, and you would like to repaint, you may be able to work something out. Perhaps you can get him to pay for the paint and supplies and you can provide the labour to paint the rooms. This technique only works, however, if you have any skill with a paintbrush.
