GOOD NEIGHBOUR GUIDE
SEPTEMBER 2021
Information for University students, Niagara residents and property owners
USER-GRADUATE Brock is home to over
19,000 STUDENTS
WE’RE HERE TO HELP YOU
The Brock University Good Neighbour Guide provides information about neighbourhood relations and community resources for students, property owners and long-term residents. This publication is distributed widely across the Niagara region and is available online, at locations across the university, and is shared with community members throughout the year. The range of offcampus and community services that the university offers reflects Brock’s commitment to work with our community partners and with local residents to ensure that issues related to off-campus student living are identified and addressed effectively. We’re here to help and you’re encouraged to contact our Off-Campus Living office for information, resources, and supports.
Brock University acknowledges the land on which we gather is the traditional territory of the Haudenosaunee and Anishinaabe peoples, many of whom continue to live and work here today. This territory is covered by the Upper Canada Treaties and is within the land protected by the Dish with One Spoon Wampum Agreement. Today this gathering place is home to many First Nations, Métis and Inuit peoples and acknowledging reminds us that our great standard of living is directly related to the resources and friendship of Indigenous people. We encourage Brock students to reflect on the history that has brought you to reside in the Niagara Region. We hope you seek to understand your place within our history, and in the place you have chosen to live and call “home” for the 2021-2022 year.
WELCOME, BROCK STUDENTS Lynn Wells, Interim President and Vice-Chancellor, Provost and Vice-President, Academic On behalf of everyone here at the University, welcome (back) to Brock! The Niagara region is an exciting and diverse place to live and explore, and I encourage you to spend some time getting to know the area and its residents. There is a deep bond between Brock and this community — in fact, local residents were the driving force behind Brock’s founding in 1964. As a student living off-campus, you are an important ambassador for Brock in the community, and I hope you take the opportunity to show your neighbours what it means to be a Badger. Moving toward more on-campus learning and activities this year will require everyone’s co-operation, so I also ask that you continue practicing the public health measures meant to keep us all safe and healthy. Together, we can make this year a safe and rewarding one for everyone!
Terry Ugulini, Mayor, City of Thorold On behalf of Thorold City Council and your new community, I would like to take this opportunity to extend a warm welcome to the city where “Ships Climb the Mountain” is in the heart of the Niagara Region. I know you will experience a friendly and inviting community positioned to offer you and your classmates a fulfilling lifestyle during your stay. Whether you are a returning student or new to the area, we look forward to the contributions Brock students make to our community. We encourage you to become involved in your home away from home; your vitality, enthusiasm and ideas are welcomed and appreciated. Being a Brock Student is an exciting privilege, filled with opportunities to make memories, foster relationships and grow as an individual. Your time in Thorold will have a lasting impact on the rest of your life. The City of Thorold recognizes you as a vital part of our community so let us continue to work together and be a “Good Neighbour”. For more information on the City of Thorold visit us at www. thorold.ca, or follow us on Facebook/City.Thorold for updates and information about happenings in the city. Please stay safe and look out for one another.
Walter Sendzik, Mayor, City of St. Catharines As Mayor of St. Catharines, I want welcome you to our community. We hope all students have a safe and happy start to this new academic year. As we start to come out of this unique time, I encourage you to discover all St. Catharines has to offer. From a worldclass culinary scene, to our parks and trails, arts and cultural experiences, and a vibrant and growing downtown, we have something for everyone. It’s an exciting time as we are now able to enjoy world-class sports and entertainment facilities such as the FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre and Meridian Centre, staff at those facilities have been innovative to ensure we can enjoy the entertainment and be safe. As we start to once again climb that trajectory to hit new heights and soar as a community, I want to empower everyone in our city to be a part of a more positive future for our friends and neighbours in need. Consider what you can do to support our community and be a good neighbour. Brock students are an asset to our community and there are many ways to get involved. Stay connected - follow along on Facebook /CityofStCatharines, Twitter @St_Catharines, Instagram @cityofstcatharines and download the Ping Street app for updates. The future holds many opportunities. Pursue your dreams and unleash your potential here in the Niagara region. This is your world to shape and the future looks bright.
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OFF-CAMPUS LIVING OFFICE Brock University’s Off-Campus Living & Neighbourhood Relations Office offers year-round housing information to students, property owners and residents in the Niagara region. The office provides a point of contact for neighbourhood relations activities associated with off-campus student living, including mediation and conflict resolution; developing educational materials; and presenting at community forums regarding campus and community relations. Visit brocku.ca/ocl for rental listings, tips for finding housing, meeting others and making connections, dealing with problems and concerns, and a variety of other topics.
For more information visit
brocku.ca/ocl Off-Campus Living Brock University 905 688 5550 x3721 ocl@brocku.ca
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Off-Campus Living Newsletter
Good Neighbour Awards The Good Neighbour Award initiative recognizes student tenants, property owners, and community members for making an effort to create positive relationships in their neighbourhoods. Recipients of a Good Neighbour Award receive a small token of appreciation and a certificate. For more information on the Good Neighbour Awards and the nomination process, please contact us at ocl@brocku.ca
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Stay up to date with all things offcampus! Our quarterly newsletter provides information to students living off-campus or thinking about living off-campus, including: housing services, covid-19 safety and rental implications, important rental timelines, upcoming events and resources.
Off-Campus Living Office, Brock University 905 688 5550 x3721
brocku.ca/ocl
ocl@brocku.ca
STUDENT LIFE AND SUCCESS Brock’s Student Life and Success department provides opportunities for everyone in the Brock community to be active and engaged at Brock and within its surrounding communities. We facilitate engagement opportunities for Brock students that encourage extra-curricular and co-curricular learning experiences to enrich the communities at Brock, in Niagara, and beyond. Our activities support Brock students’ development and success. Student Life and Success program and service areas include: academic learning services, co-curricular engagement, faith and life, honour societies, leadership development, off-campus living and neighbourhood relations, student event and activities support, student rights and responsibilities, transition and first year experience, and volunteerism and community engagement.
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BY STUDENTS, FOR STUDENTS; WITH NIAGARA, FOR NIAGARA.
Student Life and Success 905 688 5550 x6321
brocku.ca/student-life-success
studentlife@brocku.ca
LEARN MORE ABOUT
heart Brock is proud to be
“NIAGARA’S UNIVERSITY”
• Good neighbour tips for students, property owners, and residents of the Niagara region. • Information about how Brock students can have a positive impact in their community. • Resources and information on how to handle concerns or problems. • Information on how Niagara residents can help address the housing needs of Brock students.
users STUDENTS You are part of a vibrant community in Niagara! For those who are living off-campus this year, we hope you will embrace and respect this community as your own. Find safe ways to #ExploreNiagara. We wish you every success in the year ahead!
TIPS ON BEING A
GOOD NEIGHBOUR
HAND-PEACE
Say hello! • Knowing your neighbours by name will likely result in less conflict. Welcome new residents to the neighbourhood and take time to get to know them. This can be as easy as a simple socially-distant chat in the driveway. • Give your neighbours your contact information and let them know they are welcome to contact you if they have any concerns.
Pay attention to visuals • Keeping your property tidy is part of being a good neighbour. • Keep the exterior of your home clean and tidy. • Inform your neighbours who is responsible for lawn care, snow removal and external maintenance of your home.
Follow parking and traffic rules • Always drive safely and slow down in residential areas —remember that children live in these areas too. • Plan on having only as many vehicles as you have parking spaces. • To avoid unnecessary parking tickets, be aware of bylaws that do not allow parking on both sides of the street. • If you’re hosting a party, plan for parking and never let guests drive away from your house after drinking.
HANDS-HELPING
Be considerate and respectful • Being considerate and respectful of your neighbours’ differences can have a positive impact on how you interact. • Give your neighbours a reason to think positively about students — they may have had negative experiences in the past or be hesitant about living next to students.
Eliminating noise • The Niagara community has a diverse population of families, working professionals, senior citizens and students. It is important to take the different lifestyles of your neighbours into consideration and make sure that disturbances are avoided when going about your day. • How much noise is too much? If a neighbour can hear noise from your home on the edge of their property, it’s too loud.
Follow garbage schedules and rules • Garbage is collected every-other-week, and there is a limit of two bags/cans per residential unit for low-density residential homes. Your Blue Box, Grey Box and Green Bin are collected every week. There’s no limit to the amount of recycling and organics that can be placed at the curb. More information: niagararegion.ca/waste • Only put out your garbage on collection days, stay within the bag/container limits, and use your Blue/Grey Boxes and Green Bin. Please ensure that recyclables are properly prepared for collection. All materials should be at the curb by 7 a.m. on the day of collection. • If you go over the container limit, garbage tags must be purchased for $2.50 (available online, or at a variety of retailers listed on the Niagara Region website) and placed on any extra garbage bag/container. Invest in garbage pails with lids; they hold more and keep animals out. • Ensure that uncollected materials or containers are removed from the curb by 7 p.m. the day of collection. Blue/Grey Boxes and Green Bins are available at subsidized prices and can be purchased online. • If you are throwing out large household items, you may be eligible for free large item pick-up up. Book online or call 1-833-621-0726, up to two business days before the regular garbage day. Don’t leave furniture, appliances, etc., out on the curb for your neighbours to see. • Download the Niagara Region Waste App and Follow Niagara Region on Facebook and Twitter @NiagaraRegion and Instagram @niagararegionca.
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Handle problems politely • Being aware of local laws, bylaws and general neighbourhood expectations will improve your living situation. • Try talking to your neighbour. You’ll probably find that resolving issues is easy and can usually be done through a friendly conversation. • Contact your neighbours regarding something that may affect them such as hosting a party or getting a new pet. • If you’re having difficulty resolving an issue between yourself and a neighbour, contact Brock’s Off-Campus Living Office for assistance (ocl@brocku.ca).
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Contribute to the community • Volunteering and getting involved in the community will show your neighbours the positive impact that students make.
GET INVOLVED Engagement Communities bring together small groups of incoming students from similar academic programs and personal interests. Your Engagement Community is a place where students living off-campus can connect with other first year students, make friends, attend events, ask questions, and learn about resources. Engagement Communities are formed based on your similar programs of study and personal interests. There are approximately 40-60 students in your Engagement Community. Each Community is led by a trained upper year student called a Peer Mentor who is dedicated to supporting your individual goals and needs and will connect you to services and resources, involvement opportunities and answer your questions related to life at Brock. Your Peer Mentor and your Engagement
Community will help ensure you have an exceptional first year experience by connecting you to amazing people, events, involvement opportunities, and resources and services to support your success.
Student clubs Did you know there are over 100+ clubs at the Brock University Students’ Union? Clubs are an excellent space to meet new people, enhance your student experience and propel you in your desired career. With 100+ clubs, there is a club suited for everyone’s interest whether they are faculty-based, activity-based or interest-based. Interested in starting a new club? Contact BUSU Club Manager Hibo Ahmed (hahmed@brockbusu. ca) for assistance. Check out a full list of clubs at our BUSU Clubs Directory and follow us @brockbusuclubs on Instagram for the latest club information.
Information about all student groups and clubs at Brock is available at experiencebu.brocku.ca
PARTIES ADMIST A PANDEMIC “After the pandemic is over” and “getting back to normal” is something we continue to hear and look forward to. Together, we’ve made amazing progress forward but it’s important to acknowledge that covid-19 may continue to pose a risk to our communities. Slowly but surely, people are starting to see their friends and families and engage safely in social events inperson. Even in times before covid-19, hosting a party is a major responsibility that presents several serious risks. Whether you are providing the alcohol or your guests are bringing their own, you are responsible for their actions during and after the party. If the party gets out of control, someone gets injured, or someone drives home impaired, you could be held criminally and/or civilly responsible for their actions. This could lead to fines, arrests, criminal records and even expensive civil lawsuits. COVID-19 increases the risks immeasurably, as we have many people in our community who continue to contract and spread the virus. You may be protected, but we need to work together to keep our communities safe. Please consider all the factors carefully in order to make smart choices and keep the message of responsible gathering, partying, and drinking in your mind at all times.
Tips for responsible partying • Limit the number of guests, especially related to COVID-19 regulations, and be sure that your guests are following physical-distancing and face-covering requirements. • As the host of a party, stay sober so that your judgment is not impaired and you are able to handle any problems that arise. • Monitor your guests and ensure that they are consuming responsibly. Make sure everyone arrives home safely. Be prepared for people to stay over. Do not let anyone drive home impaired. • Let your neighbours know you are planning a party and make sure they are comfortable coming to you with any concerns. • Monitor the noise level and keep the party under control. Be sure your guests follow
parking and traffic laws, and adhere to Regional and Provincial COVID-19 regulations. • Keep guests indoors after 11:00pm and reduce noise to avoid complaints and respect all members of your community, including working professionals and families. • Keep guests off your neighbours’ property. • If a neighbour, by-law, or police official comes to your door, approach their concerns co-operatively and do what you can to remedy the situation. • Clean up the exterior of your place afterward — broken glass and garbage are unattractive and dangerous. • It is illegal to sell alcohol without a licence, including selling cups at a keg party.
Noise/nuisance bylaws The Niagara Regional Police have advised that noise, nuisance and public safety issues will be dealt with seriously and a zero tolerance approach will be taken. Local nuisance bylaws refer to damaging public property, loitering, fighting, applying graffiti on public places, urinating, vomiting or spitting in a public place. Local by-law officials and the Niagara Regional Police will also be enforcing COVID-19 infractions that are contrary to Ontario’s Reopening Plan. These may arise when gathering in large groups, or by failure to wear appropriate face-coverings, or physically distance. A strict enforcement policy has been adopted with associated fines of $300 - $5,000 or more in St. Catharines, Thorold and surrounding municipalities.
Home-Heart RESIDENTS IN NIAGARA Living in an area that is home to a major post-secondary institution, you will no doubt come in contact with a number of students throughout the year. This might happen on campus, in your community, or right next door. Regardless of circumstance, Brock University encourages students and community members to develop a positive and co-operative relationship. As a resident, your actions play a large part in the establishment of such a relationships.
FORMING RELATIONSHIPS WITH STUDENTS Introduce yourself Your new neighbours are likely to be more considerate and have a better understanding of your needs if they know you. We recommend you make a point of meeting the new tenants moving into your neighbourhood, and introducing yourself and your family. A simple hello will go a long way to start. Give them your name and phone number and offer them any assistance they might need. Remember that tenants change from year to year — expect the best every year and you will probably get it.
Communicate If you have a problem with the behaviour of neighbouring tenants, let them know how you feel. They may not realize that what they are doing is disruptive or offensive to you.
Be reasonable Student tenants are people like any other neighbours you might have. They are paying to live in their accommodation and have the right to enjoy it. Of course, you should expect them to be considerate and follow the law, but make sure you have reasonable expectations and realize that this is possibly the students’ first time in a place of their own.
Talk to the landlord While you might own your home, students probably do not. This means that they are not necessarily responsible for lawn care, snow removal, or other issues that might become problematic in your neighbourhood. Talk to the students first, but contact the landlord if they are not fulfilling the expected responsibilities.
Handle problems politely If you've made a point of meeting your student neighbours and being friendly, and you have reasonable expectations, it's likely that you'll get a friendly reaction as well. If you do have problems, avoid letting them develop into major disputes. Losing your temper or harassing your neighbours is unlikely to generate a positive change.
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Homestay Program “Experience the world without leaving your home” Homestay helps introduce new international students to Canadian culture and the community in the Niagara Region; all while improving their English skills. Since 1983, the ESL Services Homestay Program has connected thousands of students with local host families. Becoming a Brock Homestay host family will give you the opportunity to help students learn English intensively, discover and learn about other cultures, offer a supportive environment for an International student, grow lifelong friendships and make connections around the world. For more information about Homestay, please email homestay@brocku.ca
IF YOU RUN INTO PROBLEMS Talk to the experts Brock’s Off-Campus Living Office is a good place to start if you’re having difficulties with student neighbours. The Off-Campus Living staff will listen to your situation, suggest ways for you to handle it, and direct you to any additional resources that can offer help. Call 905 688 5550 x3721, or email ocl@brocku.ca
Ask for assistance If you have been unable to come to an understanding with the landlords or tenants at a specific property, please discuss any problems or concerns relating to noise, parking, property standards, fire code, etc. with the appropriate authorities. Each city will have different bylaws or processes regarding these issues. Contact information is available in the Useful Contacts section of this guide.
Your concerns about student housing “Town & Gown” is a term which conveys the relationships between post-secondary institutions – universities and colleges – and the communities that host them. The St. Catharines Town and Gown Committee and the Thorold Town and Gown Committee both meet regularly to discuss and address issues relating to student housing and neighbourhood relations. These committees have representation from the local municipalities, Brock University and Niagara College, Niagara Regional Police, Fire Prevention, Regional Waste Management, long-term residents, landlords and students. Issues or concerns can be brought to either committee by contacting your local municipal councillor or city hall.
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Problems with your property owner? Leases, housemates, deposits, rent, fire safety, maintenance, and other legalities can be overwhelming for student renters. If you have questions about landlord/tenant issues, start by checking out Brock’s Off-Campus Living website (brocku.ca/ocl), or by contacting our office. We have information covering a wide range of rental issues. The Off-Campus Living staff can provide guidance on how to handle problems or assist you in accessing other useful resources, such as the Landlord and Tenant Board.
thumbs-up PROPERTY OWNERS As a local landlord, you’re providing an important service to your tenants. We appreciate your willingness to share a part of your home, a house or apartment that you own with students who are often new to both renting and living on their own. We hope you will provide a warm welcome to your student tenants and treat them with the same respect and integrity you would give other tenants.
COMMUNITY RELATIONS FOR PROPERTY OWNERS Tenancy agreements Whether you’re renting a house, an apartment, or a basement suite, you should have a written Tenancy Agreement, signed by both of you as landlord and tenant. The agreement should outline the roles and responsibilities of both tenants and landlords and indicate things such as tenancy term, interior and exterior maintenance, monthly rent, and provision of services. Let your tenants know the rules and expectations. Make sure your tenants understand the responsibility of having their own home, and they will be more respectful of your property and the neighbourhood. Be clear and up front regarding lease restrictions, extra housemates, sublets, cars, noise, garbage removal, etc.
Comply with fire code regulations If you are renting part of your property, you must meet the legal requirements for fire separations, means of escape, smoke alarms, and electrical safety. For a copy of Ontario Fire Code regulations, call 1 800 668 9938. Visit knowfire.ca for more information.
Comply with municipal bylaws All home occupancies are subject to compliance with provincial and municipal laws. Charges may be laid for violations of zoning regulations, property standards, building codes and other municipal bylaws. It is the homeowners’ responsibility to ensure that they are knowledgeable of and in compliance with local regulations.
Maintain community standards Make sure your property has adequate parking provisions for your tenants. Establish clearly whether you or the tenant is responsible for yard maintenance and snow removal, and make sure both of you are aware of any bylaws or regulations that may be in effect in the community. Consider investing a portion of your annual rental income on improvements.
Be a visible landlord Your job is not over once the lease is signed. Not only are your tenants paying for a place to live, but they are also paying for services from you. Visit your property regularly and talk with your tenants on how things are progressing. Make sure they have a way to contact you at all times in case an urgent situation arises.
Help your tenants be good neighbours Let the neighbours know that students will be moving in. Try to introduce the students to their neighbours and make sure residents feel free to contact you any time there is a problem. If there is a recurring problem between your tenants and their neighbours, help them to work through it co-operatively. Your presence and attentiveness will help to ease any concerns.
WE’RE HERE TO HELP! Legal questions? Please realize that you are entering into a business relationship between you and your tenants, with legal obligations on both parts. In most cases, these obligations are outlined by the Residential Tenancies Act, which states rules about rent payment and increases, maintenance and repairs, terminating tenancies, etc. The Landlord and Tenant Board (1 888 332 3234) can provide you with more information about this legislation.
Landlord/tenant issues Brock’s Off-Campus Living Office can provide you with assistance in handling landlord/tenant issues that might arise throughout your rental experience. We encourage landlords and tenants to communicate their expectations with each other. Our mediation service can provide a forum through which to discuss issues and concerns. The Off-Campus Living staff will be able to guide both landlords and tenants toward a solution.
Listing service The Off-Campus Listing Service is a great way for you to let Brock students know that you have rental accommodations available to them. Not only is it affordable, but your ad will be specifically targeted to the student population. Brock students looking for housing are directed to our office and we hold various information sessions for students and landlords throughout the year. You can get more information about our service at brocku.ca/ocl.
INFORMATION SESSIONS FOR PROPERTY OWNERS Whether you’re simply thinking about offering housing to Brock students, or if you’ve been renting to students for years, there is always something new to learn. In addition to the year-round operations of our office, Off-Campus Living offers a course for landlords titled “Be a Successful Landlord for Brock Students”. The three-hour session discusses the complex issues facing landlords throughout the renting process, including advertising, the student market, the Residential Tenancies Act, human rights and housing, neighbourhood relations, fire safety, and so on. Past courses have included presentations by the Off-Campus Living Office, Students’ Ombudsperson and members from the Landlord and Tenant Board, Niagara Regional Police Service and St. Catharines Fire Prevention. All sessions also include a discussion period. Visit brocku.ca/ocl for notification about upcoming sessions.
USEFUL CONTACTS & RESOURCES Child Getting settled in your community Niagara Region – Waste Management niagararegion.ca/waste 905 356 4141 Toll-free: 1 800 594 5542
Enbridge Gas Distribution enbridgegas.com 1 866 763 5427 Cogeco Cable cogeco.ca 1 855 701 4881
Community Services Helpline incommunities.ca Dial 211
Be healthy and stay safe
St. Catharines Transit yourbus.com 905 687 5555
Niagara Regional Police Services niagarapolice.ca 905 688 4111
Ontario Energy Board oeb.ca/contact-ontarioenergy-board 1 877 632 2727 St. Catharines City Hall stcatharines.ca 905 688 5600 Citizen’s First (For St. Catharines related inquiries) citizensfirst@stcatharines.ca 905 688 5600 Thorold City Hall thorold.ca 905 227 6613 Bell Canada bell.ca 1 844 310 7873 (internet) 1 866 797 8686 (TV)
For emergencies, call 9-1-1
Niagara Region Public Health niagararegion.ca/health For information about COVID-19: niagararegion.ca/covid19 Follow @nrpublichealth Niagara Region Public Health – Covid-19 niagararegion.ca/health/ covid-19/default.aspx 905-688-8248 or 1-888-505-6074, press 7 St. Catharines Fire Services 905 684 4311 Thorold Fire and Emergency Services 905 227 6412
Crime Stoppers of Niagara crimestoppersofniagara.com 1 800 222 8477 (tip line) or 905 938 5463 (administrative line)
SHIPPING-FAST Rental resources
Off-Campus Living and Neighbourhood Relations brocku.ca/ocl 905 688 5550 x3721 Landlord and Tenant Board sjto.gov.on.ca/ltb 1 888 332 3234 Ontario Human Rights Commission ohrc.on.ca 1 800 387 9080 Ontario Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing ontario.ca/page/ministrymunicipal-affairs-housing 1 866 220 2290 Ontario Fire Marshal’s Office ofm.gov.on.ca 647 329 1100 Fire Safety Campaign knowfire.ca 905 688 5601 x4208