Southwestern Ontario Renters Guide - Oct. 13, 2018

southwestern ontario ocT 13 – 27, 2018

medallioncorp.com | 905.523.6556

The arT of creaTing a dining room

Hespeler Village: a quainT oasis

Our Effort Is For You Call or email to book a viewing today.

AMONA COURT APARTMENTS

BELGAL ESTATES

BURTON GARDENS TOWNHOUSES

50, 60 & 70 Jerome Crescent Hamilton East

76 Aikman Avenue, Hamilton East

111 Burton Street, Hamilton East

Located near Sanford Ave South, this building is full of updates, including newer balcony panels, windows and sliding glass doors. Close to many amenities including local shopping, restaurants, major bus routes and mountain access points. Stainless steel appliances and renovated kitchens and baths make this building just what you are looking for.

Located near Centennial Pkwy S. & Queenston Rd. with an Olympic size indoor swimming pool for all tenants to enjoy. BelGal Estates is a triplex high-rise residential apartment complex. The buildings are well maintained and several updates are being completed.

Rental Office located at 50 Jerome.

1-844-766-2718

1-844-582-2282

1-844-822-4233

HELEN MANOR APARTMENTS

OAKLAND SQUARE ONE

PROCTOR PLACE

Located in a family oriented North East community in Hamilton. Newer 24 unit townhouse complex, close to all amenities.

Just a 20 minute walk to downtown Hamilton.

3 bedroom unit is currently available.

1296 Fennell Avenue East, Hamilton East Mountain

123 Charlton Avenue East, Hamilton Central

12 Proctor Boulevard, Hamilton Central

Just moments away from the serene environment of the Mountain Brow and Bruce hiking trails. Spacious suites for comfortable living. Many nearby amenities including; grocery stores, banks, schools, parks, and major bus routes are just steps away along Fennell Ave.

Located near John St. S. Close to St. Joseph's Hospital and a short walk to downtown Hamilton. Recently updated building. On major bus routes and close to the GO Station.

Charming building located in the east end of downtown Hamilton. Student friendly and on major bus routes for quick transportation to McMaster University and Columbia International College.

1-844-822-9911

1-800-830-5703

1-844-226-5738

Over 100 buildings located in Hamilton, Burlington, Cobourg, Dundas, Kitchener, Waterloo, St. Catharines, Stoney Creek and Welland. As well as a Senior’s Residence in Ancaster and one close to St. Joseph’s Hospital in Hamilton.

Availability online at 1-844-582-2064

www.effortrentals.com |

rentals@efforttrust.ca

London - CENTRAL

Downtown London Ideally located downtown London, within walking distance to restaurants, retail, entertainment, offices & more!

1&2

BEDROOM SUITES • Newer Large Luxury Suites

• 2 Baths in 2 Bedroom Models

• Excellent Location with

• Private Oversized Balconies

Great Views of the City • 5 Appliances including in- suite laundry • Exercise Room, Sauna, Indoor Saltwater Pool • Close to Entertainment, Retail, Restaurants & More

• Individual A/C & Heating Controls • Covered & Secured Parking • Rogers Cable & Bell available • Dinner to Garlics of London on us! $50 Gift Card included

www.drewloholdings.com

COLBORNE ST.

DUNDAS ST.

WATERLOO ST.

Follow us:

WELLINGTON ST.

310 Dundas: 877-503-2752 405 Waterloo: 877-220-4258

RICHMOND ST.

QUEEN AVE.

YORK ST.

3

London

Downtown Location

Welcome to the neighbourhood • On bus route • Underground parking • Friendly staff • Secure building • Laundry on Smart Cards

800* Jr. 1 Bedrooms from $1000* 1 Bedrooms from $1050* Jr. 2 Bedrooms from $1300* 2 Bedrooms from $1400* 3 Bedrooms from $1500*

Rebecca & Wellington Walking distance to Jackson Square

905-523-6556 Hamilton@medallioncorp.com

Bachelor from $

*plus hydro

medallioncorp.com 4

Rebecca St.

King William St.

Wellington St. N.

Cathcart St.

Ferguson Ave. N.

Wilson St.

OCT 13 - 27, 2018 | vOlume 26 issue 21

Contents CHiEF REvEnuE oFFiCER

4

Jacky Hill Jacky.Hill@nexthome.ca EDiToR-in-CHiEF

Susan Legge Susan.Legge@nexthome.ca ART DiRECToR

Tammy Leung EDiToR

Marlene Eisner ConTRibuTinG EDiToRS

Sara Duck, Amanda Pereira MEDiA ConSuLTAnT

Daniela Francia daniela.francia@nexthome.ca MEDiA ConSuLTAnT

Gary Chilvers gary.chilvers@nexthome.ca DiSTRibuTion

John Jenkins DistributionTeam@nexthome.ca

ON tHE Cover:

235 rebeCCa street

SALES & MARkETinG Co-oRDinAToRS

Gary Chilvers Sarah Khan ACCounTinG inquiRiES

AccountingTeam@nexthome.ca

in every issue

adviCe

6 editor's Note

8 money sense

16 index

Have a plan, act on it, stick to it and you will succeed

26 movers, services & Classifieds

11 Rental Rantings

inspiration

12 legally speaking

7 style File Look up! Smart storage solutions

20 Design File Designer Cynthia Soda shares the art of creating a dining room

trending

9 standard lease Make sure your next landlord uses a new standard lease form

Miguel Cea, Mike Terentiev, Sandra Hanak-Vujnovic AD pRoDuCTion

Pre-Press@nexthome.ca

Follow these suggestions for stress-free rental living Do you have to give a deposit and post-dated cheques?

13 What's Online The latest real estate info from across Canada

18 The Rentalist Easy tips to stay warm in your apartment

23 make Your move Get organized for a cleaner, greener move

24 Apartmentality Housing discrimination is never okay

25 insider Advice Renting an apartment versus a condo

14

GRApHiC DESiGnERS

NEIGHBOURHOOD PROFILE:

Hespeler village

advertising Call 1.866.532.2588 for advertising rates and information.

Copyright notice All copyright and other intellectual property rights in the contents hereof are the property of NextHome, and not that of the individual client. The customer has purchased the right of reproduction in NextHome and does not have the right to reproduce the ad or photo in any other place or publication without the previous written consent of NextHome.

Contents of this publication, in hard copy format as well as online, are covered by copyright law, and offenders will be prosecuted.

Copyright 2018. All rights reserved.

Reproduction, storage in a retrieval system or transmission, in any form or by any means, whether electronic, mechanical or otherwise, in whole or in part, without prior written permission of NextHome is strictly prohibited. editorial submissions from interested parties will be considered. Please submit to the editor by email to editorial@nexthome. ca. The views and data expressed by columnists do not necessarily represent those of the publication.

oct 13 - 27, 2018  5

EDITOR’S NOTE

STAYING WARM INSIDE WHEN IT’S COLD OUTSIDE Fall is a beautiful but finicky season weather-wise: Cool and crisp, hot and steamy, frigid and snowy – it runs the gamut from September until December. But as sure as the sun rises and sets, winter’s cold fingers will grip us all and we’ll be bundling up to go outside. And when it gets cold outside, we all deserve to be warm inside.

According to guidelines set out by a province’s Tenancy Act, landlords must turn on the heat in your rental unit long before winter officially appears on the calendar, and they may turn it off in the spring. In Ontario, this means if heat is included in your rent, your apartment must be kept at a minimum of 21 degrees Celsius from Sept. 15 to June 1, which covers you during sudden cold days in early fall and early spring.

Most landlords want to keep their tenants happy and warm.

It’s within their interest to do so. But if you find yourself with a problem, know your rights. Contact the Landlord and Tenants Board in your province. They will explain the rights and obligations of tenants and landlords and help resolve disputes through mediation or adjudication.

And when it’s time to make a move, let Renters Guide help.

You can also check us out at NextHome.ca and get ready to find your new next home!

MARLENE EISNER EDITOR NextHome EMAIL: marlene.eisner@nexthome.ca

GETCE I ADV

Tips for staying warm 18

+ get social 6 RentersGuide.ca

+

ONLINE: Highrise, lowrise, condo, loft – there are so many different types of apartments out there, when you’re looking to rent, you need to know what you’re looking for. nexthome.ca/what-type

Interact with us on social media: nexthome

design file

INSPIRATION |

Thinking vertically is a design must when it comes to small-space living. Celebrity interior designer Linda Mazur provides easy storage solutions that won’t compromise your design aesthetic

1

Convertible furniture The original Murphy Bed has inspired thousands of new, convertible furniture items that can be tucked away or collapsed when not in use for extra space. Try finding a table that flips up against the wall, featuring a pegboard underneath to keep yourself organized.

2

unused spaCe Your footprint might be small, but there are quite a few places in apartments and condos that go unused, including doors. Adding a shelf above your door frame will create a sleek extra storage solution.

3 4 5

use the Ceiling Surface space lacking? Why not use the ceiling? Suspend shelving or modern macramé baskets for storage solutions that keeps your floor space clear and clutter-free.

dual-purpose Force your wall furniture into double-duty with hidden storage compartments that still look trendy.

Instead of wasting the wall behind your bed with a headboard, try replacing it with a bookshelf .

Create a loft When in doubt, make a new floor. Build a platform for your bed to create usable space underneath. Add a built-in desk below, create a TV nook or turn the stairs leading up to your new ‘bedroom’ into an extra bookshelf.

Known for creating innovative, stylish interiors and full-scale design builds, Linda Mazur Design Group is a multi-discipline design firm with more than 15 years of experience in both residential and commercial design. lindamazurdesign.com

Colonial Court

Oxford Square East

Canterbury Court

WESTMOUNT

ACROSS FROM FANSHAWE COLLEGE

SARNIA

• Great Neighbourhood in West London • Close to Schools and Shopping • Excellent Bus Service • Seasonal Pool

• Quiet Family Orientated Complex • Walk to Schools and Shopping • Great Bus Service • Seasonal Pool • Free Parking • Large 1 & 2 Bedroom Renovated Suites

• Shopping and Schools Nearby • Quiet Area, Private Grounds • Recently Renovated Units

750-780 Viscount Road 519-649-4159

727-769 Second Street 519-951-7169 519-453-2985

160-190 Canterbury Court 519-344-5560

Another Quality Project Managed By

www.viscountproperties.com oct 13 - 27, 2018 7

ADVICE | monEy mAttErs

How to PaSS Pass: Plan + aCtIon + stick-to-it-ness = SuCCESS

Gail Vaz-oxlade

There are loads of books focused on how to be successful. But even after reading a good blog or a good book or hearing an inspiring story, it’s sometimes hard to stay focused. So here is a simple acronym that may help you do just that. PASS. Whether you’re determined to learn to live on less or make more money to get to debt free forever, you can succeed if you do the following: Plan. Yup, that’s the “P” in PASS. You can’t do anything without a plan. Begin by clearly defining what it is you want to achieve. How will you measure your progress? If what you want isn’t quantifiable, how will you know that you achieved it? And if it doesn’t have a timeframe attached, it’s just a dream, not a plan. You have to be very specific about what you want: I want to pay off my $1,200 credit card

by Christmas this year. I want to have the money to pay for my $3,200 honeymoon before I get married next June. Quantifiable goals can be achieved. Fuzzy goals, not so much.

Make sure your plan is realistic.

Wanting to have $40,000 saved for a down payment on a home in three years when you make only minimum wage may not be doable if you don’t change other things in your life, like your job. And be flexible. There is no rule that says that plans can’t change. If your 8 RentersGuide.ca

priorities or circumstances change, so should your plan.

Act. That’s the “A” in PASS. The best-laid plans won’t make a bit of difference if you don’t do something. Some people spend so much time putting their plan together they have no energy left to execute it. Or is it that they’re so afraid of failing that they let themselves get stuck in the planning stage?

Let’s take a woman I’ve worked with, we’ll call her Sally, as an example. Sally has wanted to go into business for herself for as long as I’ve known her. She’s got talent.

She’s got a vision. And she’s spent the last five years working on the plan. What Sally doesn’t have is the chutzpah to act. She’s petrified.

Once you’ve got the plan in place, you have to have enough faith in yourself that you can do it.

You must believe in yourself.

I’m a big believer in the fact that people can do just about anything they really want to do. There are lots of folks who say they want one thing and then act against their own best interest. I’m not talking about those kids. I’m talking about the people who have clearly defined what they want and have the ability to make it happen.

Sometimes it takes a lot of stick-to-it-ness to get from here to there. Hey, that’s the first “S” in PASS. If you don’t have the gumption to go the distance, then you won’t. Stick-to-it-ness is what separates the men from the boys, the women from the girls.

It’s the ingredient most lacking when it comes to seeing a plan through to fruition.

People with stick-to-it-ness

don’t give up. When things look bleak, they look at their plan to see if there’s a problem. Or they change their timeline. Or they look for more resources to help them.

But they keep on truckin’. And even when the first plan doesn’t work, people with stick-to-it-ness know that the lessons they are learning are going to help them succeed with Plan B. Ultimately, it’s all about success.

Yup, that’s the final “S” in PASS. So the whole thing ends up looking like this: Plan + Action + Stick-toit-ness = Success Is there something you’ve always wanted to do that you just haven’t made happen yet? Come on, fess up!

Gail Vaz-Oxlade is the host of Til Debt Do Us Part and author of Debt Free Forever, and she blogs daily at gailvazoxlade.com. Follow Gail on Twitter at Twitter.com/GailVazOxlade

+more adVICE online nexthome.ca/news/advice

Trending

Standard leaSe in effect A new standard lease for residential rentals came into effect this past April 30 as a way to help both tenants and landlords understand their rights and responsibilities and avoid disputes.

Most landlords must use the new format for leases signed after April 30. The templated lease has basic information such as names and addresses, the total rent and when it is due. There is extra space to write in any rules or terms about the rental unit or building that both parties must adhere to. It’s to be used for tenancies in single and semidetached houses, apartment buildings, rented condominiums and secondary units, such as basement apartments. It does

not apply to most social and supportive housing, co-operative housing, retirement and nursing homes, mobile home parks and land lease communities, and commercial properties.

Having a standardized format for everyone reduces the use of illegal terms and potential misunderstandings caused by verbal tenancy agreements. This should make it easier for landlords to conduct their business and for tenants to understand their rights and responsibilities. There is also an easy-to-understand general information guide on renting in Ontario. The standard lease and the guide are available in 23 languages.

If a landlord does not use the

new standard lease, renters can ask for one. If the landlord doesn’t provide it within 21 days, the tenant can withhold one month’s rent.

The standard lease is part of Ontario’s Fair Housing Plan, which also included expanded rent control. As of April 20, 2017, 1.3 million residential rental households became protected from sudden, unexpected rent increases – including all private market rental units, whether they are in apartment buildings, rented condominiums or homes. Rent increases are capped at 1.8 per cent for 2018 and 2019. Increases cannot exceed 2.5 per cent unless the landlord has the approval of the Landlord and Tenant Board.

Bonaventure Meadows 2228 or 2230 Trafalgar Street (near Hwy 100 in London)

RENOVAT ED SUITES

WASHER & DRYER IN SUITE

OUTDOOR POOL • Dishwasher, Fridge & Stove • Contemporary Decor • Convenience to 401 • Parking • Private Balconies

• Hardwood Floors • 24 hour Surveillance • Ensuite Storage • Natural Gas Fireplace

519.659.6629

1, 2 & 3 BEDROOM SUITES

$

From

740

+ utilities

email: info@bonaventuremeadows.com

oct 13 - 27, 2018 9

GUELPH WATERLOO

BURLINGTON

KITCHENER CAMBRIDGE

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HAMILTON

NIAGARA FALLS ST. CATHARINES

HAMILTON-NIAGARA BRANTFORD

WELLAND

STRATFORD WOODSTOCK INGERSOLL LONDON

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CHATHAM

WINDSORCHATHAM WINDSOR

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HAMILTON/ NIAGARA Hamilton Niagara Falls St. Catharines Welland

SARNIA/ LAMBTON

WATERLOO/ WELLINGTON Burlington Guelph Kitchener Waterloo Cambridge Brantford

Sarnia

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Page 19, 25

LONDON Stratford Woodstock Ingersol St Thomas London

Chatham Windsor

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hoW to ADvERTISE

Now AvAilAble iN over

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MedIa CoNSuLTaNT 416.986.7351 daniela.francia@nexthome.ca

MedIa CoNSuLTaNT 905.532.2587 gary.chilvers@nexthome.ca

WINDSOR/ CHATHAM

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bY Phone: 1-866-234-9879

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Call and charge your ad to your credit card. an experienced renters guide advertising Consultant will assist you. office hours: monday-friday 9:00am -5:00pm

10  RentersGuide.ca

ADVICE | RENTAL RANTINGS

TIPS FOR

STRESS-FREE LIVING JENNIFER BRAUN Having your own rental is exciting and liberating, but somewhere down the line it can also cause some unnecessary anxiety. It’s not because rental living isn’t great, but because sometimes life just happens. One day you’re contemplating yellow or purple pillows for the living room and the next, you’re worried about paying your rent on time and finding a few spare minutes to clean your home. Then, unexpected problems creep up at the worse moment.

Of course, the one day you’re late for work, you wake up to a leaking kitchen faucet!

Relax… life is crazy, but rental living doesn’t have to be. Take some advice and you’ll soon see rental living can be stress-free.

STAY ON BUDGET: Nothing can

cause panic like not being able to meet your monthly rent. Of course you created a budget way before move-in day, but somehow this month your budget went south (I blame online shopping!). Take a second look at your budget and make sure there is plenty of breathing room for unexpected sales… I mean unexpected living expenses. Keep your budget top of mind. Paying bills is much less stressful than receiving bills you can’t pay.

CREATE A GOOD RELATIONSHIP WITH YOUR LANDLORD:

Having a good relationship with your landlord can make all the difference between a good and a

bad tenant experience. If you’re having problems with your rental, neighbours or any other issues, your landlord is your best bet to fix your problems quickly and keep stress off your back. Maintain a good relationship with your landlord by sticking to your lease obligations and communicating with them in good faith. You never know when you might want to put in a special request.

KEEP IT ORGANIZED: After a long day at work, there is nothing more stressful or less appealing than having to go home to a major to-do list of things that have to be cleaned, cooked and set on fire.

(No, you can’t actually set your laundry on fire!) Instead, eliminate clutter and do home chores as you go along. A quick 15 minutes of cleaning a day can go a long way.

You can’t have a stress-free home with three days worth of dirty dishes waiting in your sink. Find

whatever tricks work best for you so you can stay organized and you will soon stay stress-free, too.

TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF: Finally,

in order to be able to take care of your home, you have to take care of yourself. Identify whatever is causing your stress and nip it in the bud right away. Take time for yourself. Break a sweat at your building’s fitness centre (again, you pay for it) or relax with some aromatherapy candles while you unwind with a book or your favourite Netflix series.

Don’t you feel less stressed already?

Jennifer Braun is a freelance lifestyle writer from Montreal. Follow Jennifer on Twitter @justbejealous and find her blog at justbejealous.com

+MORE ADVICE ONLINE nexthome.ca/news/advice

oct 13 - 27, 2018 11

ADVICE | LEGALLY SPEAKING

SECURITY DEPOSITS & POST-DATED CHEQUES:

DO I NEED TO PROVIDE THEM? JAYSON SCHWARZ

Every time someone begins to negotiate a lease for a residential premise, the issue of security deposits and post-dated cheques needs to be dealt with. Consumers are often unaware of their rights and obligations and so have an unequal bargaining position with a potential landlord. Here are some comments on both issues. We hope they help.

SECURITY DEPOSITS

A deposit is usually demanded by the landlord in order to use all or part of the deposit to cover any damages to the property caused by the tenant or to cover rent should a tenant fail to make a rent payment. The legal limit for a deposit and the type of deposit allowed will vary from province to province. A tenant may also be able to get interest on the security deposit when the tenancy ends or is terminated. Check with your local Landlord and Tenant Board to get up-to-date information on your rights.

In Ontario, for example, a landlord can demand a rent deposit equal to one month’s rent, or the rent for one rental period, whichever is less. If the rent payments are made weekly, the deposit cannot be more than one week’s rent. If the rent payments are monthly, the deposit cannot be more than one month’s rent.

However, it is illegal for a landlord in Ontario to demand a security deposit for potential damages to 12 RentersGuide.ca

a rental unit. Due to this, many landlords have tried to use creative ways to come up with charges to get around the rule for security deposits. However, the Ontario Residential Tenancies Act prohibits any other additional charges.

A landlord cannot directly or indirectly require or attempt to require from a tenant any fee or deposit of this nature.

POST-DATED CHEQUES

This will also vary from province to province. A post-dated cheque is a cheque that is dated for a future date. In the context of landlord and tenants, it is usually a cheque dated for the day rent is due for the remainder of the tenancy agreement. The reason for postdated cheques is that a cheque will be incapable of being cashed until the date on the cheque.

This is convenient for both the landlord and the tenant.

The landlord will not have to hound the tenant for cheques every month and the tenant will get the benefit of post-dating, namely, the landlord will be prevented from depositing all the cheques at once. However, in practice, sometimes things do not go smoothly. Due to the large amount of cheques and the automated process in most of the country’s financial institutions, sometimes cheques may be cashed early. These cause issues as the bank may hit you with fees should your account have insufficient funds and go into overdraft. This is important to keep in mind should your landlord requests post-dated cheques.

For example, in Ontario and Manitoba, landlords may request

post-dated cheques, but a tenant is not required to provide them.

However, once a landlord and tenant agree to a method of payment, it cannot be changed unless both the landlord and tenant agree.

So remember, in the rush of signing a tenancy agreement and moving into a new place, do not neglect to read over your tenancy agreement. You should never agree to a requirement in your tenancy agreement if you are unsure of its effect!

Disclaimer: The article provided herein are for general information purposes only and not intended as, or to be relied upon for legal advice. Consult with a lawyer for your unique situation.

Jayson Schwarz LL.M is a Toronto real estate lawyer and partner in the law firm Schwarz Law LLP. schwarzlaw.ca info@schwarzlaw.ca

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oct 13 - 27, 2018 13

NEIGHBOURHOOD PROFILE

+MORE PHOTOS AND STATS ONLINE: nexthome.ca/hespeler-village

HESPELER VILLAGE AN OASIS OF QUAINTNESS ANNE MARSHALL

This beautifully cozy and historically significant area of Cambridge is bounded by Hespeler Rd., Blackbridge Rd., Townline Rd., and the Jamieson Parkway. Approximately equidistant to Kitchener/Waterloo, Guelph and greater Cambridge (Galt), it is an oasis of quaintness.

This is a laid-back, familyoriented community with a great love of the outdoors, taking pride in its homes and gardens. Active, busy professionals find time to jog or cycle along the Speed River trails and paths before and after making the commute to 14 RentersGuide.ca

work in Toronto or London, and congregate on weekends and evenings in the restos and bistros of the neighbourhood’s rapidly gentrifying main drag, Queen Street.

Hespeler Village is home to several public elementary schools, as well as Jacob Hespeler Secondary School, named after the town’s founder. The busy village ‘downtown’ area features a beautifully renovated original early 1922 Carnegie library building, now expanded and housed in a modern glass façade.

Nearby Forbes Park offers tennis courts, playing fields, a splash pad and plenty of greenspace, and Jacob’s Landing park near the site of several decommissioned mills is a popular

picnic and photography spot.

True to its origins as a mill town, Hespeler Village is now a healthy mix of established working-class folk and younger professionals both with and without families.

The area is home to people from all different cultures, much like the rest of Cambridge.

There ís an active community of alternative health care practitioners, and the many art happenings (including the popular Forbes Park Music Festival) are evidence that the face of this traditionally blue-collar area is changing.

Anne Marshall has lived in New York City, Glasgow (Scotland), Greensboro (NC), Toronto, and somehow ended up back in the fabulous small city of Guelph, where she grew up.

140 Wellington Street South

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RENTAL DIRECTORY

ADVERTISERS RenteRs GuIde makes eveRy effoRt to ensuRe the accuRacy of ouR Index, howeveR avaIlabIlIty and pRIces chanGe daIly. please RefeR to the specIfIc ad and call the adveRtIseR foR moRe detaIls.

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Viscount Properties - Various Locations

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16 RentersGuide.ca

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ADVERTISERS RenteRs GuIde makes eveRy effoRt to ensuRe the accuRacy of ouR Index, howeveR avaIlabIlIty and pRIces chanGe daIly. please RefeR to the specIfIc ad and call the adveRtIseR foR moRe detaIls.

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INTerSeCTIoN & AddreSS

PrICe From

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hAmILTon Effort Trust - Various Locations

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Gumiero Holdings - Wellington St S. & Main St E. - 140 Wellington St S.

$714

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Gumiero Holdings - 70 Glenburn Crt - Queenston Rd & Centennial Parkway

$847

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Ontim - Ontario Street & Maple Avenue - 1285 Ontario Street

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Shelter Corp - Cumberland Ave & Prospect St - 3270 Prospect St

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IFC

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IBC

ST. CAThARInES Panoramic Properties - Various Locations

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17

ADVICE | THE RENTALIST

EASY WAYS TO

WARM UP! JACKIE MARCHILDON From blistering hot to freezing cold — it always seems to happen overnight, doesn’t it? If your rental unit was too hot during the summer, you might now be worried it will be too cold during the winter. Though keep in mind – although the landlord doesn’t have a responsibility to provide you with air conditioning, they certainly do have a responsibility to keep you warm during Canada’s colder months – generally above 21°C, starting in September.

But still, there are times you’ll want to warm up, and with winter around the corner, it’s never too early to prep your home for the cold. We all complain about it, but winter can be really fun! It’s just no fun to come home to a cold space.

PUT DOWN DRAFT STOPPERS

Draft stoppers (also known as door snakes) act as barriers between the cold outside and the inside. They are cheap to buy and easy enough to make if you’re more of a DIYer (just stuff them and sew them). It’s a small effort to put in for great results — in drafty apartments, you wouldn’t believe how much freezing air is drifting in through the gap at the bottom of the front door.

COVER YOUR WINDOWS WITH INSULATION FILM

Insulation film is basically plastic wrap for your windows — and it works wonders! I personally use 18 RentersGuide.ca

it to cover most of my windows in the winter, and the difference in temperature can be felt immediately. As you’re placing it around the window, you’ll be able to see how strong the air coming in really is, because the draft will create a bubble beneath the wrap.

Choose wisely when deciding which windows to cover because you will not be able to open them once they are insulated.

COVER COLD SURFACES

Put down a rug or two on your cold floors. If your ceramic tile is freezing during the winter, a nice rug to warm the feet can do a lot. Hardwood floors also get cold during the winter, so a warm rug could be a welcome addition there, too. Putting up thick or layered curtains can also keep the warmth in. Cellular shades are a good option as they let light in, but tend to keep the cold out.

REVERSE YOUR CEILING FANS AND BUY A GOOD SPACE HEATER

If you have ceiling fans, reverse the direction of the blades. This will bring the warm air down and help keep the temperature in your

home from plummeting. You might still need a little help staying warm, so invest in a good space heater — just check your lease to confirm you’re allowed to have small appliances like heaters – especially if you aren’t responsible for paying for utilities.

GET CREATIVE

I’ve lived in a few cold apartments, and I’ve found that it’s all about knowing the little tricks. Once you’ve insulated the windows, sealed the gaps around the house and added warmth wherever you can, all you need to do is throw on some slippers and get creative.

Sleep with a hot water bottle, microwave your socks, warm your towel on the radiator and leave the oven door open for a little while after you’ve cooked a meal or two!

Jackie Marchildon is a bilingual writer and editor. She spends her time searching for hidden gems across the city, whether it’s new neighbourhoods and restaurants or upcoming trends in real estate and home decor.

+MORE ADVICE ONLINE nexthome.ca/news/advice

burlington Townhouse 3 bedroom without garage (including 2 parking spots) + utilities Townhouse 3 bedroom with garage + utilities

Features: Renovated units New stainless steel appliances In-suite washer and dryer Ceramic tiles and hardwood floor Private backyard Full basement Children's play area On-site management

Rental Office Hours: Monday to Friday 9am to 8pm; Weekends and holidays by appointment

19

INSPIRATION |

design file

dining room the art of creating a

Hosting a dinner party soon but feel like your dining space is lacking lustre? Designer Cynthia Soda inspires a dining area makeover in six steps.

20  RentersGuide.ca

Whatever your style preference, with a little bit of creativity you can create interest in your space, and your stylish dining room will become a gorgeous setting for many family gatherings for years to come.

WAll deTAIlS

Instead of just painting the walls, think about applying beautiful detailing as well. With this room, I applied thin flat rectangular burlap mouldings from Central Fairbank (centralfairbank.com), which allowed me to create whatever design I wanted on the walls. In this case, I used the bulkheads in the walls and ceilings to define the concentric rectangular designs. Each area was equally divided and evenly spaced out to add interest.

The rhythm and repetition of the rectangles creates an architectural feeling to the space, and cleverly draws the eye away from bulkheads, electrical outlets and switches on the walls.

PAINT ChOICe

I chose to paint all the walls, the ceiling and the baseboards white. This shade really highlights the architecture of the room and also keeps the wall detail subtle and not overwhelming for the area. lIghTINg

Lighting is a great way to introduce a different design style to a space. Case in point: This caged light fixture from Supreme Lighting (supremelighting.ca) plays on the grid theme but also adds an industrial element to the room.

ACCeNT COlOuR

I love this pop of green colour. The short back of the chairs keeps things casual and allows the vibrant colour to be an accent, too, and not take away from the rest of the elements in the room. Remember, it’s only an accent colour!

Rug

A great rug can really anchor a space and tie everything together. For this area, I chose a patterned black and white rug, which plays against the neutral theme of the room. It also ties in the dark millwork from the adjacent kitchen, grounding the space.

TAble

Choosing the right dining table is a matter of personal style and preference. A good thing to keep in mind when shopping for one is how many people will be seated around it regularly. And, don’t forget to measure your space before you buy! In this room, I chose a large wooden table with detailed legs, that comfortably seats six – it’s a great piece that brings a natural element to the room.

Cynthia Soda is owner, principal interior designer of Soda Pop Design Inc., a multidisciplinary interior design firm providing complete custom renovation and design services for residential and commercial clients throughout the GTA. Soda Pop Design Inc focuses on merging the client’s lifestyle, personality and architecture to create customized livable luxury. sodapopdesign.ca

oct 13 - 27, 2018 21

SPRING/S

AL  | NATION

UMM ER 2018

erties near Rental prop & colleges universities

Pick up the Spring/ Summer issue of the national Student Renters Guide or view it on any digital device anytime

studentrentersguide.ca

ADVICE | MOVING

HAVE A CLEANER, GREENER MOVE most convenient solution for recyclables. Many cities offer curbside pick-up or “sort and drop” depots.

CHUCK RESNICK

3 ORGANIZE. Prepare recyclables

Here are some suggestions on how to organize your move to make it a cleaner, greener process: 1 PLAN AHEAD. Start early so

by organizing into categories: Plastic, glass, aluminum, paper, cardboard, etc.

recycling depots for toxic products in your city.

5 REUSE. Do not throw away used

moving boxes after the move.

A well-made corrugated box is great for storage or may be reused for a future move or passed on to someone else who is moving.

4 CARE FOR HAZARDOUS MATERIAL. Toxic items such

you have the extra time to sort through recyclable items for delivery to recycling depots prior to moving day. Consider holding a garage sale or donating gently used but no longer wanted items to a charity.

as paint, batteries, house cleaning products, automobile oils, pesticides and fertilizers are dangerous and cannot be transported in the back of a commercial moving truck. Also consider that these items cannot be thrown out with your regular garbage. Look up the specialized

2 RESEARCH. Survey local

recycling options to find the

Chuck Resnick is vice-president Marketing and Operations for Two Men And a Truck - Canada, a division of Heron Capital Corporation. Visit twomen.ca

+MORE ADVICE ONLINE nexthome.ca/news/advice

1, 2 & 3 BDRM. SUITES • Utilities and windows coverings included

• Individually controlled heat and A/C • Indoor heated pool, sauna & fitness Centre • Outdoor sundeck, tennis courts BBQ areas & playground • Recreational activities • Close to the GO station, QEW, 407, 403 Hwys, Joseph Brant Hospital, Spencer Smith Park • Parking available

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Lakeshore Road

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Mapleview Shopping Centre

BURLINGTON TOWERS

oct 13 - 27, 2018 23

ADVICE | APARTMENTALITY

HOUSING DISCRIMINATION IS

NOT OKAY ANNE MARSHALL

Apartment hunting can be challenging in the best of circumstances. If you’re searching, you probably have a vision of your ideal abode: A number of bedrooms, ground or upper floor, parking, neighbourhood, access to transit, carpet versus hardwood.

But what happens if the landlord who owns your perfect pad also has a vision of the ideal tenant – and it’s not you?

While we’d like to believe that countries like Canada offer equal opportunities for all when it comes to housing, there is still the occasional landlord who may discriminate against prospective tenants based on their own prejudices and assumptions.

However, when they do, they are breaking the law. In every province, it is illegal to discriminate against a tenant on the basis of race, skin colour, religion, nationality, marital or family status, gender/sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), sexual orientation, pet ownership, physical disability, intellectual disability and source of income.

Québec adds ancestry and language to its protections; political beliefs are protected in P.E.I., Newfoundland, Manitoba, the Yukon and Northwest Territories.

Yukon and N.W.T. also make it illegal to refuse housing on the basis of a criminal record or conviction.

In every province except Alberta, discrimination based on age is also against the law.

How can you ensure that your personal circumstances don’t 24 RentersGuide.ca

somehow work against you? Start by knowing what information your landlord can ask you to provide.

Landlords have the right to ask: Whether you work, and where; your income; how many people will be living with you, and what their names are; if you smoke; whether you can provide references from previous landlords; and whether you give permission for a credit check.

They may ask whether you have pets, but only in B.C. can landlords actually restrict pets on their premises.

Landlords cannot inquire about: Your marital status; your age; your sexual orientation; your ethnicity; your religion; your citizenship; whether you receive any type of social assistance; whether you are pregnant; or whether you plan to have (more) children. It’s worth noting that you’re more likely to encounter these examples of prejudice when dealing with a private landlord rather than a property management company, whose legal team will be aware of, and dedicated to, upholding the current laws. But in any instance when you’re asked about such things, even if it seems like innocent small talk, you should

remind the landlord that they don’t have the right to ask (or know), and also make a point of reporting that individual’s actions.

Many provinces, including Ontario, have begun explicitly cracking down on discriminatory language in rental ads in recent years. Using seemingly innocuous phrases like “suitable for single professional” or “mature couples preferred” has become a sneaky way for landlords to violate provincial human rights codes without explicitly stating “no kids” or “students keep out!”

With human rights agencies and housing advocates now focusing on these forms of indirect discrimination, which are much more common and widespread than blatant bigotry, it’s harder for intolerant or prejudiced landlords to get away with denying you a place to call home.

Anne Marshall has lived in New York City, Glasgow (Scotland), Greensboro (NC), Toronto, and somehow ended up back in the fabulous small city of Guelph, where she grew up.

+MORE ADVICE ONLINE nexthome.ca/news/advice

INSIDER ADVICE

CONDO RENTALS VS APARTMENT RENTALS SHERYL ERENBERG Along with condo construction has come a lot of investors buying up suites and then renting them out. When deciding where to live, there are a few things to consider when choosing between an apartment and a condo, beyond location and price.

YOU MAY FEEL LIKE A

SOME CONDOS DO NOT

SECOND-CLASS CITIZEN

ALLOW PETS

Owner-occupiers of condos are not always thrilled with having renters in the building. They think tenants are more transient and cause more wear and tear on common areas, don’t participate in the management of the building and don’t treat and respect the property as if it were their own.

Pets provide stress reduction, companionship, affection, comfort, security and unconditional love.

Why would you even think about moving without your best friend?

Most apartments welcome your furry friends.

IN-SUITE REPAIRS CAN TAKE LONGER TO COMPLETE

YOU WILL BE SACRIFICING SPACE

Generally speaking, condos are smaller. Compared to apartment rentals, the difference in square footage is about 25 to 30 per cent.

Most owner-investors do not have a team of tradesmen on speed dial and most are not professionally managed. Getting repairs done in your condo is not as easy as leaving a note for the on-site superintendent of a rental building.

Sheryl Erenberg is president of Sheryl Erenberg and Associates. The company specializes in repositioning stigmatized properties and marketing under-performing communities. sherylerenberg.com

+MORE ADVICE ONLINE nexthome.ca/news/advice

oct 13 - 27, 2018 25

You’ve just found your nexthome!

Your rental search is over. Welcome home.

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These smartly designed suites (many with den options) offer many of the luxuries of condo living, but at rental prices. Not only that, everyday conveniences, green spaces, funky coffee houses, London Transit, Budweiser Gardens and more, are practically outside your door. › Concierge / Security › 24 hour Fitness Centre › Party Room / Games Room › Study Lounge / Library › Screening Room › 24 hour ground floor laundry › Secured underground parking › Secured bike storage room › And more

 Rental Centre: 700 King St.

*See Rental Agent for details. Illustrations are artist’s concept. Prices and specification subject to change without notice. E. & O.E.

 Monday - Thursday 11am - 7pm Friday, Saturday & Sunday 10 am - 4 pm 905.523.6556 or RentRevo.com