Your Defence To An Eviction Notice

Your home is your sanctuary, so if you’ve received an eviction notice, it can turn your world upside down.

In most cases it’s not a complete surprise, as there’s a warning that happens prior to receiving an eviction notice. If the landlord has received noise complaints, for example, the usual process is to first notify you in writing and give you the opportunity to address the issue and make changes.

Reasons for eviction

Common reasons for receiving a notice include failure to pay rent, willful damage to the property, and having too many people living in a unit.

According to Ontario’s Residential Tenancies Act, the landlord does not have the right to evict you if you are in violation of a “No pets” agreement. However, if you have a dog that is barking all the time and disturbing other tenants, that would infringe on their rights and could be grounds for eviction.

Steps to eviction

In order to evict, the landlord needs to give written notice with the date and reason why. If you don’t want to move, try contacting a Community Legal Clinic for advice. Most Community Legal Clinics provide free legal help on tenant issues for people with low incomes.

Only the police can evict you, not the landlord. The landlord has to apply for an eviction order from the Landlord and Tenant Board, and a hearing will be scheduled.

The hearing gives you an opportunity to tell your side of the story. It’s helpful if you bring documents, photos and witnesses that can help support your case.

If you need a new place to live, check out Gottarent.com.  It’s a great apartment rental site that makes it easy to find the perfect unit or house in your community, including Student rentals in Toronto.

For more information visit to source.

Contact us:

Gottarent.com Head Office

Address: 44 Frid Street

City: Hamilton, ON

Zip Code: L8N 3G3

Phone: 1-888-440-2099 

Improving Your Apartment’s Acoustic Comfort

Having your voice carry in a room is great … if you’re a singer and you’re in a performance space or studio. However, this is not generally appreciated in rental apartments, where you have neighbours on the other side of your walls.

Unfortunately, developers often overlook acoustic comfort. So, it’s not really known until people move into the building – that’s when they start realising how much you can, in fact, hear from other units.

There’s not a lot that can be done in terms of construction to improve the acoustic comfort of your soundproof apartment , since you rent it rather can own it. That said, all is not lost; you can create a comfortable space for you and your neighbours.

While the best ways to soundproof and improve acoustic comfort in a space is to adhere sound-absorbing materials to the shared walls, the fact that you do not own your apartment means you shouldn’t be making big permanent or semi-permanent changes to your place.

So, how can you get relief quickly, without taking drastic (expensive) measures? Here are some ideas:

Large-scale wall art

Instead of installing purpose-built soundproofing panels, you can hang a large-scale painting or framed print on the shared wall. It adds an additional barrier for sound to pass through. You can also hang a wall tapestry to get the same effect. For more information visit to source.

Contact us:
Gottarent.com Head Office
Address: 44 Frid Street
City: Hamilton, ON
Zip Code: L8N 3G3
Phone: 1-888-440-2099

Luxury Rentals: Who Wants Them, And Why Are They In Demand?

To some, the term “luxury rental” sounds like an oxymoron, but high-end rental properties have been around for a while. One reason the concept might be trending lately is in direct relationship to the current real estate market. With high home prices and stagnant wages, many who would typically buy property are now looking to the rental market for a home.

Many developers are building luxury townhomes for rent or luxury apartment buildings knowing full well there is a market for these types of dwellings. There are also people who buy houses and condo units as income properties, so renters can live in affluent neighbourhoods without having to commit to buying.

Affordability

While there are plenty of luxury houses in Toronto, they aren’t necessarily affordable to all who want them. The real estate landscape has really changed, making the rental market more attractive to a wider range of people from all socioeconomic levels. For example, people who perhaps would have been in the market for a starter home are now looking at the rental market for housing.

Bottom line: if you cannot qualify for a mortgage but you still make enough income to handle monthly rent payments, a luxury rental could be for you.

Having a nice home

Many people are attracted to luxury rentals because that tends to mean they’re either newly built or renovated. If you want a nice home with new appliances and finishes, a luxury rental house or condo unit will give you that and more. Continue reading for more information.

Contact us:
Gottarent.com Head Office
Address: 44 Frid Street
City: Hamilton, ON
Zip Code: L8N 3G3
Phone: 1-888-440-2099

Renting a House in Toronto: Expectation vs. Reality

We all know that the Toronto real estate market is crazy right now. Affordability is practically nonexistent. That said, there are still many people who want to live in a house but cannot afford to buy. This means finding a house through the house rental agencies.

Renting a house in Toronto sounds like a more affordable alternative to buying, but it’s important to manage your expectations when searching, as the results may not be what you were hoping for.

Expectation: Close to work

Reality: Most jobs in Toronto are concentrated in the urban areas, where most housing is in high-rise buildings. Most residential neighbourhoods are located outside the core, so you won’t necessarily end up within walking distance of work if you want to live in a rental house in Toronto.

Even the single-family homes for rent that are in the urban communities of Toronto are often expensive, and vacancies are typically low.

Expectation: Lots of space

Reality: Many renters opt for a house rather than an apartment unit because of the square footage. The truth is, some of the more affordably priced houses for rent are small. And even if the square footage is bigger than in an apartment, older houses typically have very closed layouts, limiting the amount of useable space you end up with.

The other thing that can end up happening is that the entire house won’t be available for rent, but rather a basement apartment or an upper floor unit. So, you don’t end up with that much more space. Continue reading for more information.

Contact us:
Gottarent.com Head Office
Address: 44 Frid Street
City: Hamilton, ON
Zip Code: L8N 3G3
Phone: 1-888-440-2099

Dining Solutions for Small Apartments

Apartment living can be wonderful in many ways. No lawn to mow, or major repairs to pay for. But what you gain in freedom you sometimes lose in space. Small apartments don’t always have designated space for everything like you might get in a house. One space that people often struggle to make room for is dining.

Small rental units, especially bachelor apartments for rent, don’t have a lot of space for furnishings, let alone a dining room table. But rather than eating all meals on your lap on the couch, you can add a dedicated dining area to your apartment. While you might not be able to host big dinner parties, you should be able to eat your own meals comfortably.

Dining ideas for small apartments

• Pub table and bar stools:

If it’s just you, or you and one other person living in the apartment, you don’t need a full-sized table. Instead, get a pub-style table (a tall, long and narrow table) with two bar stools. This can be pushed up against a wall, and the two bar stools can slide under when not in use. It’s a pretty good space saver for small apartments.

You could get four stools and pull the table out from the wall if you need to fit more people around it.

• Wall-mounted dining table:

As long as you fill in the holes before you move out, a great dining solution for a small apartment is a wall-mounted dining table. When in use, it folds out, providing a surface to eat your meals from. When not in use, it conveniently folds up flat against the wall. Add a couple of foldable chairs, and voila, you have an instant dining room!

There are different styles of wall-mounted dining tables. Some fold up flush against the wall, while others convert from a small shelf into a table. Continue reading for more information.

Contact us:
Gottarent.com Head Office
Address: 44 Frid Street
City: Hamilton, ON
Zip Code: L8N 3G3
Phone: 1-888-440-2099

Affordable Renting Tips for College Students

Post-secondary education is expensive. Tuition costs are rising, plus books and other materials have to be factored in as well. If you’re going to a college or university away from home, you’ll have to also consider the cost of housing.

If you’re looking at off-campus housing, there are some ways to make renting more affordable. Student rentals come in all shapes and forms, so you want to make sure you’re getting a good deal for your money. Looking for the cheapest student apartment isn’t always the best strategy, as you also need to consider the value you’re getting out of it. If it’s rundown and in a bad neighbourhood, it’s probably not worth the stress.

Here are some tips for finding affordable student housing off-campus in time for the fall semester:

1. Consider a bachelor pad

If you want to live alone (or share with your significant other), a bachelor apartment is an affordable student rental. Bachelor apartments tend to feature an open concept living space with a private bathroom. Your kitchen will be small, and will open into the living/sleeping space. Students who live in traditional dorms get way less than this, so it’s a step up. You can get creative with furniture placement, fitting in a desk/workspace for studying, plus a bed and storage.

2. Get some roomies

If you’re looking at student houses for rent, you probably already have some potential roommates on board. If you’re looking at student apartments, consider a 2-bedroom unit so that you can share the costs with a roommate to save some dough.

Roommates can be part of the college experience. You could end up being lifelong friends!

3. Be a basement dweller

Quite often people who own properties near colleges and universities earn a supplementary income by renting out their basements to students. Look for some basement apartments near campus, as they tend to be more affordable than units in traditional high-rise buildings. Just make sure they are legal rentals, as you don’t want to get involved in an under-the-table scheme. Continue reading for more information.

Contact us:
Gottarent.com Head Office
Address: 44 Frid Street
City: Hamilton, ON
Zip Code: L8N 3G3
Phone: 1-888-440-2099

When Is the Best Time to Search for an Apartment?

In the real estate world, it’s said that spring is the best season to sell because people prefer to move during the summer months. But can the same be said for the rental market? Is there a better time to apartment hunt, or is it pretty much the same year-round?

So, when is the best time to search for apartments for rent in Canada? There are two schools of thought …

Winter

If you’re savvy, you can absolutely get the best deal on a rental apartment in the winter. People tend to not want to move during the colder months, so there are fewer vacancies. While fewer vacancies might seem like bad news, it could work in your favour. Landlord and building property managers want to fill these vacancies, even though there are fewer of them. Because of their need to fill the vacant rental apartments, they might be willing to negotiate the cost of the rent with you. A negotiated price is better than a vacancy.

If you sign a year-long lease at this price, you’re locked into this rent for a year and it can be raised only by the percentage outlined by the province. It’s a win-win – the landlord fills the spot, and you get a better price.

Spring/summer

Since the weather is nicer and the school year is coming to a close, there will be lots of move-outs. This means lots of units will become available during this time of year. Visit source for more details.



Contact us:
Gottarent.com Head Office
Address: 44 Frid Street
City: Hamilton, ON
Zip Code: L8N 3G3
Phone: 1-888-440-2099

5 Questions To Ask The Property Owner When Considering A House For Rent

Moving out of the family home for the first time is an exciting new adventure. Whether you’re moving out with roommates, with a significant other or on your own, it’s a big Not all renters want to live in a high-rise apartment unit. Many of us want the experience of living in a home in a residential neighbourhood, near green spaces and schools and away from heavy traffic. Whether you’re looking for a whole house to rent, a basement apartment or a secondary dwelling, renting from a homeowner can be a very different experience than dealing with a big building management company.

If you’re inexperienced in dealing with property owners, here are some questions you should consider asking during your walk-through.

1. What’s included in the rent?

Unlike many high-rise apartments for rent, rental houses often have extras included in the rent, such as TV and internet. This is typical if you are renting a section of a house, such as the basement or attic. If the homeowner lives on the premises, they might be willing to share the cost of these things with you by rolling them into your rent. You will also want to ask whether electricity and water are included, too.

This could affect your decision to take a place or not, because if the rent is already on the high end of your budget, you probably don’t want to have to pay for internet and other utilities on top of that.

2. Who’s responsible for yardwork and maintenance?

If the house has a yard and garden, whose responsibility is it to care for it? Will you have to mow the lawn yourself, or will they send a service to do it? If you do have to maintain the yard yourself, do you need your own lawn mower, or will there be one available for your use?

If something breaks inside the house, who is supposed to fix it? Do you arrange repairs yourself and get reimbursed by the landlord? Or will they send a maintenance person out to fix it at their expense? Do you have to absorb the cost? Find out.

3. What amenities do I have access to?

If you are renting an apartment inside someone’s home, where they currently live, you need to ask if there is a shared laundry room. What about the backyard and barbecue? Will you be allowed to use that? If you are allowed to use these things, is there a policy regarding when and how they’re used? Do you have to book them with the owner, or is it a free-for-all? Visit Source

Contact us:
Gottarent.com Head Office
Address: 44 Frid Street
City: Hamilton, ON
Zip Code: L8N 3G3
Phone: 1-888-440-2099

A spacious bachelor? Myth or fact?

Is the phrase “spacious bachelor” an oxymoron? Not necessarily. While bachelor apartments are known for being compact, if you’re strategic about furniture placement and smart with storage, you can definitely save some space.

Bachelor apartments traditionally only have two rooms – the first being the bedroom/living room/kitchen and the second being the bathroom. The kitchen area is often small and is sometimes more of a kitchenette. Living in a place like this requires a lot of thought and discipline, as it can very quickly become a cluttered mess. Having a small apartment doesn’t have to feel small – you just have to optimize your use of space.

Mirrors save everything

Mirrors are the ultimate optical illusion for making a room look bigger than it truly is. Hang a large mirror on the wall near a window, facing a focal point in the room to give the appearance of depth. Mirrors also reflect light, so placing it near the window will maximize the amount of natural light in the room. You will also want to add some artificial light using lamps for evening.

Open concept

While your instincts may tell you to divide the room to create privacy, that can actually make it look more cluttered and small. Instead, use folding screens to divide the space when you need it, but keep it open most of the time.

Create a space that flows well. You don’t want to add too many obstacles or tripping hazards! You should be able to move from the living/sleeping space to the kitchen seamlessly.

Multi-functional furnishings

Instead of both a couch and a bed, have a convertible sofa bed. You can also get murphy beds that have cupboards on the underside so when it’s folded against the wall you have storage.

If you choose to have a traditional bed and a couch/loveseat separate, get a bed with drawers underneath (Captain’s bed) to eliminate the need for a dresser. Click here for more information.


Contact us:
Gottarent.com Head Office
Address: 44 Frid Street
City: Hamilton, ON
Zip Code: L8N 3G3
Phone: 1-888-440-2099

What to look for in a good rental agent

With a hot rental market in many major city centres, it can be hard to find a suitable apartment on your own with so much competition. This is why hiring a rental agent is a smart move, as they can help you navigate this tricky market. That said, not all rental agents are created equal, and some will obviously be better than others. So, what do you look for in a good rental agent?

Positive reviews and referrals

When searching for the right rental agent for your needs, look to others to guide you. Reach out to friends who used an agent to find a rental. Like many service-based industries, rental agencies (and Realtors who also handle rentals) rely on referrals to build their business. Trust your family’s and friends’ recommendations.

You can also look at reviews and testimonials on third-party websites to see what other people’s experiences were like.

Local knowledge

Many people use rental agents when moving to a new city or town. If you’re unfamiliar with your new city, you want to be sure you’re working with someone who knows the area well. This way, when you describe your ideal neighbourhood and your budget, they will know exactly where to look to find your perfect place.Visit source for more information.


Contact us:
Gottarent.com Head Office
Address: 44 Frid Street
City: Hamilton, ON
Zip Code: L8N 3G3
Phone: 1-888-440-2099

5 Reasons To Rent An Apartment In Toronto

If the Toronto real estate market is unattainable to you, don’t worry. You can still live in the big city – you just have to rent instead of buy. There are a lot of reasons to rent an apartment in Toronto, as it’s an exciting city where all the action happens. And because it’s such a huge city, there are so many places to choose from!

5 reasons to rent an apartment in Toronto:

1. Close to work/jobs

There’s no denying it – Toronto is where many well-paying jobs are. Rather than living the commuter life from the suburbs, live where you work! When you live close to where you work, you can enjoy more of a work/life balance, as you won’t be wasting part of your day driving or sitting on a train or bus.

When looking for an house apartment for rent in Toronto, you can search in the neighbourhoods near your job.

2. Complete communities

Complete communities feature everything you need to live a full and healthy life nearby. These types of neighbourhoods should feature a mix of housing, commercial space, retail, green spaces and other helpful amenities. This concept is not unlike a village — where you have everything you need within walking distance.

It’s harder to find complete communities in the suburbs and rural areas — as things are much farther apart from each other. If you want to live, work and play in one area, Toronto has more options.

Look for rentals in a vibrant neighborhood that suits your lifestyle.

3. Transit

One of the major benefits of big-city living is reliable transit. While no transit system is perfect, compared to smaller cities and suburbs the TTC is more than decent. With buses, subways, and streetcars, you can easily get away with not having a car in Toronto. Click here to continue reading.


Contact us:
Gottarent.com Head Office
Address: 44 Frid Street
City: Hamilton, ON
Zip Code: L8N 3G3
Phone: 1-888-440-2099

Apartment-friendly surround sound

While most would say that a surround sound system is inappropriate for a standard rental apartment unit, but there are ways to make it work in small spaces. You can enjoy quality sound without annoying your neighbours!

Other issues renters face is the inability to structurally modify the space – as it’s rented, not owned. If you’re worried your space won’t accommodate a surround sound system, check out these handy tips to design a system to work for your apartment.

Compact

When shopping for an apartment-friendly sound system, going compact is the key. With today’s technology, bigger doesn’t have to equal better. Get excellent sound quality from compact speakers. Look for wall-mounted speakers to save floor space. If you do hang a speaker on a wall, try to avoid walls you share with neighbors.

You should also look for compact receivers and Blu-ray players and such since you probably won’t have the space for a full entertainment unit. You need equipment that can fit on a small shelf.

Decouple speakers

Decoupling your speakers means removing the speaker from a direct surface. This means that instead of having them sit on the floor, where vibrations can be felt through the floor or wall, you put the speakers on stands or pedestals. Decoupling your speaker can greatly improve your relationship with your neighbours, as they won’t have to listen to or feel your audio.

Hide wires or go wireless

Another complaint renters have about setting up audio-visual equipment in a small space is the abundance of wires. Not only wire unsightly, but they area tripping hazard.

Click here to read more.

Contact us:
Gottarent.com Head Office
Address: 44 Frid Street
City: Hamilton, ON
Zip Code: L8N 3G3
Phone: 1-888-440-2099

Get to know your community

One of the many benefits of renting over buying is that rental apartment buildings are often located in mixed-use neighbourhoods with plenty of amenities. These are complete communities with grocery stores, parks, cafés, shops and restaurants. When moving into a building in a new neighbourhood, take some time to explore and get to know your community.

Walk the hood

Take advantage of walkable neighbourhoods by hitting the pavement and exploring. If you’re in a city, find local transit stops, community centres, corner stores and other hidden gems near your apartment.

If you want to find some green spaces, look for nearby walking paths, trails and parks. If you have kids or a dog, finding a good park within walking distance of your apartment is crucial!

Become a regular

Find a local café, sandwich shop, pub, bakery or restaurant and make it your home away from home. Get to know the owners and staff, and meet your neighbours to better connect to your new community.

By supporting local establishments and building relationships with local business owners, you can really find out what makes your neighborhood special. By finding a place that feels right, you can create a community within your community with like-minded folks.

Visit source to read more.

Contact us:
Gottarent.com Head Office
Address: 44 Frid Street
City: Hamilton, ON
Zip Code: L8N 3G3
Phone: 1-888-440-2099

The nitty-gritty of credit scores

For the most part, renting an apartment begins with an application process. Not only do you need to disclose your current income, but you also have to provide personal information such as your social insurance number (SIN). Your SIN is used to access your credit score.

Your credit score comes into play whenever you’re making large financial commitments, such as buying a car, applying for a loan or renting an apartment. For the latter, the property manager and landlord want to make sure that you can handle the monthly rent and that you don’t carry a lot of bad debt that would impede your ability to pay.

If you’re worried that your low credit score will reflect badly on your rental applications, consider doing what you can to improve your financial situation before applying. It’s important to note that you cannot fix your credit score overnight. You need to be consistent over a period of time for it to reflect positively.

Pay down credit cards (and bad debt)

While using credit cards is the easiest way to build credit, it can be the single cause of destroying it, too. It’s all about how you use credit that determines whether it’s an asset or a curse. First of all, use credit only if you can handle the debt load. This means use credit only if you can realistically pay your minimum balance (or more) down each month. If you can keep up with your monthly payments and aren’t relying on credit to live, you should be able to balance it.  

View original source to read more: http://apartments.gottarent.com/the-nitty-gritty-of-credit-scores/

Contact us:Gottarent.com Head OfficeAddress: 44 Frid StreetCity: Hamilton, ONZip Code: L8N 3G3Phone: 1-888-440-2099

15 Minute Meals

Life is busy and sometimes there just isn’t the time to cook an elaborate dinner. Easy meals don’t have to be microwavable – you can use fresh, healthy ingredients to create a delicious homecooked meal in no time!

While summertime is traditionally barbecue season, not all apartment dwellers have the luxury of a balcony grill. That doesn’t mean you can’t still enjoy a hot grilled meal – ready in 15 minutes!

Enjoy the best of outdoor grilling inside with this amazing chicken recipe:

15 Minute Blackened Chicken

Ingredients:

• Boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 1 tablespoon paprika
• 2 tablespoons salt
• 1 tablespoon garlic salt
• 1 tablespoon dried parsley
• 1 tablespoon of onion powder
• 2 tablespoons black pepper
• Cayenne pepper, to taste
• 1 tablespoon dried oregano
• Oil or non-stick cooking spray

Instructions:

• Place the chicken breasts between too sheets of plastic wrap and pound out flat, or filet
• Mix all the spices and seasonings together to make a rub
• Place the chicken on a plate and rub with oil or spray with cooking spray on one side
• Spoon your blackened seasoning over the chicken and spread around. Use approximately ½ tablespoon for each piece of chicken. Add more or less for varying degrees of spice
• Flip the chicken over and repeat steps 3 and 4
• Heat up a cast iron skillet on your stove top till it’s very hot. You can buy ridged skillets that will give you those classic grill marks
• Place the chicken in the hot cast iron pan and cook for 5-6 minutes per side.
• Don’t move it in the pan, so it will develop that signature black crust
• Once both sides are done, remove from heat and cool it for a few minutes before serving
• Serve with rice, noodles, steamed vegetables, or sliced on top of a fresh salad

Voila! You have grill-style chicken cooked to perfection in less than 15 minutes! Make sure you open some windows and turn on a fan, so you don’t set off your smoke detector!

If you’re looking for your first apartment or are thinking of moving, find your perfect place on Gottarent.com. Find listings of apartments for rent in your preferred neighbourhood. Are you looking for a 1-bedroom? 2-bedroom? A bachelor? Search for apartments and find your new place. Soon you’ll be throwing a housewarming dinner party to celebrate!

Go green: Adding life to your apartment through plants

One of the downsides to living in an apartment building is the lack of a private yard and garden. While some buildings may have a community garden for residents, most do not. That said, you can still flex your green thumb and keep plants indoors all year round or outdoors on your balcony (if you have one) during the warmer months.

A touch of green can add a nice pop of colour to your apartment, plus having houseplants can help improve the air quality.

Here are some ideas on how you can incorporate plants around your rental apartment!

Choose apartment-friendly plants

When choosing indoor plants for your apartment, you want to look for species that thrive in containers. Different types of plants work in different lighting situations. If you want a plant that’s easy to care for and will work well in indirect sunlight, opt for a cactus. Cactus plants don’t need a lot of water. In fact, during the cooler months, they require water less than once a week. Cacti are trendy right now, so not only will they add some life to your apartment, but they will also become a piece of decor.

Another resilient houseplant is the snake plant. Part of the succulent family, the snake plant is tough and can survive in practically any environment. Like cacti, snake plants can live in dry soil and need minimal watering. They can also tolerate low light, so even if you live in an older building with small windows this will still work for you. Visit source to read more.

Contact us:
Gottarent.com Head Office
Address: 44 Frid Street
City: Hamilton, ON
Zip Code: L8N 3G3
Phone: 1-888-440-2099