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.



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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.

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