Finding rental accomodation

There are several ways to find rental housing:

• Ask friends, people at immigrant-serving agencies and others you meet about places to rent.
   
• Look for Vacancy and For Rent signs in windows and on notice boards.
   
• Pick up a free copy of the Home Renters Guide at local malls or drug stores. (Note: Not all communities publish this guide.)
   
• Look in the classified section of local newspapers.

Signs and advertisements generally include a telephone number. Call the landlord or building manager to get more information and, if you are still interested, make an appointment to see the place.

If you are not comfortable speaking English, it is a good idea to take an English-speaking friend with you when you go to look at rental accommodation. Carefully examine all of the rooms and make sure the appliances and fixtures (stove, refrigerator, toilet, shower, lights) work properly.

Be sure the building and the unit are secure enough that you would feel safe living there. Many apartments have security systems that allow only those people who have the permission of a tenant to enter the building.

Before you sign a rental application form, ask questions such as the following:

• How much is the rent? Are utilities (water, heat and electricity costs) included in the rent? If not, how much do utilities usually cost each month?
   
• Keep in mind that telephone service costs are not included in utility costs, and you must buy your own telephone. Telephones can be purchased at stores selling electronic equipment.
   
• When must rent be paid? Usually, the rent must be paid by the first day of each month.
   
• Are there laundry facilities in the building or nearby?
   
• Where is the nearest bus stop, school or other service you need?
   
• What safety features (for example, smoke detectors) are there?
   
• How much is the security (damage) deposit?

A security deposit is money you pay the landlord before moving in. It must not be more than the amount of your first full month's rent. The landlord keeps the money in case you damage the property, do not pay the rent or leave without cleaning properly. If you do no damage, have paid the rent and cleaned the house or apartment before you leave, the landlord must return the money with interest after you move out.

A residential tenancy agreement (lease) is a written contract between the landlord and tenant that says how much the rent is and states the landlord's rules and how long you are required to rent the property. If the landlord has promised to make any repairs or changes, these should be written in the tenancy agreement.

Never sign documents you do not understand. If you need help, contact an immigrant-serving agency or ask a friend who knows English well.

Renting accommodation

After you decide to rent a place:

• Pay the security deposit. Once the deposit is paid, the landlord cannot rent the house or apartment to anyone else.
   
• Arrange to have telephone, electricity, heat and water services connected on the day you expect to move in or the day before (the landlord can tell you how to do this). You will be charged for the amount you use. You will have to pay for the connection of the utilities.
   
• Get the key from the landlord on the day of the move.

By law, the landlord and tenant must complete an inspection report within one week before or after the day the tenant moves in. It is extremely important to write all existing damage and necessary repairs on the form so the landlord cannot charge you for them when you move out.

Remember to pay power, water, natural gas (if they are not included in the monthly rental fee) and telephone bills promptly. If you do not, services will be disconnected and there will be an additional charge for connecting them again.

Discrimination

In Alberta, landlords are not allowed to refuse to rent places to people because of their race, religion, colour, gender, age, ancestry, place of origin, marital status, family status, source of income, physical disability, mental disability or sexual orientation. If a landlord refuses to rent a place to you for any of these reasons, you can complain to the Alberta Human Rights and Citizenship Commission.

Landlords can refuse to rent a place to you if there are reasonable grounds for refusing. For example, owners of seniors' complexes (apartments or condominiums for people over a specified age) can reasonably refuse to rent to younger people.

Moving out of rental accommodation

When you move out of rental accommodation:

• Tell the landlord in writing when you will be moving out. Check your tenancy agreement to find out when notice must be given. For example, you may be required to give at least one month's notice at the same time you pay your last month's rent.
   
• Arrange to have power, water, natural gas and telephone services disconnected when you leave (if they are not included in the monthly rental fee). If you do not, you will continue to be charged for them even after you move out.
   
• Go to a Canada Post outlet and ask for Change of Address cards. Give these cards to friends and organizations to let them know about your new address. For a fee, Canada Post will redirect mail from your old address to your new one for a short period of time.
   
• Clean all rooms and appliances. For example, defrost and clean inside, behind and under the refrigerator and stove; clean the oven; wash windows and floors; and vacuum carpets. If you do not, the cost of cleaning and repair work may be deducted from your security deposit.

Date Updated: Nov 01, 2007
RDP-573