WhatWhat can you expect in this can you expect in this Webinar?Webinar?

Renting• Finding an appropriate rental unit• Entering into a rental agreement• Tenant and landlord rights and responsibilities• Eviction situations• Resolving disputes• Rent subsidy programs Buying• Types of housing• Costs of buying a home• Process and professional support involved in buying a home• Affordable housing programs

Housing RightsHousing RightsHousing is a human right

Human Rights Code of Ontario:

• all people have equal opportunity to housing • It is illegal to discriminate on the basis of religion, race, tenure in Canada,

sex or sexual orientation, age, marital status, receipt of government assistance, disability.

Housing RightsHousing Rights

If you face housing discrimination:

• File a Human Rights Complaint at the Human Rights Tribunal www.hrto.ca/

• Contact Human Rights Legal Support Centre http://www.hrlsc.on.ca/ to discuss your situation and receive legal advice

• Contact Centre for Equity Rights in Accommodation (CERA) for legal advice and advocacy with landlord on your behalf http://www.equalityrights.org/cera/

• Contact Legal Clinic www.legalaid.on.ca/en/contact/contact.asp?type=cl

Further information: Ontario Policy on Human Rights and Rental Housing http://www.ohrc.on.ca/en/social_areas/housing

Find Rental HousingFind Rental Housing

Chose the type of rental unit that best suits your needs

• Room in a house or apartment • Apartment

Studio (also called bachelor) One, two or more bedrooms

• HouseChoose neighborhood

• Safety, Schools, Transportation, Work, Other Amenities

Find Rental HousingFind Rental HousingSearch for rental housing according to your needs

• Rental listing websites: www.Kijiji.ca (Eastern Ontario); www.craigslist.ca (all major cities)

• Newspaper classifieds• Ask family, friends and community agencies• Look for signs “For Rent” or “Vacancies” in your preferred neighborhood • Drive around neighborhoods and talk to superintendents of the apartment

building that you like to ask about available or upcoming vacancies. • Rental locators (private companies that search for housing for a fee)

Renting in Leeds & Grenville: www.newcomersinfo.ca/housing-help

Entering into Rental AgreementEntering into Rental AgreementLease / Tenancy Agreement / Rental Contract• Written• Spoken (Verbal) Agreement points• Duration, rate, services covered, who pays for what, rent increase time • Other points if they do not contradict the Residential Tenancies ActConditions for rent• Proof of income - employment letter, bank statement, No PIN number• In case of lack of income - guarantor who agrees to pay the rent for you • References from previous landlords and/or community workerRent Deposits• Maximum amount of 1 month or 1 week rent – depending on terms of rent• Annual interest on deposit according to Rent Increase Guideline• Can be used only for last period of rent and Not for repairing damagesReceipts• Landlord should provide receipts for the previous 12 months even after you move• Might help with tax credits during income tax completion

Further lease signing advice: http://cmhc.ca/newcomers/pdfs/English/R8.pdf

Ending a Rental AgreementEnding a Rental AgreementWritten Notice• Notice Forms available at:

www.ltb.gov.on.ca/en/Forms/STEL02_111310.html

Length of Lease Notice Period

Daily or weekly basis

28 days notice

Monthly basis 60 days notice

Fixed term 60 days notice

Tenant RightsTenant Rights Residential Tenancies Act entitles tenants to:

• Safe and well-maintained home• Vital services• Heat ( 20°C or more between September 1 to June 15)• Privacy• Controlled rent increases • Children in the home• Pets in the home, unless they cause damage / impair enjoyment

of others• Documents re rights & responsibilities

Further information: A Guide to Residential Tenancies Acthttp://www.ltb.gov.on.ca/en/Key_Information/STEL02_111677.html

Tenant ResponsibilitiesTenant Responsibilities

Under the Residential Tenancies Act, tenants should:

• Pay the rent on-time• Be reasonably quiet• Keep their home clean• Repair damage that they cause• Obey the law • Honor the rental agreement requirements • Provide due notice of termination of tenancy

EvictionEvictionAcceptable Reasons for Eviction

• Not paying the rent in full or persistently paying the rent late• Deliberately causing damage to the rental property• Illegal activity• Impairing safety of others, overcrowding, disturbing the

enjoyment of others• Landlord needs the unit for their own use or use of immediate

family or caregiver• Landlord plans to demolish or conduct significant repairs in the

unit• Landlord plans to sell the property and the buyer needs it for own

use

EvictionEviction

Procedure

• Notice of Termination explaining the reasons• Certain days to correct the problem, if not:• File an application with the Landlord and Tenant Board • Hearing of both parties at the Board• If eviction order is issued by the Board – tenant should move• If tenant doesn’t move, landlord can apply to Court Enforcement Office• Only Sheriff of the Court Enforcement Office can enforce the eviction

Resolving DisputesResolving Disputes• The Landlord and Tenant Board’s role is to provide information about the Residential Tenancies Act and to resolve disputeswww.ltb.on.gov.ca

• 4 steps involved in the process

•Choose an Application (right application & forms)•File an Application (fees & locations to submit)•The Hearing (proper serving of the notice of hearing and application

types of hearing, Mediation and Hearing procedure)•The Order (types of order & enforcement mechanisms)

Resolving DisputesResolving Disputes

•Help for Tenants - http://www.ltb.gov.on.ca/en/STEL02_111281.html

•Help for Landlords - http://www.ltb.gov.on.ca/en/STEL02_111286.html

•Legal Aid Ontario www.legalaid.on.ca

•Community Legal Clinics – free legal assistance for low income individuals www.legalaid.on.ca/en/contact/contact.asp?type=cl

•Tenant Duty Counsel – free legal advice, assistance with documents www.legalaid.on.ca/en/contact/contact.asp?type=dc

Rent Subsidy ProgramsRent Subsidy Programs

Rent Subsidy ProgramsRent Subsidy ProgramsAmount of subsidy• You pay about 30% of your monthly income for rent

Who is eligible?• Low income: thresholds differ in each region• Absence of arrears• Certain buildings are for senior citizens only

How to apply:• Filing an application, review and wait-listing• Applicant provides updates on change of financial situation• Applicant is notified when apartment becomes available

Waiting time:• Varies across regions: from 6 months to 10 years and more

Further information: Ontario Non-Profit Housing Association, Coordinated Access Centre http://www.onpha.on.ca/AM/Template.cfm?Section=Looking_for_Housing&Template=/CM/ContentCombo.cfm&NavMenuID=683&ContentID=6172

Leeds & GrenvilleFor 1 bedroom: income < $26,500For two bedroom: income < $32,000For three bedroom: income < $36,500

Buying a HouseBuying a House

Types of HousingTypes of HousingCondominium• Don’t own the land• Owners elect a Board of Directors to manage the building and land• Owners pay monthly fee towards property maintenance

• High-rise• Low-rise• Town-house

Single family home• Bungalow (1 level)• Split level (1.5 level)• Two levels and more

• Detached• Semi-detached

Duplex or triplex• Looks like a single home• Divided into 2 or 3 separate units

Finding a HouseFinding a HouseReal Estate listings

• www.Mls.ca includes all listings with a real estate agent across Canada

• www.Kijiji.ca and propertyguys.com - private online listings

• Newspaper classifieds For example St. Lawrence EMC http://www.emcstlawrence.ca/classifieds

Costs of Buying a HomeCosts of Buying a HomeHome Price3 bedroom, 2 bathroom detached, single - family house in a good neighborhood:• Toronto – $ 400,000- $600,000• Brockville – $200,000 - $300,000

Down Payment• 5% - bank has to insure by a 3rd party, higher interest rates• 20% - more flexibility in borrowing and lower interest rate

Paying the Professionals• 1.5% of purchasing price to various professional services required to close the deal

Mortgage• House loan usually paid back in 5 - 25 years (includes base amount and interest)• Interest rates vary, it is good to shop around Property Taxes• Rates are determined by each municipality for every property class

Property Insurance • Some banks may require as a condition for loan. Good idea in case of fire, natural hazards, etc.

Renovation – many pre-owned houses require major repairs before you can move in

Condominium Fees - for property maintenance

Who You Need on Your TeamWho You Need on Your TeamReal Estate Agent• helps find home based on your preferences, negotiate the price and conditions• real estate agents are paid by the seller, not you• To find a good real estate agent, call your real estate association for advice, ask

family, friends and check the reviews from previous clients on the internetMortgage Broker• Finds the best terms and rates for you among different lendersLawyer• Reviews contracts, clears title deeds and processes payment Home Inspector• Checks if everything is functioning properly and what repairs may be required• Not mandatory, but recommendedInsurance Broker• Helps with property and mortgage life insuranceAppraiser• Assesses property’s worth and prevents paying too muchLand surveyor• Need, if seller does not have a current survey or Certificate of Location

Habitat for Humanity Housing Habitat for Humanity Housing ProgramsPrograms

Habitat for HumanityHabitat for HumanityFinancing • No down-payment, no interest on mortgage• Monthly mortgage should not exceed 25% of monthly income (at market rates mortgage is on the average 70-80% of monthly income)

Eligibility criteria• Income level (thresholds vary in different regions)

• High enough to be able to pay the mortgage, but• Low enough to afford housing with 30% of income

• Commitment to volunteer 500 hours on the construction

Application process• Fill out application and submit all required financial documents• Pass a “Home Interview” with Family Selection Committee• If successful – decision on the type of housing and location

Waiting time – none or not long (depends on the region)Duration of building the home – 1 -2 years average (depends on regional capacity)

How is this possible?• Volunteer work• Donated materials• Simple house designs

Further Information: http://www.habitat.ca/

Affordable Housing ProgramAffordable Housing Program

• For current renters buying sole, principal residence• > 18 years old• Household income <$73,000• Provides up to 5% of purchase price of home• Down payment is a forgivable loan• Maximum purchase price of $200,000• Home must be a new or resale home in Leeds-Grenville

Further Information: http://www.leedsgrenville.com/en/live/housing/InvestmentAffordableHousing.asp

Key WebsitesKey WebsitesLandlord and Tenant Board Landlord and Tenant Board

www.ltb.gov.on.cawww.ltb.gov.on.ca

Homebuyers Checklist: A Newcomers’ GuideHomebuyers Checklist: A Newcomers’ Guide

http://www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca/odpub/pdf/http://www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca/odpub/pdf/66144.pdf66144.pdf

Habitat for Humanity Habitat for Humanity http://www.habitat.ca/

Housing in Leeds and GrenvilleHousing in Leeds and Grenvillewww.newcomersinfo.ca/housing

All Housing related questionsAll Housing related questionswww.settlement.org