what can you expect in this webinar?
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What can you expect in this 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 - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
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