Frequently Asked Questions (and their answers)
How long is the lease?
Answer: The rental period is one year from May 1 to April 30 of the following year. We ask for first and last months rent and postdated cheques upon signing of lease.
Do you rent to individuals or groups?
Answer: We rent only to groups of students, not to individuals. Availability of houses will be advertised through the Trent website and your complete group will be invited to an open house to have a look at the house.
What happens if one of our group leaves during the year?
Answer: Unfortunately this sometimes happens. If one of your group leaves then it is the responsibility of the person leaving and the rest of the group to find a replacement and to ensure that the full rental price of the house is paid on time. With adequate notice it's not that difficult to find a replacement roommate on the Trent off campus housing site.
What is included and not included in the monthly rent?
Answer: Rent includes the use of your room, common areas and amenities that are part of the house (for example, the laundry, fridge and stove). Generally the houses are unfurnished. Rental rates do not include heat, hydro, cable or telephone.
How much should I budget for heat and hydro and how does that get divided among my roommates?
Answer: Heat and hydro varies between houses and also your consumption habits. Ask us for the specifics of the particular house based on past usage. This is a real opportunity to save some money through smart use of your heat and hydro. Usually one person takes on payment of hydro while others take on heat and cable and telephone. Each person collects from the others on a monthly basis. Installation of telephone and cable lines are the responsibility of the tenants.
How do we make sure that things run smoothly between roommates?
Answer: There is no one simple way to ensure that you have great relationships with your fellow roommates. However, our most satisfied groups have told us the following:
- Have frank discussions with your prospective roommates about living habits, acceptable levels of neatness and noise, sharing of household duties etc. before you sign a lease. A basic level of compatibility is very important.
- Take the time to write out an agreement between yourselves as co-tenants. (Ask us, we have a few samples that other groups have put together.)
- Hold regular "house" meetings to sort out issues and common business... don't let issues fester.
What can you expect from your landlord and property manager?
Answer: As landlords we make sure that the basic services of the house are functioning (like the fridge, stove, washer, dryer and furnace) and that life safety devices (like smoke detectors and CO detectors) are in good working order. If something breaks down we will make sure that it will be promptly fixed or replaced.
What do we expect from our tenants?
Answer: We expect that you will respect the house by keeping it in a good state of cleanliness and repair . Any damages caused by willful or negligent conduct by the tenant will be the tenant's responsibility. Let us know if something is not working and we will take care of it quickly. The houses are in good neighbourhoods. We ask that you respect the privacy of those living around you.
Are my belongings insured?
Answer: While we carry insurance on the house, your possessions are usually covered under your parents' house insurance. Please make sure that is the case.
Other stuff... Can I bring along my pet snake (it doesn't bark)?, my aunt's Chihuahua?, my cousin Fred who will be staying with us for a few months?
Answer: Sorry no pets of any sort are allowed. And visitors can stay for one week, with the agreement of your housemates. Only those people named on the lease may live in the house . Subletters are not allowed.
