Off-Campus Living

Living On-Campus

(McGill Property)

Did you know…You can stay in Residences?

You can continue living in residences for an additional year

Priority of rooms given to upper year students

Benefits include meal plan, security, on-site maintenance and operations,

proximity to university

McGill Apartment Style Residences

Greenbriar Apartments (3575 University) and Hutchison Apartments (3464 Hutchinson)

Benefits include proximity to university, on site laundry, building security, on-site maintenance

and operations

Single and double rooms available

Book a tour NOW by contacting housing.residences@mcgill.ca

http://www.mcgill.ca/students/housing/rez-options/greenbriar

Living Off-Campus

(Non- McGill Property)

We will cover the following...

When, Where and How to start your housing search

Different areas, apartment sizes and costs

Living with roommates

Visiting an apartment

Application forms/sign leases, sublets and lease transfers

Québec Lease Laws

What to do when you have problems with your apartment

Subletting scams and lease transfers

And much more…..

Things to Consider Before You Start Your Housing Search

Apartment Sizes

Costs

Locations

Roommates

APARTMENT SIZESHOW TO READ LISTINGS IN MONTREAL

Understanding Montreal Apartment Sizes In Montréal apartment sizes are determined by how many rooms there are in

total in the apartment

Each room counts as one, except for the bathroom, which counts as a half

After 5 ½ each additional room listed is usually a closed bedroom

Size What that means

1 ½ One combined bedroom/kitchen/living room

2 ½ One closed bedroom and a living room/kitchen

3 ½ One closed bedroom, a kitchen, and a living room OR two closed

bedrooms and a kitchen/living room

4 ½ Two closed bedrooms, living room and kitchen OR one closed

bedroom, kitchen, living room and dining room

5 ½ Three closed bedrooms, living room and kitchen OR two closed

bedrooms, living room, dining room and kitchen

1 ½

Living room, Bedroom

and Kitchen all one

adjoining room

2 ½

Living room and kitchen

adjoining, separate closed

bedroom

3 ½

Living room, kitchen

and bedroom all

separate rooms

RENT, UTILITIES AND COSTS OF LIVING

COSTS

The 3 Factors That Control Your Rent

Factor 1: Location

Factor 2: Utilities

Factor 3: Number of people sharing the apartment

Rent increases the closer to the city center

Farther from University means you’ll need to include cost of transit in your monthly budget (monthly fares for students with valid ID = $49.25)

If heat, hot water and electricity are not included in the rent, factor that cost into your monthly expenses before you sign your lease. You can get an estimate of that cost from Hydro-Québec. You might also need internet or other utilities.

Number of people sharing the apartment

http://www.hydroquebec.com/residential/customer-services/become-a-customer/

Apartment Building v. Walk-up

Apartment Buildings Walk-Ups

• Higher average rents • Lower average rents

• Entrance through a lobby with a secure intercom • Entrance off the street

• Heat and hot water usually included • Heat and hot water usually not included

• Garbage and Recycling room often in building • No garbage or recycling room in building

• Laundry room often in the building • Outlets for washer and dryer in the apartment

though renters must often provide their own

machines

When looking for an apartment there are pros and cons to different types of buildings

For Years 2016-2020

Student Expenses Plan your overall expenses and resources for your full program at McGill.

a) Input your One Year education cost and your overall two, three, four or five year program expense will be calculated.

b) Input your One Year living expenses and your overall two, three, four and/or five years(s) living expense will be calculated

ANNUAL OVERALL

Expenses Notes One Year Two Yrs Three Yrs Four Yrs Five Yrs NOTES

Education Expenses

Tuition input your annual tuition to calculate your 2,3, 4 or 5 year cost $ - $ - $ - $ - $ -

Books and Equipment input your annual estimate for the cost of books and equipment $ - $ - $ - $ - $ -

Total Education Expenses $ - $ - $ - $ - $ -

Living Expenses

Rent are you 100% responsible for a lease or are you with roommates? $ - $ - $ - $ - $ -

Heating/Electricity if heating and electricity are included in rent, do not input $ - $ - $ - $ - $ -

Food think about cost of eating out as well as groceries $ - $ - $ - $ - $ -

Clothing think about necessary outdoor wear as well as impulse buying $ - $ - $ - $ - $ -

Toiletries/Laundry think about necessary personal hygiene items, cleaning expenses $ - $ - $ - $ - $ -

Telephone/Cell land lines are less necessary, but think about your cell expenses $ - $ - $ - $ - $ -

Internet /Cable shop around for internet/cable deals, maybe you can do without? $ - $ - $ - $ - $ -

Transportation monthly transit passes are tax deductible, car and gas very costly $ - $ - $ - $ - $ -

Amusements think about how you have fun and what you can afford $ - $ - $ - $ - $ -

Insurances you may want tenant insurance or need supplemental health $ - $ - $ - $ - $ -

Other Expense(s) specify: i.e. travel costs, medical expenses, unexpected emergencies $ - $ - $ - $ - $ -

Total Living Expenses $ - $ - $ - $ - $ -

Total Education+Living Expenses $ - $ - $ - $ - $ -

Insurance• Most parent/guardian home/personal liability insurance extends to children up to

age 25 and covers accommodations while out of province/state/country in other

schools

• Home owners can purchase tenant insurance under their students name for larger

coverage

• Ex. For computers and other electronics

• Most students should get ‘Tenants’ insurance, it will typically be quoted at 10% of

parental insurance premiums

• Students should create a home inventory

• Purchase for $20.00 McGill’s security tracking system for laptops

• Look for personal liability insurance with private companies in Montreal and look at

for home insurance rates with your respective bank branch

• http://www.melochemonnex.com/en/group/ssmu

LOCATION

KNOW YOUR MONTREAL NEIGHBOURHOODS

The Neighborhoods of Montreal

• Each of Montreal’s neighborhoods has something different to offer. Balance factors like distance from campus against apartment size and price when looking at listings

• Whether you’re looking for an apartment on the Off-Campus Housing apartment listings or with another service, the way Montreal’s neighborhoods are listed remains relatively consistent

• https://offcampuslistings.ca/home.html

McGill Off-Campus Housing Zones

Zone A/B - Milton Parc (also known as McGill Ghetto)Zone C/D - West of CampusZone E - Around Concordia Zone F - Lower PlateauZone G - UQAM, Village, Latin QuarterZone H - HampsteadZone J - Cote Des NeigesZone K - Around University of MontrealZone L - Plateau, (Parc Lafontaine)Zone M - Mile EndZone N - NDG, Cote St LucZone MAC - MAC CAMPUS (Ste. Anne de Bellevue, Point Claire, Dorval, Senneville) Zone O - OutremontZone P - Old MontrealZone R - RosemontZone S - St Henri, Little BurgundyZone T - Town of Mt. Royal (TMR)Zone V - Verdun, Point St Charles, La SalleZone X - Parc ExtensionZone W - WestmountZone Z - all other areas such as Ville la Salle, Ville St. Laurent, Laval, Brossard, St. Leonard etc (easily accessed by public transportation)

ROOMMATESWHAT TO LOOK FOR IN A ROOMMATE

WHAT TO TALK ABOUT AND ROOMMATE AGREEMENTS

Picking Your Future Roommates

Things to consider when choosing your roommate(s)

Level of cleanliness

Level of noise in the apartment

Sleeping schedules

Before moving in together, you and your roommate(s) should set ground rules about:

Guests – overnight guests, friends in the apartment, etc…

Groceries – will you share, how will they get done, etc…

Bills – what services do you want (e.g. internet, cable), how will hydro/internet bills be divided

Furnishings – what do you have, what do you need

RENT! – how will the rent be divided for different room sizes, how will the rent be paid to your landlord?

**To establish house boundaries early on before problems arise, consider a roommate agreement**

Roommate Agreements

A roommate agreement is a contract between roommates that sets out the rules everyone will follow while living with each other. Before moving in, all roommates sign and date the agreement, and everyone gets a copy

Roommate agreements usually cover: Rent division – who pays how much and why (e.g. divided equally or scaled to room size

Sharing appliances – who will provide what

Groceries – how groceries will be shared or not, who will buy what, how much you pay, etc..

Bills – how they will be divided, how they will be paid, who will be responsible for what

Cleaning – cleaning public spaces, chore rotations, etc…

Trash and Recycling

Guests – rules for house guests, notification requirements, rules for overnight guests

Any other general house rules

STARTING YOUR APARTMENT HUNTWHEN AND WHERE TO LOOK

When should you start looking?

Consider that:

Almost all Montreal leases begin on July 1st

Around McGill it is possible to find some leases that begin on May 1st, June 1st, July 1st, August 1st, or September 1st

Apartment tenants do not have to inform their landlord that they’re leaving the apartment until three months before the end of their lease

The majority of apartment listings will appear around March or later

Start of Lease Tenant deadline for

non-renewal

Landlord will start

advertising

May 1st January 31st February/March

July 1st March 31st April

Aug 1st/Sept 1st May 31st (many landlords

will find out in April or

earlier)

Mid-March to September

Don’t sign a lease until you know what else is out there!

How should you start looking?

McGill Off-Campus Housing listings

Classifieds (both online and in newspapers)

On Foot – look for “For Rent” or “À Louer” signs

Networking – ask friends if they know anyone who’s leaving their apartment

Waiting lists – put your name on the waiting list of a building you really like. They may call you when an apartment become available

APARTMENT HUNTINGLISTINGS, APPLICATIONS AND HELPFUL TIPS

Listing Types and What They Mean

Apartment for rent (Appartement a louer)

The option to rent an apartment directly from owner/building manager

Roommate wanted (Colocataire)

Moving into an apartment currently rented by someone else

Sublets (Sous-Logement)

Taking over someone else’s apartment until the end of their lease

Lease Transfer (Transfer de baille)

Taking over someone else’s lease

These differences are very important. The LEASES section will explain why

Apartment Visits: What to Keep in Mind

Safety/Security

Quality - turn everything on/open everything

Negotiate - renovations, painting

Additional Costs– Hydro Quebec, Gas, Internet, Transport, Cable,

Groceries

For a detailed apartment visit check list as well as

things to watch out for, check the

Off-Campus Housing Survival Guide

Application FormsAn application form = pre-lease

Once you submit it to the landlord and they accept it, you are legally responsible for the apartment.

Important Tips:

• Only fill out only one application form at a time;

• If you have already filled out one and then you find another apt that you like better, you need to get in touch with the first landlord to let them know your intention and if they agree, go meet with them and get it in writing that they are releasing you from the application form you submitted;

• When you fill out an application form sometimes the landlord will ask for a deposit that will go towards the first month rent, MAKE SURE that you get a receipt and it says refundable if credit check does not go through.

Applications: Know Your Rights

Legal Illegal

Ask for a reference or a credit check Ask for credit card #s, passport #’s,

bank account #’s, SIN #’s or any info

about nationality or citizenship

Require a co-signer for students

without income

Ask for post-dated cheques

Ask for first-month’s rent upfront Ask for last month’s rent at the

beginning of the lease

Ask for a furniture deposit if the

apartment is furnished

Ask for any deposit other than first

month’s rent

When filling out an application, it is important to know what the building

owner/manager is and is not allowed to demand on the form

Tips:• When looking at apartments, ask the current tenant about their

experience in the building and with the landlord. If they won’t talk to you in front of their landlord, make a point to go back later

• If you do make a deposit for something other than your first month’s rent, make sure you get a receipt as proof you paid the deposit, and so that you can claim it when you move out

• If you rent a furnished apartment, take pictures of the furniture the day you move in and do a little inventory, if there is any piece of furniture not in good condition, report it right away to your landlord

• Always get everything in writing! Whether it’s how you intend to split your rent or renovations that your future landlord promises to make, write it down and get all parties to sign

• If your landlord is not on hand to sign the lease in front of you, make sure to take pictures of what you signed

• Always talk to the landlord before signing a sublet or lease transfer to make sure you have the option to renew

International Students

• International students or newcomers to Québec may not have a Canadian credit history.

• In the absence of a credit check, the landlord will determine the documents or means that will allow them to evaluate the future tenant’s ability to pay, while complying with the various legislation in force.

• The method the landlord chooses must be reasonable according to the guidelines set out by the consumer protection office

• http://www2.publicationsduquebec.gouv.qc.ca/dynamicSearch/telecharge.php?type=2&file=/P_40_1/P40_1_A.html

LEASESLEASE TYPES, YOUR RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

AND HELPFUL HINTShttps://www.mcgill.ca/students/housing/files/students.housing/bailstandard.pdf

Regular Lease vs. Subletting v. Lease Transfer

Regular Lease Sublet Lease Transfer

Length of Lease? 12 month term + option

to renew

The term of the sublet

agreement

The remains of the lease

+ option to renew

Responsible for the

apartment?

You are legally

responsible

Former occupant is

legally responsible

You are legally

responsible

Negotiation Power? Can negotiate repairs

or renovations before

signing with owner

As is - owner is not

obliged to renovate

As is – owner is not

obliged to renovate

Possible fees? No finder’s fee Possibility of furniture

rental fees

Possibility of furniture

rental fees

Relationship with

former occupant

Former occupant has

no rights to the

apartment

Former occupant can

reclaim the apartment

at the end of the sublet

Former occupant cannot

reclaim the apartment at

the end of the lease

Joint Tenancy

* a solidary responsibility clause can be added to the lease by the landlord. It states that in case

of default, one tenant can be sued for the full rent amount

A joint tenant, is a tenant with a written or verbal lease who rents the same dwelling with one or more other tenants. This is different

than an occupant; someone who occupies the same dwelling as another tenant. Joint tenants are both responsible to the landlord.

An occupant is responsible to the other tenants

Joint Tenancy Occupancy

Lease Each tenant signs the lease and is legally

responsible to the landlord

One tenant signs the lease and is legally

responsible to the landlord

Rent Each tenant is responsible for paying their

share to the landlord

The signatory gathers the money and

pays the full amount to the landlord

Rent default Each tenant can be sued for their share of

the rent owed* unless solidarity responsibility is stated*

The signatory can be sued for the full

amount of the rent owed

Legal rights Tenants each have the legal protection of a

lease. Tenants can pursue each other if

one violates the lease terms

Only the lease signatory has the right to

renew the lease. It is more difficult to

pursue a derelict occupant

Tenant’s Rights

• remain in the apartment as long as you want (with a few exceptions)

• refuse an unreasonable rent increase

• go to the Régie du logement to mediate problems between yourself and your landlord if a reasonable agreement cannot be reached

• http://www.rdl.gouv.qc.ca/en/droits/obligationsLocataire.asp

36

In accordance with the Régie du logement, Québec’s

housing authority, by signing your lease, you are

entitled to:

Responsibilities

• For a full and exact list of your rights and responsibilities as a renter, go to www.rdl.gouv.qc.ca 37

By signing a lease together, both you and your landlord must:

You Your landlord

Give notice of non-renewal on time Deliver the apartment in good, clean, and

habitable condition on the agreed date

Pay the agreed rent Maintain the dwelling in good condition

Use the apartment with prudence Allow peaceful enjoyment of the property

Respect the laws of safety and sanitation Respect the laws of safety and sanitation

Keep a normal enjoyment Make sure number of occupants respects

safety and sanitation laws

Inform landlord of serious defects Make all necessary repairs

Remove all moveable effects upon leaving

Leave the dwelling in good condition upon

leaving

More Tips Get a copy of your lease within 10 days of signing it

Confirm the move-in date and time with your landlord and the tenant

Ask the landlord if you can change the lock or add an extra lock when you move in (don’t forget to give them a copy!)

If you’ve chosen a lease transfer, ask to see a copy of the original lease before you sign. You need to know your obligations and the landlord is not obliged to make any improvements not listed in the lease. Make sure you get a copy if you sign

According to the law, no excessive noise is allowed after 11 p.m. Let your neighbors know if you’re going to have a party

If your landlord wants to make repairs or see the apartment, they are allowed to access the apartment between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. with proper notice

If your landlord wants to show your apartment to prospective tenants, they are allowed to access the apartment between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. with proper notice

38

For any questions about: noise

access to dwelling

major/minor/or urgent repairs

assigning or subletting

joint tenancy

rent increases

renewing your lease

asking for compensation

preparing for a hearing

39

check out www.rdl.gouv.qc.ca

40

WHAT IS ILLEGAL AND WHAT TO WATCH OUT FOR

SCAMS

Finder’s fees While ill advised, finder’s fees are not strictly illegal

You may run into someone asking for a finder’s fee when the current tenant is looking for a lease transfer or a sublet

Often referred to as a “buy my old used furniture” fee, a finder’s fee is where the current tenant holds a bidding war or wants payment from prospective tenants in exchange for signing over the lease

We strongly encourage you not to pay finder’s fees as it perpetuates a system that disadvantages

students

https://www.rentboard.ca/renter/fraud_and_scams.aspx41

City of Montreal Fines and Fees

• Garbage and recycling: if you end up in a building without a garbage and recycling room, you will be responsible for putting your trash out on collection days. The city of Montreal is very strict about collection. Make sure both your trash and recycling is put out at the proper time, in the proper place using the proper bags or you could end up with a fine over $150.

• Noise: Excessive noise is not allowed after 11 p.m. If you run into trouble with your neighbors, excessive noise violations can cost you upwards of $300

42

Now that you’ll be living on your own, you will be responsible for obeying

all of the City of Montreal’s rules and regulations. Here’s a list of common

fines to watch out for:

How to handle problems with your landlord

Do Don’t

Go to the Régie as soon as problems

start

Withhold rent

Take pictures of any damage or

problems

Make repairs and bill your landlord

Make sure everything is written down Subtract costs from the amount of

your rent

Bring a witness for meetings with your

landlord

Just leave

FOODMEAL PLANS AND EATING ON CAMPUS

The Mandatory Meal Plan Roll-Over The Mandatory Meal Plan is non-refundable and will expire at

the end of the Academic year (April 30, 2016)

At the end of the fall semester, your remaining balance was automatically carried over to the winter semester

At the end of the winter semester, any remaining balance over $50 will automatically be converted into a Rollover Meal Plan

45

Rollover plans:

Must be used in the 2016-2017 academic year *

Must be used on campus

Will be subject to Federal and Provincial taxes

*if you are going on exchange or away from campus in the 2016-17 year, a roll-over extension can be

made. Contact SHHS at food.fds@mcgill.ca for more information

Structure of the Rollover Plan• Like your Mandatory Meal Plan (MMP) the funds that

are transferred to your Rollover plan are divided into twosorts: Home Base and Flex

• Remaining Home Base and Flex from your MMP will betransferred into the same categories for your Rollover

• The same rules that apply to your MMP Home Base andFlex will apply to your Rollover Home Base and flex

• For more information about your Rollover Plan, checkout the McGill Student Housing and Hospitality ServicesFood and Dining webpage

• http://www.mcgill.ca/foodservices/mealplans 46

Saver Meal Plan vs. oneCard

Saver Meal Plan oneCard

Initial purchase of $1300.00 for one semester

Minimum initial purchase of $200.00

Can be used in all food service locations Can be used in all food service locations, vending machines, delivery payments for Double Pizza and St. Hubert Express (Parc

Ave.)

No taxes on any purchases Must pay taxes on purchases

Remaining balance non refundable

Can be transferred into oneCard for minimal fee at the end of the semester

Multiple options for topping up fundsWill remain with you as long as you are a

student at McGillRemaining balance is refundable

QUESTIONS?

For any additional questions, email offcampus.housing@mcgill.ca or call

514-398-6368