What can you expect in this Webinar?

2. 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 • Process and professional support involved in buying a home • Affordable housing programs

3. Housing Rights • Housing 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.

4. Housing Rights • If you face housing discrimination: • File a Human Rights Complaint at the Human Rights Tribunalwww.hrto.ca/ • Contact Human Rights Legal Support Centrehttp://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 Clinicwww.legalaid.on.ca/en/contact/contact.asp?type=cl • Further information:Ontario Policy on Human Rights and RentalHousing http://www.ohrc.on.ca/en/social_areas/housing

5. Find 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 • House • Choose neighborhood • Safety, Schools, Transportation, Work, Other Amenities

6. Find Rental Housing • Search 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

7. Entering into Rental Agreement • Lease / 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 Act • Conditions 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 worker • Rent 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 damages • Receipts • 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

8. Ending a Rental Agreement • Written Notice • Notice Forms available at: • www.ltb.gov.on.ca/en/Forms/STEL02_111310.html

9. Tenant 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 Act • http://www.ltb.gov.on.ca/en/Key_Information/STEL02_111677.html

10. Tenant 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

11. Eviction • Acceptable 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

12. Eviction • 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

13. Resolving Disputes • The Landlord and Tenant Board’s role is to provide information about the Residential Tenancies Act and to resolve disputes • www.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)

14. Resolving 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 Ontariowww.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 documentswww.legalaid.on.ca/en/contact/contact.asp?type=dc

15. Rent Subsidy Programs

16. Rent Subsidy Programs • Amount 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 & Grenville For 1 bedroom: income < $26,500 For two bedroom: income < $32,000 For three bedroom: income < $36,500

17. Buying a House

18. Types of Housing • Condominium • 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

19. Finding a House • Real Estate listings • www.Mls.ca includes all listings with a real estate agent across Canada • www.Kijiji.caandpropertyguys.com - private online listings • Newspaper classifieds • For example St. Lawrence EMC http://www.emcstlawrence.ca/classifieds

20. Costs of Buying a Home • Home Price • 3 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

21. Who You Need on Your Team • Real 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 internet • Mortgage Broker • Finds the best terms and rates for you among different lenders • Lawyer • 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 recommended • Insurance Broker • Helps with property and mortgage life insurance • Appraiser • Assesses property’s worth and prevents paying too much • Land surveyor • Need, if seller does not have a current survey or Certificate of Location

22. Habitat for Humanity Housing Programs

23. Habitat for Humanity • Financing • 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/

24. Affordable 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

25. Key Websites Landlord and Tenant Board www.ltb.gov.on.ca Homebuyers Checklist: A Newcomers’ Guide http://www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca/odpub/pdf/66144.pdf Habitat for Humanity http://www.habitat.ca/ Housing in Leeds and Grenville www.newcomersinfo.ca/housing All Housing related questions www.settlement.org