Nestled beautifully between mountains
and ocean, the picturesque Vancouver is situated at the southwestern
corner of the coastal province of British Columbia and is the largest
city in Western Canada.
In
Vancouver, you find different types of rental accommodation that
include single-family homes, apartments, condominiums, and townhouses.
Vancouver’s downtown West End mostly houses high-rise apartment
buildings and condominiums. The rest of the city is dotted mainly
with single-family homes mixed with low-rise, apartments, medium
density condos and townhouse developments along major streets.
High-rise
Vancouver apartment rental are usually owned and operated
by different companies with a resident building manager in charge
of showing, renting and maintaining apartments as well as collecting
rent. Low-rise apartment buildings may be owned either by companies
or individual owners. Condominiums are single apartment units in
a high-rise, low-rise or townhouse building owned by individual
owners. Many old, large houses are divided by their owners into
two or more apartments. A basement suite is the bottom floor of
a detached more popular and less expensive than independent apartments.
In
Vancouver apartment rental,
most independent rental apartment units provide a kitchen area that
is not separated from the living area by doors. The kitchen is equipped
with a sink, stove and refrigerator. The bathroom contains a sink,
toilet and bathtub with a shower fixture. Air conditioning is not
provided and electricity, telephone and TV cable are usually not
included in the rent.
In
Vancouver apartment rental,
the lease terms offered while renting an apartment are mostly for
one year.
Occasionally,
short term lease (usually 3 or 6 months), month to month lease,
or fixed term lease may also be offered. In the case of shared accommodation,
you may sign a lease with one or two other people and you will divide
your living space between each of you. In this case, each one of
you will be responsible for paying rent. If your roommate moves
out or refuse to pay rent, you will have to cover the entire cost.
How
to proceed
You
have to consider a number of things when renting an apartment in
Vancouver. You need to choose a neighborhood, decide how much rent
you can afford to pay and weigh the rules and policies of the apartment
building. Quite naturally, you would want your apartment to be close
to places you visit on a regular basis, such as your office, your
kids’ schools, stores or transit stops. You also need to compare
rent prices in the locality so that you are not taken for a ride,
and you should think carefully whether you can follow the landlord's
specific rules.
Roommate
Don’t
go for a roommate just for reducing your financial burden. Choose
your roommate very carefully so that you don’t have to regret your
decision at a later stage. Choose someone you know well, or is recommended
by your family members or close friends.
Pets
An
apartment rental which allows pets in is difficult to find in Vancouver.
Only a few apartment owners in downtown Vancouver allow cats or
dogs. Some landlords also charge a one-time pet deposit of one-half
month’s rent if they allow a pet.
Discrimination
You
should be aware that the Human Rights Act prohibits discrimination
in tenancy matters based on race, color, ancestry, place of origin,
marital and family status, religion,
physical or mental
disability, sex and sexual orientation, source of income (if the
source is legal) and age (unless the apartment is meant exclusively
for senior citizens).
Rental
agreement
Although
British Columbia's Residential Tenancy Office promotes their standard
form which is fully compliant with the province's requirements,
some landlords use their own forms or written agreements. You must
ensure that your rental agreement contains the correct legal names
of landlord and tenant, the address of the rental unit, the date
the tenancy agreement is entered into, the address and telephone
number of the landlord or his agent, the amount of rent payable
and when it is due, lease terms and duration, services and facilities
included in the rent, and the amount of security deposit and/or
pet damage deposit if needed.
Background
and credit check
Before
renting out an apartment, a landlord is likely to ask you to fill
out an application form including references proving your employment.
Most apartment owners also require you allow them permission to
perform a credit check. You should, therefore, be thoroughly aware
of your credit status as some landlords can be quite strict in this
regard.
Security
deposit
Tenants
are most likely to be asked to pay a security deposit when they
sign a rental agreement that may be used to cover unpaid rent, cleaning
or any damage tenants do to the suite. Some owners ask for a one
time pet deposit in addition for tenants having pets.
Should there be
no problems, tenants should get all the deposit back when they move
out.
You should be
aware that the amount of security deposit can never exceed half
of the first month's rent and can be asked for only at the beginning
of the tenancy. The maximum amount of pet deposit cannot exceed
half a month's rent regardless of the number of pets you keep.
Condition
inspection
Apartment
owners and tenants in Vancouver must complete a condition inspection
report of the unit on or before the day the tenant is entitled to
its possession. This report is crucial for both landlord and tenant
to retain or recover a security deposit.
Landlord's
duties
It
is the duty of apartment owners to ensure that rental units meet
health, safety and housing standards established by law, and are
reasonably suitable for occupation given the nature and location
of the property.
How
to search
If
you are looking for rental accommodation in Vancouver, check classified
ads in local newspapers, bulletin boards in shops, neighborhood
agencies or local community centers. If you are too pre-occupied
with your work, using a broker is a good option.
And
last but not the least, surf the Internet and visit the websites
of apartment rental agencies to compare the prices and amenities
offered.
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