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
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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 [email protected]
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
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Apartment Sizes
Costs
Locations
Roommates
APARTMENT SIZES
HOW 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
Size
What that means
1½
One combined bedroom/kitchen/living room
2½
One closed bedroom and a living room/kitchen
3½
One closed bedroom, a kitchen, and a living room OR two closed
bedrooms and a kitchen/living room
4½
Two closed bedrooms, living room and kitchen OR one closed
bedroom, kitchen, living room and dining room
5½
Three closed bedrooms, living room and kitchen OR two closed
bedrooms, living room, dining room and kitchen
After 5 ½ each additional room listed is usually a closed bedroom
1½
2½
3½
Living room, Bedroom
and Kitchen all one
adjoining room
Living room and kitchen
adjoining, separate closed
bedroom
Living room, kitchen
and bedroom all
separate rooms
COSTS
RENT, UTILITIES AND COSTS OF LIVING
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
When looking for an apartment there are pros and cons to different types of buildings
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
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Heat and hot water usually not included
• Garbage and Recycling room often in building
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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
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
Expenses
Notes
OVERALL
One Year
Two Yrs
Three Yrs
Four Yrs
Five Yrs
Education Expenses
Tuition
input your annual tuition to calculate your 2,3, 4 or 5 year cost
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Books and Equipment
input your annual estimate for the cost of books and equipment
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Total Education Expenses
Living Expenses
Rent
are you 100% responsible for a lease or are you with roommates?
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Heating/Electricity
if heating and electricity are included in rent, do not input
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Food
think about cost of eating out as well as groceries
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Clothing
think about necessary outdoor wear as well as impulse buying
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Toiletries/Laundry
think about necessary personal hygiene items, cleaning expenses
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Telephone/Cell
land lines are less necessary, but think about your cell expenses
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Internet /Cable
shop around for internet/cable deals, maybe you can do without?
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Transportation
monthly transit passes are tax deductible, car and gas very costly
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Amusements
think about how you have fun and what you can afford
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Insurances
you may want tenant insurance or need supplemental health
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Other Expense(s) specify:
i.e. travel costs, medical expenses, unexpected emergencies
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Total Living Expenses
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Total Education+Living Expenses
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NOTES
Insurance
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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
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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
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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 Campus
Zone E - Around Concordia
Zone F - Lower Plateau
Zone G - UQAM, Village, Latin Quarter
Zone H - Hampstead
Zone J - Cote Des Neiges
Zone K - Around University of Montreal
Zone L - Plateau, (Parc Lafontaine)
Zone M - Mile End
Zone N - NDG, Cote St Luc
Zone MAC - MAC CAMPUS (Ste. Anne de
Bellevue, Point Claire, Dorval, Senneville)
Zone O - Outremont
Zone P - Old Montreal
Zone R - Rosemont
Zone S - St Henri, Little Burgundy
Zone T - Town of Mt. Royal (TMR)
Zone V - Verdun, Point St Charles, La Salle
Zone X - Parc Extension
Zone W - Westmount
Zone Z - all other areas such as Ville la Salle, Ville St. Laurent,
Laval, Brossard, St. Leonard etc (easily accessed by public
transportation)
ROOMMATES
WHAT 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:
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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 HUNT
WHEN 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 Mid-March to September
will find out in April or
earlier)
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 HUNTING
LISTINGS, 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 Forms
An 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;
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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
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
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
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
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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
LEASES
LEASE TYPES, YOUR RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
AND HELPFUL HINTS
https://www.mcgill.ca/students/housing/files/students.housing/bailstandard.pdf
Regular Lease vs. Subletting v. Lease Transfer
Regular Lease
Length of Lease?
Sublet
12 month term + option The term of the sublet
to renew
agreement
Lease Transfer
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 Former occupant cannot
reclaim the apartment reclaim the apartment at
at the end of the sublet
the end of the lease
Joint Tenancy
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
Lease
Rent
Each tenant signs the lease and is legally
responsible to the landlord
Occupancy
One tenant signs the lease and is legally
responsible to the landlord
Each tenant is responsible for paying their The signatory gathers the money and
share to the landlord
pays the full amount to the landlord
Rent default Each tenant can be sued for their share of
the rent owed
The signatory can be sued for the full
amount of the rent owed
* unless solidarity responsibility is stated*
Legal rights Tenants each have the legal protection of a Only the lease signatory has the right to
lease. Tenants can pursue each other if
renew the lease. It is more difficult to
one violates the lease terms
pursue a derelict occupant
* 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
Tenant’s Rights
In accordance with the Régie du logement, Québec’s
housing authority, by signing your lease, you are
entitled to:
• 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
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Responsibilities
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
• For a full and exact list of your rights and responsibilities as a renter, go to
www.rdl.gouv.qc.ca
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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
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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
check out www.rdl.gouv.qc.ca
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SCAMS
WHAT IS ILLEGAL AND WHAT TO WATCH OUT FOR
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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.aspx
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City of Montreal Fines and Fees
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:
• 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
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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
FOOD
MEAL 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
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 [email protected] for more information
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Structure of the Rollover Plan
• Like your Mandatory Meal Plan (MMP) the funds that
are transferred to your Rollover plan are divided into two
sorts: Home Base and Flex
• Remaining Home Base and Flex from your MMP will be
transferred into the same categories for your Rollover
• The same rules that apply to your MMP Home Base and
Flex will apply to your Rollover Home Base and flex
• For more information about your Rollover Plan, check
out the McGill Student Housing and Hospitality Services
Food and Dining webpage
• http://www.mcgill.ca/foodservices/mealplans
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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
Multiple options for topping up funds
Will remain with you as long as you are a
student at McGill
Remaining balance is refundable
Can be transferred into oneCard for minimal
fee at the end of the semester
QUESTIONS?
For any additional questions, email
[email protected] or call
514-398-6368