Tips for your first time renting in Guelph

Renting for the first time can be overwhelming; here is a list of things to help guide you in your search

RENEE ALKASS

The first apartment I ever lived in was a two-bedroom, two-bathroom located on Gordon Street in Guelph. Before my roommate and I moved into that apartment, we spent months trying to find the perfect place to rent. Luckily, we were able to find one, but the time leading up to it was a bit overwhelming. Everything from choosing a location, knowing our budget, and understanding what the word tenant meant took us some time to figure out. But not to worry, I have created a fourpart list for you to go through and check off as you work your way through the apartment hunting process. At the end of the day, things always work out how they are supposed to, so don’t sweat it; you’ll find a nice place to call your first home in no time.

As students, our wallets tend to thin out quickly. With student debt, textbooks, groceries, and dates with friends, our money seems to slip away pretty fast. When you start apartment hunting and figuring out what you can afford, the first thing you want to decide is if you are going to have roommates or live alone. Once you determine how many rooms you will need in your new home, you’ll be able to start calculating your budget. Just so you can have some type of reference, here are the average price ranges in Guelph, current as of April 28, 2021, for the total cost of rent for a variety of spaces. These prices are based on what I’ve seen on rentboard.ca, Facebook Marketplace, and Kijiji. Don’t forget, all these prices are the full amount and can always be broken down to share between roommates (prices will vary depending on the size of house, how many rooms are included, and even the house’s location): • Four-Bedroom House: $2600 • One Room in a Shared

House: $500-$600 • Two-Bedroom Apartment: $1300-$2265 • One-Bedroom Apartment: $850-$1855 • Basement Unit: $1350-$2000

Once you determine what price range you would be comfortable with and how much living space you desire, you can start building a budget plan. I didn’t start building one of these until I moved into my second apartment, but I wish I had started calculating things from the very beginning … I would have saved a lot of money! I have broken down a few key points for you to consider for your budget plan which include the cost of your rent, the average price of utilities, Wi-Fi, renter’s insurance, and more. Everything is a rough estimate and always subject to change depending on the specific person, so I would advise using this as a guide to get you thinking about the organization of things: • Rent for one person: Starts at $500+ • Utilities: Some apartments/ homes have utilities included in the rent which is always a bonus, but not always the case. »Utilities in an apartment: $100-$140* »Utilities in a house: $133-$550* *Based on average Guelph hydro bill per month • Total cost of Wi-Fi: $99/per month (with Rogers) • Furnishing your new place: $100+ »You can choose to buy new furniture, which can be costly, or used furniture, which can be a cheaper option. • Renter’s insurance: $325/per year (with belairdirect. Keep in mind not every place you rent will ask for renter’s insurance) • Groceries weekly: $50-$100 »Some grocery stores sell food at cheaper prices than others; for example, shopping at Food Basics and Walmart will generally save you more money than shopping at Zehrs and Metro. • Other (parking, laundry, selfcare, night out): $50+

Now that you have a basic understanding of costs and an idea of what you can afford, it’s time to begin your search. Great places to start your hunt (and the places that I have found both my apartments on) are Facebook MarketPlace and Kijiji. These are great renter-friendly sites that are easy to navigate and free to use. Check them out and simply type in what you are looking for in the search bar. For example, type “Two bedroom apartment, Guelph” or “Four bedroom house, Guelph.” Another great place to look is The Cannon, a University of Guelphrun website that is most known for their housing benefits. It is a great place to look if you are just wanting to rent a single room or find a house available for you and your friends to live together!

Before you sign a rental agreement, there are a few things you should review because once you finalize the contract it can be tricky to get out of it. The landlord is the owner of the unit you are renting and they will be the person that you pay your rent to and who will deal with any home-related issues you may have during the duration of your lease. You are the tenant, the one who is occupying the unit, and it is your job to pay your rent on time and take care of the space you are living in. When you find a place you want to rent, there are a couple things you as a tenant will need to provide when signing a lease (these may be subject to change and depend on what your landlord asks for): • First and last month’s rent • Credit report or a T4 slip to show your income • Record of Employment • References

Don’t be afraid to ask a friend or family member for help and guidance through this process; it can be a bit tricky at times, especially if it is your first time navigating the rental world. Here are some other things you should keep in mind when signing a lease, including your rights as a tenant and what your rental agreement should include: • The duration of your lease (normally 12 months) • The monthly rent amount due to your landlord and the date you must pay it by • Utilities that you need to cover (parking, electricity, etc.) • The conditions for terminating your lease • The conditions for subletting your lease • The rules you are required to follow as a tenant • You can visit ontario.ca to learn more about your rights when renting in Ontario

Guelph is a beautiful city. From its hiking trails, parks, and conservation areas to its small owned businesses, quaint coffee shops, and lively downtown, the city has something for everyone. When I first moved to Guelph, I only knew my way around the neighbourhoods near the University of Guelph, but as I started to venture out on the bus for longer trips throughout the city, I began to fall more in love with where I was living. If you haven’t moved around the city much, there is but one street you need to situate yourself with: Gordon Street. Being on Gordon will get you to all the main intersections of the city.

If you move north on Gordon from the university, you will be brought towards downtown Guelph. From its unique restaurants, pubs, and markets, to its entertainment options like the The Guelph Civic Museum and the The River Run Centre, living in the north end of Guelph puts you in one of the most happening places in the city. You can definitely find four or five-bedroom homes in this end of Guelph, or even two-bedroom apartments.

If you move south on Gordon, you will enter the more updated end of the city. The south end has Stone Road Mall, newer restaurants, and one of Guelph’s Galaxy Cinemas. Apartment buildings are frequently being built in the south end, but do keep in mind that they go like hot cakes. This might be due in part to the south end having easy access to the 401, making it desirable to out-oftown commuters.

Wherever you do decide to situate yourself, just know that a short bus or car ride can take you from one side of the city to the other in about twenty minutes. Before you decide where you are going to live, take some time to get a feel for what part of Guelph you like best, and most importantly, have fun exploring your new city!

1. Figuring out your budget

3. Everything you need to know about signing a lease (and what rights you have as a tenant)

When looking to rent a home, some things to take into consideration include your budget, your rights as a tenant, and where you want to live. CREDIT: PEXELS