Posted on Nov. 26: The great house hunt

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BY Julia Thomson

November 25, 2003

[img_inline align=”right” src=”http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/circleview_ads.jpg” caption=”Listings at the OCRC”]

Although many first year students have not yet completed their first term at McMaster, they're already planning for next year. As they think about writing exams and going home for the holidays, many students are thinking of a home of another kinda home to live in next year at McMaster.

Many of the 3,389 first-year students who this year called one of the on-campus residence home are now looking for housing off-campus. And it's not a simple search.

For Lindsay Fidler, a first-year resident of Moulton Hall, location, cost, and housemates are some of the key concerns. She admits that she doesn't understand a lot about leases, and she's not sure where to begin her search for a house.

For students like Fidler, the Off-Campus Resource Centre will help find with their hunt.

Top 5 Facts for

Off-Campus living:

  1. Know your rights and responsibilites as a tenant. Review the Tenant Protection Act. Read your lease and the terms contained within it.

  2. A lease is a legal contract. Once you've signed one, you are committed to the terms of that contract.

  3. Be considerate of your neighbours. You will be living in a community similar to the one your family lives in. Try not to cause too much noise; don't leave garbage lying around, etc. This is your home for the next 8-12 months; treat it like it's your own.

  4. Discuss lifestyle issues with potential housemates before you make any major decisions about who you want to live with and where you want to live. Discuss things such as your cleanliness habits, sleeping habits, noise tolerance levels, etc.

  5. Remember that the OCRC is here to help – throughout the whole year. We're not just about housing listings. We also offer lots of information about the city; we've got maps and store locators; if you have troubles with your landlord, consult with us first. If we can't answer your question,
    we'll refer you on to a legal clinic who can – free of charge!

Beginning Thursday, Nov. 27 at 9:30 a.m. in the McMaster University Student Centre, Room 309 and continuing Monday, Dec. 1, 2003 at 1:30 p.m. in the same location, the OCRC is offering sessions on The 5Ws of Finding a Home Off-Campus Next Year. These free information sessions tell students when, how and where to look for housing, what questions to ask landlords, what their rights are as tenants, and other valuable information.

Jennifer Kleven, Manager of the Off-Campus Resource Centre, feels that more and more students are becoming better educated about housing, but finding off-campus accommodation is still a new experience for most people.

These sessions have been ongoing for a number of years, she explains. Each year, the attendance increases dramatically. Students who attend one of the two free sessions will each receive a copy of OCRC's Living Off-Campus Student Success Guide. This booklet discusses the Tenant Protection Act, City bylaws, and many other important issues.

As well, students will have the opportunity to ask questions and receive advice from a lawyer from the Dundurn legal aid clinic.

While she is still in the initial stages of her housing search, Fidler hopes to attend one of the OCRC sessions to receive information about where to start.

Along with offering advice and resources, the OCRC provides students with an extensive listing of rental properties in Hamilton. “Some landlords list independently,” explains Kleven. “But if they list with us, you know that landlord wants a student.”

OCRC's listings are also divided into zones, so that students can search by location.

Another valuable source of information provided by the OCRC is the Off-Campus Living Fair being held Thursday, Jan. 15, 2004. This event will feature different groups from across campus, local businesses, and representatives from the City, police, and bylaw.

Displays and representatives will be on hand in the atrium of the student centre from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The goal of this event is to be fun and raise awareness of off-campus issues among all students.

“The most important thing I want students to take away from these sessions is that the Off-Campus Resource Centre is here for them,” says Kleven. “We have student's best interests in mind.”