Vancouver apartment rentals

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.

Vancouver apartment rentals

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