Month: March 2021

7 Top Questions to Ask When Renting an Apartment

Renting an apartment is a major decision and requires thorough research before making a commitment to rent an apartment.

Renting an apartment is a major decision and requires thorough research before making a commitment to rent an apartment. To help you assess whether you want to rent a specific apartment, we have come up with seven top questions you should find answers to when planning to rent an apartment.

1. When is the rent due and how do I pay it?

Usually, this is the first question to ask when renting an apartment. You might assume the answer is the first of the month and by cheque. Some landlords require an EFT direct deposit. Others might accept credit cards, but with a fee attached. Some might collect rent on the day you move in or on the 5th day of the month. Whichever one it is, it is best to find out for sure.

Also, make sure you ask about these potential extra costs:

  • Is there a grace period before a late fee is applied?
  • Are there any application fees?
  • Is there an annual rent increase? If there is, how much is it?

2. What is included in the rental cost?

Some apartments include amenities that can offset your overall cost of living. Ask if any of the following are included in your rental.

  • Garbage fees
  • Water
  • Electricity
  • Gas bill
  • Wifi or TV cable
  • Laundry
  • Parking

3. Do I need to rent a storage unit?

If your apartment needs more space for you to store your belongings, rent a storage unit. A 5 x 5 feet or 5 x 7 feet storage unit should be enough for your needs. These storage unit sizes are similar to a regular closet and can hold personal items, clothes, boxes, skis, children’s toys, small furniture items, and some work documents. If you want something bigger, you can rent a 5 x 10 storage unit. This storage unit size is equivalent to a walk-in closet and holds small amounts of furniture, sofas, chairs, chest of drawers, boxspring and mattress, business supplies, and records. It can also hold other small items and boxes.

4. Do I need to have renters insurance?

Some landlords will require you to have renters insurance, which will factor into your overall rent cost.

5. How do I give notice when I want to move out?

When you ask this question,consider the following:

  • What is the timeframe to give notice?
  • What is the security deposit return process? How long until I get it back?
  • Will there be a final walkthrough?
  • Access and tenant responsibilities

6. Will the locks be changed before I move in?

This item is one of the most overlooked, but it is an essential question to ask when renting an apartment. If the landlord says no, demand that they are changed. Also, find out who has master keys to your residence.

7. Is there ongoing or upcoming construction happening at the building?

More construction might mean more noise and less security. Now is also the time to inquire about the security of the property. Are there cameras? Are there lights in the parking lot?

8. Is subletting the apartment allowed?

When you find out about subletting, also ask if you are able to use services like Airbnb in your apartment. Finding out this information helps you estimate the additional income you may generate from subletting the apartment.

9. Who do I contact with issues regarding rent?

Find out if there is a leasing or building manager that you can contact when you have a request, or want to file a noise complaint.

10. Who do I contact for basic repairs?

Who you contact in an emergency, such as a pipe break, might be different than to whom you reach out for a minor maintenance issue, like a chipped floor tile. Find out how you submit maintenance requests.

11. Is there any existing damage to the apartment?

This question is crucial to getting back an honest security deposit. Make sure you insist on a final walkthrough with the landlord or someone on staff. During the walkthrough, make a note with the person accompanying you of any existing damage. Make sure pictures are taken and that there is written documentation of any findings of your walkthrough. Make sure this is filed with you and the landlord. This step will help ensure you do not get dinged on your security deposit return, or get surprise charges for any damage that was already present when you moved in.

12. Where are the fire extinguishers and smoke detectors located?

Safety first! Find out where these items are before you move in. If they are not present, insist that the landlord get them installed before you move in. If the apartment does not look to be up to code, make sure you report it to the city through the proper channels. Once you move in, check out this apartment move-in checklist again for additional guidance.

How to Select a Reputable Moving Company in Greater Vancouver

Choosing the right moving company is an essential step to ensure that your moving process is easy and seamless.

Choosing the right moving company is an essential step to ensure that your moving process is easy and seamless. Picking the wrong movers can potentially delay your moving date, causing you to lose items or incur financial damages. Yikes! 

To make sure that you select the right reputable moving company, you can use the checklist we are providing below. It will save you a ton of energy and money, and it will help your moving process go as planned.

1. Identify The Type Of Movers You Need

Every moving company has a specialty. Some specialize in inter-province moves, while others may only provide their services locally; some might focus on moving delicate objects such as pianos or artwork pieces. Therefore, before selecting a moving company, it is important to first identify your scope of work and the type of moving company you need.

Some questions you can ask yourself to determine your scope of work and the type of moving company you need include:

  • Is my move local, or am I moving across the country? Will I require an inter-province moving company? Would a local company be able to complete the job?
  • Are there any items that require special equipment or skill to move? Some examples include pool tables, pianos, hot tubs, etc.
  • Do I require any other services like packing, trash removal, or a cleanout?

2. Find Potential Movers and Evaluate Their Credentials

While you can find a list of moving companies near you, contact them individually, and see which one fits your needs, you can take a more systematic approach to find quality moving companies and compare them. For example, you can create a blank spreadsheet to list all the moving companies near you and determine each mover’s qualifications and whether they fit the requirements you have set.

For each moving company, create a column for each of the following:

  • Google review rating. See what customers are saying about the business. If a moving company’s Google review rating is low (below 3 stars), or a majority of the comments are negative, you may not want to hire this mover.
  • Years in business. New companies might be less expensive, but companies that have been in business for a long time are less likely to be flight risks.
  • Areas of service. Can this company accommodate both where you live now and where you are moving?
  • License and insurance. Find out if the company has licensing and insurance information on their website. Interstate movers should have the Department of Transportation (DOT) licensing and insurance information listed.
  • Accreditations. Are there any specialized accreditations or certificates on their website that are worth mentioning?

3. Read the Moving Companies’ Online Reviews

In addition to reading Google Reviews and ratings, look at the moving companies’ reviews on other review websites such as The Better Business Bureau, Facebook, Yelp, and other popular review sites. 

4. Request a Virtual Quote

Once you have generated a list of moving companies and narrowed the list down to the top five or ten moving companies, the next step is getting their phone number and getting in touch with them. Many moving companies are offering virtual quotes given the current health situation, making it easy for you to get quotes through their websites. Some information the moving companies may ask you to provide include the number of items you are moving, the items’ weight and the dimensions. You might also need to share a video with the representative of the moving company so they can see the items you want to move and thus be able to give you a more accurate quote.

5. Avoid These Red Flags

Being aware of some red flags during the estimate process can help safeguard you from unreliable movers.

Watch out for the following signs:

  • Low bids. While low costs might be appealing, it can be a sign that the movers do not understand the scope of the project and will cut corners.
  • Large deposits. Generally, a mover should not request more than 20% of the estimate upfront. We recommend never paying more than 20% down, and it is better if the company does not require payment until after the move. If you must make a large deposit for a more complicated relocation, make sure you put it on a credit card – never pay with cash. If something goes wrong, you can dispute the charge with your credit card company.
  • Rented moving vans. Some smaller companies might need to rent moving vans to build up their business. However, these rentals are more common for small moves that include only about one or two pieces of furniture, for example; they are less common for whole-house movers. Reliable companies will have their own moving vans and equipment.
  • Unprofessionalism. Other unacceptable behavior includes showing up for the estimate late, unprofessional demeanor, and any condescending attitudes. You can also check the company’s address to see if it is listed under a residential or commercial address. Commercial addresses are more legitimate because the companies are generally more formally established.

5. Have Everything in Writing

Before engaging in the move, document the terms of your contract in writing. Also, go over the insurance policy the moving company offers. What does the policy cover? How much does it cover? Learn about the difference between full replacement value and other no-cost options that may not include replacement value. Pick the insurance that you feel comfortable with and pay more for extra protection for your more valuable items.

We hope these tips help! Moving is a tiresome task with many potential problems but it can go incredibly smoothly if you follow the advice above. If you have any questions about moving, please feel free to contact us and let us know.

Questions about mini storage? Feel free to call us at 1.866.647.8673 or contact us online at https://www.selfstorage.ca/contact-us and our staff will be more than happy to answer any questions you may have!

Looking to reserve a storage unit? Find a self storage facility near you:

  1. Self storage Burnaby or Vancouver
  2. Self storage Chilliwack
  3. Self storage South Surrey or White Rock
  4. Self storage Parksville
  5. Self storage Nanaimo
  6. Self storage Victoria

What Not To Store In A Storage Unit When Moving to a New Home

wing what kind of items you can put in storage will help you come up with a storage solution that works best for you when you are moving to another home.

Knowing what kind of items you can put in storage will help you come up with a storage solution that works best for you when you are moving to another home. You should also be aware of which kind of items you are not allowed to store in a storage unit. For example, you cannot store food or dangerous items such as guns or ammunition.

Items you should never put into a storage unit for hygiene and safety reasons include, but are not limited to, the items in the list below. You will be responsible for any potential damages to the items and the storage unit if you are not following the storage safety rules.

Food Items

You are not allowed to store any type of food in the storage unit, so do not overlook this safety rule.

First of all, food items left for a prolonged period of time can attract insects or rodents, leading to a much-unwanted infestation problem. The pesky invaders can chew on all sorts of items, nest in them, and destroy your and other people’s belongings in the process.

Secondly, some foods will rot and start emitting bad odours, thus providing favorable conditions for bacteria and mold to grow. In fact, rotting food items can be the main reason for pest infestation.

Plants

Plants are another example of what not to store in a storage unit during a move. If you stored a plant in a storage unit, you would deprive your plants of the three basic things they need to live: natural light (sunshine), water, and fresh air. Depriving your plants from these three elements would essentially end the plants’ lives!

Additionally, plants can attract pests, thus potentially creating significant problems during the renting period. If you want to find a place to keep your plants while you are moving to a new home, we would recommend reaching out to friends or family who can take care of the plants in the meantime.

Dangerous Items, Including Guns

Hazardous materials are another important example of what not to put in a storage unit. Any materials that have the potential to corrode, burn, or explode are strictly forbidden by law to be stored at public storage facilities. The reason is more than clear – they pose a serious risk to human health. Dangerous items can lead to costly property damage as well.

Items that are commonly not allowed in storage units include chemicals, acids, gases, fuel, oils, paints and paint thinners, pesticides, liquor, fireworks, and so on. Request the full list of forbidden items for storage from the storage company you have selected.

You may be allowed to store a variety of yard equipment – your lawnmower, for instance – only after you have removed all the fuel and oil from their tanks.

Furthermore, you cannot store any type of guns and ammunition in a public storage facility. Contact a local gun shop to learn more about where and how you can store firearms safely.

Wet or Scented Products

Never store wet or damp items in a storage unit. The initial moisture in the items will foster the right conditions for mold and mildew to grow, and when this happens, all of your stored items will be in serious risk of getting damaged forever. Hence, make sure all your items are 100% dry before you store them in a storage unit. This tip is particularly important for clothes and shoes.

Scented items such as candles and soaps may attract unwelcome guests, such as insects or rodents. To deter unwanted guests from entering your storage unit, avoid putting in storage anything that gives off strong odors.

High-value or Expensive Items

As a rule of thumb, do not store items that have a high monetary value. Items such as expensive watches, artwork pieces, or jewelry, should not be stored in a storage unit. While our storage units are incredibly secure with 24/7 surveillance, we still recommend storing expensive items in a high-quality personal safe.

If you do not have other options for storing high-value possessions, please inform us about your intention, and we can discuss the need to purchase additional insurance for your prized possessions.

Cannabis

Even though cannabis has been legalized, you are still forbidden to store or grow cannabis in a storage unit.

Unregistered Vehicles

Only vehicles that are registered, fully operational, and have storage insurance are allowed to be stored at a storage facility. This includes cars, vans, SUVs, and motorcycles.

Animals

You should never leave any live animals in your storage unit. It is not only morally wrong, but it is also against the law to do so. Do not ever leave pets or other animals in a storage unit!