Tenant Talk: Noise, garbage, alcohol warning for renters

Many of you will be moving into a new community and renting on your own for the first time. While this is an exciting time, it also comes with some concerns as well.

There are issues related to your rental situation and your community that you should be aware of while you live in the city.

Regarding your rental situation, we would strongly recommend that you do a thorough check of the premises when you move in, that way you will be fully aware of any problems or defects in your premise. If there are any, they should be brought to the attention of the landlord (in writing) immediately, so that if there are any disputes when you move out, you have those concerns documented.

If you have roommates or other tenants sharing a common space, we highly recommend using a ROOMMATE ACCORD (available at www.fanshawec.on.ca/housing/accord) to discuss how a group of you will live together throughout the year.

Remember, better to discuss things now before you start to get stressed about exams. Issues can vary from visitors, to utility bills, to use of personal items.

It is also highly recommended that you consider the security of the premise that you have rented. Smart thieves know where students live and smart thieves know when students are away on holidays … DON'T BE A VICTIM.

As you may or may not know, there have been various issues and concerns with behaviour and noise in the community of various cities with large numbers of students. Fanshawe College hopes and expects that students will be leaders in the community and is very concerned when this is not the case. London Police Services and various City Bylaw officials have laid charges and/or fines for the behaviour exhibited by certain individuals in the past.

We strongly advocate that you be aware of what issues might offend your neighbours, as well as potentially cause yourself to face unwanted or unnecessary complications in your life when faced with choices. The primary concerns that come up when students are living in a residential community include …

NOISE BYLAW — The City of London has a 24/7 noise bylaw and the police generally are strictly enforcing this bylaw in high density student areas.

PARKING — The City has two bylaws noting you cannot park on the street between 3:00 a.m. & 5:00 a.m. and you cannot park on the front lawn, over the boulevard or sidewalk.

GARBAGE — London has an atypical schedule as garbage is picked up on an eight day cycle noting that it is not to be out before 6:00 p.m. the night before pickup and out before 7:00 a.m. day of pickup - locate your schedule at www.london.ca … under CITY SERVICES.

FURNITURE - You cannot have typical indoor furniture outside and some students have faced a major expense when the City has come in and removed the furniture.

ALCOHOL — This one is generally well known, but realize the minute you step off your property with open alcohol . . . you can be charged.

LIABILITY — Please be aware that while having friends over is OK … you AND ANY GUARANTOR on the lease that you have may be liable for any injuries or damages when someone consumes alcohol on your property.

If you have any questions about your rental situation or the info provided here, feel free to the Housing Mediation Officer, at 519-452-4282 (Wednesdays) or 519-661-3787.