Q. What’s the rent these days?
A. 650 plus utilities
Q. What’s the deal with utilities?
A. Satellite TV is free, wireless internet is free, but you pay for heat and electricity. Budget $75 per month to be safe.
Q. And phone?
A. Surely you jest! There is a landline hookup you can pay to activate, but no one ever uses it.
Q. Do you allow pets?
A. No – we’ve had some *very* messy experiences, so we are firm on this.
Q. Is there parking?
A. There is free overnight street parking from 5.30 PM to 8 AM. But we are four minutes on foot from rapid transit and the neighbourhood is so full of services you won’t need a car. Really- we live in the ‘hood too, and have a family of four. No car – it’s easy, cheap, and good for the environment
Q. Do you have a minimum stay/lease/commitment?
A. Yes. We find showing it all the time to be a pain in the bollocks, frankly, and we like our tenants to commit to a six month lease after which we offer month-to-month.
Q. What about a deposit?
A. We don’t ask for last month’s rent upfront, but we ask for a 450 dollar damage/cleaning deposit. Provided you leave it as clean as you found it and didn’t steal the silverware or smash the TV you’ll get it back.
Q. That smoking rule – can I still smoke outside?
A. Nowhere on the entire property. And you’ll look a right twit pacing about on the sidewalk trying to comply with our rule, other residents will still smell you, so really, if you are a smoker the best advice is to look elsewhere. It just won’t work.
Q. Describe the apartment to me.
A. OK. It was built in 1999, was designed as a purpose-built bachelor apartment by Domicile Developments, one of Ottawa’s most innovative builders. It’s on the lower level of a row of townhomes, has its own entrance, and a surprising amount of natural light. It’s only ever had one landlord – my family – and we look after it as if it we live in it ourselves.
Q. Is it really true about the ensuite laundry?
A. Yes! And it’s all yours – no one else uses it. No coins, no fuss, no muss.
