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Posts Tagged ‘Apartments’

After several months of development, we are proud to release a brand new rental listings portal, www.ihousing.ca.

Ihousing.ca is a Canadian website created to suit the needs of both tenants and landlords, a website especially designed to facilitate rental search and housing advertisement in all of Canada. The concept of Internet housing is meant to grant free, easy access to an ever-growing network of listings, comprising ads for various properties for rent.

Accessing the IHousing.ca website, enables rental seekers to explore the residences available for rent. Anyone with an internet connection and the intention of renting, can visit this website and get a complete picture of each residence by viewing the interior and exterior photographs and also a 360 degrees video presentation. All this can be done online, without the trouble of traveling from one location to another. Furthermore, there are interactive maps that illustrate the exact location of each rental.

The rental search offers convenient personalization possibilities: bachelor, 1 bedroom, 2 bedrooms, appliances, furnishings, building facilities and more. In this way, no matter what the renters needs are, they will be met without useless browsing.So visit the website and get in easy touch with renters and landlords from Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver, Ottawa, Calgary and other cities across Canada.

Make no mistake, moving into a new apartment can be tough – there’s a new part of the city to get used to (or a whole new city entirely!), new roads and bus routes to learn, figuring out where all of the different stores are … It’s hard enough to do when you’re by yourself, but when you bring kids into the equation, moving can become an even greater challenge.

Changing schools, leaving behind friends and classmates, giving up familiar routines, and living in a brand new environment can be very difficult for many children. Before moving with kids into your new Ottawa apartment, we’ve put together a quick moving checklist to help make your move into a new apartment as smooth as possible – both for you and your children.

Before the Move:

Tell your children about the move as soon as you can. The more time they have to get used to the idea of moving, the easier it will be for them when the big day finally arrives.

Involve your kids as early as possible. If you give them specific tasks to do early on in the moving process, you can help your children have a sense of control over this potentially scary situation. As an example, you could let them participate in the apartment-hunting process by getting their opinions on the pros and cons (from their viewpoint) of the different apartments / neighbourhoods that you look at.

Take a tour of the new neighbourhood. Before you move in, take your children to your new apartment and explore the new neighborhood together. Let them see the nearby parks, schools, stores, etc., as knowing about these places ahead of time will help ease their fears of the unknown (and possibly even make them look forward to visiting these cool new places on a regular basis once you’re all moved in!).

Put together a friends list. When moving with young children, leaving behind their old school and friends is perhaps the hardest part of the entire process. To help ease the transition, help your children prepare a list of phone numbers and email addresses of all of their close friends and relatives. Knowing that they can stay in touch with the important people in their lives, even when they’re in the new apartment, is a very important part of a successful move.

During the Move:

Involve your kids in the packing. Packing can be a tedious process at the best of times. To make the whole exercise a little more fun for everybody, you can have your kids decorate the boxes containing their things. As an added bonus, doing so will also make finding their things easier once you’re at the new apartment!

Don’t pack up everything. It’s important that you don’t pack away everything before the big move. Special items such as blankets, stuffed animals, books, etc., should be placed in a separate container that can be taken in the car with the kids. This way, the kids get peace of mind knowing that their favourite things won’t get lost or left behind.

Stay positive. When moving with children, it’s very important to stay as upbeat and calm as you can, as your own mood will greatly impact the mood of your children – if you hate moving, chances are they will, too.

After the Move:

Don’t spend all of your time unpacking. Yes, you’ll need to get all of those essential items out of the boxes as soon as possible, but try to spread the unpacking process out over a few days, if possible. For most kids, unpacking is boring – they want to explore! It’s important to put down the boxes and take the time to really explore your new neighbourhood and spend time with your family. Go for a walk, check out the nearby stores and restaurants, relax at the park … how you spend this time is up to you.

Ask for your child’s input. Give your children a chance to pitch in some ideas when you’re settling in to your new apartment. Openly ask for their ideas, especially when choosing items for their rooms or deciding on the layout of the apartment. If they feel that they’ve helped “create” the new apartment, your kids will be more inclined to think of it as their new home instead of a scary, unknown place.

Try to maintain daily routines. While children are adjusting to new homes, neighborhoods, and schools, parents can provide some comfort by keeping some things the same. For instance, having the same morning and bedtime routines, meal times, etc. might be extremely comforting, especially for younger children.

Above all, listen. Regularly ask how things are going for them at the new apartment. Some kids have a hard time opening up – spending some relaxed time together may help them to bring up whatever is on their minds.

Remember, it takes time to make a new apartment feel like a home … but with your understanding and patience, you should be able to make the transition fairly easily. After all, as the old saying goes, home is where the heart is.

As a university or college student, finding an off-campus student apartment can be an extremely exciting, but often overwhelming, experience. Paramount Properties wants all of Ottawa’s students to find the best possible student apartment – that’s why we’ve put together a quick checklist of all the things you should look out for while you’re getting the grand tour of your possible new apartment.

What to Look For:

·        Are there three-pronged electrical outlets in every room? And more importantly, are there enough outlets for all of your computers / video games / cell phone chargers / lights / etc.?

·        Do all the apartment appliances work? Remember to check the freezer and whether the elements on the stove heat evenly.

·        Are the doors and locks in reasonable condition?

·        Don’t forget to check the plumbing. Test out the taps and showerheads for hot water and water pressure, and be sure to check the sinks and tubs for cracks, leaks, rust or water damage.

·        Remember to check the windows, too. Do all of the windows fit properly, or is there a draft? If so, how will your apartment heating costs be affected? Is there proper ventilation? Do all the windows in the unit open? Are there locks on the windows that are at street level?

·        Is there enough storage space? If there is a locker in the basement, find out who has access to that area and what kind of lock is on the door.

·        If possible, visit the apartment at different times of the day to see what the noise levels are like. A seemingly quiet student apartment during the day could actually be a noisy headache at nights or on weekends.

·        How many bus routes run close to the apartment? Do they go where you need to get to?

·        If laundry facilities aren’t provided, where is the nearest laundromat?

Questions to Ask the Landlord:

·        Are there any other students living in the building?

·        Have there been any major repairs or renovations done in the past year? Are any major repairs anticipated in the near future?

·        Who will be responsible for apartment repairs (even small, minor ones) – you or the landlord?

·        Can the landlord or superintendent be reached at any time during the day in case of emergency?

·        How is the rent to be paid – by mail or directly to the landlord? Cash or cheque?

·        Who pays for heat and other apartment utilities?

·        Is a parking space included in the rent, or will it cost extra?

·        Do you have to sign a lease? If so, for how long?

·        Are the washers and dryers shared with any other people?

·        What appliances are included in the apartment rental?

·        Can the apartment building handle cable/Internet?

·        Are you allowed to repaint the walls?

·        Are pets allowed? If so, which types of pets?

Yes, it’s a lot to pay attention to as you’re touring a possible new apartment – especially when you’re focused on the bigger questions such as “how many bedrooms” and “how much rent”. But, if you try to ask most of these questions as you’re looking around, you’ll have all the knowledge you need to make the best decision about which apartment to rent.

Looking through the apartment listings can be a pretty confusing experience. Just what are the differences between a junior one-bedroom and an alcove studio? A convertible three-bedroom and a flex two-bedroom? Knowing the layout of each type of apartment and what features each type contains will greatly improve your chances of finding the perfect apartment rental for your needs and lifestyle.

Walk-Up Apartment / Low-Rise Apartment

A walk-up or low-rise apartment is located in a building that does not have an elevator (which means it might be a bit more difficult when you’re moving in). Walk-ups are usually older buildings that are less than five storeys high and may not have a lot of amenities such as laundry rooms, storage lockers or wheelchair accessibility. Generally, monthly rent for a walk-up is less expensive than the monthly rent for a high-rise apartment.

High-Rise Apartment

A high-rise apartment is found in a building that is generally six or more storeys tall. High-rise apartment buildings have elevators and often have onsite laundry facilities, pools, fitness centres, comprehensive fire alarm systems, and security systems to monitor tenant entry and exit. In addition, many high-rise apartment buildings feature onsite management staff to assist you in the event of an emergency.

Bachelor Apartment / Studio Apartment

A great choice for students, a bachelor apartment (also called a studio apartment or an efficiency apartment) is a small one-room apartment with a separate bathroom. The one room serves as a bedroom, dining room and living room and is usually connected to an open kitchen. Bachelor apartments can range from very small (just big enough for a sofabed and a desk) to very large (with enough room for a king-size bed and a separate sitting area and dining area).

An alcove bachelor (also called a convertible bachelor or convertible studio) is usually configured in an L-shape with a distinct area or nook for dining or sleeping.

1-Bedroom Apartments

A one-bedroom apartment consists of a living room, kitchen, bathroom and a separate bedroom equipped with a built in closet. Occupancy may often be limited to two people.

A junior one-bedroom usually implies an extra-large studio apartment that is large enough to section off a separate sleeping area or bedroom.

2-Bedroom Apartments

A full two-bedroom apartment has two separate bedrooms in addition to a living room. It may or may not have a separate kitchen. Bedroom sizes can vary widely, from a baby’s room or small office to an extra-large master bedroom suite.

A convertible two-bedroom apartment (sometimes called a “flex 2”) is actually a one-bedroom apartment, but it is large enough and laid out in such a way that a wall could be put up to create a second bedroom. Similarly, a convertible three-bedroom (or “flex 3”) is a two-bedroom apartment that can be converted into 3 bedrooms.

A wing apartment usually has two bedrooms as well as a small common area such as an eat-in kitchen, but no living room. These apartments are ideal for students or roommates who don’t require much in the way of common living space.

Loft

A loft can be classified as a big, open space with few internal walls. Usually the result from a commercial building having been converted into residential units, lofts generally have very high ceilings, extra-large windows and often have exposed plumbing pipes and columns.

Penthouse Apartment

A penthouse is an apartment on the top floor of an apartment building, usually featuring extra balconies or a rooftop deck. A penthouse is normally considered to be quite luxurious and is an extremely desirable (albeit expensive) place to live.

Basement Apartment

As the name implies, a basement apartment is located in the lowest storey of a building and is partially below ground level. Windows and proper ceiling height are enforced by city codes. This type of apartment can also refer to the basement on a house that has been converted to an apartment. This type of basement apartment may have its own separate entrance and may have its own bathroom, kitchen, laundry room and heating system separate from the rest of the house.

Duplex Apartment

A duplex is an apartment with two levels. This could include a true bi-level apartment with an enclosed upstairs and downstairs, or it could also be an open space with an extra-high ceiling and a loft or mezzanine.

Railroad Apartment

In a railroad apartment, there is no hallway. This type of apartment consists of a series of rooms that are connected to each other in a straight line (just like cars on a train), meaning a tenant will have to walk through each room to get from one end of the apartment to the other.

Balcony / Terrace

The terms balcony and terrace are often used interchangeably to indicate a railed platform extending from the outside of the apartment. It can be small enough to accommodate one or two people standing or large enough for a picnic table, lounge chairs and plants.

At Paramount Properties, we’re dedicated to providing the best possible Ottawa apartment rental experiences to our tenants. With great locations, top quality service, and exceptional value, it’s easy to see why our apartments for rent in Ottawa are the best in the city. But don’t take our word for it – just have a look at this letter of one of our Downtown Ottawa apartment tenants:

Dear Paramount Properties;

I’m sending you this email just to say “thank you” for helping me finally find the student apartment I was looking for. I’m a student at the University of Ottawa, and ever since I first came to Ottawa I’ve been looking for a great student apartment that would not only get me close to my classes, but get me close to everything else in Downtown Ottawa, too. After living in a couple other apartment buildings this past year, let me just say that I’ve finally found the exact student apartment I was looking for – and then some!

First of all, I couldn’t believe my luck when I found one of your great apartments in Downtown Ottawa – it’s called Centretown Place, and the location is better than I could ever imagine! The apartment is just a few blocks away from everything I love about Ottawa – the Byward Market, the Rideau Centre, all of the stores on Bank Street … pretty much everything I need in the downtown core! It’s even located right on the Transitway, so I can get to my classes in just a couple of minutes, or take the bus across town quickly and easily to meet up with friends in Westboro, at Algonquin College, or wherever!

While the location is excellent, I was pleasantly surprised at how affordable a Downtown Ottawa apartment could actually be. And not only is the rent affordable, but it also includes a whole bunch of additional services and features like the pool, sauna, air conditioning in my room … I really feel like I’m getting the most value for my rent every month at my new apartment. Oh yeah – I really like the smart card laundry machines! It’s so nice not have to keep a collection of quarters on me at all times!

I’ve recommended Paramount Properties to a bunch of my friends, as I know they’re all looking for a great student apartment in Downtown Ottawa. Like I said, I’ve lived in a couple other apartment buildings in the city, but I can definitely say that renting a downtown apartment from your company really is the best choice for students like me.

Thanks again for everything!

Considering renting an apartment in Ottawa? Here are eight great reasons why Canada’s capital city is an excellent place to live, work, and stay:

·        Ottawa is a world-class city, ranking near the top of the list on several surveys conducted by Mercer Human Resource Consulting. For example, Ottawa is ranked:

         4th in the world for Best Health and Sanitation;

       18th in the world (and 3rd overall in North America) for Best Quality of Life;

       The least expensive major North American city to live in.

In 2008, Ottawa was also named as the best place to live in Canada by the financial magazine, MoneySense.

·        As Canada’s capital city, Ottawa is home to a variety of historical buildings and landmarks, including Parliament Hill and the famous Rideau Canal (now a UN World Heritage site). When you live in an Ottawa apartment rental, you also find dozens of fantastic national museums and galleries devoted to Canadian arts, nature, science, technology, aerospace, and much more – right in your own backyard! There’s always something to see in Ottawa, a city rich with tradition.

·        Ottawa is home to numerous world-class national and international festivals and events throughout the year, including the Canadian Tulip Festival, Winterlude, Ottawa BluesFest, and Canada Day celebrations. These spectacular events create memories for a lifetime and attract visitors from all over the world – definitely a great way to spend a few hours (or a few days) in the capital!

·        Of course, Ottawa isn’t all museums and festivals. As a national capital on the world stage, Ottawa also enjoys first-class fine dining, live entertainment, and vibrant nightlife – just one of the perks of renting an apartment here, especially an apartment in Downtown Ottawa.

·        Due to its location right on the Ontario-Quebec border, as well its role as the nation’s capital, Ottawa is a very multicultural city. Not only are most city services offered in both English and French, but Ottawa also offers the chance to take in a host of different cultures, languages, and religions from around the globe, reflecting a truly diverse community.

·        Ottawa is a great place to pursue academic studies. With six major colleges and universities in the National Capital Region, as well numerous technology institutes and professional schools, Ottawa is home to a highly integrated and flexible education system. Plus, the student apartments in Ottawa are all very affordable, comfortable, and convenient!

·        While the “tech bubble” may have burst, Ottawa is still a hotbed of high-tech research and development. There are currently more than 1,800 advanced technology companies in the region (employing more than 76,000 people), and an amazing 90% of Canada’s telecommunications R&D is conducted in the Ottawa area. Simply put, Ottawa is one smart city!

·        Ottawa is the perfect place to raise a family. With an abundance of parks and green space, a rich number of sports and educational programs, well as excellent public and private education options, Ottawa provides a clean, safe, and healthy environment in which to raise children. In addition, with all of the attractions mentioned above, renting an apartment in Ottawa allows your children to experience the world’s many cultures and histories through festivals, museums, and the arts.

These are just a handful of the many great reasons to rent an apartment in Ottawa. So, what are you waiting for? Come make an apartment in Canada’s capital city your home – www.paramountapts.com we’re waiting for you!

Ottawa is an excellent place to live and rent an apartment! For anybody thinking of moving to the city, or are already living in an Ottawa apartment rental and just want to learn more about the place they call home, here are a few interesting facts about the National Capital Region:

* Originally known as Bytown (named after the settlement’s founder, Lieutenant-Colonel John By), the City of Ottawa was officially established in 1855.

* Ottawa was named the capital city of Canada by Queen Victoria on December 31, 1857.

*  In 2001, the new City of Ottawa was created with the amalgamation of the Region of Ottawa-Carleton and 11 local municipalities: Cumberland, Gloucester, Goulbourn, Kanata, Nepean, Osgoode, Ottawa, Rideau, Rockcliffe Park, Vanier, and West Carleton.

* Ottawa is currently the fourth-largest city in Canada.

* The National Capital Region (which includes both Ottawa and Gatineau) has a population of more than 1,100,000 people.

* The city is located on the banks of the Ottawa, Rideau, and Gatineau rivers.

* Ottawa is home to four diverse seasons, with temperatures ranging from 35°C (95°F) in summer to -40°C (-40°F) in winter, with average summer temperatures around 20°C (68°F) and average winter temperatures around -10°C (14°F).

* Almost 50 per cent of Ottawa residents hold a post-secondary degree, certificate, or diploma, making the city among the highest educated in Canada. In addition, Ottawa has the highest per capita concentration of engineers, scientists, and residents with PhDs in the country.

* Ottawa is home to several major colleges and universities, including the University of Ottawa (downtown), Carleton University (south end), and Algonquin College (west end).

* Ottawa is one of Canada’s youngest cities, with nearly half of the population under the age of 35.

* Ottawa is a diverse city, with languages spoken including English (50 per cent), French (32 per cent), and a variety of other languages including Italian, Chinese, Spanish, Portuguese, and Arabic.

* Nestled on the Ontario-Quebec border, Ottawa is a very bilingual city. In fact, the National Capital Region has the second-highest percentage of people who speak both French and English of any major Canadian city.

* Approximately 25 per cent of Ottawa’s residents were born outside of Canada.

* Ottawa hosts more than 35 major festivals and events every year, including the Canadian Tulip Festival, Ottawa Bluesfest, the Ottawa International Chamber Music Festival, and Winterlude.

* As of June 29, 2007, the Rideau Canal, which stretches 202 kilometres from Ottawa to Kingston, was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

* While the majority of jobs in the area are in the government or high-tech sector, Ottawa has deep agricultural roots, and the region is blessed with more farmland than any other city in Canada. With as many as 10,000 jobs associated with agriculture, Ottawa is the agricultural centre of Eastern Ontario.

* Ottawa is easy to get to and easy to get around while you’re here. The city is served by a network of freeways, including provincial Highway 417 (also known as the Queensway, and Ottawa’s portion of the Trans-Canada Highway), Ottawa-Carleton Regional Road 174 (formerly provincial Highway 17), and provincial Highway 416 (the Veterans’ Memorial Highway, which connects Ottawa to Highway 401). The city also has several scenic parkways along the Ottawa River and Rideau Canal.

* If you need to get somewhere that roads can’t take you, Ottawa is served by the Macdonald-Cartier International Airport, which is located in the south end of the city.

Of course, these are just a few of the facts about living and renting an apartment in Ottawa – the only way to get the whole story is to rent an apartment here and get out and explore the city yourself!

According to a 2007 news story by the CBC, Ottawa’s apartment tenants throw out an astonishing 81 per cent of all materials that could be recycled!

While the routine behind garbage and recycling collection can certainly be different when you’re living in an apartment (compared to living in single-family house), just because you’re in a high-rise doesn’t mean you’re above recycling.

What You Can Recycle

Although the bins might be different sizes and different colours than the ones in single-family homes, the same types of materials can still be recycled when you’re living in an apartment building:

·        Plastic containers with a recycling triangle on the bottom, including all bottles, pails, tubs and jugs

·        Aluminum drink cans

·        Tin food cans

·        Milk and juice cartons

·        Juice boxes

·        Glass jars and bottles (clear and coloured)

·        Newspapers and inserts, flyers and junk mail

·        Magazines, phone books, household paper, shredded paper and envelopes

·        Cardboard egg cartons and paper tubes

·        Flattened cardboard (e.g., cereal, cracker, tissue, laundry, shoe and packing boxes)

All apartment buildings should have onsite recycling containers (and some even have dedicated recycling rooms on each floor, for maximum tenant convenience). If you’re not sure where the recycling bins in your building are located, check with your building manager.

For proper disposal of special waste such as paint, construction materials, appliances, tires, or old mattresses and furniture, talk to the building manager or superintendent of your building – don’t just mindlessly throw it away!

Avoid Recycling Bin Contamination

With so many things capable of being recycled, why then is so much of it thrown away? A leading factor in the amount of recyclables that are tossed out with the trash is the contamination of apartment recycling bins – and it’s an issue that apartment tenants can prevent with just a little bit of effort.

When materials are placed in the wrong recycling bin, nothing can be recycled! The bin is either left behind or the contents must be collected as garbage, as it is too costly and time-consuming to sort through. To avoid this:

·        Don’t put your recyclables in plastic bags. These bags cannot be recycled, and as a result, anything placed inside plastic bags cannot be recycled either. As well, don’t tie your materials together, as processing facilities cannot remove string or wires.

·        Remember, glass, metal and plastic go into one bin. Paper and cardboard go into the other. Don’t put your material into the first recycling bin you see, and don’t toss any sort of garbage into the recycling bin!

·        Not everything is recyclable. Items such as hard plastics (cups and dishes), styrofoam packaging, motor oil bottles, aerosol cans, chip bags and candy wrappers, etc. should not be put in the recycling bins.

Get Paid to Recycle

If, for whatever reason, you need a bigger incentive to recycle than helping the environment, how’s this – recycling can save you money, too! Instead of placing them in your apartment building’s bins, you can always return your empty wine, beer, and spirit container to The Beer Store for a full deposit refund. This includes glass bottles, bag-in-box, Tetra Pak containers, plastic bottles, and aluminum and steel containers on which deposits have been charged.

It’s clear that as apartment tenants, we need to work extra hard to make sure we recycle everything we can. To this end, the City of Ottawa has made a Recycling and Disposal Guide available to all Ottawa residents living in apartment buildings. It can be downloaded at: http://www.ottawa.ca/city_services/recycling_garbage/apartment/index_en.html.