This information is for tenants currently participating
in our Community Housing program. All of this information can also
be found in the Community Housing Tenant Handbook.
Clicking any of the following links will take you to that topic
on the page:
Rent
Rent is calculated using the rules in the Alberta Housing
Act. Rent includes heat, water and sewer costs. Tenants pay
extra for electricity.
Rent Schedule
For tenants receiving money from Alberta Employment and
Immigration, including Alberta Works Income Support and Learner
Income Support, the rent is based on the Rent Schedule in effect (All schedules
are subject to change without notice).
30% of Income
When tenants earn money from other sources, such as employment
or pensions, rent is based on 30% of their gross monthly
income.
Minimum Rent
The lowest amount the rent will be is $120 per month.
Rent Payments
Rent payments are due, in full, on or before the first day of
each month. See
instructions on paying your rent.
Back to the top of the
page
Income Reviews
Annual Income Reviews
Tenants complete an Annual Income Review Form each year. The
information is used to ensure that they still qualify for
subsidized housing and to determine their next year's rent. Forms
are mailed to tenants approximately four months before their
anniversary date.
Changes during the Year
Tenants must complete a Change
of Information Form to advise of changes that occur during the
year if:
- they start to receive Alberta Works Income Support or Learner
Income Support from Alberta Employment and Immigration - their rent
will be based on the Rent Schedule in
effect
- their gross monthly income decreases by more than $35 - their
rent may be lowered
- someone moves in or out - their rent will be recalculated based
on the new family composition
Back to the top of the
page
Maintenance
Landlord Responsibilities
Capital Region Housing is responsible for maintenance of the
premises.
For example, the Site Manager arranges for or completes repairs
if appliances break down or taps leak.
Tenant Responsibilities
Tenants also have a responsibility to maintain their residential
premises. They are expected to keep their home clean and in a
reasonable state of repair. If tenants or their guests cause
damage, the tenants are required to pay for the repairs. Tenants
failing to report maintenance concerns to their Site Managers will
be charged. For example, running/dripping taps or leaking toilets
that go unrepaired may result in charges for excess water usage and
damages to the premise.
Charges are as follows (all charges are subject to change
without notice):
Repairs by Site Manager |
$25 per hour plus GST, minimum charge is 1 hour. |
Removal of garbage from steps/exterior of
premises |
$15 per bag plus GST. |
Repairs by Contractors |
Determined based on the work completed and the rates charged by
the contractors. |
Emergencies
- Emergencies include things like broken water pipes, furnaces
not working, sewer backups, or fires.
- Tenants are to advise their Site Manager if they have an
emergency during the day. If the Site Manager does not answer the
phone, tenants should leave a message on the answering machine and
then call Capital Region Housing's maintenance department at
780-420-6161.
For MAINTENANCE EMERGENCIES after
hours and on weekends, tenants are to call 780-420-6161. The
answering service will assist them.
Hazardous Conditions
- Tenants must tell their Site Manager immediately if they know
of or find any hazardous or dangerous conditions on or around the
rental property.
Preventing Dangerous Conditions at Home
Some of the things tenants can do to help prevent dangerous
conditions at home include, but are not limited to, the
following:
- Pay attention when using the stove - over 50% of the fires in
Capital Region Housing's properties are caused by cooking oil left
unattended on the stove;
- Be careful with candles - candles also cause a significant
number of fires;
- Avoid leaving matches and lighters where children can find
them;
- Avoid storing large quantities of combustible material or
flammable liquid in the home - only keep small amounts, and in
containers approved especially for that kind of material;
- Check and clean the smoke alarms each month and tell the Site
Manager if they need repairs. If your smoke detector is not working
properly, replace the battery and report it to the Site Manager.
Tenants are not allowed to remove the smoke detector for any
reason.
- Avoid installing any additional wiring or heating units without
written permission from Capital Region Housing;
- Keep the area around the furnace and hot water tank clear;
- Keep the sidewalks, steps, and parking stall clear of ice,
snow, and debris;
- Avoid placing any objects, such as flowerpots, flower boxes and
planters, flags, or laundry, on exterior windowsills or hanging
them over the balcony railings or fences;
- Avoid parking unlicensed and or inoperable vehicles. They will
be removed at your expense. Vehicles found parked in fire lanes
will be ticketed and towed at the owners' expense.
Repairs to the Rental Premises
- Tenants can do some of the minor repairs themselves, including
changing light bulbs, changing furnace filters, replacing batteries
in the smoke alarm and replacing doorstops.
- Tenants needing help with these or any other repairs, should
contact their Site Manager. The Site Manager is available to answer
telephone calls personally between 4:30 pm to 6:00 pm Monday to
Friday. At other times during the day, tenants may need to leave a
message on the Site Manager's answering machine.
- Tenants may be charged for call-outs and repairs in the
following situations:
- the tenants, or people allowed on the premises by them, caused
the problem;
- a contractor is called out for an after hours emergency call
and determines there was nothing wrong.
Click here for
more Maintenance information.
Back to the top of the
page
Insurance
Renters Insurance
It is strongly recommended that tenants buy renters
insurance.
Financial Protection
Insurance may be necessary in case of fire, theft, or water
damage to cover loss or damage to personal belongings. It will also
provide financial protection in the event of accidental injury or
damage to property. Note that CRH does not reimburse tenants or pay
on their claims for damages resulting from flooded basements and/or
sewer back-ups.
Pets
Tenants, who live in Community Housing and own a pet, must have
liability insurance.
Back to the top of the
page
Pets
Capital Region Housing Corporation allows pets. Tenants may have
one pet - a small dog, cat, rabbit, or ferret.
Application
Tenants must apply to have a pet. They complete the Pet
Application Form and give it to their Site Manager. Upon
approval, the tenant signs an addendum to their Residential Tenancy
Agreement - Permission to Have a Pet.
Rules and Regulations
Tenants are required to follow the rules and regulations as
stated in the addendum. Some of the rules and regulations
include the following:
- The pet will be under 50 cm (20") at the shoulder and
less than 16kg (35lbs) at adult size;
- Certain pets , including, but not limited to,
Rottweilers, Doberman Pinschers, Blue Heelers, Pit Bulls, German
Shepherds, Chow Chows, Shar-peis, American Eskimos, American
Staffordshire Terriers, Pit Bull Terriers, American Pit Bull
Terriers, Staffordshire Bull Terriers, Mastiffs, Dogos Argentinos
(Argentinian Mastiffs), Rhodesian Ridgebacks, crosses of those
breeds, excessively noisy or loud birds, snakes, spiders and/or
other animals deemed to be dangerous or vicious in nature, will not
be permitted under any circumstances, and the Landlord's discretion
in this matter shall be absolute;
- The tenant will secure the pet whenever the
landlord, its agents, and/or its contractors are in the
premises.
Tenants are not permitted to dog-sit or have dogs visit.
Tenants may obtain the complete Pet Regulations by
contacting Capital Region Housing's office.
Service Dogs
Service dogs, specially trained to assist individuals with
disabilities, are permitted. The Tenant must provide the Landlord
with a copy of their identification card, displaying the Alberta
Government logo and picture of the owner and the service dog. If
the Tenant does not have an identification card, they must provide
the Landlord with a letter from their physician to verify the need
for a service dog and written confirmation from an Assistance Dogs
International (ADI) accredited school that the dog has been trained
and is qualified as a service dog.
Although service dogs are not pets, the pet application and pet
addendum are still required.
Back to the top of the
page
Tenant Relations
Tenants live in residential properties with families from a
variety of backgrounds. Ideas about acceptable behaviour will
vary.
It is expected that tenants will follow the rules and
regulations of their lease agreement, ensuring they do not
interfere with the rights of their neighbours. From time to time,
problems do occur. They often involve concerns around noise,
parties, parking stalls, and pets.
If tenants are unable to resolve the issues themselves, they are
welcome to contact Capital Region Housing Corporation for
assistance. Site Managers and office staff are available to
help.
Back to the top of the
page
Transfers
Tenants may apply to move from one Community Housing rental
property to another.
Who Qualifies
Tenants may qualify for a transfer if:
- they need a larger or a smaller place because of a change in
their family members
- they need a different style of accommodation for medical
reasons
- they require a different area of the city, closer to a school
that will provide for the special needs of one of their
children
- they require a different location for personal safety
Where and How to Apply
Completed applications may be mailed, hand-delivered, or faxed
to:
Capital Region Housing
10232 - 112 Street NW
Edmonton, Alberta T5K 1M4
Fax: 780-426-6854
The Transfer
Application Form is available online or from our office.
Tenants must attach an Area and Bedroom List stating
where they would like to live and how many bedrooms they need.
Back to the top of the
page
Moving Out
One Rental Month's Notice
Tenants must give a full rental month's, written notice that
they are moving. The notice must be given on or before the first of
the month to be effective the last day of the month.
Giving Notice
Notices may be hand-delivered to the Site Manager or
hand-delivered, faxed, or mailed to Capital Region Housing's
office.
Back to the top of the
page
Site Managers
Tenants may call them if they have problems or need repairs to
their residential premises. See the Site Manager Phone List for names and
telephone numbers.
Hours of Work
The Site Managers do most of their work during the day. Tenants
should leave a message on the answering machine if the Site Manager
is not at home when they call.
If tenants want to speak directly with their Site Manager, they
may call between 4:30 pm and 6:00 pm Monday to Friday. The Site
Managers ensure someone is there to answer the phone personally
during those times.
After Hours
For maintenance emergencies, after hours and on the weekends,
tenants call 780-420-6161 for assistance.
Back to the top of the
page
Policies
Security Deposits
Security deposits are the same as the first month's rent or
$350, whichever is less. They are placed in a trust account during
the tenancy. Interest is compounded annually and paid out at the
end of the lease agreement.
Extended Absence from Edmonton Policy
Tenants may need to leave Edmonton for extended periods of time.
They must contact Capital Region Housing to advise of their absence
and to obtain permission. The maximum number of days tenants can be
absent from their premises is 60 consecutive days
Complaints against Tenants
Complaints must be investigated to determine their validity. The
rights of the tenants and of Capital Region Housing must be
protected.
Back to the top of the
page