In most apartment living, you live in a house with neighbors. Unless you live in a high end, expensive concrete sound proof building. Now most of us have lived in a house growing up, of which we have plenty of memories. Perhaps you remember when it's quiet, late at night the things you heard. You could probably hear your brothers, sisters or parents breathing when it was really quiet and you were still awake.
Living in an apartment is not so different. There may be doors or walls between the apartments unlike as in your house. Does that make any difference on what you hear. Most of us know what it sounds like when someone walks accross a floor at 3:00 in the morning with hard souled shoes. It does not matter where you are in the building you might wake up. It's the same with loud snorers or someone who passes wind loudly. Some things might not wake you from a deep sleep but in fact when you sleep, you do so in cycles. The cycles vary from 90-110 minutes and include times of very light sleep. I think we all know that it is disturbing to be awakened from our precious sleep.
A lot of people may have noticed how you hear things like someone who bumps up against a hot water register or any solid part of a building. The sound is transfered into the structure for everyone to hear. This article is meant to bring an awareness to people who co-exist with other people in buildings as most of us do.
In Nova Scotia as most places there are guide lines for peaceful, comfortable co-existence. In general be very aware of sounds between 11:00 PM and 8:00 AM. You may have noticed work crews do not start until 8:00 AM, they are being nice. Besides tenancy guide lines most places have by-laws on loud or unexpected noises. These guide lines and by-laws are there as a reminder to people to be aware of noises between 11 PM and 8 AM. This does not mean that you can not be aware of things all the time. I'm sure your neighbours really appreciate it when your building really works well and everyone gets the sleep they really need.
Your responsibilities as a tenant are very important. When you are giving notice to move from your rented space, you are to give written notice atleast one full calendar month before you are moving. This is so that the appointed person can proceed with advertising to rent your place.
If you do not give proper notice you can be held responsible for for lost rent on your premise. This could be anything from losing your deposit to court action and a number of extra legal fees associated with the collection of moneys owing.
A number of tenants do not seem to be aware that they should pay up as soon as they realize their legal responsibility. If they do not arrange for payment as soon as possible and the paperwork gets initiated the extra legal fees will have to be collected on top of what is owing. These fees can add up to hundreds of extra dollars.
Tenants as well as landlords should read and understand the tenancy act. If you need clarification on anything in Nova Scotia contact Access Nova Scotia to have your questions answered. When you are renting you are completely responsible for your place as if you were the owner. That means that you are to use your place for the purpose laid out in your agreement. To keep your windows closed in the winter, keep the place clean this would include killing any mold or mildew with a solution of javex the only thing I know of that will kill molds.
Making sure everything is just right. If you are responsible for paying for heat, do it. If anything happens because you do not live up to your responsibilities you are liable for all damage. An example would be frozen pipes, or if you were negligent and caused a fire the owners insurance company would come after you to pay for any repairs or replacement of the building.
As you can certainly see by now, it is very important for yourself as a tenant and for landlords to be well informed about your rights and liabilities. The tenancy act is a binding agreement, a contract for the use of a room or rooms. It is best if both tenants and landlords know the tenancy act and their responsibilities. Knowledge is power and if everyone acts responsibly as they are required to by the tenancy act both tenants and landlords will be happier and healthier.
So I encourage you as tenants to always pay your rent on time. That would be before the end of the month proceeding the month for which the rent is being paid. This is so that your landlord can pay the bills on your behalf and keep a happy healthy relationship with his or her tenants. The tenant will also feel happier, healthier and more comfortable in their place knowing that they lived up to their responsibilities. Knowing that it is not always possible to have all the rent on time a tenant should let their landlord know of any changes as soon as possible. This will give the landlord time to adjust financing until the time frame you have. If you have to let your landlord know a portion of rent will be late please at that time tell him or her exactly when you will have the rest.
As I said earlier in this article, if you have any questions concerning the tenancy act or anything I have written here please contact Access Nova Scotia. I have attempted to provide accurate information to the best of my knowledge. However I am not perfect and do not accept any responsibilities for any content that is not right. I am just a landlord who lives by the rules as best I can hoping that I helped you in some way and given you some faith in the tenancy act and renting in general.
