Renting an Apartment: Your Safe & Secure Tenant Community

Posted by Ted Whitehead on Wed, Jun 15, 2011

When you rent an apartment, you have the right to lay your head down at night with a reasonable assurance of safety. The safety of your neighborhood aside, there are several things to consider before signing on the dotted line on renting an apartment.

• Be part of the Community – get to know your neighbours. Not just on your floor but the whole building. Get to know their friends and family. Do not be a busybody, but the more people you know the more people looking out for each other. At Osgoode Properties they are continually investing in people and communities in order to provide residents with the greatest rental home value available.
• Tenant Managers – Are the unit and apartment building in good repair? Your tenant manager keeps the building running smoothly makes for a safer environment. A locked door is only useful if it works properly. They take your concerns seriously by repairing broken items within a reasonable amount of time. Good property managers like GoldSeal know that the properties are not just buildings, but rather the residents homes and communities.
• Access – number and locations of entryways. Be aware of who is around when using your keys and access pad. Have your keys out and ready to use before you get to the door. Do not give out your access code to anyone if it can be avoided. Are windows, especially at ground level, closed and locked?
  Intercom: Be sure to use the intercom at the entrance to the apartment building and within the unit to speak with visitors before allowing access. No one wants to allow a person access to your building that does not have a valid reason for being there.
• Location of services such as the laundry facilities and parking. Everyone has heard about laundry rooms located in dark basements away from any traffic or security.Ideally, they should be in areas of high traffic. If that is not possible, be aware of lighting and access to the room. Are they open at times which allow the maximum safety should you find yourself there alone? Is the parking lot outdoors or underground? Is it well-lit? How close is the lot to an entrance to the building? All these considerations can effect how safe you feel using these services.
• Fire alarms and carbon monoxide detectors. Being forewarned is forearmed. The more time you have to leave a possibly burning building the better. Be aware of where they are. Are they located in close proximity to exit ways? Do they function properly?
• Be aware of your surroundings of your rental apartment
  • avoid being alone in unlit areas.
  • carry a personal flashlight if necessary.
  • do not let strangers into the building as you enter or leave.
  • pay attention to what is going on around you.

The Federation of Rental-Housing of Ontario hosts recognize excellence in the residential rental housing industry for outstanding community service award, Sterling Kramer community were the winners of the 2010 MAC Awards. The goal is to advance the high standards, community service as one of them.

In the end, we are each responsible for our own safety. Whatever you do, it is not a good idea to take your safety for granted. Although all of these features can affect the cost of the rental unit, it will not compare to the cost should misfortune befall you. Peace of mind is priceless.