Housing: Short-Term
London and Middlesex County offer a wide variety of rental accommodations. Newspapers, websites, and referrals from friends are great ways to find rental listings. You can also take a walk around a neighbourhood that you like. People often post signs on their lawns or buildings.
Rent is an agreement between a landlord (the person who owns the property) and the tenant (the person who pays to live on the property). Both the landlord and tenant sign a lease. This legal document outlines the conditions of your agreement. You should get to know your legal rights and obligations before signing a lease and moving in to your new home.
There are some financial matters to keep in mind when you consider renting. Landlords will usually require payment of "first and last month's rent" before you move in. This means you will need to budget enough money to pay two months of rent upon signing the lease.
Sometimes the rent you pay each month includes the cost of utilities. Sometimes it does not. If the listing says "$500 + utilities" this means that you must pay $500 for rent each month and then pay for things like the electricity and water you use in addition to the rental amount.
Subsidized housing is available for people with limited income. You can find out about social programs, low-cost, non-profit or co-operative housing at Cooperative Housing Federation, Housing London and the Middlesex County Housing Access Centre.
