How's does renting an apartment on odsp work?

[Chris A]

Hi, currently I'm in a board and lodge situation at home and all my cheque gets deposited into my account. It's like 240 for rent and the 600 for my basic needs. I was not required to get a renting agreement form from my parents signed. I just give the the money from my account when it comes in.

I'm trying figure how everything works when you renting as opposed to a board and lodge situation and I have a few questions if anyone knows the answers.

1. Do the funds have to get sent to the landlord when renting?

2. What if your wanting to move in with a non disabled friend. This guy is strictly just a friend (were both males. I'm straight) how does this work? Like we'd want to split the rent but if we're say splitting 1000 a month how can we divide that? if my half goes to the landlord could the other half be given from his account? Would ha landlord do that?

Can someone shed some light on this for me? Anyone in a similar situation?

Thanks

[jbkeh]

1. No. Unless you request or ODSP deems that you are unreliable as to paying your rent, all your Benefit money is sent to you.

2. Doubtful that the landlord will get involved. Your friend already has the lease on the apartment and is responsible to the landlord for the full rent. You would be "renting" from your friend and owe him your half. When two people live together, ODSP 'tests' to see if they are in a "spousal" relationship.

See Dir 2.3:

http://www.mcss.gov.on.ca/documents/en/mcss/social/directives/odsp/income_Support/2_3.pdf 

[christian nrx]

no there's no requirement to send rent payment directly from odsp to landlord-just an option some like.
 i've shared lots of times. YOU tell odsp how much YOU are paying. if the lease is in both names, then both are accountable to landlord if someone goes wrong. if in your name, he's renting a room-shared facilities and you tell odsp you're taking rent money from him. they use a formula to calculate how much you keep (see odsp website). i think it's better if you're both on the lease.

nrx

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christian

[auntie.canuck]

If the landlord is on the up-and-up, you write a cheque to the landlord for the full amount, so one of you has to pay their share to the other one who writes the cheque. The landlord might be OK with each of you providing a cheque for your end of the rent, so long as they total to the full amount required.

Normally - apt buildings or absentee landlords require post-dated cheques. Yes, it is technically illegal to require them, but try to get a place without providing them - fat chance! Remember, if you apply together for a place, you have to provide first and last month's rent upfront. I don't know if you can get much or any help with that any more with the newest cuts they nailed us with. So that would mean that both of you would have to provide a month's rent in advance if you share 50-50 in a new place. Also, remember you are supposed to get interest from the landlord on your last month rent every year - the rate is set by the province and I don't know what it is. Normally, the annual interest is about equal to the amount of annual rent increases so they cancel each other out.

If the landlord insists on cash, beware - you MUST get a receipt every time from him/her for the rent at the time you pay it or you may never get one. And then that means you will not be able to claim the rent rebate portion of the Trillium benefit (would be about $50/month the Gov't of Ontario direct deposits to your bank account.)

If you move in with someone who is already renting a suitable place, then he could have you added to the lease - or not - you have to work that out. And you would most likely have to pay him your share of the rent as he probably already provided post-dated cheques to his landlord. So make sure you get receipts from him!!!

There are also many places that are shared homes were everyone pays a set amount of rent. You can see them sometimes in the "shared accommodation" ad section of rental housing in newspapers and online. The rent can range from $200 to $1000 ++ for some luxury joint on the lakefront. The 2-5 people in the apartment or house share the bathrooms and kitchen as well as the cleaning. One person is usually in charge in these situations - and there are some good organized places like this that are definitely NOT flop houses - but you have to really look for them and check it all out carefully - you don't want to get stuck in some filthy vermin-infested place with some junkies who will rob you blind - or worse.

Good luck Chris!!

[Atb]

1st- under no circumstances tell the landlord you are odsp, just say you get a monthly pension. Most landlords will turn down a candidate on odsp. As long as you are able to afford your rent that's all that matters...

2nd- why are you still doing room & board? That's foolish, make a lease with your parents for the max shelter allowance , rent can increase with rate increases. Make it clear that you shop/buy/prepare your own meals, etc. in the lease. Presto, your income doubles or more!

3rd- whether you rent from family or someone else, always have a written lease (it doesn't need to be complex, 1 page or less outlining security, rent, entitlement, rules, term, date & all signatures.) that states the above statements. You can rent from the landlord or better yet the roommate & you are protected without the hell of them paying you his half of the rent!

4th- always, always get receipts! NEVER any exceptions, no matter what anyone says! If there is any changes to the written lease, make certain to memorialize in writing; send an email, registered mail, text messages, voicemails, write a note, sign & photographs, record the conversation if all else fails! BUT GET IT DOCUMENTED WITH PROOF! Email & text messages are perfect!

5th- once you have a lease, take it to odsp & have them stamp the original, photocopy & return the original! Then they should automatically adjust your income! There you go, bob's your uncle!

Good luck & stop the boarder madness with your folks & you!

Adam