Signing a Lease on a 2 Bedroom Apartment Rental? – Don’t Forget to Ask These 5 Key Questions
If you’re looking for a 2 bedroom apartment rental in Kamloops, it’s important to ask the landlord many questions about the suite, the building, amenities and the terms of the tenancy agreement before you commit to renting. Below are five key questions that are often overlooked.
1 ) What is the Length of the Tenancy Agreement Term?
Regardless of the type of suite you rent, you’ll be required to sign a tenancy agreement.
There are two types of tenancy agreements:
Periodic tenancy agreements offer renters more flexibility because they don’t have a fixed end date. You can continue your tenancy until you provide one-month notice (in writing) that you are moving out or if the landlord provides a valid legal reason for ending the tenancy.
Fixed-term agreements are often 1-year leases. They provide the tenant and the landlord more stability although they are less flexible. If you move out before the end of the term of your lease, you are breaking the lease and may have to pay the landlord money for the rental income lost.
Sources for the information above:
“How a tenancy ends” in the BC Residential Tenancy Act.
“Tenancy agreements”, BC Government website.
2 ) Do I Need to Have Renters Insurance?
In BC, tenant insurance isn’t mandatory by law, although a landlord can require it as part of a tenancy agreement. Whether or not the tenancy agreement requires that you have renter’s insurance, the protection and peace of mind insurance provides you is worth the expense. A basic tenant insurance policy isn’t that costly, often between $15-30 per month.
Ther are many places to get tenant insurance in Kamloops.
3 ) What Utilities are Included?
The tenancy agreement for your 2 bedroom apartment should specify what utilities are included. At Summit Village Residences, hot water is included with the rent. It’s also a good idea to ask your landlord the cost of a typical electric or water bill if they are not included in the rent.
4 ) How Are Maintenance Requests Handled?
While some maintenance and repairs are the landlord’s responsibility, tenants can be held responsible in some cases, such as for repairing damage caused by themselves and people living in or visiting their unit. At Summit Village Residences, our tenants can submit a maintenance request directly from our website.
Learn about apartment repairs and maintenance and your and the landlord’s responsibilities.
5 ) Can I Sublet One of the Bedrooms in My Two Bedroom Apartment?
If you rent a 2 bedroom apartment, you may be tempted to sublet or rent the second bedroom. Never assume that subletting is allowable. If you do sublet, and it’s not permitted, you may be evicted. Many landlords, including Summit Village Residences, don’t permit subletting the apartment or renting a room. At Summit Village, and many other apartment rentals, if two roommates share a two-bedroom apartment, each roommate will have to sign a separate tenancy agreement.
2 Bedroom Apartments for Rent at Summit Village in Kamloops
View 2 bedroom apartment rental floor plans and complete a Preferred Unit Form. Our supply is limited, although timing is everything! A representative will reply within a few business days.
