Tenant Resources

As soon as you rent an apartment, you become a tenant. Having a successful tenancy means understanding your legal obligations, paying your rent on time, being responsible for your actions and those of your guests, and contacting the landlord if you have issues. We are here to help.

Tenant Videos

Before you become a tenant there are a few important things you should know! Watch the videos below to learn more.

Video: Things to know about being a tenant

Rent Geared to Income (RGI) Housing responsibilities
Being a good neighbour
Tenant issue reporting
Maintenance issues and who to notify
Modifications to your unit
Keeping a clean home
Moving out

Video: Things to know about your lease

What is a lease?
What are you agreeing to?
Rules for smoke free units

Video: Before Moving In

The County requires 4 things before you can move in:

Proof of tenant insurance
First month's rent
Setting up utilities (gas, hydro, water)
Income verification

Information and Resources for Tenants

I am a Tenant in a County of Wellington Building

Tenant Forms - Maintaining Rent-Geared-to-Income Eligibility

Annual Review Form - approximately three months before your lease comes up for renewal, you will be asked to complete forms and supply documents to maintain RGI eligibility

Rent Subsidy Review - Bachelor (to print)
Rent Subsidy Review - Family (to print)

Interim Review Form - to maintain RGI eligibility you are required to report any changes in household members or total household income within 30 days of the date you experience the change

Interim Changes Report Form (to print)

Personally Approved Payment Plan - preauthorizes the County to withdraw the amount due for monthly rental payment, from your financial institution, on the first business day of each month.

Personally Approved Payment Plan (to print)

Important Contacts

County of Wellington Housing Services is your landlord. If you have questions related to your tenancy, please contact us directly.

T. 519.824.7822 | TF. 1.800.663.0750 | F. 519.837.6349

To meet with a staff member at our office, please call ahead and make an appointment. Staff are often out of the office. By making an appointment you can be sure they will be there when you arrive.

Your Rent - Rent-Geared-to-Income (RGI)

Five things you need to know:

Rent is due on or before the first day of each month.
RGI rent is set at an amount that is based on approximately 30 per cent of your household’s gross monthly income.
Everyone living in your home who is 16 years and older must declare their income. However, some income, such as full time student income, is not included in the RGI calculation. If in doubt, contact your Property Services Clerk.
Each year, approximately three months before your lease comes up for renewal, you will be asked to complete forms and supply documents to maintain RGI eligibility. This is called an Annual Review.
In addition, you are required to report any changes in household members or total household income within 30 days of the date you experience the change. This is called an Interim Review.

If you have any questions related to your rent calculation please contact us: 519.824.7822

Tenant Rights and Responsibilities

As a tenant, you have the right to:

A safe place in which to live
Enjoy your home without undue interference from others
Take part in the activities of your community

As a tenant, you have the responsibility to:

Pay your rent on time
Report changes in income or household composition within 30 days of change to ensure that rent is properly calculated
Not interfere with reasonable enjoyment of other tenants
Follow the guidelines in your lease

If you have any questions about your lease or your rights and responsibilities, please contact your Property Services Officer.

Conflict Resolution - You and Your Neighbours

You have a right to enjoy your home. Establishing and keeping good relations with your neighbours can go a long way towards making the community one that all residents can enjoy. The following are some of the things that can help establish good relations with your neighbours:

Be considerate when playing your stereo or radio
Your patio, balcony or yard is always visible to everyone. Please keep it neat and attractive looking for all to enjoy. Do not store items or garbage on your patio or balcony
Remember that you are responsible for your guests while they are visiting. Please let them know about parking and other regulations
When outside of your home (including the hallways, lounge, balcony, patio and yard areas), please dress appropriately

In general, treat others as you would like to be treated. If you do have problems with a neighbour, try to talk over the problem with the person. See if you can find a solution that you both can live with. If talking with the person doesn’t help, call your Property Services Officer.

Maintenance and Repairs

If you have a maintenance request, the Custodian and/or Maintenance Department will respond as quickly as possible.

Tenants living in apartment units should complete a Maintenance Request Form located in the main lobby area or on the maintenance room door. Tenants in family units should call the Maintenance Department directly to request maintenance service.

Online Maintenance Request Form

During Regular Office Hours Maintenance can be reached at 519-824-7822 (press #2)

After hours emergency maintenance repairs 519.824.7822 or toll free 1.877.668.9442

Basic Maintenance

No Heat? Check this list first before you call.

Have you checked to make sure that the furnace power switch is in the ON position? You will find the furnace power switch near the furnace, either high on the wall or on the basement ceiling. It is similar to a light switch.
Check that the furnace filter is clean. As a tenant, you are responsible for changing the furnace filter once a month. On most furnaces, the filter slides out where the cold air duct work returns to the bottom of the furnace.
Ensure the motor compartment door of the furnace is properly closed. For safety reasons, the motor will not work if the door is open.
Check the circuit breaker. It can be found in the main electrical panel of your home. A tripped breaker will be in a center or neutral position. To reset it, turn the breaker all the way off and back on again.
Turn your thermostat down all the way, wait a minute, and then turn it up to a temperature that is warmer than the room temperature.
Make sure that your warm air registers and cold air returns are free of any items that could restrict air circulation.
If you have completed these steps and still have no heat contact the emergency maintenance line.

Pest

If you have pests (eg. bedbugs, cockroaches, etc.) in your unit, please contact Maintenance.

Pest treatment is a cooperative activity and requires participation from the landlord and the tenant. Without the two working together, we reduce our chance of pest elimination.

Appliances

If an appliance does not work, check first to be sure that it is plugged in. Also, check the circuit breaker that serves the appliance to make sure that it hasn’t tripped.

Electric baseboard heaters

Putting things in front of or on top of baseboard heaters and vents is a fire hazard and can also stop the heating system from working properly.

Clogged toilets - Step-by-step instructions:

Get a plunger and place the cup over the outlet opening at the bottom of the toilet bowl (hint: a flanged plunger works best on toilets).
Pour enough water into the bowl to cover the rubber cup.
Plunge down and up rapidly but be careful because some water will splash.
Pour a bucket of water into the bowl. If the water passes through, flush toilet a few times to help wash debris through the drain.
If a plunger does not seem to help, you may choose to use a hand-operated "drain snake" instead. A "drain snake" is an inexpensive tool that can usually be found at any hardware store.
Some blockages are not easily cleared. If this happens, you can call the Maintenance Department. A reminder that only waste and toilet paper should be flushed down a toilet. If we find that the blockage is from something other than waste or toilet paper that you, or someone in your home, flushed down the toilet, you may have to pay for the cost of the plumbing call.
Never use chemical clog removers such as Draino as it damages the drain pipes.

Emergency Maintenance and Repairs

When the office is closed, the after-hours service is available to provide maintenance service for emergencies only. Please ensure that all other maintenance issues are reported during working hours.

Examples of what is considered an emergency:

Fire/fire safety
Water leak or flood
No heat
Health and safety related
Blocked toilet

Staff will not address non-emergency issues until the next business day

County of Wellington Tenant Handbook

I am a Tenant in a Co-op or Non Profit

If you’re a member of a housing co-op or a tenant of a non profit, you may have many obligations to your landlord. Rules and regulations will vary by operator, so please contact your landlord directly if you have questions or concerns. Following are some resources to help with your successful tenancy.

Important Contacts

Your non-profit or co-op is your landlord. If you have questions related to your tenancy or membership, please contact your landlord or property manager directly.

Abbeyfield Houses Society of Guelph

40 Baker Street, Guelph , ON N1H 4G1

T 519.993.1203

Conestoga Crest

81 Wood Street, Drayton, ON N0G 1P0

Conestoga T 519.638.3300

Gerousia

81 Wood Street, Drayton, ON N0G 1P0

Gerousia T 519.638.3873

Cole Road Co-operative Community Inc.

125 Cole Road, Guelph, ON N1G 4S8

T 519.837.9312

F 519.837.3932

Clifford Housing Corporation

5 James Street, Clifford ON N0B 1M0

T 519.327.8364

F 519.327.8829

Eramosa Non-Profit Housing Corporation

160 Guelph Street, Rockwood, ON N0B 2K0

T 519.856.4190

Fife Road Co-operative Homes, Inc.

44-190 Fife Road, Guelph, ON N1H 8L4

T 519.836.6732

F 519.836.6727

Grand River Non-Profit Housing Corporation

41 Cuthbert Street, Elora, ON N0B 1S0

T 519.846.0208

Guelph & District Christian Homes

70 Woodlawn Road E., Guelph, ON N1H 7W7

T 519.836.4260

Guelph Non-Profit Housing Corporation

138 Wyndham Street N, Guelph, ON N1H 4E8

T 519.766.1022

F 519.837.6349

Guelph Independent Living

238 Willow Road, Guelph, ON N1H 8H1

T 519.837.0800

Maryborough Township Housing Corporation

11 Caroline Street, Moorefield, ON N0G 2K0

T 519.504.6284

Matrix Non-Profit Housing Corporation

141 Woolwich Street, Unit 109, Guelph, ON N1H 8M5

T 519.766.4020

F 519.837.3470

Wellington Housing Corporation

Unit B9-440 King Street E., Mount Forest, ON N0G 2L2

T 519.323.4178

F 519.323.3262

Royal City Housing Co-operative Inc.

33 North Street, Guelph, ON N1H 5J6

T 519.766.1620

F 519.766.0088

Rural North Wellington New Hope Non-Profit Housing Corporation

301 Tucker Street, Arthur ON N0G 1A0

T 519.848.3221

Southleigh Foundation

5-120 Woodstream Boulevard, Woodbridge, ON L4L 7Z1

T 905.850.7750

F 905.850.7751

Township of Erin Non-Profit Housing Corporation

15 Spruce Street, Hillsburgh, ON N0B 1Z0

T 519.855.6354

Upbuilding! Non-Profit Homes (Guelph) Inc.

105-60 Fife Road, Guelph, ON N1H 6Y2

T 519.766.4316

Victor Davis Memorial Court Non-Profit Homes Inc.

87 Neeve Street, Guelph, ON N1E 6Z5

T 519.821.7518

Wyndham Hill Co-operative Homes Inc.

467 Auden Road, Guelph, ON N1E 6W5

T 519.767.1323

www.wyndhamhillcoop.com

Your Rent - Rent-Geared-to-Income (RGI)

Five things you need to know:

Rent is due on or before the first day of each month.
RGI rent is set at an amount that is based on approximately 30 per cent of your household’s gross monthly income.
Everyone living in your home who is 16 years and older must declare their income. However, some income, such as full time student income, is not included in the RGI calculation. If in doubt, contact your Property Manager.
Each year you will be asked to complete forms and supply documents to maintain RGI eligibility. This is called Annual Review.
In addition, you are required to report any changes in household members or total household income within 30 days of the date you experience the change. This is called Interim Review.

If you have any questions related to your rent calculation or need help please contact your Landlord.

Tenant/Member Rights and Responsibilities

As a tenant/member, you have the right to:

A safe place in which to live
Enjoy your home without undue interference from others
Take part in the activities of your community

As a tenant/member, you have the responsibility to:

Pay your rent on time
Report changes in income or household composition within 30 days of change to ensure that rent is properly calculated
Not interfere with reasonable enjoyment of other tenants
Follow the guidelines in your lease

If you have any questions about your lease or your rights and responsibilities, please contact your Landlord.

Conflict Resolution - You and Your Neighbours

Be considerate when playing your stereo or radio
Your patio, balcony or yard is always visible to everyone. Please keep it neat and attractive looking for all to enjoy. Do not store items or garbage on your patio or balcony
Remember that you are responsible for your guests while they are visiting. Please let them know about parking and other regulations
When outside of your home (including the hallways, lounge, balcony, patio and yard areas), please dress appropriately
In general, treat others as you would like to be treated.

If you have any questions please contact your tenant handbook or contact your Property Manager or Board of Directors.

Maintenance and Repairs

Each co-op and non profit has their own maintenance and repair protocols. Please contact your landlord directly with all maintenance concerns.

Financial Assistance

Emergency Assistance to Maintain Tenancy

For emergency assistance please visit review the County's eviction prevention programmes.

Income Assistance

Ontario Works - Wellington County

519-837-3620 or 1-800-265-7294

129 Wyndham St. N
Guelph, ON

Apply for Ontario Works

Ontario Disability Support Program

https://www.mcss.gov.on.ca/en/mcss/programs/social/odsp/

519-822-7500 or 1-800-567-2953

1 Stone Rd. Guelph, ON

Apply for Ontario Disability Support Program

Service Canada Old Age Security

A monthly payment available to seniors aged 65 and older who meet eligibility requirements. Visit the Government of Canada Website for more information on application and eligibility.

https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/publicpensions/cpp/old-age-security.html

Service Canada Canadian Pension Plan

The Canada Pension Plan (CPP) provides contributors and their families with partial replacement of earnings in the case of retirement, disability or death. Visit the Government of Canada Website for more information on application and eligibility.

https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/publicpensions/cpp.html

Canada Revenue Agency

https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency.html

Child Care Subsidy

Child Care Subsidy

https://www.wellington.ca/en/social-services/cey-feesubsidy.aspx

519-837-3620 or 1-800-265-7294

129 Wyndham St. N Guelph, ON

Utility Support - Ontario Energy Board (OEB) Program

The OESP is an Ontario Energy Board (OEB) program that lowers electricity bills for lower-income households. The OESP provides a monthly credit to eligible customers based on household income and household size. The OESP credits are applied directly to eligible customers’ bills.

The program is available to all lower-income customers who have accounts with electricity distributors or unit sub-meter providers. Customers must apply to the program.

Customers who have completed their taxes within the last two years can apply online at OntarioElectricitySupport.ca.

Customers unable to apply online can contact an intake agency. Intake agency in Guelph is Ontario Works which can be reached by phone at 519-837-2670 x3712. Intake in the County is The Community Resource Centre in Fergus at 519-843-7000. If you have not filed taxes within the last two years you will need to contact an intake agency.

To apply you will need:

Your electricity bill account number, service address, and account holder details.
The birthdates and names of all residents in your home.
Social Insurance Numbers or Temporary Tax Numbers for tax-filing household members.

Applications typically take 6-8 weeks to process once all information is submitted along with signed consent. Eligible customers will receive on bill credits for 2 years.

Community Resources

City of Guelph - Community Services and Resources

Crisis and Emergency Services

Guelph Police

Emergency: 911

Non-emergency: 519.824.1212

Telehealth

www.ontario.ca/page/get-medical-advice-telehealth-ontario

T. 1-866-797-0000

Here 24/7 Crisis Services

http://www.here247.ca/

T. 1-844-437-3247

Victim Services Wellington

http://www.vswguelph.on.ca/

T. 519.824.1212 x 7304

Legal

Legal Clinic of Guelph and Wellington

176 Wyndham Street North (Inside the Guelph Community Health Centre) Guelph, ON N1H 8N9

The Clinic is open Monday to Friday from 9:00am to 12:00pm and 1:00pm to 4:00pm

T 519.821.2100

T 1.800.628.9205 (toll free within Wellington County, outside of Guelph)

F 519.821.8192

gwlegalclinic@lao.on.ca

Landlord and Tenant Board

An independent agency that resolves disputes between residential landlords and tenants.

T 1.888.332.3234

www.sjto.gov.on.ca/ltb

Community and Neighbourhood Services

Guelph Food Bank

T 519.767.1380

Guelph Information (the People and Information Network-PIN)

T 519.821.0632

Shelldale Better Beginnings Better Futures

T 519.824.8498

Salvation Army

http://www.guelphsa.ca/

T 519.836.9360

Neighbourhood Groups

Brant Avenue: 519.821.9243
Grange Hill East: 519.836.9427
Onward Willow: 519.824.6892
Parkwood Gardens: 519.824.6340
Two Rivers: 519.837.4248
Waverly: 519.821.9677
West Willow Woods: 519.826.9930

Health and Wellness

Guelph General Hospital

http://www.gghorg.ca/

T 519.822.5350

Guelph Community Health Centre

http://www.guelphchc.ca/

T 519.821.6638

Canadian Mental Health Association

http://www.cmhaww.ca/

T 519.821.8089

Local Health Integration Network Waterloo/Wellington

www.healthcareathome.ca/ww/en

T 519.823.2550

Homewood Health Centre

http://www.homewood.org/

T 519.824.1010

Trellis - Mental Health and Developmental Services

T 519.821.2060

http://www.trellis.on.ca/

Family and Children's Services

T 1.800.265.8300 or 519.824.2410

https://www.fcsgw.org/

Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health

www.wdgpublichealth.ca

T 1.800.265.7293

Indigenous Healing & Wellness Program Wellington-Waterloo

176 Wyndham St. N Guelph

FB @IndigenousHealingAndWellness

T 519.821.6638 x301

Wellington County - Community Services and Resources

Crisis and Emergency Services

Ontario Provincial Police

Emergency: 911

Dispatch: 1.800.0310.1122

Victim Services, Wellington Guelph

Mount Forest: 519.323.9218

Distress Line: 519.821.1380

Here 24/7 Crisis Services

http://www.here247.ca/

T 1.844.437.3247

Rural Women’s Support Program

Fergus: 519.843.6834

Mount Forest: 519.323.3638

Palmerston: 519.343.5192

Erin: 519.833.2301

Legal

Legal Clinic of Guelph and Wellington

176 Wyndham Street North (Inside the Guelph Community Health Centre) Guelph, ON N1H 8N9

The Clinic is open Monday to Friday from 9:00am to 12:00pm and 1:00pm to 4:00pm; a legal outreach van operates in the County; please visit gwlegalclinic@lao.on.ca for more information.

T 519.821.2100 or 1.800.628.9205 (toll free within Wellington County, outside of Guelph)

F 519.821.8192

gwlegalclinic@lao.on.ca

Landlord and Tenant Board

An independent agency that resolves disputes between residential landlords and tenants.

T 1.888.332.3234

www.sjto.gov.on.ca/ltb

Community and Neighbourhood Services

Food Bank

T 519.848.3272 (Arthur)

T 519.323.9218 (Mount Forest)

Community Resource Centre