A Tenant’s GuideUpkeep Liability Insurance Plumbing Stove and Refrigerator Air Conditioner...

A Tenant’s Guide

A Tenant’s Guide was produced by the OMHM’scommunications department.

Office municipal d’habitation de Montréal415, rue Saint-Antoine Ouest2e étageMontréal (Québec)H2Z 1H8514-872-6442

Translation:Neil Smith

Illustrations:Doris BaretteMario BeaudoinJean-Paul EidGéraldine Charette

Graphic design: Communication Art & Graf

Printing:Impressions Lithosol

Second quarter of 2016Legal depositBibliothèque du QuébecISBN 2-921999-11-0 (Eighth edition 2016)ISBN 921999-24-2 (First edition 2000)

Ce guide est aussi disponible en français.

Welcome Home 3

Your Lease 4

Calculating Your RentReducing Your RentMoving Out EarlyChanging ApartmentsMembers of Your HouseholdUnauthorized Occupancy

Our Building Rules 10

What the Rules ConcernWhat They Aim to DoWhen They Come into Force

Keeping Your Home Shipshape 11

UpkeepLiability InsurancePlumbingStove and RefrigeratorAir ConditionerPaintingConstruction and RenovationsBugs

Throwing Out Your Garbage 19

Large ObjectsGarbage ChutesRecycling

Tableof Contents

Caring for Your Buildings and Grounds 21

Laundry RoomsCorridors, Landings and StaircasesLandscapingParkingBirds and RodentsSatellite DishesShovelling and Mowing

Ensuring Your Safety 25

ExitsSmoke DetectorsFire DrillsBarbecuesHazardous SubstancesBalconiesWindows and Window ScreensThree Tips for Peace of MindHotline

Nurturing Neighbourly Relations 27

PetsOpen DoorsBehaviour in Common AreasSettling DisputesTenant AssociationsSector Committees and Advisory CommitteeUse of Common RoomsPreventing and Countering Discrimination

Enforcing Our Rules 30

Breaking the Rules

When You Move In 30

Complaints Office 31

The OMHM at Your service: 514-872-OMHM (6646) 32

Tableof Contents

A Tenant’s Guide • 3

Welcome Home

This guide contains information on your lease and on the rules forthe building you live in. As a new tenant in low-rent housing, you’llbe adapting to a new living environment, new neighbours, and theOffice municipal d'habitation de Montréal's procedures. This guidecan be helpful by outlining how we do things, what services you’reentitled to, and what obligations you have as a tenant.

In many buildings, tenants have already set up special associations.These tenant associations are open to all residents. Feel free to joinone. In addition to meeting your neighbours, you can discuss mat-ters that concern you and take part in activities. You can also have asay in consultations on issues affecting the quality of life in yourbuilding.

As a tenant, you’ll have regular contact with our staff. Our values andpolicies stress the importance of mutual respect in all dealings. Ouremployees understand how vital this respect is in their work. Yet thisrespect is something that tenants must also recognize and adopt.Courteous exchanges favour mutual understanding and often lead toa quicker resolution of problems.

Our experienced team is proud to be contributing to your well-being.We hope you enjoy your stay with us.

Welcome home!

Votre bail4 • A Tenant’s Guide

The rent you pay is made up ofyour basic rent and additionalcharges. Your basic rentamounts to 25% of yourhousehold income. We consi-der income from the yearbefore the date your leasebegins. If this income wasearned from employment, wesubtract 10% from the total.

The notice of assessment,which confirms the processingof your income tax return,explains any changes thathave been made to the latter.Your income tax return andyour notice of assessment areimportant documents. Whenyou renew your lease, your

rental agent needs these doc-uments to confirm yourincome and establish the costof your rent. Keep your noticeof assessment in a safe place,since you may be asked for itat the time of your next leaserenewal.

Your basic rent includes heat-ing, hot water, and municipal,school and water taxes. Somemonthly fees may be added toyour basic rent for electricity,air conditioning and parking.An extra charge is added forany other member of yourhousehold aged 18 or olderwho’s no longer in school.

Your Lease

Your lease is an important document. It’s a contract betweenyou and the Office municipal d'habitation de Montréal (OMHM).Read it carefully before signing it. Once you sign your lease, youbecome an OMHM tenant with all the rights and responsibilitiesthat this entails.

Your lease includes vital information. For example, it spells outhow much rent you pay, who has the right to live in your home,what your address is, and how long your lease lasts (usually 12months). Your lease also specifies any additional sums you mayhave to pay (for things like parking and air conditioning) andindicates your rights and obligations. Our building rules andadditional clauses are an integral part of your lease.

Remember that rent is due the first of each month.

Calculating Your Rent


Reducing Your Rent

If, during your lease, yourincome or the income of amember of your householddrops, you may qualify for rentreduction. You must, however,meet one of these conditions:

• Your current income is lessthan the amount used tocalculate your rent.

• A person whose income wascalculated into your house-hold income has moved outof your home for good.

• Your income has temporarilybeen reduced as the resultof certain government pro-grams.

You don’t qualify for rentreduction if your income dropsbecause you’re paying off adebt, to Hydro-Québec forexample.

To obtain a reduction, youmust send a written requestto your rental agent. Pleaseprovide proof of your reducedincome by including either astub or a copy of a chequeindicating your new grossincome.

Moving Out Early

You can break your lease bynotifying the OMHM in writingthree full months before thedate you move out. Our staffwill inspect your home fordamage. If repairs are neededbecause of your neglect orimproper maintenance, theOMHM will bill you directly.

We ask for your co-operation inallowing our staff and poten-tial tenants to visit your home.

What if you move out beforethe three-month period isover? Well, you must still payyour rent until the end of thisperiod even though you aren’tliving in the home.

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ChangingApartments

We receive many applicationsfrom tenants wanting tochange apartments. We’reunable to authorize everyhousing transfer, so we’vedrawn up a list of four priori-ties and rank applicationsaccordingly.

Our top priority is a moverequired because a fire, floodor other problem has made anapartment temporarily unin-habitable.

Our second priority is a moveneeded for major health orsafety reasons. For example, amove to a different apartmentmight greatly improve a frailsenior’s life.

Our third priority is a movebased on housing category ortype. Most applications fallinto this area. For example, anapartment might have becometoo big or small to meet ahousehold’s needs. Also, a te-nant aged 60 or over living ina building for families mightwant to move to a buildingreserved for seniors.

In fourth place is the TransfertOptionnel 60+ program. Offe-red to tenants who have livedfor at least three years inregular low-rent (HLM) or rentsupplement program housingand who already meet all theeligibility criteria, this programgives them an opportunity torequest a move to a similar

type or subtype of apartment.There are charges for this typeof transfert.

If you want to changeapartments, be sure that yourcase fits one of the situationsabove and that you’re in goodstanding with the OMHM andhave respected all clauses inyour lease. You should applythrough your rental agent.

We can also authorize a hou-sing transfer if you’re entitledto an apartment whose size orcategory is different from theunit you occupy.

Members of Your Household

As a tenant, you must give theOMHM the names of everyoneliving with you. Notify us inwriting if someone moves in(a newborn baby, other chil-dren, a partner), moves out(because of a separation orplacement in an institution) orif a member of your householddies.

This information is important.First, it helps us provide youwith the right-size home.Second, it’s used to calculatethe amount of your rent. Onlypeople whose names appearin your lease are permitted toreside with you. For moreinformation, consult pages 7 to9 on unauthorized occupancy.


Unauthorized Occupancy

Cupid Shoots His Arrows

Your rental agent will tell you what information to provide to haveyour boyfriend or girlfriend added to your lease. Getting the situa-tion ironed out will make things easier for everyone.

The OMHM understands thatlife’s circumstances oftenrequire you to help out a fami-ly member or close friend.

The size of the home assignedto you, however, depends onthe number of people listed onyour lease. As well, theamount of your rent is calcula-ted according to the totalincome of everyone living withyou.

When additional people movein with you, the amount ofyour rent may change. So maythe size of the home you qual-ify for. The OMHM tolerateshaving you open your homefor up to two months to some-one not listed on your lease.But you must eventually pro-vide proof that this person hasmoved out. If you want to takesomeone in, first get in touchwith your rental agent. He orshe looks after all mattersrespecting your lease.

8 • A Tenant’s Guide

Visitors Come A-Calling

Are you welcoming visitors into your home for a few weeks? If so, noti-fy your rental agent so your guests will be welcome by the OMHM, too.A simple phone call will save you needless worries.

Illness Strikes

Taking in an older or sick relative temporarily is increasingly common,particularly given the changes in our health-care system. But to avoidany misunderstandings, let your rental agent know.


The Prodigal Child Returns

Talk to your rental agent to clarify things. He or she will specify theconditions for your child’s stay so that everything remains aboveboard.

When unauthorized people live with you:

• The OMHM loses money it’s entitled to because your rent is unjustlylow.

• It’s not fair for families on our waiting lists.

• It increases the noise and comings and goings from your home andmay inconvenience your neighbours.

• Legal action may be taken against you.

We at the OMHM must therefore take measures to ensure thatunauthorized people aren’t living in our housing projects.

If a tenant doesn’t respect the rules, we’ll be required to reportthe case to the rental board. Remember that when the unexpect-ed arises, we’re there to offer advice.

Le règlement d’immeu-ble

Our Building Rules

What the Rules Concern

• Your rights and obligations.

• The OMHM’s responsibilities.

What They Aim to Do

• Keep your home, your building and the grounds in good condition.

• Ensure the security of the premises and the safety of tenants.

• Maintain good neighbourly relations in our buildings.

When They Come into Force

The building rules were finalized after lengthy consultations heldwith our sector committees and our advisory committee of ten-ants in early 2005. Our board of directors adopted them officiallyon April 6, 2005. The rules come into force as soon as a tenantsigns or renews a lease.



Upkeep

The OMHM is committed toproviding you with an apart-ment that’s in good condition.We carry out any repairsrequired from normal wearand tear. Examples of suchrepairs include:

• A window screen that hasfrayed with age.

• A door lock that has brokenwith normal use.

Maintenance of your homeand its fixtures and appliancesis your responsibility. Forexample, it’s up to you torepair or replace:

• A broken, pierced or tornwindow screen.

• A door lock you’ve damagedyourself.

• A smashed-in door or dent-ed wall.

• Burned-out light bulbs.

If urgent repairs are needed,we’ll carry them out but billyou if you’re responsible forthe damage.

If you lose or forget your keysor have them stolen, call 514-872-OMHM (6646).

At certain times, we may carryout work to repair, improve orupgrade our buildings. As partof this work, we may need youto let our contractors into yourapartment. In such cases,you’ll receive advance notice.

Requests for repairs made at514-872-OMHM (6646) areranked according to priority.Repairs are usually done with-in a week. If parts are out ofstock, however, the delay maybe longer.

Major renovations generallytake more than a week andmay even require severalweeks.

Keeping Your Home

ShipshapeBy the time you move in, your home has been inspected andrepaired. As long as you’re a tenant with the OMHM, you’rerequired to keep your home in good overall condition. If some-thing in your home needs repairing or pesky insects are present,please call us immediately at 514-872-OMHM (6646).


Liability Insurance

The OMHM strongly recom-mends you take out an insur-ance policy (fire, theft and lia-bility). That way, you’ll haveyour belongings replaced ifthere’s an accident or robberyin your home (depending onthe clauses in your policy).

If you or someone you let ontothe premises causes a fire ordamage, you’ll be heldresponsible and could be sued.Liability insurance can protectyou in this type of situation.

Plumbing

The OMHM will cover the costof repairs for work it’s respon-sible for:

• Inverted slope of pipes.

• Blockage of the building’smain sewer.

• Worn-out equipment.

• Seals or gaskets.

It’s up to you to keep pipes,sinks, the bathtub, faucets andplumbing fixtures in goodworking order. If you cause apipe or drain to block, youmust have it repaired at yourown expense.

Ounce of Prevention

Pour a half cup of vinegar witha tablespoon of baking sodadown drains once a month toprevent clogs.

Stove andRefrigerator

In homes equipped with appli-ances, the OMHM will takecare of repairs requiredbecause of age or normal wearand tear. Such repairs include:

• A refrigerator motor thatstops working.

• A fan motor that breaksdown.

You must maintain the stoveand refrigerator in good work-ing order. If they break fromneglect or improper use, you’reheld responsible.


• The filter in the range hoodand the drip pans under thestove burners should becleaned regularly.

• If these parts need replac-ing, you must buy new onesand install them.

• You must check and replacefuses in appliances as need-ed.

• You’re responsible if youpierce the evaporator with asharp instrument whiledefrosting the refrigerator.

Air Conditioner

The OMHM prefers that youuse portable air conditionersbut allows you to install airconditioners in windows pro-vide you respect certains rules.

• First notify the OMHM if youplan to install an air condi-tioner.

• Install it only in a window oran opening speciallydesigned for air condition-ers.

• Do not make openings inother areas such as doorsand walls.

• Use only Plexiglas aroundthe unit. Plexiglas has theadvantage of being trans-parent, shatterproof, andeasy to cut.

• Notify the OMHM if the elec-tric system must be modi-fied to install your unit. Aprofessional electrician willdo the hookup at yourexpense. This is to ensurethe electric current doesn’toverheat and cause a fire.

• Place a tray under the airconditioner to catch drip-pings. That way, you won’tinconvenience other te-nants.

A charge of $5 a month isadded to your rent for each airconditioner you install. Thisamount covers the additionalelectricity the unit will use. Besure to get the OMHM’s per-mission before installing extraair conditioners.

Painting

When you sign your first lease,we offer you a freshly paintedapartment. You may repaintany painted surfaces in yourapartment. We’re responsible,however, for painting surfacesoutside your apartment.


Construction andRenovations

You’re not allowed to renovateyour home unless you first getwritten permission from theOMHM. This permission isneeded because we want toensure you respect construc-tion and safety standards.

To obtain permission, call thenumber given at the end ofthis guide.

Some work is prohibited

You may not modify the basiclayout of your home. In otherwords, you may not knockdown walls or change thenumber of rooms. Nor mayyou use wood and plastic toclose in your balcony. Becauseit’s a fire exit, your balconymust be kept clear.


The Pesky Roach

We don’t tolerate cockroachesin our buildings. To discouragethese pesky bugs from movingin, we’ve adopted a preventiveapproach.

To wipe out insects, we call onprofessional exterminators.Their job is to visit apartments

to check for bugs. A buildingmay need to be evacuatedwhen a major problem is spot-ted or when it’s impossible todestroy a colony of insectsthrough preventive measures.

To keep our buildings bug-free,we need your co-operation.

Bugs

The OMHM provides clean, pest-free housing to new tenants.The presence of cockroaches, bedbugs or other pests in yourapartment or our buildings isn’t tolerated. To prevent infesta-tions, report insects you spot by immediately calling our repairsdepartment. We’ll send an exterminator free of charge.

What Roaches Look Like

One egg-laying female can spawn 10,000 roaches after six monthsand 30,000 roaches after 12 months.

One egg case containseight to 40 eggs. An adult roach


What Roaches Do

Roaches look for food at night. They soil food with their droppings andspread a foul-smelling secretion. Roaches can also transmit disease.

Cleanliness is the best way to pre-vent roaches from infesting yourhome. After meals, wipe up allcrumbs and throw away foodscraps. Keep flour, rice, beans andother such foods in airtight con-tainers. Dispose of your garbage intightly closed bags and place themin the appropriate areas outsideyour apartment.

How to Prevent Roaches

Where Roaches Live

Cockroaches infest houses and other places where they can find food.They’re usually active at night and seek out warm, damp areas.


What Bedbugs Look Like

Bedbugs are brownish insects.They’re about 4 mm long andvisible to the naked eye.They’re active at night and canusually be seen along theseams of mattresses. Theyfeed on human blood.

How to Detect Bedbugs

Itchy skin and insect bites areclues that you have bedbugs.Also look for blood on yoursheets and pillowcases.

How Bedbugs Spread

Bedbugs can be brought intoyour home on clothing or fur-niture, particularly a mattress.They can arrive in your suitcasewhen you return from a trip.They can also travel from aneighbour’s apartment.

What to Do Even Without Bugs

• Make sure your home isalways clean and unclut-tered.

• Buy new furniture ratherthan second-hand (bed,mattress, box spring, bedframes).

• Keep an eye out for bugbites and itchy skin.

Beware of Used Furniture

Bedbugs and other pests canbe carried into your home onused furniture, especially mat-tresses, armchairs and sofas.

As for used clothes, make sureyou wash them before puttingthem in your closets or draw-ers.

Avoid bringing home itemsfound outside or in thegarbage since they may beinfested.

Your Responsibility

You’re responsible for notifyingus when you find insects inyour apartment. You must alsoprepare your home for exter-minators.

Don’t Let the Bedbugs Bite

For several years now, bedbugs have been spreading throughoutlarge cities, Montreal included. Any home can be a haven for bed-bugs. There’s no need to feel ashamed if these bugs end up movingin with you. The important thing is to act fast. As soon as you seethese bugs, CALL US AT 514-872-OMHM (6646).


Successful Treatment

Don’t try to solve the problemyourself. Our exterminationservice is free of charge.

Be sure to keep your apart-ment clean and uncluttered.

Important: Don’t use insecti-cides sold over the counter.They may counteract with ourown treatment.

Working with the Exterminator

First of all, notify us if your apartment has bugs. You must let exter-minators into your home and follow their instructions. A thoroughcleaning of the premises may be in order before the problem can betreated. In more serious cases, you may need to leave your apart-ment for a few hours. Please allow the product used by extermina-tors to act. Don’t remove it or use any additional products.Remember that our extermination service is free.


Place your garbage in leak-proof plastic bags and thendrop them into garbage cansor down the garbage chute.

If you want to keep yourgarbage on your balcony untilpickup day, please use agarbage can with a cover toeliminate odours and keepanimals out. Don’t storegarbage in the corridors,entranceways, common areasor parking lots.

Please place your garbage inthe proper areas at the timesspecified only. If you don’trespect the day, time andlocation set aside forgarbage pickup, the munici-pality could fine you.

Use solid, airtight garbagecans. To find out the pickupdays and times for your neigh-bourhood, ask a maintenanceworker, a neighbour or yourlocal Accès Montréal office.

Throwing OutYour Garbage

Our building rules include three clauses on garbage disposal.Indeed, if a tenant doesn’t dispose of his garbage properly, thewhole neighbourhood may suffer.


Large Objects

If you want to throw out oldfurniture, mattresses or largeappliances, be sure to checkthe guidelines for your bor-ough or city. Guidelines varyfrom one borough or city tothe next. You might need tomake an appointment forpickup or dispose of youritem on a specific day of theweek. For the boroughs ofMontreal, you can phone 311.

For the cities below, call thenumber given:

•Dorval: 514-633-4046

•Montréal-Est: 514-905-2000

•Pointe-Claire: 514-630-1230

•Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue: 514-457-5500

•Westmount: 514-989-5200

Garbage Chutes

In high-rise buildings,garbage chutes are set up onevery floor. To keep pestsaway, place your garbage intightly closed plastic bagsbefore throwing them downthe chute.

Recycling

Paper, plastic, glass andmetal items are collected andrecycled. Please rinse outcontainers. Note that soileditems aren’t recyclable.

Place your recyclables in thegreen box or plastic bags pro-vided by your borough or city.If using a green box, writeyour address on it.

Place your box or bags on thesidewalk before 8 a.m. on theday scheduled for recyclingpickup.

Use the phone numbers givenin our Large Objects section tocheck the specific recyclingguidelines for your boroughor city (sorting procedures,pickup days, boxes or bags).


Laundry Room

We provide a laundry roomwith an adequate number ofmachines. These machines arereserved for tenants only. Toavoid bothering tenants livingnear the laundry room, do yourlaundry only during the hoursposted.

Corridors, Landingsand Staircases

You must keep all corridors,landings and staircases unob-structed.

Caring for YourBuilding and Grounds

Our building rules clarify the ways you can keep your buildingand its surrounding area in great condition and looking good.We’ve drawn up specific rules that concern such things as thelaundry room, stairwells, parking, birds and rodents, and sho-velling and mowing.


Landscaping

We look after the grounds out-side your building. In addition,many tenants, either individu-ally or in groups, volunteer todo landscaping work.

Have a landscaping project inmind for a common area?Speak to your director of main-tenance and repairs. For yourown private area or balcony,you can spruce it up as youwish. But avoid clutter or any-thing that might obstructaccess in an emergency.Community gardens are alsoset up for some buildings.

If you decorate and green-upyour environment, become amember of the Flower andGarden Club. It's free andmany benefits are offered suchas free gardening advice andhorticultural equipement. Theclub offers neighbours achance to beautify their sur-roundings together.

So that our grounds continueto look good, please be carefulnot to damage the lawn, treesand plants.

Parking

Parking areas are provided formost housing projects. Toreserve a space or changewhere your space is located,contact your rental agent.

The cost of parking is markedin your lease. Indoor parkingcosts more than outdoor par-king. You must pay for yourspace the first day of everymonth (when you pay yourrent).

Parking fees

Outdoor parking: $5 a month

Indoor parking: $20 a month

In renting parking spaces, wegive priority to our tenants.Our waiting lists are based onthe date of your request.

Vehicles must be operationaland registered to you or amember of your householdnamed in your lease.

Make sure your parking stickeris clearly visible at all times.Our staff carries out regularchecks.


It’s prohibited to:

• Do repairs on your vehicle inyour parking space.

• Plug devices such as blockheaters into the building’selectric outlets.

Snow Removal

• The OMHM or private con-tractors are responsible forremoving snow from theentrances and exits of high-rise buildings.

• Removing snow from youroutdoor parking space isyour responsibility.

Locks

If you have an indoor or out-door parking space, make sureyou lock the doors or padlockafter use to ensure everyone’ssafety.

Birds and Rodents

To preserve the premises,please don’t feed pigeons,seagulls, squirrels and otheranimals. They often carry dis-eases, damage the grounds,and attract pests.


Satellite Dishes

Satellite dishes to pick up spe-cialty television channels areincreasingly popular. We allowyou to install these dishes,except in boroughs and citiesthat prohibit them. Some con-ditions apply. For example,only free-standing satellitedishes placed on a private bal-cony or terrace are permitted.You may not attach the dishesto the side or roof of the build-ing (except in areas wheresupports are provided). Formore details, check with yourrental agent.

Shovelling andMowing

The rules on shovelling andmowing the lawn apply only totownhouses and semi-detached homes.

If you live in a townhouse orsemi-detached home, youmust shovel all entrances up tothe sidewalk. You must alsomow the lawn.


Exits

Exits from your home mustremain unobstructed at alltimes to increase your safetyand peace of mind.

Smoke Detectors

Ensure that the smoke detec-tor in your home is workingproperly at all times. Replacethe battery at least twice ayear. The fire department sug-gests changing the battery inApril and October when theclock springs forward and fallsback.

Fire Drills

We schedule fire drills everyyear in all our high-rises.Tenants in these buildings arerequired to take part in drills inkeeping with regulationsadopted by the municipal firedepartment and by the rentalboard’s inspection department.This simple exercise can savelives!

Barbecues

Using any barbecue or outdoorcooker on balconies or privateterraces is prohibited.

Ensuring Your SafetyOne of the main concerns of our building rules is to ensure safety.Indeed, we’ve taken several steps in past years to guarantee yoursafety in our buildings. For example, we’ve held fire drills, givenfire prevention training to tenant security agents, and modifiedand tightened controls for entering buildings. Respecting our build-ing rules will also boost safety and benefit all tenants.


HazardousSubstances

Substances that represent afire or explosion hazard orendanger tenants’ health andsafety mustn’t be used or keptin your home, an outbuilding,a shed or a common area.

Examples of hazardous sub-stances:

• Propane cylinder.

• Gas-powered engines orequipment.

Balconies

If your apartment has an out-door balcony or access balcony,keep the area unobstructedand free of snow to ensureyour safety and other people’s.If you have young children,avoid items that will allowthem to climb and fall over therailing. Such situations canlead to serious injuries.

Windows andWindow Screens

If you have young children,don’t place furniture, large toysor other large items underyour windows because a childmay climb up and fall out thewindow. In the same vein, tornor broken screens may provehazardous to young children. Ifyour window screen tears or

breaks, notify us immediatelyat 514-872-OMHM (6646). Thisrepair job is given priority if achild aged 5 or under residesin the apartment.

Three Tips for Peace of Mind

• Don’t let strangers into yourbuilding.

• Always lock your apartmentdoor, even if you’re away fora short while.

• Ask strangers to identifythemselves.

Hotline

Tenants can call our hotlineabout issues concerning theirsafety or the security of ourbuildings and facilities. Thenumber is 514-872-OMHM(6646). Our security servicedoes not, however, replace911, which you should call inemergencies.

Security is everybody’s busi-ness.


Pets

Apart from certains exceptions,domestic pets are permittedinside our buildings. Outsideyour apartment, you mustalways keep your dog on aleash. Your pets must neverbother or injure other tenants ordamage our property.Remember to scoop up afteryour pet when it does its busi-ness outside.

Open Doors

Please close the door to yourapartment to ensure your safetyand to avoid bothering yourneighbours. Several tenantshave complained of cookingodours or noise from apart-ments whose door was leftopen.

Behaviour inCommon Areas

It’s prohibited to drink alcohol inoutdoor or indoor commonareas such as landings, corridorsand stairwells unless you firstget written permission from theOMHM.

Loitering in the indoor and out-door common areas isn’tallowed because it may botherothers. Also, smoking is prohib-ited in our common areas,including our common rooms, atall times.

Settling Disputes

Despite certain precautions, dis-putes may sometimes arisebetween tenants. To settle adispute, the Fédération deslocataires en HLM suggests thefollowing:

Nurturing NeighbourlyRelations

Another aim of our building rules is to ensure friendly relationsamong tenants. Being open-minded, flexible and candid helpsfoster good neighbourly relations. Yet some situations canbecome the source of conflict, especially when certain basic rulesaren’t respected. To favour good relations, we’ve adopted specificbuilding rules on pets, apartment doors, and behaviour in thecommon areas.


• If possible, begin by talkingdirectly to the tenant con-cerned. Talking the matterover remains the best wayto settle differences.

• Inform your tenant associa-tion about the problem.

• Send a written and signedcomplaint to the OMHM. Asyour landlord, we’re respon-sible for ensuring peace inour buildings.

• The OMHM will contact thetenant and ask him to alterhis behaviour. If need be,we’ll direct him to theappropriate organizations forassistance.

• If the disturbance is seriousand persists, the OMHM willtake action with the rentalboard. You could be called totestify about the problemyou’ve been having.

Tenant Associations

The tenants of our buildingsshare a living space. If theywish, they can meet within anassociation in order to:

• Solve common problemsthat arise.

• Ensure that the environmentmeets their needs.

• Make sure the environmentis respectful to all tenants.

• Be represented within vari-ous organizations.

• Take part in activities.

To be recognized by the OMHM,a tenant association must con-sist of representatives electedamong the tenants of thehousing project.

Sector Committeesand AdvisoryCommittee

Our sector committees andadvisory committee made upof tenant-association represen-tatives allow you to take part inmanaging the OMHM. Thecommittees simplify consulta-tions and make recommenda-tions on issues of commoninterest.

Use of CommonRooms

To enhance community life, weprovide tenant associationswith a common room. We mayalso give community groupsour consent to use the room.


Preventing andCounteringDiscrimination

One of the values dear to us isrespect, a willingness to acceptdifferences, to treat otherswith consideration, to recog-nize each person’s worth, andto protect human dignity. Ouremployees, tenants and sup-pliers all have the right to berespected and the duty torespect others. We aim to pro-vide environments exemptfrom all forms of harassmentor discrimination.

What’s discrimination?

Discrimination is hurtful, dis-dainful or detrimental words,actions or gestures based onsuch things as race, colour, eth-nic or national origin, sex,pregnancy, sexual orientation,civil status, age, religion, polit-ical convictions, language,social condition or handicap.

Discrimination may target anindividual or a group.

Everybody in Quebec has theright to be treated equally andto live free of discrimination.

What’s harassment?

Harassment is hurtful behav-iour involving repeated words,actions or gestures that arehostile or unwanted. Suchbehaviour attacks a person’sdignity or psychological orphysical integrity and creates adestructive environment forthe person.

For more details on this topic,consult the brochurePreventing and CounteringDiscrimination: For a PeacefulLiving Environment, which theOMHM put together with helpfrom the Commission desdroits de la personne et desdroits de la jeunesse. You canalso log on to our website(www.omhm.qc.ca).


Enforcing Our Rules

When you sign your lease, you agree to comply with our build-ing rules. We’re responsible for familiarizing you with our rulesand making sure they’re respected.

The rental board may takeaction against tenants whodon’t respect the clauses intheir lease, the additionalclauses or the building rules.

Such action may include thetermination of their lease.

Breaking Our Rules

When YouMove In

When you move in, it’s important to contact us promptly if younotice any problems in your new home. Here are a few thingsto check:

1) Do all the windows havescreens?

2) Do you have the smoke orheat detectors required?

3) Do the ceiling and wallfixtures have their cover-ings?

4) Do the plumbing fixtureswork properly?

5) Are there any other pro-blems?

Report any problem as soon aspossible by contacting our callcentre at 514-872-OMHM(6646).

Our call centre is more than aplace where you requestmaintenance, repairs andextermination services. Thecentre is also a gateway forobtaining information on yourbuilding and apartment andfor seeking support on securi-ty matters.


Complaints Office

The complaints office of the Officemunicipal d’habitation de Montréalbecomes involved as a “lastrecourse”.

Tenants who have a problem withtheir housing must try to resolve it.They must ask their rental agent forhelp or call the call centre at 514-872-OMHM (6646).

If they do not receive the expectedservice, they must contact thedirector of maintenance and repairsor the director of tenant services.

If they are not satisfied with thedirector’s response or if there hasbeen no response within areasonable time, they must contactthe complaints office.

The complaints office of the Officemunicipal d’habitation de Montréalwill investigate to determinewhether or not their rights astenants have been respected, forexample in relation to:• a service;• a decision.

Tenants can submit a complaint inseveral different ways:

• By telephone at 514-868-5999

• By mail at the following address: Complaints office Office municipal d’habitation de Montréal415, rue Saint-Antoine Ouest, 2e étageMontréal (Québec) H2Z 1H8

• By email at [email protected]

• By fax at 514-868-3202

• In person at the complaints officeat:415, rue Saint-Antoine Ouest, 2e étageMontréal (Québec) H2Z 1H8

You can come to the office withoutan appointment during openinghours: Monday through Thursdayfrom 8:30 a.m. to noon.

SoUTHWESTSECToR

2247, rue Delisle3e étage Montréal, QC H3J 1K4 Open weekdays, 8:30 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

The oMHM at your service

CALL AND SECURITY CENTER

514-872-OMHM (6646)

NoRTHWESTSECToR

255, boul. Crémazie Estbureau 150 Montréal, QC H2M 1M2 Open weekdays, 8:30 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

EASTSECToR

3330, boul. de l’Assomption Montréal, QC H1N 3S4Open weekdays, 8:30 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

?QUESTIONS REGARDING YOUR LEASE OR GOOD NEIGHBOURLYRELATIONS

Contact YOUR RENTAL AGENT for any information related to the renewal orcancellation of your lease, the arrival or departure of an occupant, your leasepayment, parking, a housing transfer or a neighbourhood issue. The telephonenumber of your rental agent can be found in your lease.

!EMERGENCY CALLS OUTSIDE REGULAR BUSINESS HOURSIn case of emergency only, our employees work until 11 p.m. on week nights, aswell as during the day on Saturdays and Sundays. Don't be surprised if amaintenance and repair worker or other OMHM specialist (plumber, electrician)arrives at your door outside regular business hours. You can let him in withoutfear for your safety, once he has identified himself.

Maintenance

, repairs and exterm

ination

24/7

7 a.m. to 11 p.m.

7/ 7

Security a

nd emergency repairs

24/7

7 a.m. to 11 p.m.

7/ 7

You may pay your rent by directdebit.

On the first of each month, theamount of your rent can be with-drawn automatically from yourbank account and deposited

directly in the OMHM’s account.Save money on stamps, alwayspay on time, and settle your rentwithout leaving your home. Thesystem gives you one less worry

every month.

To sign up for direct debits, call your rental agent.

Paying by Direct Debit

The OMHM at Your Service

General Information

Contact your rental agent if you wish to:

• Renew or cancel your lease.• Have your rent reduced.• Adjust the names of people listed in your lease.• Rent a parking space.• Change apartments.

Be sure to make an appointment with your rental agent before you drop by your sector office.

Your agent’s name: ____________________________________

Your agent’s phone number: _____________________________

Your file number: ______________________________________

better home is just aphone call away!

514-872-OMHM (6646)

AMaintenance, repairs, extermination, security

Our staff can be reached from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. seven days a week.

Have an Emergency?

During non-business hours, our maintenance workers respond only to emergencies. To avoid calling needlessly, make sure you have a real emergency, a situation requiring immediate assistance. If you do,

call 514-872-OMHM (6646). We’ll be on site quickly.

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