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Landlords: the unsung heroes or maybe not?

Alas, developed countries also come with developed and sophisticated problems. 

Author

Oluwaseye Adesina
June 16, 2024

Hello, new local👋

In today’s Newsletter:

  • Landlords: the unsung heroes or maybe not?

  • Know your housing rights in Canada + other juicy updates

  • Top opportunities of the week

You've just landed in Canada, excited and looking forward to taking over the world. But first, no matter how big your dreams are, you need a place to live. 

And that’s where you meet The Landlord, a mythical creature that can make or mar your Canadian dream in one fell swoop. Yeah, you thought leaving Africa would rid you of all your problems but alas, developed countries also come with developed and sophisticated problems. 

As a new immigrant in Canada, you already have a lot on your plate. However, one of the most important decisions you must make as you arrive is ensuring your landlord is not Lucifer’s long-lost relative.

You know what? Let me just give you a heads-up.

Here’s what your landlord can do for you:

  1. A good landlord can be your first friend in this strange new land. They can be nice enough to show you how to navigate the entire system from shopping to landing your first job.

  2. A good landlord can connect you to new opportunities and people

  3. A good landlord can make your first year in Canada beautiful

As an Immigrant, to get the best out of your housing experience in Canada, here’s what you need to do PROACTIVELY.

  • Be a good person. If your attitude stinks, wash it and apply some deodorant on it.

  • Know your housing rights.  Familiarize yourself with the provincial and municipal tenant rights. Don’t just sign a lease, do your homework

  • Check out sites like Yelp, Google Reviews, and rental-specific forums for feedback from previous tenants.

  • Read your lease agreement carefully. Ensure everything is clear, including rent, utilities, maintenance responsibilities, and policies on renewals and termination.

  • Look out for any unusual clauses that might be a red flag (e.g., extreme penalties for minor infractions/mistakes).

  • Join local community groups where you can ask for recommendations and read about others' experiences.

  • Try to meet your landlord physically before making a payment. First impressions do matter

  • Talk a walk around your new environment. Feel the vibe and trust your instincts.

  • Look for landlords who are members of professional associations, like the Canadian Federation of Apartment Associations (CFAA).

At the end of the day, great and kind landlords can be the unsung heroes of your time in Canada. Finding one might be a little tough but it’s worth it for your peace of mind. 

Do you have a story about your great [Or not so great landlord]?

INSPIRE ✨

“This man is my landlord. For my first 6 months in Canada, he never asked for rent ……This post is to empower the youth in Africa that their dreams are valid, to learn how to engage in services that will pave the way for them especially those from humble backgrounds.”

A generous landlord in Canada waived rent for the first six months for his Nigerian newcomer, who in turn repaid his kindness by maintaining the property and showing gratitude. This act of generosity highlights how the right landlord can significantly aid newcomers in settling into a new town. It also highlights the importance of mutual respect, humility, service, and building strategic relationships for success, especially in a new town.

COMMUNITY CORNER 🔗

Transitioning into Canadian professional life comes with its fair share of surprises. From workplace customs to everyday interactions, the cultural journey is full of eye-opening moments. As people who have navigated the rollercoaster of cultural transitions, we know firsthand how impactful those 'aha' moments can be.

We are eager to learn about your own experiences – the good, the bad, the unexpected, and the downright hilarious! Reach out to us below 👇

LOOK WHO’S HIRING! 💼

Neo Financial

1Password

Jobber

HERE’S WHAT’S UP 🤝

TOP RESOURCES FOR YOU 🗃️

Education and Skill Development 
Health and Well-being
Cultural Integration

DON’T MISS THESE! 👔

  • Navigating Father’s Day Without Your Dad [Happening Tomorrow]  Learn More

  • The Small Business Show: Embracing Digital Transformation for Small Businesses | June 24 | Learn More 

  • International Conference on Health Care & Social Work | Learn More

  • Empowering Change for The Future of Healthcare | Learn More

  • 2024 ABC Copyright Conference [Almost Full] | Learn More

Send Money Globally with Ease Using LemFi

LemFi is a cheat code if you just moved to Canada and you want to send or receive money from Nigeria, US,UK, Kenya and over 20 countries. Here’s a few things you can do:

Open free multi-currency accounts with LemFi and get local banking details like account and routing numbers in over 20 currencies including USD, GBP, EUR, CAD, NGN and more. This allows you to receive money directly into local accounts as if you were a resident, eliminating costly international fees.

What’s more? You get CAD 30.00 when you verify your account and send over CAD 250. Use Lemfi to send and receive money today!

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  • Reply.io - Use Reply to generate leads across multiple channels and convert website traffic into meetings.

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  • Metaforms AI - Like Google forms, but Metaforms AI offers an AI-upgraded survey platform with intelligent forms for better responses and high-quality data collection.

  • VIVA - VIVA boosts creativity and productivity through generative AI as a powered creative visual design platform. 

  • Dora AI - With Dora AI Beta, you can create your dream website effortlessly in any style or topic with just one prompt.

You definitely know someone else who’ll benefit from this newsletter 😌