The MMF and Manitoba Housing own single family dwellings in communities. Manitoba housing also offers rental apartments and Senior (over age 55) housing.

Buying your own Home

You may need to establish a credit rating in Canada before you can get a mortgage (loan for a home). With a mortgage, you must pay a 10% to 25% down payment (partial payment made at the time of purchase; the balance to be paid later). A bank provides you with the loan for the rest of the cost.

In some cases, homes can be purchased with a 0-5% down payment. This is done with the help of Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), 204-983-5600. There are rules about which homes and which buyers can get this help.

A home buyer will also have to pay legal fees and there may be other fees the home buyer needs to pay.

Real Estate Agents in our area:

Remax Valleyview Realty Ltd

Ron Kreshewski, Salesperson

E-mail: brm431@mts.net

Phone: 204-773-6301

Century 21

Agnes Kokke, Salesperson

www.century21westman.com

Email: agnes@century21westman.com

Phone: 204-365-6004

Jakeman, Brook, Brown Agencies

Karen Goraluk, Salesperson

www.jbbroblin.com

E-mail: goraluk@mts.net

Cell: 204-773-6797

And go here to see our online listing

Home construction

Please visit our business directory to find out what services/products are available in Rossburn to help you build your dream home/garage/addition.

Information on residential building lots and permit requirements are

available from:

Town of Rossburn

43 Main Street North

Phone: 204-859-2762

Fax: 204-859-2022

town.rsb@mts.net

RM of Rossburn

39 Main Street North

Rossburn

Phone: 204-859-2779

Fax: 204-859-2959

rsbrm@mts.net

Mobile, Manufactured or Custom Built Homes

If you choose to purchase a manufactured home or get a home built for you, lots can be found for sale. To purchase a lot please contact the municipal office in the community you choose to reside, one of the real estate agents or our online listing.

It is possible to build your own home or to hire a carpenter to build a home for you but you must get the appropriate approval and permits from the Rossburn Planning District.

For more information about this contact the Rossburn Planning District at 859-2779 or rossburnplanning@mts.net.

Useful terms

Tenant: A person who lives in a place that is rented. Tenants may be responsible for upkeep of property both inside and out, including mowing lawns, etc. Check with the land-lord BEFORE you move in.

Landlord: This is a person who owns the building and rents it out to people.

Caretaker: This is a person the landlord hires to keep the building clean and to do repairs. She/he may be the person you talk to when you are looking for a place to live. In larger buildings this person may be called the Manager or Superintendent.

Rent: Rent is the money a tenant pays the landlord or caretaker every month. Be sure you know whom to pay rent to. It is best to pay by cheque made payable to the owner. Ask for a receipt for each payment.

Pro-rated Rent: If you move into a place in the middle of a month, you only need to pay for the number of days remaining in the month. For example, if your rent is $400.00 a month and you move in on the 15th your pro-rated rent would be $200.00.

Damage Deposit: This is money you pay a landlord before you move in. It pays for cleaning or repairs that must be done to the apartment or house after you move out. It can not be more then half of one month’s rent.
If you want to get your damage deposit back when you move out, you must:

Leave the place in the same condition as when you moved in.
Clean the house or apartment before you move out.
Give proper notice in writing before you move out.

Types of Housing

Apartment: Many living units inside a large building, for rent only, usually by the month.

Townhouse: Attached row houses, rented.

Condominium: Multiple unit buildings in which units can be purchased rather than rented. Monthly fees cover services.

Single Family Dwellings: Individual house with yards, that may be rented or owned.

House Trailer or Mobile Home: Units designed to be movable, usually located together in a ‘trailer park,’ and may be rented or owned.

Before you move in

Rental Housing Apartments are usually rented according to the number of bedrooms they have. A bachelor apartment is the smallest. It has a combined bedroom and living room, plus a kitchen and bathroom.
All apartments must have a kitchen with space for a refrigerator and an oven.
Sometimes utilities such as water, electricity (hydro) or gas (if used for heating) are included in the rent. You may have to pay extra for cable television.

Applications
If you like an apartment you see, you may first have to complete an Application Form. The landlord or caretaker will consider all the applications they receive and then decide who will rent the apartment.

Tenancy Agreements
If your application is accepted you sign a Tenancy Agreement with the landlord. You agree to pay a certain amount of rent every month, and agree to certain living arrangements. Make sure you know:

What utilities are included (gas, hydro, water, cable)
Whether pets are allowed
What date the rent is due

The landlord may ask you to sign a lease. This means you must agree to live in the apartment for a certain period of time.

Condition Reports
You should ask to fill out a Condition Report before you move in. This lists all the rooms and appliances in the house or apartment and also what condition they are in. You should inspect everything listed in the condition report with the caretaker to make sure it is not already damaged. Make note of any problems or damage on the condition report. If something is damaged before you move in, ask the landlord to fix it. If your landlord does not have a condition report, you can get one by contacting Ilse Ketelsen at 1-204-859-2497 or immigration@town.rossburn.mb.ca.

Paying Rent
It is best for your own records to pay by cheque. The landlord will tell you where to pay rent when you move in. You should ask for a receipt for the rent you pay each month.

Moving Out
All agreements will specify how much advance notice you must give a landlord before you can move out. If you are renting month-to-month you may have to give the landlord advance notice in writing, one or two months before you want to move out. If you signed a lease you will have to stay until the lease period is finished, or sublet (rent) the apartment to another tenant. Subletting the apartment can be done only after the landlord gives approval.

Tenant’s Insurance
In order to protect your personal belongings inside the property from theft, fire or other damage, you must purchase tenant’s insurance. Contact Vanguard Financial & Insurance; 5 Main St. South; Phone number: 859 –5036.