Renters Choice & Management Ltd.

While the weather may be continuing to shift back and forth on us the 'Big Melt' is on its way and we want to help you to ensure your home is spring ready!

Here are a couple of simple steps that you will want to get looked after:

1) Replace your smoke alarm and carbon monoxide detector batteries

2) Replace your thermostat battery

3) Change your furnace filter

4) Check that downspouts and extensions are properly secured before the Spring melt floods your basement! This is also a great time to deal with clogged and full gutters as well so that the melting snow will follow the path away from your home.

5) Check to ensure your sump pump is working correctly

6) If your family has an emergency plan in place now is a good time to practice it with your loved ones. If you haven't created one yet now is a great time to work on that!

DID YOU KNOW THURSDAY! (From yesterday)

This week's Did You Know is focused on Security Deposits Interest Rates as promised after our last Did You Know focused on Deposits vs Fees!

Sneak peek of tomorrow’s DID YOU KNOW THURSDAY!!

For this week's Did You Know we wanted to really put a spotlight on the importance of acquiring Tenant Insurance, with a big focus on FIRES!

Everyone thinks that a Fire will never happen to them and many remain unprepared for the unexpected.

You could face a small fire, such as a cooking fire, or a more extensive one, such as an electrical fire or falling asleep while smoking. No matter the scenario your life could be left in an upheaval and many of your possessions could be damaged/destroyed, either by the fire itself, by smoke damage from the fire or by water damage from the efforts made by FireFighters. The structure of your home may be left unsafe forcing you to find a new place to live or extensive repairs may be required before you can move back in.

Why should you get Tenant Insurance?

A rental owner's insurance only covers the building structure. Their insurance does NOT cover your possessions OR your stay elsewhere if extensive repairs/renovations are required OR your move if the home is no longer deemed structurally sound.

So what if something happens in the rental? 

If you don't have Tenant Insurance you are stuck paying out of pocket to replace any damaged/lost possessions AND your hotel stay, if necessary, PLUS your moving expenses if you must vacate due to extensive damage.  The Landlord is NOT responsible for these expenses and their insurance will NOT help you!

If you do have Tenant Insurance then your insurance provider will cover all of these costs!

Isn't Tenant Insurance Expensive?

NO! Depending on your package you could be paying as little as $10 per month...THAT'S IT!

Where can I get Tenant Insurance?

If you have vehicle insurance speak to your current insurance provider about bundling the 2 services.  If you don't have vehicle insurance, or your current provider isn't offering a very good deal, get in touch with one of the local Insurance Brokers in your area. They will find you the best deal!  An Insurance Broker can also tell you EVERYTHING that your new Tenant Insurance package will cover!

Tenant Insurance is recommended no matter where you rent however it is especially recommended for anyone living in a multi-family dwelling including duplexes, townhouses, 4-plexes, apartments, suites, etc. You just never know what your neighbour is up to...

AND ONE MORE THING...

BONUS PROPERTY OF THE WEEK!!

#2, 2122 15 St in COALDALE, AB

** updated 2 bedroom, 1.5 bathroom townhouse unit coming available immediately! ** unit features newer flooring and bathrooms plus fixtures ** unit also features full, unfinished basement with washer/dryer hook-ups ** both bedrooms are large sized with full closets ** master bedroom opens onto large balcony at front of home ** large main bathroom features an extra long vanity with lots of mirror space! ** dining room off of kitchen ** half bathroom off of back door ** shared yard space ** assigned parking ** pet will be considered for applicant with landlord references and one time, non-refundable pet fee ** conveniently located right across from school with easy access to downtown amenities and highway 3 ** monthly rent includes water for $1000; tenant responsible for power & gas utilities ** $1000 security deposit due upon approval of application ** 1 year lease

* To schedule a showing please visit: https://showmojo.com/l/7090aeb09a?sd=true&iframe *

HAPPY MONDAY!! It is a bit later than usual however here is our TABER PROPERTY OF THE WEEK!

#10, 5004 43 Ave:

** nicely renovated 2+1 bedroom, 2 bathroom half duplex available for February 1

** short walk to grocery and convenience stores

** parks + school also nearby!

** indoor pet will be considered; there is NO YARD!

** driveway parking along front

** deck along front as well

** newer kitchen + bathrooms and flooring + paint

** monthly rent INCLUDES power, gas & water UTILITIES for only $1200

** $1200 security deposit due upon approval of application

** 1 year lease preferred, minimum 6 month considered

* To schedule a showing please visit: https://showmojo.com/l/5f0403b02d?sd=true&iframe  *

HAPPY FRIDAY! Which means it is time for our LETHBRIDGE PROPERTY OF THE WEEK!

122 Dorothy Gentleman Cres N:

** 10 year old 2+2 bedroom, 2 bathroom home coming available in LEGACY RIDGE for February ** home features attached, single car GARAGE! ** open concept main floor ** kitchen includes fridge, gas stove, microwave + dishwasher ** kitchen also features walk out to good sized deck overlooking fenced yard ** deck has fully enclosed storage ** yard also features a dog run! ** second living room in basement ** washer/dryer included in mechanical room ** home also includes central AC! ** all bedrooms are good sized with full closets ** this spacious & nicely finished home is located in an area convenient to schools, churches, Tim Horton's, and the new park modeled after Henderson! ** a DOG will be considered; no cats (firm!) ** $1600 monthly rent; tenant responsible for all utilities ** $1600 security deposit due upon approval of application ** 1 year lease

* To schedule a showing please visit: https://showmojo.com/l/1ab74130c8?sd=true&iframe *

DID YOU KNOW THURSDAY!

WE ARE SHARING THIS A DAY EARLY TO HELP SPREAD THIS BENEFICIAL INFORMATION AROUND FOR THE UPCOMING WEEKEND!

For this week's Did You Know we wanted to share valuable phone numbers for those of you who will be out ringing in the New Year on Sunday evening as a way of ensuring that everyone will be able to Arrive Alive.

Before we jump into those details please note that our staff will be unavailable on Monday, January 1, 2018 due to the New Years holiday. Regular hours will resume on Tuesday, January 2. If you are a tenant or a landlord with an EMERGENCY over the long weekend please call 403-223-3051 and press 3 to leave a detailed voicemail that includes your full name, the rental address, a method of contacting you and all details about the emergency situation. Only emergencies will be responded to! All other matters will be handled in a priority manner upon our staff's return on Tuesday.

Now onto those phone numbers!

1) OPERATION RED NOSE: The Lethbridge Pronghorns are in the middle of their 23rd year of Operation Red Nose in Lethbridge. This program will arrange for someone to drive you home in your own vehicle! They simply ask for a donation towards their athletic department in return. Call 403-320-4155 to arrange your ride home on New Year's Eve!

2) CALL A CAB: Or you can also call a local cab service. Here are a FEW of the numbers that came up at the top of the Google searches for the following communities. We are not offering an endorsement of these respective companies, simply encouraging everyone to plan ahead!

Lethbridge: Fifth Avenue Cabs - 403-381-1111, A Plus Taxi - 403-317-7777

Medicine Hat: Care Cabs - 403-529-2211, Deluxe Central Taxi - 403-526-3333

Taber: Grab-A-Cab - 403-223-2203, Hank's Taxi - 403-223-1210

3) DD: Arrange for a designated driver within your group of friends or family! Make sure this person is someone reliable who can be counted on to stay sober and get everyone in the group home safe! Interested in learning some statistics and facts about the increased risk during the holidays? Or finding out how you can help? 

Visit www.saddalberta.com or madd.ca

DID YOU KNOW THURSDAY!

We wanted to feature a special Christmas Did You Know this week in honour of the upcoming festivities.

Before we jump into our Weekly Did You Know however we wanted to let everyone know that the staff of Renter's Choice will be unavailable from December 23 to December 27 as they spend time with their families for the holidays. If you are a tenant or a landlord with an EMERGENCY please call (403) 223-3051 and press 3 to leave a detailed voicemail. Be sure that your message includes your full name, the rental address, a method of contacting you back and ALL details about the emergency situation. ONLY EMERGENCIES WILL BE RESPONDED TO. All other inquiries will be responded to when we return on December 27.

Now onto our special 12 FACTS about CHRISTMAS DID YOU KNOW:

1) Alabama was the first state to recognize Christmas as a holiday in 1836 while Oklahoma was the last in 1907. Christmas was considered to be a national holiday in the USA in 1870. 2) A Jewish man wrote many of the Christmas carols that most of us recognize today including 'Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree' 3) The Real St Nicholas was a bishop in Turkey. He was born in 270 AD. 4) Artificial Christmas Trees were first invented in Germany using dyed goose feathers. It is also believed that the tradition of decorating your Christmas Tree was started by the Germans as well plus they were the first to use tinsel using real silver to make it! 5) Electric lights on Christmas Trees were first used in 1895 6) In Greek 'X' means Christ. This is how the slang X-mas came to be! 7) In a Christmas Carol the saying wasn't actually written as 'Bah Humbug', it was 'Bah Christmas'. 8) The Catholic Church actually banned Christmas gift giving at one point in time as this was believed to be an act of Paganism. 9) It is believed that the 3 Kings took 12 days to find Baby Jesus hence the 12 Days of Christmas. 10) 'One Horse Open Sleigh' was originally written for Thanksgiving. We now call this song 'Jingle Bells'. 11) The Italians started the tradition of giving naughty kids a lump of coal in their stockings. 12) Santa Claus is Canadian. He, Mrs Claus and all of their elves live at the North Pole, which is part of Canada's huge landmass, postal code HOH OHO.

Want to check out some more fun facts like these? Visit: http://wtop.com/…/did-you-know-15-fun-facts-about-christmas/ AND: http://www.kidsplayandcreate.com/fun-interesting-christmas…/ AND: http://www.kidsplayandcreate.com/cute-santa-claus-facts-ju…/

Another wonderful Friday means time for another LETHBRIDGE PROPERTY OF THE WEEK!

2102B 10 Ave S:

NO EXPENSE SPARED ON THIS LOWER LEVEL SUITE ** conveniently located only a block away from the Chinook Regional Hospital ** completely updated suite features a fireplace, wired surround sound system, separate furnace + HWT, and all high quality finishings ** suite features 2 large bedrooms with great closet space, a gorgeous bathroom featuring dual vanities, tiled shower and extra deep tub and extra layers of soundproofing from the main floor suite! ** huge windows allow lots of natural light ** unit includes stainless steel fridge, stove and dishwasher plus private washer & dryer insuite! ** private yard space ** parking off of alley (for 3 vehicles!) ** 1 year lease required ** small pet considered for applicant with multiple landlord references, pet fee will be required ** IMPORTANT NOTE: A queen sized mattress is the largest size that will fit down the stairs (or a split King). A standard Queen sized box spring will NOT fit, only a low-profile or split box spring can fit. ** Monthly rent is $1200; tenants are responsible for all utilities ** $1200 security deposit due upon approval of application

* To schedule a showing please visit: https://showmojo.com/l/46c8367001?sd=true&iframe *

HAPPY MONDAY!!

To help kickstart the week we wanted to roll out our TABER PROPERTY OF THE WEEK:

5104 41 Ave:

** quaint 2 bedroom, 1 bathroom house available immediately ** updated home features good sized Living Room, Dining Room and Kitchen with fridge & stove ** Large, newer Bathroom includes washer & dryer ** SMALL bedrooms ** newer appliances ** carpet only in the 2 bedrooms ** extra large fenced yard with shed ** driveway parking + ample street parking on this corner lot ** no pets is preferred however 1 will be considered for applicant with landlord references ** conveniently located near parks + school ** monthly rent includes water utility for $850; tenant responsible for power & gas utilities ** $850 security deposit due upon approval of application ** 1 year lease preferred, minimum 6 month considered

* To schedule a showing please visit: https://showmojo.com/l/f6d58520b7?sd=true&iframe *

DID YOU KNOW THURSDAY!

For this week's Did You Know Thursday we wanted to do a throwback to our previous INSPECTIONS post.

HAPPY FRIDAY!!

Time for our LETHBRIDGE PROPERTY OF THE WEEKEND to help kick off the countdown to the weekend!

205 Lynx Cove N:

** 15 year old 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom townhouse unit coming available ** unit has had various updates over the years including some new paint being completed now! ** main floor boasts a big living room and eat in kitchen with fridge, stove, microwave & dishwasher. Lots of closets and storage space available on this floor! ** second floor has 2 very large bedrooms. The second bedroom includes a walk-in closet plus the Master Bedroom has an oversized closet and Jack & Jill style door to the oversized bathroom! ** Basement includes a third very large bedroom with full closet, under-the-stair storage, and a second 4-piece bathroom as well as the washer & dryer ** This great home includes a small fenced yard in addition to 2 parking stalls off of the alley ** Tenant is responsible for all snow & yard care ** Townhouse is located near the end of the quiet cul-de-sac by a big field ** 3 elementary schools are all within a 5 minute drive ** a pet will be considered for a family with landlord references. A pet fee will be required ** $1300 monthly rent; tenants are responsible for all utilities ** $1300 security deposit due upon approval of application ** 1 year lease

* To schedule a showing please visit: https://showmojo.com/l/2468468096?sd=true&iframe *

HAPPY MONDAY! Which means TABER PROPERTY OF THE WEEK TIME!

5716 54 Street:

** 2 bedroom + den, 1 bathroom HOUSE with detached, single car GARAGE (heated!) available immediately! ** house is located half a block up from multiple schools ** huge yard is partly fenced and features a HOT TUB tucked in the lovely gazebo plus shed storage ** extra long driveway provides lots of parking space for your RV! ** the house features some updates including newer flooring in the living room/dining room space ** large laundry room/den could be used as a third bedroom ** large closets in all bedrooms/den ** smaller kitchen includes fridge & stove ** unfinished basement with storage room ** this home is PET FRIENDLY with owner's consent! ** nice little house is also close to local amenities plus the industrial area ** hot tub will be maintained and cleaned at tenant's expense ** $1100 monthly rent includes water; tenant responsible for power & gas utilities ** $1100 security deposit due upon approval of application ** 1 year lease preferred, minimum 6 month considered

* To schedule a showing please visit: https://showmojo.com/l/139f6ae09a?sd=true&iframe *

DID YOU KNOW THURSDAY: (from November 2, 2017)

With an influx in feedback from multi-family dwellings such as suites, apartments, townhouses, etc, this month we wanted to focus this week's DID YOU KNOW on local noise bylaws with some suggestions to help tenants reside peacefully with their neighbours!

PART 1:

In Lethbridge: Noise Bylaw 5270 states:

(f) “NIGHTTIME” means the period beginning at 10:00 P.M. and ending the following day at: (i) 7:00 A.M. if the following day is a weekday; or (ii) 9:00 A.M. if the following day is a weekend.

For the full bylaw including fines and penalties please visit www.lethbridge.ca Should you be experiencing a violation of the bylaw call (403) 328-4444 for assistance.

In Taber: Nuisance Bylaw 4-2008 states:

2. "Quiet Hours" of 11:00 PM to 7:00 AM.

For the full bylaw visit: http://ab-taber.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/Home/View/206 Should you be experiencing a violation of the bylaw call (403) 223-8991 for assistance.

Other: Other community bylaws will vary slightly from the above however are similar timings. To ensure you are aware of your community's bylaw be sure to visit their town website!

PART 2:

Sometimes it is the common everyday sounds of living that can be the most annoying, at other times it truly is that the noise level is encroaching on being excessive. Either way we wanted to share with everyone a few tips to help keep your neighbours sane, and therefore keep a good relationship with them as well!

(a) Wear socks, bare feet or rubber soled shoes only, skip the cowboy boots inside! (b) If it is starting to get late plug your headphones in to play your video games or watch TV (c) Hold off on that load of laundry until the morning, maybe skip the dishwasher too (d) Sometimes this can be especially tough but start your toddler's morning with storytime to avoid the pounding feet running back and forth (e) Shift your work out time at home to a bit earlier in the evening or later in the morning.

TABER PROPERTY OF THE WEEK!

WESTLAND MANOR APARTMENT UNITS:

** 2 bedroom units coming available at 6202 52 Street AKA Westland Manor * Units feature newer paint & flooring, insuite storage room, balcony off of living room and one assigned parking stall ** Building features onsite coin-operated laundry and onsite mail delivery ** Available units are on the second and third floors ** Monthly rent includes heat + water utilities for only $750; tenant responsible for power ** $750 security deposit due upon approval of application

** RENT INCENTIVE: Sign a 1 year lease and receive the 12th month FREE RENT! (Deal is only available for 1 year lease terms).

Minimum 6 month lease considered ** absolutely no pets will be considered for this apartment complex ** some units are available immediately! ** interior photos included are for Unit 6.

* To schedule a showing please visit: https://showmojo.com/l/f7692a5047?sd=true&iframe *

HAPPY MONDAY EVERYONE! Which means it is time for our TABER PROPERTY OF THE WEEK!

5056 42 Ave:

** completely updated 2 bedroom house available immediately. ** home features good sized living room, small dining space and newer kitchen with fridge & stove ** washer & dryer also included right on the main level outside of the smaller sized bedrooms! ** extra closets for storage ** good sized bathroom is also recently renovated! ** large, fenced yard with great flowerbed/garden space & shed ** monthly rent includes power, gas & water utilities for $1200 ** $1200 security deposit due upon approval of application ** IMPORTANT: As this home is for sale only a month to month lease will be considered.

* To schedule a showing please visit: https://showmojo.com/l/807daae086?sd=true&iframe *

DID YOU KNOW THURSDAY!!

With Halloween right around the cornre we wanted to share with you some interesting (and spooktacular) facts about this great day!

1) Halloween is old, really old! Samhain dates back to the 5th century BC and started as the Celtic's way to celebrate their dead. The Celtics chose October 31 to November 1 because they believed that the boundary separating the living from the dead was at its weakest. This makes Halloween one of the oldest holidays in the world!

2) All Saints Day eventually spread throughout Europe on November 1 with the arrival of Christianity. A special mass would be held, called All Hallows Mass.

3) Masks were worn to keep the spirits from recognizing the living on October 31 as part of another Celtic tradition.

4) Jack O' Lanterns used to be made out of turnips when the Irish first started using them to keep spirits away for the holiday. This tradition has its roots in the old Irish story of Stingy Jack. Based on the old tale Jack liked to play tricks on the devil. When he died God would not allow him to enter Heaven because of these tricks and the Devil would not allow him to enter Hell for the same reason. To punish him the Devil gave Jack an ember to light his way while he was stuck wandering for all eternity. Jack hollowed out a turnip and used the turnip to carry the hot ember. Pumpkins were also first used by the Irish when immigrants to North America discovered they were much easier to carve!

5) Witches of long ago (from the Saxon wicca, meaning wise one) used to rub a sacred ointment onto themselves when on their way to Sabbath. This ointment made them feel like they were flying (hmmm). Some of these witches were able to afford horses for this journey but many others were too poor and so had to walk on foot. They would carry a broom or a stick so that they could vault over streams...

6) Bobbing for apples began as a way to honour the Roman Goddess Pomona. Pomona is the Goddess of Fruit and Trees and she is symbolized by the apple.

7) The spread of Christianity throughout Ireland also brought with it the first form of Trick Or Treating, All Souls Day, in approximately 1000 AD. The poor would visit the homes of the wealthy for "soul cakes". In exchange for receiving a soul cake the poor person would pray for the wealthy's deceased relatives.

8) A common folklore that has started up in Scotland as recently as the early 1900's says that if a woman eats a special concoction made up from walnuts, hazelnuts and nutmeg before going to bed on October 31 she will dream of her future husband.

9) Spiders have also become a common symbol for Halloween but according to many myths it is actually for a very good reason...seeing a spider on Halloween is said to be a loved one watching over you!