Tenant’s Toolkit

The Tenant’s Toolkit is CCRC/HRC’s step-by-step guide to finding, and maintaining rental housing in the City and County of Peterborough. You can find the document in its entirety, or by individual section below. We hope it is useful in your housing search!

Tenant’s Toolkit: Complete (Updated May 2022)

Section 1: Preparing for Your Housing Search

• 1.1 – Things You Need
  • Getting ID
  • Credit Checks
  • Communication Tools
  • References
  • Tenant’s Insurance
• 1.2 – Supporting Your Income
  • Bank Accounts
  • Income Support Programs
  • Income Supports for Students
  • Tax Credits
  • Food Access and Food Banks
  • Making a Budget
• 1.3 – Making Your Housing Plan
  • Considering Roommates
  • Housing Search Checklist
• 1.4 – The Residential Tenancies Act

Section 2: Searching for Housing

• 2.1 – Knowing What to Look For
  • Types of Units
  • Ad Terminology
  • Identifying Discrimination
• 2.2 – Narrowing Your Search
  • Where to Look for Housing
  • Rental Comparison Tools
• 2.3 – Getting Around

Section 3: Getting Housed

• 3.1 – Contacting Landlords
• 3.2 – Securing a Lease
• 3.3 – Moving In

Section 4: Staying Housed

• 4.1 – Home Takeovers
• 4.2 – Reporting Issues with Your Home
• 4.3 – Issues with Your Landlord
  • Maintenance Problems
  • Fighting Rent Increases
  • Landlord Harassment
  • Landlord Discrimination
• 4.4 – Dealing with Missed Payments
  • Missed Rent Payments
  • Missed Utility Payments
• 4.5 – Evictions

Section 5: Deciding to Move

Section 6: More Resources

• 6.1 – Property Management Companies
• 6.2 – Intent to Rent Form
• 6.3 – Banks and Credit Unions
• 6.4 – Unit Inspection Tool
• 6.5 – Cleaning Checklist
• 6.6 – LGBTQ+ Resources
• 6.7 – Newcomer Resources
• 6.8 – Seniors Resources
• 6.9 – Toolkit Contacts List