2BR or 3BR

[grouvvy]

We are a family of four and are moving to Calgary shortly. Our children are aged 12 (boy) and 14 (girl). We were informed by somebody that as per Canada regulations, for kids aged 12 and 14, we will be needing separate bedrooms. So, we have to consider a minimum 3 bedroom flat instead of 2 bedroom flat. Please advise if this information is correct.

 

[scylla]

Yes - this is correct. You need a three bedroom by law.

 

[bkd1969]

Yes - this is correct. You need a three bedroom by law.

how bout my case: family of four, 1 boy 13, 1 boy 4? 2 or 3 bed room needed? thanks.

 

[scylla]

Three bedrooms.

If both of your children were 5 years old or younger - they could share a room. But since one of them is over five, legally they both need separate rooms.

 

[bkd1969]

Three bedrooms.

If both of your children were 5 years old or younger - they could share a room. But since one of them is over five, legally they both need separate rooms.

thanks. is this policy also effective in Calgary? local or federal law? or just the rental company policy? Is there any weblink available for reference?

 

[beholder69]

Also interested in a relevant link as I have read a lot of tenant/rental guides and up to now have found nothing related to a specified number of people per bedroom. ???

 

[steaky]

Also interested in a relevant link as I have read a lot of tenant/rental guides and up to now have found nothing related to a specified number of people per bedroom. ???

I think this policy only applies to Ontario, however, others had said it applies to anywhere in Canada:

http://www.canadavisa.com/canada-immigration-discussion-board/-t64982.0.html;msg618177#msg618177

 

[PMM]

Hi

I think this policy only applies to Ontario, however, others had said it applies to anywhere in Canada:

http://www.canadavisa.com/canada-immigration-discussion-board/-t64982.0.html;msg618177#msg618177

It doesn't apply in BC

 

[beholder69]

That's interesting as the NOS is apparently under CMHC and two of the complete guides I've read were by CMHC and mentioned nothing of the NOS. Apparently, it's meant to be a guideline and a factor of "suitable housing" (see: http://cmhc.beyond2020.com/HiCODefinitions_EN.html#_Suitable_dwellings ) and along with other factors, they examine the core housing needs but it says nowhere that it's a law. In fact I've found a Manitoba human rights site saying that although the guideline is something to consider, this cannot be strictly applied as how many people are accepted in a house/apartment is the landlord's decision. In a Saskatchewan guide that I read, it also said that the landlord sets the number of people accepted in the rental and what would make it "overcrowded". I guess that if a house really gets too crowded, it would be an issue but don't see how two children sharing a bedroom would really create a problem.

An exception to this seems to be social housing and rental funding programs that demand from the landlord to follow the NOS guidelines. At least this is the case for social housing in Saskatchewan and also stumbled across the same for Manitoba.

 

[Andym]

Three bedrooms.

If both of your children were 5 years old or younger - they could share a room. But since one of them is over five, legally they both need separate rooms.

There are no laws overall in Canada governing this. There are guidelines which have been developed (NOS).

At times there may be bylaws or landlord requirements but it is certainly not an overarching Canadian law.

In fact a stringent application of the NOS may constitute discrimination in at least one province and perhaps others.

http://www.manitobahumanrights.ca/publications/policy/policy_rental-premises-limitation-of-occupants.html

There are no hard and fast rules about occupancy that apply throughout Canada.