Tenants
Rent Payments
Engagements
- Lease Agreement: signed contract specifying rental details, rent amount, and tenant responsibilities, including repair, inspection, and renewal terms.
- Repair Notifications: tenants are required to report needed repairs to Housing Manager.
- Timely Rent Payments: rent is due in full on the first of each month.
- Address Changes: tenants must inform the post office, government agencies, and their insurer when changing addresses.
- Insurance: NHB advises tenants to secure liability insurance for protection against fire, theft, and to cover losses from fires, accidents, or death.
Rent must be paid in full on the first of each month
Rent Setting
It is based on the income of the tenants and the composition of the household, and it includes:
- Dwelling
- Electricity and heating
- Maintenance and repairs
- Renovations
- Municipal taxes for Northern Village Services
- Water and Sewage
- Garbage collection
- Snow removal
Payment Methods
- At one of 14 Housing Offices in Nunavik, preferably the one in your community
- At local Co-op
- By Payroll deduction – form is available at housing office (download it here).
- Online banking – Payee name: KATIVIK MUNICIPAL HOUSING BUREAU
Rent Rebate
To determine eligibility for a rent rebate, tenants must provide required documents
- Notice of Assessment from Revenu Quebec, 1 800 267-6299.
- T4 Slip
- Quebec Pension Plan details
- Welfare or Employment Insurance statement
Factors Considered in Calculation
- Number of children in the household
- Elderly status of the tenant
- Disability status of the tenant
- Eligibility for a rent freeze
Payment difficulties, delays, and default
Trouble Paying Rent?
- Contact the NHB local office immediately to negotiate a payment agreement and mitigate the risk of eviction.
- Rent is due on the first day of each month as required by the Civil Code of Québec.
Process for Non-Payment
- Persistent non-payment prompts NHB to initiate a case with the Quebec Rental Board for lease termination and potential eviction.
- Tenants in arrears will receive a series of letters from NHB offering payment arrangements to avoid eviction.
- If an agreement is made, the process is stopped. Without response or arrangement, eviction procedures continue.
Eviction Details
- A bailiff issues an eviction notice with a 5-day move-out period.
- If the unit is not vacated by the due date, the bailiff will clear the unit.
- Post-eviction, the tenant loses all trust and support from NHB and receives no aid or compensation.
Last Resort
- Eviction for rent default is NHB’s last resort.
- Tenants have multiple opportunities to resolve the issue before eviction is executed.
Lease Document
The lease used by NHB is approved by Société d’habitation du Québec (SHQ) for social housing adapted for the Nunavik territory. It is for a one-year period from July 1st to June 30th of the following year. If it is signed on a date other than July 1st, the end of the lease will nevertheless be June 30th.
Renewal
Lease renewal is sent in writing no later than March 31 of each year.
Termination
Tenant who wishes to terminate their lease must notify their community’s Housing Manager, sign the termination form, and make certain to leave the premises in the same condition as when they first moved in.
Terms
As a lease signatory, tenants agree to respect the terms of the lease and pay the rent each month.
Late Rent
Termination and lease transfer do not offset late rent.
Need for a repair
Prompt Reporting
Tenants should immediately notify their local Housing Manager of any issues to prevent worsening conditions. Visit NHB’s local offices for assistance or download the tenant guide here for maintenance tips and equipment care information.
Filling out a work order
- Contact Client Services: explain your situation to your local Housing Manager.
- Issue Work Order: a work order will be issued to the maintenance team.
- Work Prioritization: NHB will determine the priority and scope of the necessary work.
- Assessment and Scheduling: a maintenance team member will visit your home to assess and schedule the repairs.
- Stay Informed: Keep in touch with your housing manager to track each step of the process.
Preventive Maintenance Program
- NHB’s housing maintenance team conducts routine inspections to prevent early deterioration of units and enhance tenant well-being. Each tenant’s unit will undergo periodic inspections.
Home Exchange
Procedures
- Application: each tenant interested in an exchange must submit a social housing application form that includes the name of the person with whom they wish to swap.
- Evaluation: the housing committee will review the application.
- Approval Notification: your housing manager will inform you if the exchange is approved.
- Lease Management: before moving, you must sign both the termination of your current lease and the new lease
Moving out
- Notice Requirement: inform NHB one month in advance to initiate a lease cancellation.
- Inspection: an inspection will be conducted after your notice. You will be liable for any damages beyond natural wear and tear.
- Responsibilities: maintain responsibility for the property and continue paying rent until the lease officially ends.
- Appliances: leave appliances in the unit unless owned by you.
- Move-Out Condition: ensure the apartment is clean, remove all trash, pack your personal items, and return the keys to NHB.
Safety and Comfort
Non-Smoking Policy
- Fire extinguisher check: regularly inspect your fire extinguisher to ensure it is accessible, properly charged, and in good working condition. Familiarize yourself with its location and operation.
- Fire alarm maintenance: replace the batteries in your fire alarms annually to maintain continuous protection. Test your alarms monthly to ensure they are functioning correctly.
- Non-smoking policy: no smoking of any kind or of any substance is permitted inside the building or anywhere outside where it could be or is a bother to your neighbors.
- Application measures: First Warning – Verbal; Second Warning: Letter; Last Action: Eviction
- To consult the detailed Non-Smoking Policy, or call the Local Housing Manager.
- Interior Painting: Refresh your walls with available white paint or enhance your living space with a splash of color. For guidance or any inquiries, contact NHB.
- Wall Mounting: Use hooks and small, angled nails for hanging frames and mirrors. Avoid using tape or glue-based products to prevent damage.
- Flooring: Replacement of flooring requires NHB’s authorization. Ensure compliance before proceeding.
- Doors and windows: keep doors and windows closed in winter and on bad weather days.
- Appliances: refrigerators and stoves that are supplied remain the property of NHB. In the case of defective equipment, NHB will take care of repairs to the best of its ability, without any obligation to replace it. The Kativik Regional Government (KRG) offers a subsidy program to help you purchase your own appliances.
- Washer and dryer: for optimum performance, remove lint from the dryer filter and clean the washing machine tub.
- Heating: in winter, set thermostats to 20° Celsius. If you are not using a particular room, or if you open a window, lower the thermostat to 16° Celsius. Use a humidifier to keep your home comfortable.
- Electricity: in the event of a power outage, check the ON or OFF position of the switches in the panel. If in doubt, contact NHB.
- Telecommunications: prior to installing any telecommunications equipment, verify the location of wires or pipes to avoid damage. For installations like Starlink antennas, avoid mounting hardware on the roof to prevent water infiltration. If unsure about any modifications, consult with your satellite provider or contact NHB for assistance.
To learn more about all aspects of comfort and safety in your home, consult the NHB Tenant’s Guide, or ask a printed copy the NHB local office.
Client Services
