FAQ

Frequently asked questions

View the answers to some common questions we hear below. If your question isn’t answered, please feel free to contact us.

Living with CCOC

Many buildings have secure bike parking. To use the bike room you must register your bike with us. Unregistered bikes will be removed.

If you would like to rent a car parking space you must sign a parking agreement and register your vehicle. We charge parking fees based on the type of parking, the location and services provided.

If you find someone parked in your rented parking space, call the city at 311 to have the vehicle ticketed. You will have to show a copy of your CCOC Parking Agreement to the City By-Law Officer. Also call your Rental Officer to advise them of the make of the car and license number. If the vehicle is registered with CCOC, we may be able to locate the owner and deal with the situation.

For information about car and bike parking, call Reception at 613-234-4065 extension 0.
Many buildings have bike racks outside for your visitors. You do not need to register visitors’ bikes. If your friend drives a car, please see parking guidelines below.

Having friends over for dinner? Use Visitor Parking

CCOC has limited visitor parking at most of its larger buildings. These spaces are intended for short-term parking by guests, usually for 3-4 hour visits to tenants.  

For longer visits or overnight guests: Register for Guest Parking

If your guests are staying longer than 4 hours or overnight (up to 3 nights), call or email CCOC to register the vehicle with the office for the authorized dates. Note that registering does not guarantee access to a visitor space. Access is on a first come, first served basis. To register a vehicle, contact: info@ccochousing.org or 613-234-4065 ext. 0.  

For visitors staying longer than 3 nights: Contact your Rental Officer

Visitors who require parking beyond 3 nights must contact their Rental Officer to make alternate arrangements to rent parking, if available.  

What about my partner?

Guests who use parking on a regular basis, either daily or more than two nights per week must rent a parking space at a non-tenant parking rate.  

What if I rent a parking space and find someone parked in my space?

Do not park in someone else’s space. That creates a domino effect, affecting many other tenants. Park your vehicle in visitor parking, or on the street. Then call 3-1-1 to have the trespassing vehicle ticketed. You will have to show a copy of your CCOC Parking Agreement for your parking space to get the trespasser towed. Make sure to contact your Rental Officer to advise them of the make of the car and license number. If the vehicle is registered with CCOC, we may be able to locate the tenant and deal with the situation.  

Watch out!

Vehicles found in visitor parking for more than 4 hours, overnight or on a regular basis without authorization parking pass may be ticketed and/or towed after receiving one 24-hour parking violation notice.
You are responsible for the behaviour of your guests and anyone you let into your building. You will be charged for any damages they cause.
We can make new keys during regular office hours only (9 am - 5 pm). We may charge a small fee. We can also unlock your door if you have been locked out, but you will have to show identification and pay a “lockout” fee.   Most new keys cost $2, while Primus keys cost $10 to replace. You will be charged $50 in the event that you are locked out and staff must be dispatched to your home. Lock changes cost $50 during office hours or $85 after hours.   It is against the law to change or add a lock without permission from CCOC. If you change or install your own lock, you must give us a copy of the new key. If you don’t tell us about a new lock, and the change results in extra costs for us, we will charge you for those extra costs.
You can have a pet as long as it does not disturb other tenants. There are City by-laws controlling the number of pets you can keep. If you have a dog, please keep it on a leash and remember to ‘stoop-and-scoop’. Use the stairs instead of the elevator when taking large dogs in and out of the building. Remember - not all of your neighbours are dog lovers. If you have a cat, please be considerate to the neighbours below and do not put the litter box on your balcony. Cat litter (but not cat poop) can be put out in the green bin.
We recommend getting to know your neighbours! You might make some great friends, and it’s easier to discuss problems if you’ve already met and chatted on the sidewalk or in the hallway.

If you have a concern, have a friendly chat with your neighbour to see if you can work it out. If you’re not able to find a solution please put your complaint in writing to your Rental Officer. We will respond to written complaints within 5 business days.

For noise complaints call the City at 311 for By-Law Services response.

Maintenance

You’re responsible for keeping your home reasonably clean and taking care of yards, porches and balconies that are attached to your home.

Snow Removal on Walkways
When 4 or more homes share an entrance CCOC clears snow from walkways and steps. There are grit boxes on site - please spread some around if you notice ice.

If your home shares an entrance with 2 other units or less, you and your neighbours are responsible for clearing walkways and steps.

If you have a deck, balcony or porch, you are responsible for keeping them clear of snow. Make sure there is no one below you before sweeping or shoveling the snow off your balcony.

Snow Removal in Parking Lots
CCOC clears parking lots with 4 or more spots. CCOC removes snow from our parking lots when there is 5 cm or more. Buildings with wheelchair-designed units get priority.

When a parking lot has 3 spots or less, you are responsible for clearing your own spot. If you need sand or salt contact the maintenance office at 613-234-4065, ext. 707.

Pest Control

Contractors and the CCOC pest control team will relay information to the office. Based on the activity observed we will determine how to proceed. If no activity is noted, we will not be treating your home.
First step towards a pest free home! Keep your house clean. You will see an increase in pest activity. If you see cockroaches 3 weeks after treatment, contact pest control to book another treatment.
First step towards a pest free home! Keep your home clean, wash all laundry, linens and soft items. You will see an increase in pest activity. If you see bedbugs 3 weeks after treatment, contact pest control to book another treatment.
Let CCOC know when your last treatment was and what type of pests you are currently experiencing. We will help you resolve the issue.
- Keep your balcony clean to discourage pigeons from roosting. - Pigeon netting can be installed by some contractors and pest control companies. Consult them directly for cost information. CCOC reserves the right to ensure installations are safe and aesthetically acceptable. Please consult us before starting work. - Did you see a pest in your home? Contact us right away so we can inspect and treat your home if needed. - Not sure if you’ve seen a pest? Our licenced pest control staff are happy to offer their professional advice. - If your home requires treatment we will give you step-by-step instructions on how to prepare. - Check for bedbugs before purchasing second-hand furniture, clothing or any other soft furnishings. - Cockroaches need food and water. Keep your living space clean and wipe up any spilled water to make your home less attractive to them. - Keep compost and garbage bins secured and dispose all trash properly. - Avoid pouring food and thick liquids (oil, milk, etc.) down any drains. - Mop and sweep regularly as bedbugs are attracted to dirt. - If you're visiting someone with a bedbug problem, bag and wash your clothes afterwards to prevent spreading. - Keep perishable food in the fridge to avoid fruit flies and cockroaches. - Keep your food cupboards, spice racks, kitchen drawers clear of crumbs and food debris. - Notice a crack in the baseboards or wall? Report it to maintenance so it can be sealed up. - Do not squish cockroaches with your shoes – cockroaches have many tiny eggs that can get on your shoe and be brought into your home.
Keep your apartment clean. Do not share clothing, linens or personal items with your neighbour until their pest issue has been resolved. Let CCOC know if you see pests in your home. Let CCOC know that your neighbour informed you of a pest issue within the building (if they haven't already).
CCOC Pest Control Coordinators at pests@ccochousing.org or 613-234-4065 ex. 247
Tenants are required to make their own accommodations or arrangements during treatment. We do understand it can be difficult because of weather, accessibility issues, etc. If you are looking for a public space you can frequent without having to make a purchase consider a library, art gallery, park, community centre or shopping centre.
Remove all pets from your home during spray treatments. Gel and dust treatments can be done while pets are in the unit. Spray is toxic to pets and humans, gel and dust is not. Mouse bait boxes are not toxic but do not let your pets have access to them.
A dirty home is not a requirement for pests to take up residence,. For example, access to water from pipes can be a lovely watering hole for cockroaches. Contact CCOC as soon as you notice pest issues so that we can help.
CCOC will schedule pest inspections as a preventative measure for units or to investigate if pests are present in the unit. CCOC also schedules block inspections in order to review buildings regularly and report the amount of units experiencing pest issues.
It all depends on the level of infestation, level of preparation done, amount of treatments required and the type of treatment completed. Should everything be done without delay, it can take 4 to 6 weeks on average for all pest activity to subside. If you do not prepare properly or reschedule treatment, the process will be longer.
It takes at least two weeks for the hatched bugs to die. We have to wait for the eggs to hatch because spraying eggs is ineffective. We spray again after 2 weeks to kill the eggs that have just hatched. We have to wait at least two weeks because it is bad for the environment, health of tenants and pets, bugs develop immunity to the treatments if we spray too often.
This is confidential information and we cannot disclose other tenants information. Should you request information on your own home, we will be more than happy to provide it.
Please do not hire your own contractor. It delays treatment schedule, is dangerous due to the chemicals being used, and can lead to pests becoming resistant to treatment. If you deal with pest issues independently, it risks spreading to other units since we are not monitoring the issue. Please note that CCOC will not cover the cost of treatment, should tenants seek their own pest control efforts.
- We respond to emails and phone calls within 1 business day. - Treatment is scheduled within 3 to 4 business days. - Re-treatment has a 2 week minimum wait time.
We give all tenants a 24 hour notice that we will be entering your unit to complete treatment. We can legally enter your unit whether someone is present or not. You can refuse treatment at the door, however this causes a considerable delay. We will be charging back folks who repeatedly do not prepare or cancel as it is an obstruction of CCOC contractors and labour.
CCOC does not consider this a sanitation issue. We encourage tenants to clean up and air out their apartments in order to reduce fruit flies. Spraying for fruit flies does not harm them as their life cycle is extremely short and they repopulate quickly.
Gel and Dust treatments are used for low level infestations or as a preventative measure. The gel is placed where cockroaches will eat it such as kitchen cupboards or between appliances. Dust is inserted into any holes. Spray treatment is more intense which is why it requires more preparation. It is an aerosol pesticide spray that is finely misted throughout the unit (walls, surfaces and flooring). Gel and dust treatments can also be performed at this time. This is normally used in cases of high infestation. Depending on treatment used, follow-up treatment and inspections are to be done 2 to 4 weeks after the initial treatment. Should CCOC spray before this time, there would be a build up of pesticide, making the treatments inefficient. Waiting 2 to 4 weeks also allows any eggs to hatch (treatment does not harm eggs).
Bedbug dogs is a service that CCOC hires through our contractor ORKIN. These dogs are used on rare occasion and are not standard when completing treatment or inspections. Bedbug dogs are used when there are multiple infestations in a building and we cannot identify where the pests are entering and exiting units. Tenants cannot refuse this service as it is an obstruction of CCOC and contractor work. Should you have a severe allergy to dogs, please provide medical documentation so that we may properly accommodate your needs. You do not need to be present in the unit while the dogs are working as our pest control team have access to your unit.
During inspections, our pest control team or contractors will observe multiple parts of your unit to determine an infestation, if any. For cockroach and rodent inspections, CCOC primarily examines the kitchen and bathroom, looking inside cupboards, on top of appliances and plumbing. Should a cockroach infestation be particularly high, we will also inspect the living areas of the unit. For bed bug and other similar pests, we examine soft surfaces throughout the entire unit such as couches, chairs, and mattresses. Should a bedbug infestation be extremely high, we will also inspect the kitchen and bathroom.

Rentals

Your rent is due on or before the first day of each month. We accept:

Pre-authorized debit: You can get a pre-authorized payment form at our office or from our website. Payment will come out of your bank account on the first business day of the month. It’s so easy!

Cheque: You can give us post-dated cheques or give us one each month before the first business day of the month. You can leave cheques in the drop box at our office anytime.

Interac: We accept Interac payments at our office during business hours: Monday to Friday, from 9 am to 5 pm.

Money order: You can leave money orders in the drop box at our office anytime. Make sure you write your name and address on the money order so we know who it’s from!

There is a $15.00 fee for any bounced payments. If you don’t have enough money in your bank account and need us to wait before cashing your cheque or processing your pre-authorized payment, call your Rent Collections Officer at least 4 business days before the first of the month. If you can’t pay your rent you must contact us to make arrangements. Otherwise we will have to serve a notice of termination that could lead to eviction.
CCOC must do an annual income review of all tenants at lease renewal time. Tenants will receive a letter from CCOC asking for proof of income and household composition. Tenants who do not submit the required documents by the deadline will be responsible for paying the full market rent.
You can request a transfer to another CCOC apartment after one year of living with CCOC by writing a letter to your Rental Officer stating the reasons for wanting a transfer. To qualify for a transfer, you must: i) have a good payment record; ii) have kept your home in reasonable condition, with no damages; iii) have no history of disturbing neighbours, or being served with eviction notices. If you qualify, your name will be put on the transfer wait list. A letter will be sent to you within 5 business days acknowledging your request, along with a copy of the transfer policy.
You must give your Rental Officer two full months written notice before you move out. The notice period must begin on the first day of the month. You are responsible for the rent and utilities for the full notice period, even if you move out earlier.

We prepared a report on the condition of your apartment before you moved in. Once you’ve given your notice, we prepare another report before you move out. By comparing the two reports, we track damages beyond normal wear and tear, and charge tenants for these damages.

During the notice period, rental staff or the custodian will show your apartment to prospective tenants. You must leave your apartment clean and empty when you move out or you will be charged for the cleaning.
There are a few important things to know about your rental subsidy. If you want to learn more about eligibility or rent calculations, click here.