Welcome Metalworks Students! INTRO
I have been working with Metalworks Institute for the last two and a half years by helping to find their students affordable housing. I was introduced to the institute when my son attended their two year program. He is currently doing well and I am glad to help other students follow the same success by making sure they have a place to stay while in the program. I work independantly of Metalworks. MY ROLE
My job is to make sure that both parties, the tenants and landlords, understand and are comfortable with each other. Renting is not easy at the best, and landlords are very wary of renting out to students especially to more than one in a house. I use my experience to facilitate the lease agreements once suitable housing has been found, and that ensures a good relationship between the tenants and landlord. There are two start periods for the courses: One in September and the other in January. In order to find housing for the students before the lessons begin, I start looking two months before. LANDLORDS
Landlords require security when they are looking for potential tenants, and I give them as much information as legally required to lease the premises for the students. Landlords ask for a tenant that has a full-time job, references, enough money in the bank to pay the rent, enough years worth of credit to generate a Credit Report & Score and is reliable in looking after their property. Many students do not have these things and their chances of finding good accomodation is greatly diminished. I deal with this situation by asking one of the parents to act as the 'tenant' and the student as the 'occupant'. The parent with the job supplies all the details, and the Landlord gets the security. SELF-EMPLOYED TENANT/PARENT
This parent will need to give all of the above, but instead of the employment letter, a bank statement showing adequate funds to cover the rent will be needed. Any account numbers or other private data can be inked out. INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
It is highly recommended that you open a bank account here, and transfer enough funds to cover the rent and other living expenses. The landlord would want to see the statement. Some Landlords require additional security if a tenant is a newcomer, and many of them ask for additional months of rent to be paid with the first and the last month. Photocopies of travel documents and visas will also be needed. Step by Step Guide Checklist | 
