"FOR RENT" AD LANGUAGE

An ad for an apartment makes it sound as nice a possible. The ads use many of the following terms and abbreviations.

A/C - air conditioning, probably central, meaning it comes though the heat vents; otherwise, it could mean air conditioning units that fit in the windows.

APARTMENT - is a self contained unit with its own private entrance in either a house, lowrise or highrise building.

APPL - appliances. All apartments must have a fridge and stove. Some also have a dishwasher, clothes washer or clothes dryer.

BACHELOR - an apartment consisting of one room serving as bedroom and living room with a separate bathroom.

BACHELORETTE - a very small bachelor apartment.

BASEMENT - apartment in the basement of a house. Because it is below ground, it doesn't usually have as much light as the first floor apartment, but is is cheaper. It is usually cooler in the summer. Beware of damp or moldy basements, especially if you have asthma or other breating problems.

BR or BDRM - bedroom, an enclosed room for sleeping. The number of bedrooms helps determine the rent charged. In some provinces "1/2" means that there is a bathroom in the apartment, not a bathroom your share with other tenants. For example, in Quebec a "2 1/2 BR" or "2 1/2 bdrm" is a two-bedroom apartment with a bathroom. In other provinces a two-bedroom apartment with a bathroom is a "2 BR" or "2 Bdrm"

CABLE - cable TV-is a television service by wire instead of antenna. Cable TV offers more channels than TV received by antenna. Cable reception is better. Some apartments offer "free" cable. That means the rent includes the montly cable fee.

FAMILY ROOM - separate from the living room, and usually used for casual entertaining. Larger homes have family rooms; a family room can be used as an additional bedroom.

FLAT - in most parts of Canada, a flat is an apartment in a house. You share the front entrance with other tenants. You can lock the door to your flat.

FURN - means a furnished apartment. A furnished apartment should include: bed(s), table(s), chairs, lamps, curtains, fridge, stove and basic kitchen utensils. Furnished apartments may be more expensive than unfurnished apartments. Ask the landlord to clean the furniture and carpets before you move in.

HRDWD - hardwood floors. These are better for people with allergies.

JUNIOR ONE BEDROOM - larger than a bachelor but smaller than a regular one-bedroom. The bedroom is separate from the cooking and living areas.

NS or NON-SMKR - some landlords will not rent to people who smoke, especially in shared apartments.

SQ. FT - square feet. A 400 sq. ft apartment is usally small; 2,000 sq. ft is very large. One square meter is equal to between nine and 10 sq. ft. To convert sq. ft to square meters, multiply by 0.09. For instance, a 2,000 sq. ft apartment is 2.000x0.09=180 square meters.

STUDIO - same as bachelor.

U/G - underground parking.

UTIL - utilities. These include electricity for lights, stoves, microwaves; gas, oil or electricity(hydro) for heat; cable TV; telephone and water. You pay for utilites yourself, or though your rent. Most highrise apartments include electricity, water and heat in the rent. You pay extra for phone and cable TV. In a house converted to two or three apartments utilities are often in addition to the rent. If the ad gives the rent followed by a + sign ($695+) it means you pay utlities. Ask what utilities are included in the rent and which you must pay for.

1 PRKG - one parking spot with the apartment (2 prkg would mean two parking spots. Highrise apartments often have underground parking space. Each apartment has an assigned parking space. The rent may or may not include the cost of the parking space.

W/O - a walk-out door to a deck or balcony, usually off the kitchen.