Do's and Don'ts

This section contains information on common questions or concerns you may have about your home. If you don’t find the information you’re looking for, the Canadian Forces Housing Agency encourages you to contact your Housing Services Centre (HSC). You should also contact your HSC before you make modifications to your home or grounds.

Find out about:

Asphalt and Concrete Surfaces

Asphalt and concrete surfaces can be badly damaged or stained by automobile fuel and lubricants. This can result in expensive repairs or at the very least an unsightly appearance. You will need to remove stains or spills from your driveway and garage floor as soon as they occur, or you may be charged for the repairs.

Barrier-Free Modifications

Modifications to increase safety and accessibility may be required in support of either Canadian Armed Forces members or their dependants. Such alterations must be coordinated with us. Occupants are not to make alterations to their allocated unit. A written request to the HSC Manager with supportive documentation outlining the specific requirements to support the family member in question will be required. All modifications to the house will remain in the unit upon move-out.

Basement Storage

Basements are built to be the foundation of the house. The weeping tiles and sanitary sewer systems may be old and, as a result, basements may be subject to flooding, especially after heavy rainfall and spring runoff. We strongly recommend that you place your belongings on pallets and/or shelves to prevent possible water damage. Please do not store anything nearer than 75 centimetres (30 inches) around the furnace and hot water heater.

Excavation (Call before you dig)

You will need to get our written approval before you begin any excavation work on your property. Please contact your local service providers (hydro, gas, cable, telephone, water and sewer) to make sure there are no underground services where you are planning to dig. While the work is ongoing, the excavation area cannot be left unprotected as it would create a safety hazard.

Garages

If you have a garage and wish to use it for anything other than storing your vehicle, please note that garages do not have the same level of weatherproofing as your house. There is a greater risk of incurring water damage to your possessions caused by leaks or condensation. If you choose to use the garage in this way, you do so at your own risk.

Landscaping

You will need to keep your lawn cut, watered and well-tended. You will also need to take care of any shrubs or flower beds planted on the property. Water restrictions are a fact of life in many municipalities. You are expected to follow restrictions when these are in force locally.

Locker Storage

If you have been assigned locker storage space, you need to keep it tidy and free of fire hazards. Storage areas cannot be used as workshops or as places for children to play.

Maintenance

It is our job to maintain your house and lot to a standard that prevents health, safety or security issues for its occupants. It is your responsibility to avoid damage to your house and grounds. Please inform your HSC immediately of any damage incurred or maintenance issues. Early notification will help us keep the house in good condition while you live there. We also ask that you please notify us of any defects or deterioration to your house and property. All routine maintenance requests are recorded and, in some cases, our staff member will need to inspect the residence to assess the repairs required.

Drainage Systems

Please do not put foreign or hazardous materials into the drainage system. If you have a blockage and drains will not clear using a plunger, please call us as soon as you can to report the problem. If a foreign object is the reason for the blockage, you will be charged for the cost of repairs.

Emergency Maintenance Repairs

An emergency is defined as an occurrence which, if not treated immediately, could endanger a human life, could cause further damage to property or create undue hardship to you or your family, such as – but not limited to:

  • Blocked toilets or sewer drains
  • Burst water pipes
  • Electrical faults or shocks
  • Serious roof or basement leaks
  • Fire damage
  • Furnace breakdown during the heating season

Heating or electrical repairs must usually be carried out by qualified tradespeople, and you will need to call us to initiate a service request. To find out whether or not the problem is one that you can fix yourself, follow these steps before calling for help:

Power Failure

  • Check the circuit breaker switches in the electrical control panel to make sure they are all in the ON position;
  • If the control panel shows breaker switches in the ON position, switch them OFF then back again to the ON position. If the power is not restored, check with your neighbours to find out whether or not they too are experiencing a power failure. If they are, it is likely a power failure in the whole area. Make sure the problem has been reported to the local service provider; or
  • If the failure is confined to your home, phone the HSC or the Emergency After-Hours Response Service (EAHRS), if outside of regular working hours, for assistance.

Heating Failure

  • Confirm that the circuit breaker switch in the electrical control panel labelled “furnace” is in the ON position. Check the thermostat for proper operation. Verify that it is set on HEAT and that the temperature (above current room temperature) setting is appropriate;
  • Check to see that the manual gas shut-off valve external to the furnace is in the ON/OPEN position;
  • If you have an oil furnace, check the fuel gauge. Contact your local service provider if your fuel level is low;
  • Check the emergency power switch (normally located in proximity of the furnace, sometimes affixed to the ceiling) is in the ON position;
  • Check the outside intake and exhaust vents for blockage. Keep vents clear of snow or ice build up in the heating season; or
  • If there is no improvement, phone the HSC or EAHRS, if outside of regular working hours, for assistance.

Electric or Gas Water Heater Failure

  • For water heaters, confirm in the electrical control panel that the circuit breaker marked “hot water heater” is in the ON position; or
  • Phone the HSC or the EAHRS, if outside of regular working hours, for assistance.

You will be responsible for cost of all unnecessary emergency calls (e.g. dead batteries in thermostat, gas valve in OFF position, furnace emergency switch in OFF position, exhaust for high efficiency furnace obstructed by snow, etc.)

Furnace Operation

We maintain the furnace in your home and replace its filter(s) once a year. You are expected to regularly replace your furnace filter(s) between annual maintenance visits. A clean furnace filter maximizes your furnace’s efficiency and longevity, and reduces your energy bill. Most furnaces require filters to be changed on a monthly basis. We remind you that you are to use replacement filters that are of the same size as the filter supplied for your furnace during our planned annual furnace maintenance visits.

Tips on how to minimize heating costs:

  • Set your thermostat at 20° Celsius (68° Fahrenheit) during the day and 18° Celsius (63° Fahrenheit) at night;
  • Make sure heat ducts are not blocked by furniture or drapes. Putting plastic deflectors over the ducts will help circulate heat more effectively; and
  • Make sure there are no partitions or articles, which might reduce air circulation, within 75 centimetres (30 inches) of the furnace. This is particularly important for gas furnaces which require the use of surrounding air for efficient combustion.

If your furnace has a humidifier, the interior components (tray, disk and/or filter) may be wiped clean using a damp cloth. Where humidifiers are installed, this will normally be done once a year by our contractors as part of the annual furnace maintenance visit.

Light Bulbs, Fluorescent Tubes and Fuses

When you first move in, we will make sure that all light bulbs and fluorescent tubes for the light fixtures in your house are functioning. When one of them needs replacing, it is your responsibility to do so. Please make sure they all work when you move out of your house.

Occupant Owned Recreational Equipment

You cannot build or install any homemade recreational equipment, such as tire swings and forts, which involve the use of a tree. Other than swimming pools and hot tubs, there are no prohibitions or restrictions on the use of other recreational equipment such as children’s swings and trampolines. You are of course responsible for the safe operation and repair of the equipment placed on your property.

Self-Help Program (Where available)

The idea behind the self-help program is to offer to occupants the opportunity to make minor repairs and improve the state of their house. We therefore encourage you to carry out simple maintenance and repair work. Contact us to get the details about the program.

Windows, Doors and Screens

You are responsible for cleaning the interior and exterior of all the windows and doors where cleaning is possible through the design of the house. You are also responsible for the upkeep and repair of the screens.

Parking

For everyone’s safety, please make sure your vehicle and those of your family members are not parked in a way that would block fire-fighting and snow removal equipment. You cannot use your driveway or any part of your property, to store non-roadworthy vehicles, or bulky items. Also, it is prohibited to park or drive a vehicle on the grass.

Pets

You will need to consult and adhere to the local municipal by-laws and the base standing orders regarding pets. In accordance with the above, we will limit the kind and number of domestic pets you are allowed to have in your house, or ban them completely.

If you own a pet, you must follow these regulations:

  • Your pets cannot bother other neighbours or damage property. You could be held legally responsible for any injuries or damage caused by your pets to persons, property or other pets.
  • Dogs must be kept under effective restraint and cannot run loose beyond your property boundary. Dogs left outdoors unattended must be fenced in or on a leash that will restrict them to the property boundary. Cats do not normally need to be restrained to the same extent as dogs unless complaints are received that they are a nuisance or are causing damage.
  • You are responsible for cleaning up and immediately throwing out any pet waste left on any property by your dog or cat (stoop and scoop).
  • Where applicable, you need to buy licences for all pets belonging to the household.

Skating Rinks

To prevent damage to lawns and landscaping, the installation of skating rinks is not permitted. Many sites have rinks available in their community.

Snow Removal

Be responsible and remove snow and ice from steps, walkways, pathways and driveways on your lot. If you are sharing a driveway, you are responsible for removing the snow from your portion of the driveway, as well as the entrance and central part of the area.

Storage of Recreational Vehicles

Recreational vehicles, like trailers and boats, cannot be stored on the residential property. It is permitted to park a recreational vehicle near your residence for a short period of time – to load/unload – but please inform us of these cases well in advance. Please contact us for advice on where you may store your vehicle for an extended period of time. Consult Base or Wing standing orders for more details.

Use of Pesticides

The use of pesticides for cosmetic lawn care is prohibited. This includes using pesticides to treat lawns for grubs. If you are looking for lawn care alternatives to pesticides, additional information is available from many sources, such as Health Canada’s Healthy Lawn website.

Waste Removal/Recycling/Composters

We recommend you keep your garbage in covered metal or rigid plastic containers. To keep scavenging animals at bay, plastic bags alone should not be used for household waste. Please take note of the collection schedule and avoid putting garbage containers out prior to 5 p.m. the day before the scheduled collection.

Where a recycling program exists, you are encouraged to recycle. You will be required to leave any recycling containers provided to you when you move out.

Where composters are available, they will need to be placed in a suitable location, preferably hidden from view. They are to be kept clean, secure, and to be emptied fully prior to move-out.

Water Beds

You may not be able to use a water bed because of variations in the design and structure of DND houses. Please contact us to find out if your house can accommodate a water bed.

Window Blinds and Curtain/Drapery Tracks

We do not provide you with window coverings. You are responsible for any installation, maintenance and removal of roller/Venetian blinds and curtain/drapery tracks in your house.