SUMMER 2014

N E W S L E T T E R

skylineliving.ca

R E S I D E N T

Keep an eye out for notices about upcoming events happening in your Skyline Living community.Aug 9 – Book Lover’s Day Find your next read at www.whatshouldireadnext.comSept 1 – Labour Day*Sept 14 – Terry Fox RunFind a run site near you at www.terryfox.org/RunSept 22 – World Car Free DayWalk, bike or use public transit today.

*Administrative services at Skyline’scorporate offices will be closed

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Dear valued residents,There are many things to consider when choosing a place to call home, such as location, amenities, layout, finish of the suite and, most importantly, the level of customer service you can expect from the building staff. As a resident in a Skyline Living property, you are our customer and our goal is to provide exceptional customer service to you. All of our staff are enrolled in a comprehensive customer service training program to ensure your needs are handled in a timely and professional manner from the time you first inquire about making a Skyline property your home. I believe the community you reside in should be friendly and one which you are proud to be a part of. The best way to maintain your community is by taking advantage of our resident referral program. This program gives you the opportunity to choose your neighbours and receive $200 from us as a token of appreciation for helping us build better communities. I would like to thank you for choosing a Skyline Living property as your home as well as for your continued support and effort toward making that home a desirable place to live. It is our residents and staff that build a strong sense of community at each Skyline Living location.

With appreciation,

Matthew OrganPresident, Skyline Living

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

Continued on page 2

For more colouring fun, visit skylineliving.ca/colouringpagesCongrats to our winners!

Thanks to everyone who entered our spring colouring contest!

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Keep reusable goods out of the trash! Check out Freecycle Network™ www.freecycle.org Browse through thousands of ads in your community. It’s safe, easy and absolutely free!

SPICY THREE CHEESE DIPIngredients Yields 8 yummy servings¼ cup mayonnaise4 ounces cream cheese (room temperature)1 garlic clove, minced1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce1 tablespoon prepared horseradish2 teaspoons paprika½ teaspoon cayenne pepper8 ounces sharp cheddar cheese, grated4 ounces Monterey Jack cheese, grated

InstructionsBeat together mayonnaise, cream cheese, garlic, Worcestershire sauce, horseradish, paprika, and cayenne with a mixer on medium speed until smooth, about 2 minutes.Stir in cheeses until well combined. Refrigerate until cold, at least 1 hour.Prepare a day or two ahead of time, allowing the flavours to meld.

Recipe courtesy of marthastewart.com

Do you have a favourite recipe you'd like to share? Send it to marketing@skylineonline.ca.

STUDIES SHOW... REMOVING YOUR SMOKE ALARM IS HAZARDOUS TO YOUR HEALTH!

� Between 2006-2012, 38% of household fires were the result of smoke alarms that were either removed, did not work correctly or the cause was undetermined.

� In 2012, 279 deaths could have been prevented if a smoke alarm was present or working correctly.

� Failing to comply with the Fire Code smoke alarm requirements could land you with a hefty fine of up to $50,000 Statistics courtesy of www.mcscs.jus.gov.on.ca

FIND YOUR OLD JUNK...

A new home!GREEN

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Skyline is committed to providing residents with a best-in-class apartment that you are happy to call home. We strive to keep your property safe, clean, and well maintained. We cannot achieve this without the help of our wonderful residents. Skyline carefully screens and selects applicants we think will make good residents and neighbours. So what do we think makes a good resident? Follow these tips for a better rental experience. 1. Respect your neighboursPeople in apartments live closer to their neighbours. Good residents are aware of this and how their behaviour affects others. Keep noise to a minimum when you know neighbours may be sleeping. Keep your balcony clear of items that may blow away or drip. Being a respectful neighbour means not interfering with your neighbours’ right to reasonable enjoyment of their home. This includes the Resident Manager. While your Resident Manager is there to serve you, ensuring your home is well-maintained and clean, they are also your neighbour and have the right

to enjoy their home as much as everyone else. It can be difficult to separate work from home life when you work where you live. Be kind and respectful to your Skyline staff – it will only encourage them to take even more pride in your shared home.2. Respect the propertyWe want you to feel at home in your apartment. A good resident takes care of their apartment, amenities and the surrounding property like their own. This means properly disposing of garbage, keeping balconies and patios tidy, picking up after your pets and keeping your apartment in good condition. Request repairs as soon as they are needed by filling out a Maintenance Request form and submitting it to your Resident Manager. Speak up when you notice something on the property that needs attention. Not only will your neighbours appreciate it, but maintaining a clean and damage-free apartment could save you repair costs, legal fees and possible eviction down the road.

3. Understand your leaseThe terms of the lease agreement were created to ensure that every resident understands their rights and obligations. Knowing these terms could help you avoid problems with your landlord, Resident Manager, or neighbours. The lease agreement may seem like a large and daunting document written in legal jargon that can be difficult to understand. While every tenant signs the lease and agrees to all the terms, very few actually read it in full. Take the time to read

6 TIPS FOR A BETTER RENTAL EXPERIENCE

Cont’d on page 4

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your lease so you understand your rights and obligations as a Skyline resident.4. Get rental insuranceAll residents are legally required to have tenant liability insurance for the entire term of their tenancy. Failing to maintain your insurance could leave you in a very undesirable situation. Your landlord’s insurance does not cover everything. In some cases, you may have to pay out-of-pocket for damaged property, lost belongings, or emergency accommodations. Make sure your tenant insurance is up to date. Skyline does not profit from the sale of tenant insurance. It is required by law and we strongly recommend it for your own protection. It’s inexpensive and worth every penny.

5. Pay your rent on timeYour rent pays for the mortgage, utilities, taxes, staff wages, contractors, landscaping and supplies. Each Skyline building operates under its own budget so it’s important to pay your rent on time to ensure these expenses are maintained at your property. Plus, if your Resident Manager spends time collecting rent, there’s less time to maintain the building. Most people know that a landlord can evict a tenant for non-payment of rent. But did you know that you can also be evicted for continually paying your rent late? You can avoid this by asking your Resident Manager about our simple and convenient Pre-Authorized Debit (PAD) plan. Want another reason to pay your

rent on time? You can win a discount through our Resident Appreciation Draw! Learn more at Skylineliving.ca.6. Get involvedNeighbours: we all have them. Some are nosy. Some are chatty. Some are loud. Some are suspiciously quiet. One thing is certain; a neighbour is never truly appreciated until your home catches on fire or someone tries to steal your car. Studies show that neighbourhoods with a stronger sense of community create feelings of safety, trust and friendliness. Be the one your neighbours are looking out for, not the one your neighbours are watching out for. Get involved by showing up at the next BBQ, yard sale, gardening club, charity drive, Bingo, movie night or whatever event your Skyline community is hosting this summer. Community involvement is key to a successful rental experience.

Article written by BJ Santavy - Director of Residential Operations

Cont’d from page 3

Is there someone living in your community that is making the absolute most out of their Skyline rental experience? Are they a respectful neighbour? Do they volunteer their time? Do they make your apartment feel a little more like home? Nominate them at: skylineliving.ca/Resident-Superstars

RESIDENT SUPERSTARS

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Sunscreen Tips

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SAFEKEEPING COOL IN THE SUMMER HEAT10 tips for staying cool in your apartment this summer:1. Use small fans on low settings to create a gentle breeze. Placing them by the windows at night can help you rest.2. Place your pillow in a grocery bag, and pop it in the freezer an hour or two before bed. The bag will keep ice from forming on the pillow, and the pillow will be nice and cool for bedtime.3. Drink more water. Try adding frozen fruit instead of ice for a refreshing twist.4. Get a spray bottle (dollar stores are great) and keep it filled with water in the fridge. Spray on exposed skin to help keep cool.5. Go for a swim at a local pool.6. Wear lighter fabrics in lighter colours.7. Change your menu. Switch to frozen treats for dessert, suck on frozen fruit as a snack, and eat more cold meals. Eating spicy food can also help, as it increases perspiration which helps to cool the body. Try the recipe on page 2 for cold, spicy three cheese dip.8. Lie on the floor. Heat rises, so the floor is the coolest place.9. Rest more. This may be a tough one to sell to your spouse, but slowing down and relaxing more can help cool the body. 10. Avoid going out between 10 am and 3 pm (peak sunlight hours).

� Use the minimum recommended SPF for your skin type. Read more here: www.healthycanadians.gc.ca/index-eng.php

� Ensure your sunscreen offers both UVA & UVB protection

� You need one to two ounces (about 2 tbsp) of sunscreen to cover all exposed areas

� Re-apply every two hours

� No sunscreen is waterproof, only water resistant. If you’ll be in the water a lot, re-apply more often (every 40-60 minutes)

Try this simple tip to keep your bathroom mirror from fogging up after your next shower.

� Lightly rub a bar of soap over your bathroom mirror.

� Buff soap off with a rag or towel.

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EMERGENCY ASSISTANCEIf you, or anyone in your household, might require assistance evacuating in the event of an emergency, please let your management team know so that your name can be added to the Emergency Assistance List. BALCONY COURTESYIf you enjoy a balcony, please be considerate of neighbours by disposing of cigarettes properly. Avoid over-watering plants or hanging items on your balcony that may fall or drip down to the balconies below. MAINTENANCEMaintenance request form (work orders) must be filled out and signed by the tenant before any work can begin. Please see your Resident Manager to obtain a copy of this form. Maintenance requests are addressed in order of priority.

MOVING?We’re sad to see you go. Remember to provide written notice of your intention to move a minimum of 60 days in advance. Contact your Resident Manager for the appropriate form.PARKINGEach car in resident parking areas must have a Skyline parking sticker in the front windshield or you could receive a ticket. Please contact your Resident Manager if you require a new sticker.PETSFor those living in pet-friendly buildings, please be diligent about ensuring your pets are secured and quiet. Please bring disposable baggies along on dog walks. It is your responsibility to clean up after your pet and dispose of waste properly.

RECYCLINGPlease do your part to sort and recycle reusable materials separate from landfill garbage.RENT DUE BY 1ST We kindly ask that all rent cheques be delivered to your Resident Manager on or before the 1st of the month. Consider signing up for Skyline’s Pre-Authorized Debit (PAD) program so your rent will be withdrawn automatically.SHOPPING CARTSRetail shopping carts are a fire hazard and an eye sore. Fire regulations prohibit carts from being stored in halls and stairways.SECURITYPlease help keep our home safe and secure by not letting strangers into the building. All visitors must use the intercom to gain entrance, including maintenance or delivery persons.

Ripe fruit attracts pests like Justin Bieber attracts teenage girls. If fruit flies are in your kitchen, use their favorite snack as bait. Grab an empty jar and add some pieces of ripe apple and apple cider vinegar. Roll a sheet of paper into a funnel, and place it in the jar with the large side facing up. Voila, those pesky flies are trapped!

Fruit Flies Begone!

FUNNY

Q: Why do

bananas wear

sunscreen?

A: Because they peel!