It isn’t that uncommon in today’s society to have an 18-26-year-old still living at home with their parents. This generation is known as the Millennials. While the definition of the Millennial, also known as Generation Y, isn’t exact, it generally includes those born starting in the early 1980s right up to the mid-1990s (and possibly into the early 2000s). This is the generation that grew up with technology - video games, cell phones, and computers. For many young adults who fall into this category, they don’t seem to be in too much of a hurry to leave the nest. There are, however, a number of trends (perhaps started by the parents!) that are surfacing to tailor apartments to meet the demands of this new generation of tenants. Some of the ideas that are materializing across Canada to target the millennials include: Smaller floor plans, but with quality finishes. The new trend is to offer less space than the traditional 900+ square foot apartment. More and more units at 500-600 square feet are now available at the same price point as the traditional units, however, they offer higher-end finishes like luxury vinyl plank flooring, quartz countertops and wall mounts for smart televisions.   Pet-friendly. According to Pet Business Magazine, 7 out of 10 Millennials have pets. If rental units are going to satisfy the demands and expectations of this market, then they must accommodate pets.   Common Spaces. Shared spaces like a dog run, dog wash areas, courtyards, rooftop patios, common barbecue areas, and video game rooms are being incorporated into new communities to make the apartments that much more attractive to this demographic.   Flexible leases. There is a trend to offer furnished units and allow weekly rentals versus monthly, allowing those entering their careers more flexible options when it comes to making a commitment. Property owners and managers are also switching to ‘all in pricing,’ which means rather than having to pay rent, an electricity bill and other utilities such as water and Internet, the tenant would just pay one fee. Therefore, instead of paying $1,200 (all in) for a more traditional, unfurnished unit, a furnished unit might go for $400 to $600 per week and could be negotiated down for those looking for longer- term commitments.   Marijuana-friendly floors. In the larger markets, there are areas of the building or entire floors that have improved ventilation that allows for marijuana to be smoked right within the building or the apartment itself. This means that those who do smoke cannabis can do it in the privacy of their own rental unit, whereas those who don’t smoke electric lettuce have the same amenities, but aren’t having to deal with the funky smell.   Commercial and retail amenities. Property owners will often allow space on the main floor of the building for an upscale coffee shop, small, trendy restaurant or a pub. This brings vibrancy to the community and allows the tenants to socialize without actually having to leave the building. Places with boutique fitness centres and yoga studios are also very popular.   Vionell Holdings Partnership (VHP) provides rental housing and property management for an array of residential and commercial customers, including Condominium Management. VHP currently has nearly 4,000 units under management in Manitoba. For more information please visit www.vhproperties.ca. VHP has committed to constructing 128 multifamily residential units in Portage la Prairie that will be ready for occupancy in spring of 2019.  

The Clarion Hotel & Suites will play host to the third annual Vintage Toy & Collectibles Show on Sunday, October the 14th.   Organizers are expecting over 50 tables of merchandise and admission to the event is free.  Vendors will be coming from all over the province including Winnipeg, Souris, Brandon, Portage, and Morden. Items for sale include brand names like Tonka, Barbie, Fisher Price, G.I. Joe, Disney and others. In addition to the vintage toys vendors will be carrying many other items including antiques, sports cards, comic books, vinyl records, video games, and coin & paper money. Check out their Facebook event page for more details.

Following their first successful event, The Westman Jamaican Community will now be holding a second fundraising event at a larger venue (Royal Canadian Legion No. 3).  JAMROCK--Fall Edition will take place on Friday, September 21.   Funds raised at the event will go towards participating in the next winter festival as well as an other initiative they have in place to help new immigrants settle in Brandon and area.   The event aims to take you to the Caribbean with their reggae and dance-hall music featuring DJ SHORTBOSS and DJ DAGGA.    Drinks and food will be on sale.   There will be a nice line up of Jamaican cuisine at this event.   Tickets: $5 in advance and $10 at door.   The Westman Jamaican Community is "a diverse group of individuals who are committed to creating a more unified and active Jamaican community in Western Manitoba."  

Food Truck Warz is Brandon's largest food truck event bringing together the best food trucks from across the province.   Twenty-six different food trucks will converge at Princess Park on September 14th-16th. The public is invited to come downtown and experience the delicious food creations being served by the many different culinary experts. Along with showcasing delectable curbside cuisine, bdnmb.ca will be handing out an award to recognize the public's favorite truck. Please remember to cast your vote for your favorite food truck.  It should be noted that the Churro Stop is returning in 2018 to reclaim their title. Voting will take place at the event's information booth on the festival site. Voting Hours: Friday September 14, 2018: 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday, September 15, 2018: 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. The winner will be announced at 3 p.m. on Sunday, September 16, 2018! *voting must take place at the information booth.  Vendors are NOT permitted to take voting pads to their respective trucks and pre-filling them out.  

Moving can be stressful, overwhelming and definitely exhausting. It’s often difficult to remember all the things that you have to do, never mind trying to gather all the information that you need as a new renter or someone who is new to a property. As a renter, there are some things that are good to know and some things that are absolutely necessary to be aware of. Be proactive and have a list of questions ready to ask your new property manager. It could make all the difference in ensuring minor issues don’t become major ones! What is included in the rent? After perusing the internet for apartment listings, they can all blur together. Be sure to know what the terms are for the property that you intend to rent so that you don’t find yourself in the unfortunate position of blowing your budget! Was Hydro included? How much was the deposit? Do I have to pay for parking or for an extra spot? What is the pet policy for this building? Perhaps you’re not a pet owner, so you may think that this isn’t relative to you, however, it could be. Non-pet lovers (yes, they exist!) may not be so keen on moving into a building with four-legged neighbours. People with allergies should also be aware that even though your neighbours’ pets are to be confined to their unit, they will very likely make their way through the common areas. It is also possible that the previous owner had a pet and even though the carpets are cleaned, there may be some remaining pet dander that could potentially set you off. What is the emergency protocol? All buildings are equipped with fire safety and exit strategies, however, if the emergency does not require an evacuation (e.g. your toilet overflows) make sure you know who you should call and who is responsible for the bill. If the property management company has a 24/7 emergency line (like Vionell Holdings does!), be sure to add the number to your contacts and put a copy of it on your fridge. Can I alter my unit? When you move out, your unit has to be in the same condition as when you moved in or the cost to revert any changes will come out of your damage deposit. If you’re still not sure what changes you can make, it is best to clarify exactly what is allowed with your property manager before starting! How and when do I pay rent? Paying your rent on time means that you won’t end up paying late charges. Make sure you know when, how and where you are paying your rent. Some properties allow payment via debit, some accept cash or cheques, and others will have an automatic withdrawal option. Be prepared with the appropriate form of payment and know when it’s due! What is your subletting policy? In a perfect world, the signing tenant will fulfill their entire lease obligation. But most property management companies understand that things happen, life changes. Be sure to ask what the policy is, if one exists, on terminating a lease early or subletting your apartment. What happens when my lease expires? Signing a lease protects you as a tenant to secure the initial, agreed-upon rent amount. Once your term is up, you can re-sign a lease or go month-to-month. Be sure to clarify this in advance, not the month that your lease expires. If you were lucky enough to receive a monthly discount, this may end at the end of your term. What is the policy on maintenance? Ideally, your landlord will have a well-outlined plan for this. If they don’t have a protocol in place, they likely aren’t too keen on keeping up on maintenance so you may want to reconsider renting from them. It might also be wise to ask if your unit is scheduled for any regular maintenance in the near future. How much notice is required when I’m ready to move out? This is something that should be clarified before you move in. If 30 days’ notice is required, you will need to give the full 30 days or be ready to commit to the unit for another full month Vionell Holdings Partnership (VHP) provides rental housing and property management for an array of residential and commercial customers, including Condominium Management. VHP currently has nearly 4,000 units under management in Manitoba. For more information please visit www.vhproperties.ca. VHP has committed to constructing 128 multifamily residential units in Portage la Prairie that will be ready for occupancy in spring of 2019.