February 2020 - Kindersley Housing Authority

Neighbor Trouble?

Someone new just moved in next door and we don’t get along? What do I do now?

We’ve all had a neighbor or two we didn’t exactly see eye to eye with at some point. There are choices we can make along the way that can help us prevent neighbor trouble and that will allow us to enjoy a more peaceful outcome when it does come up.

Let’s focus for a moment on what we ourselves do have control over when having neighbor trouble. We cannot control others or what they say or do but we can practice being aware of our own actions or reactions and reach out to available resources when needed. Here are some things to try that may help.

Be Gentle

Be gentle with yourself and others as much as you can. Sometimes being human can be really hard so take it easy on yourself and those around you. We have no idea what others may be struggling with.

Check In

Take a moment to check in with yourself a few times a day if you can, especially if you are managing a situation that has you stressed out. Take a moment to sense how you are feeling? Are you angry, sad, hurt, happy or joyful? Make a mental note or jot it down without any judgement towards yourself, pretending to be just an observer. How would you like to be feeling? What are some things you can do that make you feel that way so you can shift into feeling better?

Take A Step Back

Allow yourself the time to acknowledge and feel what you are feeling. When feeling overwhelmed with one or more emotions its helpful to take a step back from whoever you are with or whatever you are doing until you feel a bit calmer. Approaching the people that are an issue when you feel calm and centered. Notice where you feel these emotions in your body. Are there any sensations attached to them? Make a note as the curious observer.

Distract Yourself

When your brain gets stuck going over and over what happened or different scenarios of what could happen this leads to excessive stress. Excessive stress effects our sleep and overall health. It is difficult to work successfully towards any solution when you are not feeling well. Make sure you are getting enough sleep and eating or hydrating properly. Our bodies use up additional resources when we are stressed so this is crucial. When all else fails find something to do to distract yourself. What are some things that you enjoy doing?

Let It Out

Writing out your observations, feelings and thoughts can be a helpful tool for some people. In becoming more aware of what you are feeling you can be more aware of what you are doing or how you are reacting throughout your day in different situations. Finding different ways to express what you’re feeling in a positive way prevents things from getting bottled up. When we bottle things up we will explode at some point, most likely at an inappropriate time and place. Go for a drive and sing at the top of your lungs or scream into a pillow. Get your body moving like dancing, running, martial arts, yoga, working out or going for a walk. Sometimes gentle rocking, bouncing or shaking helps us to shake it off. Just find a way that works for you to let it all out without negatively impacting someone else.

Get to The Root

If you are unhappy or upset with a situation or person try to narrow it down to find out exactly what the issue really is. Is this really an issue with them that needs addressing or is it something you have the power to change by perhaps changing your perception? Some days we see things in a completely different way depending on how we are feeling. How are you feeling today? Things or people can bother us more or less depending on our own emotional state. Before reacting to a situation take a moment to think about what the issue is at hand and what the ideal solution would be for you.

Ask for Help

Talking things over with a trusted friend or family member or reaching out to a counselor or local church can be effective in helping us see all sides to our situation. Quite often just having another ear to share what you are feeling or going through with is all you need to feel better. What once seemed like such an awful unmanageable situation no longer seems that bad.

Communicate to the Source of the Problem Clearly

Speak to only the people involved for a more positive outcome. Communicate how you are feeling and being effected when you are calm. Use sentences that begin with “I feel” such as “I feel very tired and irritable when I’m unable to sleep because I can hear loud music or a television all night in my apartment. Is there a way we can figure out something where you can still hear your TV but that I can get some sleep?” Refrain from accusatory tones or language and ask your landlord or someone who is not directly involved to help mediate when needed.

Know Your Rights

If you are renting, make sure to review your lease agreements and Schedule A – Standard Conditions of a Tenancy Agreement which applies to all leases in Saskatchewan verbal or written. This document can be found on the Office of Residential Tenancies website. Know and understand your rights and obligations as a renter. Ask your landlord or a family member to help you understand if you are unsure. When your right to quiet and peaceful enjoyment is being effected, contact your landlord and or the Office of Residential Tenancies (if you’re in Saskatchewan).

Make A List of Options

What are your options that you have control over if the situation has not improved? Have you spoken with your boss, municipality, landlord or the proper authorities if the situation warrants it? Can you take action yourself to alleviate some of the problem? For example, when you are unable to sleep due to neighbor disturbances. The issue is not being able to sleep. Try things like incorporating white noise, asking for a transfer or moving to another building.

Remember when you’re experiencing neighbor trouble, you have choices and options even when you sometimes feel like you don’t.

If you are experiencing mental or emotional crisis, please reach out to services available in your area.

Kindersley and Area Resources:

* Kindersley Housing Authority – Affordable Rental Housing Programs Phone (306) 463-3931, Email kindersley.ha@gov.sk.ca or visit http://www.kindersleyhousing.ca

* West Central Crisis & Family Support Center Inc. – (306) 463-6655, after hours 306.463.1860, website: http://westcentralcrisis.ca/

* Mental Health Help Line – Phone 811 for professional health or mental health and addictions advice, education and support.

* Kindersley Churches – https://www.kindersley.ca/tourism/places-of-worship/

* 211 Saskatchewan – visit https://sk.211.ca/ is a free, confidential information and referral system for thousands of community and social services available across Saskatchewan

* Office of Residential Tenancies – Phone (888) 215-2222, Email ORT@gov.sk.ca, Website: http://www.saskatchewan.ca/ort

February 25, 2020/by Anita Elliot

What is a Thermostat?

News

What is a thermostat, where do I find it and what does it do? If these are some of the questions you have this article will help.

Where Can I find my Thermostat?

You can usually find your thermostat on a wall in a central location of your home.

What Does It Look Like?

Quite often it will be a small square or rectangle shaped box with a dial or tab that spins or slides. Some of the older styles will be round with a dial that turns. There are also digital thermostats which we didn’t discuss in this video. Instead of a dial you turn or tab that you slide there are buttons that you push with digital numbers to read on a screen for the room temperature and settings.

What Does It Do?

A thermostat is a control for the temperature in your home. When adjusting the temperature on the thermostat your heating and or cooling system will turn on or off as needed. The system will start and shut off automatically once it reaches the temperature you set your thermostat at.

How do I Use it?

To adjust your temperature, slide the tab up or down to the desired temperature. Most people keep their home temperature around 20 degrees. There will be another small line that will show you the current temperature of the room. You can adjust your dial or slide your tab higher than the room temperature to indicate you want heat. You can also slide it below the current room temperature to turn down your heat.

!TIP: If you are using a digital thermostat that is not wired into your furnace be aware that your batteries have a life span. If you are away when its cold and they wear out, you can have a costly mess on your hands when the heat goes out causing your to pipes freeze and burst.

Be sure to like and follow our Facebook page to stay updated on our programs and available housing!

You can also download the Saskatchewan Housing Corporation Tenant Resource Manual for other tips and tricks here.

*Kindersley Housing Authority – Affordable Housing Rental Programs

Phone: (306) 463-3931 Email: kindersley.ha@gov.sk.ca

*After Hours Emergency Line (306) 463-4422 FOR TENANT EMERGENCIES ONLY

February 6, 2020/by Anita Elliot

Is My Heat Working?

News

No Heat? Not sure? First time renter? New to the country or heating systems in general? This resource will help you understand your heating system and if your heat is working.

First Steps

Before going any further, check to make sure you do not have a window open or partially open. We’ve had no heat calls in past where it was cold because a window had been left open and the heat was unable to keep up.
Check to make sure your heat vents are open and that they are not covered with furniture or long curtains which can prevent the flow of your heat. This can feel like you have no heat.
Check to make sure that your furnace filter is not plugged.
Check with your heating service provider if you pay for your own heating (for eg. Sask Energy). Confirm that your services are still in place and have not been disconnected n error or due to an outstanding bill.

What Heating System Do You Have?

The units we manage have either a hot water boiler or a forced air furnace heating system, so those will be the two systems we will be addressing in this article. Let’s take a quick look at these:

Forced Air Heating

This system is operated by a furnace which has a blower fan that blows heat through a series of vents. The floor vents are found in each room usually under a window. The heat is controlled by a thermostat on the wall in a central location of the home.

Find your thermostat on the wall that controls your heat, look to see what temperature it’s at, adjust the needle or dial so that’s its higher than the current room temperature. Most people keep their home heated to around 20 degrees. After a few minutes your furnace should respond and start blowing hot air through the floor vents in each room.

! TIP:To keep your heat working efficiently make sure to check your furnace filter monthly and replace as needed. When filters get plugged this can also limit your air flow. Furnace filters come in different sizes and can be purchased at most local home hardware stores. You will need to know the size of your filter so make note of that by looking at your old one before you go shopping.

There is air coming out of my vent but it’s cold? If the air starts moving through but is cold, call your heating service as mentioned above (In Saskatchewan -Sask Energy) to make sure your heat/gas has not been disconnected. Once you’ve confirmed that your services are still connected call your landlord if you rent or call a plumbing and heating company. Your pilot light may be out or a flame sensor may need replacing.

There is no air moving and I cannot hear my furnace fan running when I turn the thermostat up? If the air does not start moving or you cannot hear the furnace fan start after you turn your thermostat up, check for a fan switch located on the wall somewhere in the same room as your furnace. This switch usually looks like a light switch and may or may not be labeled with something like “furnace” or “fan”. Make sure it is switched to the on position. When it is switched off the fan will not run.

Hot Water Heating

This system runs on a boiler, also known as baseboard heating. Boiler systems are most commonly used in apartment buildings. This system uses metal pipes of hot water running through each room along a wall and is covered by a metal cover.

Find your thermostat on the wall that controls your heat, look to see what temperature it’s at, adjust the needle or dial so that’s its higher than the current room temperature. Wait for your heat to respond.

! TIP: Adjust your thermostat in small increments. Hot water heating takes longer to heat or cool a unit.

I turned up my thermostat but I’m still cold? Hot water heating takes longer to respond when heating or cooling a room. It does not respond as fast as a furnace does. As a rule of thumb make smaller adjustments on your thermostat at a time to increase the rooms temperature and wait for an hour or two.

If your heat is working the pipes that run along the wall will be hot with VERY hot water running through them. DO NOT touch these pipes directly but if there is a cover you can place your hand above or on it to see if it’s warm. If you have turned up the heat and placed your hands over the cover and there is no heat, then call your landlord if you rent or a heating and plumbing company if you own.

Contact our office with any questions that you may have and be sure to like and follow our Facebook page for helpful tips and inspiration!

Download our No Heat Checklist for a quick reference.