Click pictures to expand them.  Please contact us for more info.

Question:  Parking?

Sorry,  Nope.  There's paid parking two blocks away, but it costs about $60 per month.  So most people just make do parking on the streets, which is on a first come, first serve basis and requires a lot of luck.  :(

Question:  Month-to-Month Renting?

We offer our rooms for 1-year lease terms only.  If you believe that you may be gone for the following summer, there are several student housing facilities in the area which offer eight-month leases.  There are also an abundance of rooms which can be rented on a monthly basis.  Our rooms are suited for those who know for certain that they are staying the following summer in Hali.

Question:  Are the rooms really 'that' large?

Yes, they're very, very big;  and they feel even bigger when you’re in one since the ceilings are so high.  Only two of them are normal-size:  the Second Floor, Rear Bedroom and the Basement, Rear Bedroom.

Question:  I haven't heard back from you in awhile;  is the room still available?

We try our best to return emails promptly.  Please understand that we often receive a lot of inquiries.

Question:  Are you guys really that anal about keeping your house clean?

Yes!  :)  Please be FULLY AWARE of this fact before leasing from us.  In 2008, three people were evicted for not cleaning up after themselves or breaking the house rules.

Question:  How is a lease different than just renting a room?

When folks rent a room on a month-to-month basis, either party is free to cancel the arrangement at basically anytime.  A lease is different.  A lease is a signed agreement, committing to a certain length of time and terms.  If your plans for the following year are undecided, it's better to find a place that does NOT require a lease.

On the positive side, places that require a lease sometimes charge a little less than they would otherwise.  For example, a room which might rent for $850 on a month-to-month basis, might instead be leased for $800 per month with a 1-year lease term.  Also, places that require a lease, will usually insure that you will be able to stay there for the whole lease period (unless you break the terms of the lease).  The bad news about a lease agreement, is that if you do break the terms of the lease, you may be evicted, while still being responsible for the remaining balance of the lease, (which can be a lot of money).   Fortunately, if this were to happen to you, it is generally not difficult in Halifax to find a subletter (someone else you can rent your room to).  If they successfully work out as a subletter, then there is little-to-no extra charge to you, depending on the timing of their placement, and any possible costs for advertising, damage, etc.  Please be aware that we do interview subletters as well and that they are subject to our credit check and approval.

Question:  What would you consider to be the pros and cons of your property?

Barrington House is unique in that it has relatively extreme benefits and detractions.  The benefits are that the rooms and the house are very, very nice.  Additionally, we've done our best to furnish each room tastefully.  The kitchen and laundry area never feel crowded and the house's location is very convenient.  The negatives are that in addition to your lease payments, we require you to follow the house rules and to pitch in with approximately one hour per week of cleaning duties.  The house rules are not flexible, nor open to individual or creative interpretation.  They are relatively black-and-white, and violation of the house rules will result in your eviction.  Most places for rent do not have any sort of required house rules or cleaning duties, which gives you more freedom in how you want to live your life.  Having to follow the house rules is probably the main detraction of living in our house.  If you break the house rules, you will be evicted, so whether or not you are willing to follow them is something you should very CAREFULLY consider before signing an agreement.

Question:  What should I bring with me?

Our rooms are furnished with a bed, large desk, a chest of drawers, a nice mattress, a fitted sheet and in some cases, a wardrobe.  I'll list some of the occasionally overlooked things to bring:

   •  a pillow, and the rest of your bedding supplies

   •  all your cooking supplies, including utensils, pots, dishes, etc.

   •  a wireless internet card for your Mac or PC (802.11 A, C)

   •  a desk organiser tray for pens, etc.

   •  a fan  (a must in the summer!)

   •  rain shoes or boots, and other rain gear

   •  cold weather clothing

   •  coat hangers

   •  a desk lamp

   •  a power splitter/surge protector, if you have a lot of plug-in

       stuff

   •  towels and all toiletries

   •  a coaxial cable (for cable TV, if you want to bring your own TV

       and your room is wired for it--check the room descriptions to

       confirm whether your room is wired for cable)

Question:  May I bring my own furniture?

Unfortunately, we can't accept additional furniture into our house, if it means displacing the furniture already present in your room.  You are welcome to bring additional furniture, but the furniture provided for your room has to stay there as well--we have no room elsewhere for it.