I was speaking with a landlord recently about helping them with their rental property. During the discussion they indicated their experience was that tenants preferred to rent from owners and not a property manager. I found this to be interesting. I have heard many landlords complain about “professional tenants”, a term landlords use to describe tenants who manipulate the system and take advantage of landlords because they know the system and how to work around it. My response to the landlord was that my experience is that tenants prefer dealing with owners because they can take advantage of owners who aren’t familiar with the tenancy laws. 

As a property manager I have never dealt with a “professional  tenant”. When a Landlord lacks the knowledge of managing a rental in BC they often find themselves in a difficult situation when they haven’t followed the law. By the time the owner finds out they are dealing with a professional tenant they are on the road to a negative situation. 

Managing a rental requires a significant amount of knowledge. When a tenant knows and understands that the owner is unfamiliar with the tenancy laws they become easy targets to take advantage of. After the tenant occupies your property it is difficult to remove them. Many landlords complain this is the fault of the tenancy branch. The RTB is mandated to not make a person homeless without a valid reason. They also expect the landlords, which includes self managing owners, to be more familiar with tenancy laws than tenants. Interpreted this means landlords are held to a higher standard during the RTB hearings. When a landlord fails to follow the law the RTB will often make a decision which doesn’t include eviction of the tenant from your rental property.   

A property manager should have greater knowledge and understanding of the tenancy laws than the individual owner which will help reduce and or prevent the professional tenants from occupying your rental properties. 

Renting your property can be confusing. Cartref Properties can assist you, call today to discuss your needs or find more information about us at: www.cartrefproperties.com