Stage Two of a Tenancy
Renting your property involves many different tasks and processes. In a previous post we mentioned renting has three stages to the process. Today we will discuss stage two of renting your property.
Stage one of renting was the placement of your tenant. Stage two is managing the tenancy while the tenant occupies your property. Many Landlords neglect stage two especially when a tenant is regularly paying the rent. Tenancies can become a negative experience if not managed throughout the tenancy.
A tenancy agreement has many different clauses, payment of rent is only one of the terms of the agreement. Tenancy agreements will have clauses identifying who the occupants are, how many people may reside at the property, if pets are allowed, if smoking is permitted and a requirement for tenants to report maintenance issues to the Landlord. Verifying these clauses is difficult unless a landlord visits the property to verify the tenant is adhering to the tenancy agreement.
Landlords should visit and inspect the property on a regular basis, Cartref Properties recommends twice a year. Being a proactive Landlord provides tenants opportunities to communicate issues to Landlords. Open two way communication creates a better experience for both Landlords and tenants. Tenants may not report a maintenance issue which is an easy fix as it isn’t bothering them, when left unattended becomes a major concern. Inspections provide Landlords opportunities to attend to minor maintenance repairs reducing costs. Performing routine inspections improves the positive experience of a tenancy. Tenants may be in violation of a term of the agreement which would allow Landlords to seek termination of a tenancy or correct the action through a hearing with the residential tenancy branch. Informing applicants that inspections will be performed during the tenancy often turns away applicants who would have been a negative experience.
Managing a rental property doesn’t stop when a tenant is paying the rent, it moves to a different stage.
Looking for Property Management you can find more information about us at: www.cartrefproperties.com
Oh Canada
Today is Canada day, a time we celebrate the great country we live in. Although this year has been unusual and unlike any before, we can still celebrate our wonderful country.
In my opinion Canada is the best country in the world. From coast to coast every province and territory has amazing places to visit and people of many different cultures. I haven’t visited all the provinces in this great country, the places I have visited have all been beautiful in their own way. I grew up in southern Ontario and have had the opportunity to drive west across this country twice to where I call home, Vancouver BC.
Some of my favorite places in Canada are:
Old town Quebec City with its history and view of the St Lawrence river is spectacular.
White water rafting on the Ottawa river, an amazing ride through nature.
Camping and canoeing in the Algonquin National Park is pure beauty.
Niagara falls must be seen and heard. The size and power of the water flowing is incredible.
The Rocky Mountains in Banff and Jasper Alberta are indescribable, huge massive forms of rock sticking straight out of the ground higher than you can imagine.
Watching a sunset from the top of Sulphur mountain in Banff, canoeing on Lake Louise, visiting Lake Moraine (which is on the old twenty dollar bill) and a tour of the Columbia Icefield, are a few of the amazing places to see in Alberta.
Having lived in BC for almost thirty years now I am partial to British Columbia. It is called beautiful BC for a reason, it is very beautiful. From Northern BC, to the Okanagan Valley, Vancouver Island and Vancouver, BC offers many beautiful places to live or visit.
Some of my favorite places in British Columbia are
Watching the sunset at Spanish Banks, a beautiful sunset over water and mountains.
Skiing at Silver Star Mountain in Vernon with fresh powder is a family favorite spot.
Taking a ferry over to Vancouver island across the water, very peaceful.
Hiking the many local mountains around Vancouver.
Driving the sea to sky highway from Vancouver to whistler, hard to keep your eyes on the road with such beautiful scenery.
Riding the Peak to Peak Gondola at Whistler and stopping for lunch at the top of Whistler Mountain overlooking the Black Tusk.
These are some of my favorite places in our great country, sorry if i missed your favorite place or province. I know there are many more places I still want to visit. Let me know where your favorite place to visit in Canada is.
Cartref Properties wants to wish everyone a HAPPY CANADA DAY
I don’t need to inspect my property, my tenant pays rent each month.
On June 19 the BC government lifted some restrictions imposed on Landlords during the emergency order. One of the restrictions lifted is the ability for Landlords to perform in person inspections. Performing inspections during a tenancy is often overlooked for its importance to ensure a positive tenancy. I have mentioned before there are three stages of a tenancy, in suite inspections are part of stage two. Owners often ask “Why do I need to do an inspection if my tenant pays rent each month”.
Tenancy agreements have many different clauses and payment of rent is only one of them. Other common clauses are no pets, no subletting and no smoking. One is unable to determine if tenants have not acquired pets, is the correct person residing in the property or the tenant is not smoking by collecting rent alone. Performing regular property inspections provides Landlords the opportunity to verify all the terms of the tenancy agreement are being met.
With the development of short term accommodations I have heard of cases where people rent a property to an individual, who then turns and rents it through short term accommodation websites. If this is in a Strata Corporation which prohibits short term accommodations, you the Landlord may be considered in violation of the bylaws and subject to fines imposed by the Strata Corporation. Performing regular inspections provides owners the opportunity to verify tenants who aren’t adhering to all terms of the tenancy agreement.
Owners say it is a waste of time to perform inspections as tenants must be informed prior to the inspection. Tenants have the right to be informed of the inspection. During an inspection one can usually identify contraventions of the tenancy agreement by observing how the occupant is living. A person staying short term will live differently then a person who is residing there permanently.
If you suspect but are unsure continue to perform inspections until you find the information you require. Section 29 of the Residential Tenancy Act permits Landlords permission to inspect a rental unit monthly. Regular inspections help Landlords and tenants enjoy a positive tenancy throughout the term of tenancy agreement. Tenants who aren’t in violation of the agreement are usually more willing to welcome inspections.
With restrictions lifted it may be time to perform an in person inspection of your rental property. Cartref Properties performs two inspections of the property providing the Landlords with a report of their findings with each management agreement. If you need assistance with inspections contact us for further information.
Looking for Property Management you can find more information about us at: www.cartrefproperties.com
What happens when my tenant violates the bylaws?
All owners/residents are required to adhere to Strata Corporations rules and bylaws. In a previous post we discussed section 129 of the Strata Property Act outlining what actions a strata has when enforcing rules and bylaws.
When a Strata Corporation finds a person in violation of the rules or bylaws they must follow the process outlined in section 135 of the Strata Property Act. What this section identifies is what actions the Strata must perform before applying section 129.
First a complaint must be received by the Strata Corporation identifying the violation. A complaint received by the Strata Corporation isn’t required to be in writing.
The strata must then provide the owner/tenant/resident with the particulars of the complaint in writing and provide a reasonable opportunity to answer the complaint. Answering the complaint can be a written reply to strata or requesting a hearing before the council regarding the complaint. All residents including tenants have the right to request a hearing before council. A hearing gives you the opportunity to explain to the council your position on the matter. After a hearing council must “as soon as feasible” provide a written response before applying the options outlined in section 129. As a Landlord, this is why it is imperative you inform tenants of rules and bylaws to ensure they are in compliance during their tenancy. Providing the tenants with the form K and copies of the rules and bylaws prior to occupying the unit is vital to a positive tenancy.
Looking for Property Management you can find more information about us at: www.cartrefproperties.com
Can I rent my strata lot?
Before renting your strata lot you should ensure you have the right to rent your strata lot. How do you know if you're allowed to rent? The first place to look is your Strata Corporation bylaws. Every Strata Corporation has bylaws and should have a section for rentals. In the rental section it will outline how many units are allowed to be rented and how the Strata Corporation administers the approval process. After granting permission the Strata Corporation should advise in writing you have been approved to rent your strata lot.
If your Strata Corporation doesn’t have a bylaw restricting rentals you should be allowed to rent. Owners should confirm with the Strata Corporation to ensure they have read the bylaws correctly.
If your strata lot was built after December of 2009 you should review the Form J for your strata lot. Properties built in 2010 and beyond have restrictions on when they can implement rental restriction bylaws indicated by a time frame stated on the Form J.
Strata Corporations with rental restrictions could still permit renting your property, as the Strata Property Act outlines certain exemptions. Sections 142 and 144 of the Strata Property Act outlines allowable exemptions when a rental restriction bylaw exists.
One exemption is “family”, the definition of family is identified in the section 8.1 of the Strata Property regulations. Family includes immediate family of the owner, a spouse, a child or parent of the owner or spouse. This description of family excludes siblings, cousins and other family members.
Hardship is another exemption for allowing rentals. This is a process where an owner applies to the Strata Corporation requesting permission to rent due to hardship. Strata Corporations would review the application and decide if they will allow the rental for hardship reasons.
Even a building with a rental restriction could have many renters. Review your documents and confirm with your Strata Corporation before renting your Strata lot.
Looking for Property Management you can find more information about us at: www.cartrefproperties.com