Learning Centre

Some owners prefer to manage their own properties, but to do it successfully you have to be involved in day-to-day operations, visit your buildings regularly, and deal with rent issues and tenant concerns right away. Learn whether self-management is right for you…

Are you thinking of hiring a property management company? Qualifications, systems and accounting procedures can vary widely from company to company. Here are four key things to look for…

Real estate goes in cycles as do most things in life. When vacancy rates are low, landlords do not have to give as much attention to filling up space – other than placing a sign on the property…

A solid budget is the financial blueprint for your property. Make sure it takes into consideration both current cash inflow and outflow, and planned expenses for the future…

While the allowable increase for residential rents is set every year by the Residential Tenancy Branch, there are other things to think about when considering an increase…

Don’t fall into a trap by taking the first tenant that comes along. Proper screening doesn’t guarantee that you won’t have problems with a tenant, but it lowers the chances…

When you know the exact square footage of both your usable and rentable areas, you can charge the full rent you’re entitled to, and avoid unpleasant surprises in tenant audits…

Property taxes are often the single largest expense a landlord will pay, so it’s important to ensure that they are managed correctly…

If you think that your cash flow is not what it should be, you should arrange for a proper review of your operations. Here are some tips to help you get started…

Most landlords want to see their tenants succeed, particularly in commercial properties. But if you’re helping a tenant out by deviating from your lease, make sure that “being nice” doesn’t mean “being taken advantage of”…

Property managers need to expect the unexpected and be tactful negotiators, as in this story about a leaky pipe, a barricaded door, and a standoff with a confused tenant…

Tenants don’t always play fair, as shown in this story about a tenant who walked away from their possessions and suite…and then accused us of disposing of “priceless heirlooms”…

When tragedy strikes, your first instinct is usually to help. But before you do, you must ensure that your tenant’s rights are not violated, and that you are protected.

Some landlords feel that their properties are too small to be professionally managed, but unless they have the time and expertise to do it well, they can run into problems like my friend did…

During my travels, I’ve noticed that professional property management isn’t something you find worldwide – much depends on local building, and health and safety regulations…

Tenants sometimes suggest that they perform maintenance tasks to keep costs down. It may sound like a good idea, but there are risks involved…

Leaving your property completely in the hands of an unsupervised caretaker can put you at risk for theft and fraud, as seen in these examples from our files…

Residential strata management often involves long hours, low fees, and high drama. Strata property managers bear the brunt of it, and their job has a high turnover and burnout rate…

Lease renewal time is not just about increasing the rent. A landlord must look at several factors if they want to keep their property fully leased at the rental rate they desire…

Both landlords and tenants should make sure that when an “option to renew” is exercised, it is in strict accordance with the terms of the lease, and is clear and explicit…

Different types of property require different leases – generic leases can come back to haunt you at a later date…

If you leave your property management entirely to your caretaker, you could be headed for trouble. The time and money you’re saving now may have to be spent later on administrative and physical clean-up…