Posts Tagged ‘edmonton’

Alberta Landlords Speak Out: “Something Must Be Done About Midnight Move-Outs ASAP”

Sunday, August 12th, 2018

Landlords Speak Out and Share Their Concerns and Opinions on the Rental Industry

As part of our “Let’s Improve the Alberta Rental Industry” we have invited landlords and tenants to share their opinions on how we can make these improvements. These opinions are from individual contributors and are not the opinions of the Alberta Landlords Association. We believe by fostering communication between landlords and tenants we can improve the Alberta rental industry. Landlords and tenants can share your thoughts and opinions by emailing us at landlordtenantsolutions@groupmail.com

Renters did a midnight move out, breaking the lease and leaving $1,200 in damages to the basement rental

There Are Too Many Renters Who View Midnight Move-Outs As An Option To Break A Lease

As landlords for over 30 years we want the “powers that be” to be aware of something we didn’t really see before so much. Over the past year and a half we have had two renters pull what is called a “midnight move out” or a “midnight run” on us.

They still had months left on the lease and we made it crystal clear from day one we expected them to fulfill the full terms of what they agreed to sign on for. We didn’t hide anything from them. We put the lease in front of them, explained the terms, and they signed the contract.

Fair and square, right?

The way consenting adults interact with each other.

No games played.

And what makes it even worse is they were unethical and broke the contract and didn’t even try to contact us to try to work something out!

We never had this type of calculated behaviour by our renters before. Sure over the years there were a issues we had to deal with. Sometimes renters brought in some pets. Another situation was a the boyfriend was charged with assaulting the girlfriend.

A couple times we had to explain that cat pee on the carpet wasn’t wear and tear and they had to pay for the cleaning or replacement of the carpets. We had some people suffer job losses and we worked with them to break the lease in a way that both sides agreed to was fair.

Just about all of the challenges we’ve had were not really calculated to rip us off, but because the renters were having their own problems or were just careless.

In all the years we never had someone lie to our faces before so matter of fact. Lie to our faces that everything was good and then the rent check bounces and we go and see the place has been abandoned.

Going inside in both cases showed how disrespectful some renters are these days. The fridge wasn’t clean and the oven was full of grease. The bathrooms were not in good shape and there was some broken drywall. In one place they left a lot of garbage around that costs us money to clean up and dump. At least have the courtesy to dump your garbage.

Give me a break!

WE ARE NOT HAPPY AND THIS NEEDS TO BE FIXED BEFORE IT GETS WORSE

The bad news is we hear from other Alberta landlords midnight move outs are becoming more common these days. A lot of hard working landlords are losing a lot of money. You just don’t lose it in lost rent, you lose it because it costs so much time and money to fix a place up to get it rent ready again.

Right off the bat don’t expect any “legalese” from me because I’m not a lawyer or anything. I’m a small hard-working landlord with a few rentals thanks to the hard work of my Hubby and me.So we don’t have the answer to how to fix this.

Just something needs to be done because nowadays we even see in the news how shocking it is Alberta renters see a ‘Midnight run as an easy way to break the lease and screw the landlord!”

Renters Need To Understand What Landlords Go Through To Market Our Rentals

I emailed in because I want to help other landlords and educate them.

What We Learned and Maybe This Can Help Others Out There

With all the people trying to rent out their units these days we made some mistakes that we don’t usually do. Hubby and me want to share what happened to us and what we did wrong.

1. We Didn’t Do a Credit Check

This was a big mistake as we thought past bad credit experiences was important but we needed to rent out our properties and not leave them empty. But now it does like never before. DON’T RENT TO PEOPLE WITH BAD CREDIT BECAUSE THEY HAVE NOTHING TO LOSE! It’s not only the credit score, but you can see if they went bankrupt or if other people are chasing them for bad debts.

2. We Believed Their Nice Story

The people who ran from us had the best stories. It’s almost like they prepare to screw good landlords.

In our last case they had a really long 15 minute speech how they were hardworking people but their last landlords was a total bad guy who never fixed anything and they had to leave because they worried about mold. Oh, they were looking to stay for at least a couple years and probably more as the “put in roots in the community” and “when up the corporate ladder at their jobs.” LOL.

3. We Didn’t Take A Damage Deposit

Because so many landlords are urgently looking to end vacancies and fill their units we are not even demanding a security deposit. We did the same. This was stupid on our part! With no Alberta damage deposit we get no protection. Hindsight is 20/20 but we would have saved a lot of money waiting and not going against our usual tenant screening system.

The System Does Not Protect Alberta Landlords And It’s Getting Worse

The real problem is landlords not protected by the Alberta system these days.

It’s too easy for renters to use the system to rip us off and end up costing us some real financial losses. After many years in the industry we had two midnight move outs in a short period of time. It cost us a big chunk of our savings just to keep afloat and keep our rentals on the market for the next renters.

When the vacancy rate was really low a few years back and a few landlords were being a bit unfair the media and the politicians were all over it. Where are they now that small landlords keep getting shafted?

The powers that be must find a way to stop this because it really us good people renting out good properties. If it’s so easy to rip of a landlord now who will invest in rentals in Alberta?

Word spreads fast and people won’t just invest to commit financial suicide! Landlords are hard working people and we need to be protected from the bad people out there who can’t afford to be ripped off. The real problem is landlords are not protected by the Alberta system these days.

You won’t hear this from real estate agents or people trying to sell you “how to make big money being a landlord in Alberta” but the reality is it’s too easy for renters to use the system to rip off landlords and end up ruining us financially!

Tags: Alberta renters, Alberta tenants, calgary landlords, damages, edmonton
Posted in Alberta Landlords Association Membership, bad renters, Bad tenants, evictions, midnight move-outs | Comments Off on Alberta Landlords Speak Out: “Something Must Be Done About Midnight Move-Outs ASAP”

Landlords – What Is On Tap With Vancancy Rates in 2013?

Tuesday, December 25th, 2012

January 1st, 2013

Calgary apartment vacancy rate decreases in 2012

Down to 1.3%

CALGARY — The apartment vacancy rate in the Calgary region averaged 1.3 per cent in October, down from 1.9 per cent last year, according to Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp.’s Fall Rental Market Survey released Thursday.

“Employment growth and higher incomes, supported by Calgary’s expanding economy, continued to attract migrants and increased demand for rental units,” said Richard Cho, senior market analyst in Calgary for the CMHC.

The apartment crunch will likely continue as the CMHC is forecasting 20,000 net migrants to the Calgary area in 2012 after 11,200 net migrants in 2011.

“Alberta is once again seeing some very strong interprovincial migration these days and many of these people are arriving in Calgary,” said Todd Hirsch, senior economist with ATB Financial. “Typically before looking at buying a home, the recently-arrived will rent an apartment. That’s where a lot of the strong demand is coming from, and it’s pushing down the vacancy rate in the rental market.”

Recently, Sam Kolias, chairman and chief executive of Calgary-based Boardwalk Real Estate Investment Trust, told the Herald that the local rental market continues to see high demand as people keep moving to the province.

In the REIT’s third quarter, which ended September 30, it has 5,310 rental units in Calgary and the occupancy rate was 99.34 per cent, up from 98.89 per cent last year.

The apartment vacancy rate in most zones in Calgary declined from the previous year, said the CMHC report. Areas close to the downtown where there is a high concentration of employers continued to have among the lowest vacancy rates in the city, said the CMHC.

The vacancy rate in the Downtown zone reached 0.5 per cent in October, down from 1.0 per cent in October 2011.

The strong demand for rental accommodations combined with lower vacancies has led to an increase in rental rates in Calgary. Same-sample rents increased 6.1 per cent in October, following a 1.8 per cent rise in the previous year. Bachelor units and two-bedroom units recorded an increase of 7.4 per cent and 5.9 per cent, respectively. The average same-sample rent for three-bedroom units increased 4.2 per cent from a year earlier, said the agency.

Overall, the two-bedroom rent in Calgary averaged $1,152 in October, up from $1,087 last year. The Downtown and Beltline had among the highest average two-bedroom rents in the Calgary CMA at $1,240 and $1,222, respectively. The Southeast and Other Centres recorded the lowest two-bedroom rents in October, averaging $998 and $1,005, respectively.

Vacancies for rental condominium apartments declined to 2.1 per cent in October, down from 5.7 per cent in October 2011. The condominium rent in CMHC’s 2012 survey averaged $1,288 per month, down from $1,378 last year.

“Condominium apartment rents are typically higher compared to units in the purpose-built rental market as the buildings are generally newer and may include additional amenities such as a fitness centre, entertainment room, and heated underground parking,” said Cho.

Don Campbell, president of the Real Estate Investment Network in Canada, said the low vacancy rate wil lead to two things.

“Strong upward pressure on rents across the board, at all levels. Upward pressure on resale housing market first in 2013, then new home sales in 2014,” he said. “Look for the market to perform well in 2013 with values going up more quickly than 2012.”

——————————————-

Apartment vacancy rates fall in Edmonton-area

CBC News

Posted: Dec 13, 2012 9:19 AM MT

Last Updated: Dec 13, 2012 9:17 AM MT

Read 8 comments8

The number of apartments available in the Edmonton area is half of what it was one year ago.

The vacancy rate sits at 1.7 per cent — down from 3.3 in 2011, according to Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation’s Fall Rental Market Survey.

“Strong net migration and continued job growth in Edmonton contributed to the reduction in vacant rental apartments, as did a modest reduction in the supply of rental units,” senior market analyst David Lan said in a press release.

Three-bedroom suites reported the lowest vacancy rate at 1.1 per cent, followed by a 1.4 per cent vacancy rate in both two-bedroom and bachelor units, said the survey. One-bedroom units had the highest vacancy rate of two per cent.

The areas with the lowest vacancy rates were Leduc and West Jasper Place at 0.4 per cent and 0.6 per cent, respectively, followed by the University area and the southwest, both at 0.7 per cent.

The survey found as vacancy rates declined, rent levels moved upward.

Average rents jumped 3.7 per cent between October 2011 and October 2012 up from one per cent the year prior.

The average monthly rent for all apartment units in the Edmonton region was $965 in October 2012. Two-bedroom apartments rented for an average of $1,071 in October 2012, while one-bedroom units rented for an average of $882.

Edmonton: http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/story/2012/12/13/edmonton-apartments-vacancy-rate.html

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Thursday, December 13, 2012 – 10:44 AM
By Sara Buchan
Grande Prairie

More people looking for places to live as they come to Alberta to find work means this province is bucking the national trend for vacancy rates.

Available rental properties in Grande Prairie and other urban centres are tougher to find — here, the vacancy rate is 1.8-percent as of October of this year.

Trying to find a two-bedroom apartment is the toughest — vacancy for that type of property has dropped over three-percent since October of last year.

And the average monthly rent for a two-bedroom apartment jumped nearly 9-percent in a year — to $1,004.

According to Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, vacancy rates across Canada have gone up nearly half-a-percent since October of 2011.

http://hqgrandeprairie.com/news/local/news/v/Local/134243/CMHC-Vacancy-Rates-Drop-in-Grande-Prairie

Tags: Calgary, edmonton, Vacancy Rate
Posted in Alberta Rentals 2013 | Comments Off on Landlords – What Is On Tap With Vancancy Rates in 2013?

Alberta Landlords – Get Leases, Applications and More in our Rental Kit!

Saturday, November 17th, 2012

November 16th, 2012

Now Alberta Landlords Can Get All the Leases, Applications and Other Documents You need in our Rental Kit!

Whether you are a first time landlord planning to self-manage your first investment property or a seasoned pro who wants to protect yourself.

Whether you are a based in busy downtown Calgary, in Edmonton, Lethbridge or your property is far away from any urban centre.

Being a landlord in Alberta is getting more complicated by the year and you need proper tools to succeed.

We spoke a couple of weeks ago about how members of the Alberta Landlords Association can get premium credit checks with Equifax for only $10/check.

Now we will introduce you to the Alberta Landlords Association Rental Kit.

As we grow and more people come to Alberta for work and a better quality of life, it’s great for landlords because it means more renters. However, with the influx of lots of great people, there are also some tenants who will cause you grief. These tenants will break leases, leave you with a big clean up bill or worse.

It’s important you use proper documents and services to protect yourself in case things go wrong. Landlords who use professional documents will make sure ‘Tenants from Hell’ know they are dealing with an experienced and professional landlord.

Become and ALA member and get access to online documents you can download 24/7!

Documents include:

1. Leases

2. Applications

3. Pet Rules

4. Condition Reports

5. Notice of Entry

…and much more. Everything is designed in compliance with the Alberta Residential Tenancies Act.

Be a landlord aiming for success yet prepared for anything. Use proper leases, applications and more and find great tenants and make your rental business a huge success! Become a member of of the Alberta Landlords Association for only a one time fee and all the documents you will ever need.

Tags: applications, Calgary, edmonton, leases, rental kit
Posted in Property Management, Uncategorized | 1 Comment »

Calgary, Edmonton Vacancies Rates Decline!

Friday, June 29th, 2012

June 29th , 2012

The Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation’s 2012 Spring Market Rental Market Survey was released.

What is the News for Alberta Landlords?

It’s good news for Alberta landlords. For the urban centers the vacancy rate was 4.7% in April 2011. This decreased to a vacancy rate of 3% in April 2012.

That’s Great News!

According to the CMHC’s senior Calgary market analyst, Richard Cho, fifteen of the largest seventeen markets in Alberta saw a decrease in vacancy rates.

According to Cho, “The reduction in vacancies was largely attributed to robust job growth and rising migration.” Cho explained “the resulting household formation contributed to rental demand.”

What About Calgary?

Cho stated the apartment vacancy rate in April 2012 declined compared to last year. In April 2011 it was 3.4%. In April 2012 is declined to 2.5%

And Edmonton?

According to the CHMC’s senior market analyst for Edmonton the news is even better. In 2011 the vacancy rate was 4.7% and dropped to 2.7% in 2012! Christina Butchart said the 2012 Edmonton vacancy rate is the lowest since Spring, 2007.

Exactly Why are Rents Going Up?

The decrease is largely due to a strong economy, more jobs, and increased migration flows. Cho stated it’s all about supply and demand. He added that as vacancy rated drop and there is stronger demand for rental properties, rental rates are also going up.

Can You Provide Me With and Example on How Rents Are Rising?

According to Cho, rents increase 5% from 2011 to 2012 for a two bedroom rental in Calgary. In Edmonton, rents are up 2.2% compared to last year.

It looks like the future is bright for Alberta landlords!

Tags: Calgary, edmonton
Posted in Vacancy rates | Comments Off on Calgary, Edmonton Vacancies Rates Decline!

Edmonton Landlord Meets Tenants From Hell

Saturday, April 14th, 2012

April 14th, 2012

An Edmonton Landlord Learned the Lesson of Doing Due Diligence

An Edmonton woman says she has learned her lesson about doing due diligence as a landlord after destructive tenants left her with a hefty repair bill.

Allison McMillan thought she had the ideal renter when she met the family with two small children and both parents had steady employment.

Reality Sets In

However, when the family was late with the rent McMillan tried to contact the family. She noticed a window was smashed and the place smelled like urine.

An Attempt at Eviction

McMillan tried to evict the family and took them to court to get the back rent, but the tenants didn’t show up at court.

The House was “Destroyed”

McMillan then found the home destroyed. She says floors and carpets were caked with dog urine and feces, furniture and garbage were left behind and walls were covered in bingo dauber ink.

“The filthiest bathroom you can imagine. The smell was incredibly overwhelming,” she told Global News, “The downstairs bathroom was where they did the most damage because they flushed rags down the toilet. And some other things that I don’t even want to mention.”

Repairs could run more than $16,000. McMillan let the family only pay half the damage deposit of $600.

Landlords can protect themselves with a detailed contract, inspections and by scrutinizing tenants carefully.

Did the Landlord do a Credit Check?

“(They can do a) credit check,” explains Mike Berezowsky of Service Alberta, “they can do an employment check to make sure that person is gainfully employed and they should also do a reference check with previous landlords if that’s possible.”

“It was me who picked these renters,” she says, “I’m the one who didn’t do proper background checks. I’m the one who should have got better background checks, but I trusted them as a family.”

What about a Secure Lease and Move-In Inspection?

She also didn’t have a rental contract or written move-in inspection.

Landlords can take a tenant to court or residential tenancy dispute resolution service to evict them or get compensation. However they have to find the tenant first. That won’t be easy for McMillan, a student who now is taking a second job to try to fix the mess left behind.

Tags: credit checks, edmonton
Posted in Tenants from Hell | 4 Comments »