Citing the apparent success of the Empty Homes Tax in creating more rental housing, Vancouver lawmakers voted to increase the tax in 2021, sending an "even stronger message" to owners of vacant properties. This vacancy tax currently is set at 1.25% of the property's assessed value. The new amendment raises that figure to 3%. The EHT was the first of its kind when introduced in 2016. At that time, the vacancy rate in Vancouver hovered around 1%, forcing officials to explore new avenues for...
Rent Control Comes to Nova Scotia — For Now
Nova Scotia's Housing Minister has announced provincewide temporary emergency...
Alarming Rise in Tenant Fraud
The rental industry is experiencing a significant rise in fraud activity among...
Landlords Suffer Setback in Bid to End Eviction Moratorium
A federal judge has refused to grant an injunction to a group of landlords who...
Landlord Backtracks on Air Conditioning Fees: A Lesson in Lease Agreements
A Toronto landlord has backed off a demand that tenants pay a seasonal fee for the right to use portable air conditioners shortly after a tenant complained to news reporters. A tenant on a fixed income received notice that she would have to pay to use the air...
6 Mistakes Landlords Make When Renting to Roommates
If you think tenancy laws are complicated, you're in good company. As difficult as it is for landlords, tenants are more confused about their rights and responsibilities, especially when it comes to roommate rentals. Landlords need to take the lead by crafting...
Last Man Standing: Is Airbnb Changing the Rental Landscape?
A Montreal condo owner finds himself in a unique position: he's the only permanent resident in a nine-unit condo conversion. All the other units, he says, are being run as short-term vacation rentals. In a news report, he describes walking the halls with strangers,...
Landlords: How to Avoid Income Loss from Property Damage
From anchor bolts to water leaks, nothing spells income loss for landlords like property damage. Some of this damage may be preventable. To the extent that it is not, landlords still must understand the best strategies for pursuing tenants who cause damage to a...
3 Things Tenants Don’t Understand About Security Deposits
Unfortunately, security deposits disputes are a common occurrence. One of the reasons for this is that too many tenants fail to understand how deposits work. For instance: A security deposit is not last month's rent. Some tenants believe they don't owe rent for the...
Leasing Policy Costs Landlord $20,500
The owner and manager of four apartment complexes has agreed to pay $20,500 in damages to settle a lawsuit over the landlord's pet policy. The landlord allegedly demanded that tenants with disabilities pay pet deposits in order to keep companion or service animals at...
Major Property Manager Sues Airbnb for Interfering With Leases
One of the country's largest apartment managers, Aimco, is stepping up the pressure on vacation rental service Airbnb. Aimco announced that it recently beefed up its previously filed claims against Airbnb by asking for an injunction against the service, restitution...
Discrimination Against Prospective Tenants with a Criminal Record
Recently there has been much discussion and confusion, about how to deal with, or not, individuals who have a criminal record when applying for rent. Below is a link concerning...Office of General Counsel Guidance on Application of Fair Housing Act Standards to the...
Landlords: Your Lease Won’t Protect You From This
When it comes to the profitability of your rental business, there is one situation where a rental application is far more important than a lease agreement. Even the strongest lease language may not help reduce income loss if the tenant leaves early. It is highly...
Police to Landlords: Check Up on Your Properties
The neighbours knew. The police knew. But the landlord apparently was unaware that the rental property had become a drug den. Calgary police say they were called to the suburban property 40 times in six months, including calls to attend three overdoses. Police also...
Common Eviction Mistakes (and How to Avoid Them)
Eviction claims are difficult to navigate, and difficult to enforce. The process can take months and cause income loss, so it's easy to lose sight of the finish line. Here are some steps landlords can take in advance that make the process a little more palatable --...
Ontario Expands Rent Control, Sets 2018 Rent Increase Guideline
Ontario's annual rent increase guideline for 2018 is set at 1.8 per cent. That figure represents the maximum a landlord can raise a tenant's rent without first seeking approval from the Landlord and Tenant Board. It applies to rent increases for the calendar year...
How To Find the Right Pest Control Service
Do-it-yourself pest control at a rental property can lead to liability should tenants or guests be exposed to toxic chemicals. Likewise, maintenance workers who lack experience are ineffective at curbing infestations, and run the risk of injuring tenants by...
Law Would Require Landlords to Prevent Asthma
New York's City Council is considering a proposal that would require landlords within the city to inspect for and correct conditions that create indoor allergens. According to a statement released by The Coalition for Asthma-Free Housing, 48 of 51 council members...
Seattle Landlords Ordered to Provide Tenants with Voter Registration Info
The Seattle City Council has passed an ordinance that requires landlords there to provide voter registration information to existing and new tenants. The measure, which was passed Council 6-0 and was signed by the mayor, goes into effect later this month. According to...
TVS Members Can Report Rent Payments to TransUnion Credit Bureau
TVS has launched a sister website LandlordCreditBureau.com , and now is reporting rent payments to TransUnion Credit Bureau. Reporting to Experian and Equifax is being pursued. Rent payments are reported to TransUnion every 30 days. TVS members can report rent...
The Secret to Managing Long-Term Tenants
Landlords are split on the question of long-term versus short-term tenancies. On the one hand, long-term tenants -- those who stay more than a year -- allow landlords to minimize costs associated with advertising a new vacancy. On the other hand, long-term tenants can...
Long-Distance Landlords’ Shocking Discovery
Landlords in Toronto were shocked to discover that their tenant's boyfriend had converted their upscale single-family home into a boarding facility for international students. According to a news report, the landlords found out about the situation only after being...
How to Make the Most of a Rental Property Tour
Property tours may seem routine, and not all landlords view them as part of the tenant screening process. Yet, the tour presents an opportunity to vet rental applicants and to set the stage for a successful tenancy. Safety First One of the most important steps in both...
7 Tips for Marketing Your Rental Property
Did you know that the way you market a rental unit has everything to do with the quality of rental applicants? Not only that, effective marketing also can save time and money, reduce vacancy, and prevent tenant screening mistakes. Turn Down the Volume The secret to...
