Abbotsford, B.C. is marking an important milestone this month: 93% of all licensed rental properties have become certified “Crime Free” properties.
As a result of joining the Crime Free Multi-Housing Program, fully certified properties have seen a 96% reduction in property crime offences.
On average, the occupancy rate for the fully certified properties is above 94%. The program proves that reducing crime within rental properties helps to prevent empty apartments.
The Crime-Free Multi-Family Housing Program began in 1992 when a law enforcement officer sought a more effective and creative way to lower crime in neighbourhoods with rental properties. The program involves training landlords and property managers how to spot and prevent crimes, and how to work effectively with law enforcement. In return, certified properties can proudly display the “Crime Free” Certificate, which studies prove helps attract quality tenants.
New Westminster was the first city in Canada to adopt the program. Evaluations conducted by the New Westminster Police Service indicate that over 90% of property managers who have completed the training are making successful changes in the way they manage their property. Participating apartment communities have experienced a decrease in police calls for service anywhere from 20% to 70%.
Abbotsford police view The Crime Free Multi-Housing Program as “an honest, direct and solution oriented crime prevention initiative designed specifically to help apartment owners, managers, residents, police and other agencies work together to keep illegal and nuisance activity off rental property.”
This program can reverse the decline in property values when illegal activities begin to affect the reputation of the neighbourhood.
Working in conjunction with local police, landlords and property managers can reduce or eliminate property damage that occurs from abuse, retaliation, neglect, and police searches, fire resulting from drug manufacturing or grow operations, loss of rent during the eviction and repair periods, fear and frustration when dealing with dangerous and threatening residents or their guests, increased resentment and anger between neighbours and property managers, and the loss of valued residents.
The Crime Free Multi-Housing Program is active in other BC communities: Burnaby, Campbell River, Central Okanagan Regional District (Kelowna), Chilliwack, City of Kamloops, Coquitlam, Duncan, Fort St. John, Langley, Ridge Meadows, Mission, New Westminster, North Vancouver, Port Moody, Prince George, Richmond,Surrey, West Vancouver, White Rock, and Vancouver — and throughout Canada.
Contact your local law enforcement agency or landlord association to find out about Crime-Free workshops in your area.
This post is provided by Tenant Verification Service, Inc., helping landlords reduce the risks of renting with fraud prevention tools that include Tenant Screening, Tenant Background Checks, (U.S. and Canada), as well as Criminal Background Checks, and Eviction Reports (U.S. only).
Click Here to Receive Landlord Credit Reports.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this post in not intended to be construed as legal advice, nor should it be considered a substitute for obtaining individual legal counsel or consulting your local, state, federal or provincial tenancy laws.
