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Understanding the Responsibilities of Renting Out Your Condo Unit

Renting out your condo property comes with many responsibilities, and without having a clear understanding of what you are committing to, it could be a costly endeavour.

The Residential Tenancies Act legally oversees rental property obligations, which helps govern the rights of both the landlord and the tenant.  When renting out a condominium unit you are also governed by the Condominium Property Act and its responsibilities.

We have compiled some of the most crucial information for landlords listing their condos for rent.

 

Understanding Maintenance Responsibilities

As the property owner or landlord, your list of responsibilities is far greater than the tenants. Not only are you legally obligated to ensure that your condo meets all the requirements, but you are also financially responsible for them as well.

You must ensure your condo meets the following standards, both at the beginning and through the duration of occupancy:

  • Structurally sound and maintained, including windows, doors, walls, roofs, ceilings, floors, and stairs
  • Sanitary and safe
  • Includes a working fridge and stove
  • Working heating, plumbing, and electrical
  • Properly sealed so rain, wind, and snow can’t enter
  • Meets the minimum housing, fire, building, and health standards

The tenant has some maintenance responsibilities, however. They must repair any damage they cause to the condo, unclog drains and toilets, replace light bulbs, and of course, keep the property clean. The tenant must also inform the landlord of any repairs required within a reasonable amount of time. 

Repair requests in writing help ensure both the tenant and the landlord understand the nature and the timeline of the repair to minimize inconvenience, expense, or further damage.

Of note, some of these responsibilities may fall under the control and management of the condominium corporation and its condominium board.  Don’t forget to review your condominium bylaws to make sure that you understand your associated condominium owner responsibilities.

 

Understanding Legal Responsibilities

The legal responsibilities of a rental property protect the health and safety of the occupants and surrounding properties. To rent out your condo, it must meet all Public Health Laws ensuring there is no risk of mold, gas leaks, or unsanitary conditions.

The condo must also comply with all zoning bylaws, local building codes, municipal property standards, and the condominium bylaws, and is not limited to the unit’s interior. The exterior and common areas are subject to the same regulations, and as a landlord, you must ensure they are clean, free of debris, and easy to access. 

These areas include:

  • Hallways
  • Elevators
  • Stairs
  • Parking lots

You must also make sure that you and your tenant understand your legal obligations when it comes to your condominium bylaws.  Often, your condominium community will have rules when it comes to your rental tenant and information around disclosures etc..,

Landowners who don’t abide by their legal responsibilities could be in for a rough and very expensive experience, the least of which are maintenance costs. Lengthy and costly lawsuits can drastically impact your pocketbook and stress levels. 

 

Understanding Tenant Privacy

Your condo is an enormous investment of time and money, and one you are likely going to protect. Some landlords are so protective that they breach the privacy rights of their tenants, intentionally or not.

Of course, in some cases, a landlord must access the property immediately, such as in the case of an emergency. The rest of the time they must comply with Tenant Privacy laws.

For instance, according to the Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), landlords must not:

  • Interfere with the reasonable enjoyment of the premises by the tenant, household members, or guests
  • Harass, obstruct, coerce, threaten, or interfere with the tenant
  • Seize, without legal process, a tenants property for rent default or any other break of obligation

When access to the property is required, adequate notice must be given and agreed upon between the landlord and tenant.  

 

Renting Your Condo Made Easy

Take the hassle out of renting your condominium with a professional property management company, such as Emerald Management & Realty Ltd. 

With Emerald Management & Realty, you can leave the details of your property management, tenant care, and maintenance in their capable hands. 

INQUIRE TODAY online or by calling 403-237-8600.

 


Hidden Costs That Eat Up Your Rental Property Profits

Owning rental property is an excellent investment, but with great profits and investment growth, comes the potential for significant expenses. Unfortunately, property owners can be unaware of the costs involved and become overwhelmed as bills stack up.

 

To learn more about protecting your rental property profits, read about the tips and pitfalls that successful owners use to avoid losing more money than they make.

 

Consider Fees, Property Tax, and Insurance

 

Property tax accumulates whether a rental property is occupied or vacant. While owners factor tax costs into the monthly rental rate, they pay out of pocket without tenants to cover the expense.  We recommend that you review your property tax assessments for any opportunity to appeal.

 

Property insurance is another necessary expense to protect the owner’s investment. However, rental property insurance costs more than typical homeowners’ insurance, and getting the right policy is crucial. If the policy costs more than the owner estimated in the rent, it takes another chunk out of their profits.  To learn more about what you should consider when it comes to placing insurance on rental investment properties, visit: Emerald Management & Realty Ltd.’s Blog Category – Insurance.

 

Legal services and matters are part of rental property management. Those expenses can quickly add up should a tenant’s legal matters escalate.  

 

Other miscellaneous expenses include credit check fees and potentially (depending on the type of rental property) condominium corporation fees and contributions. 

 

The Reality of Maintenance Issues

 

The happier the tenant, the longer they stay, and the smoother it goes when issues arise, resulting in more profits for the owner.  Maintenance is a very real pain point for tenants!

 

Indoor and outdoor maintenance includes:

 

  • Electrical, plumbing & heating
  • Windows and doors
  • Roof, siding, and trim repair
  • Pest control and prevention
  • Yard landscaping
  • Sidewalk repair & cleaning
  • Flooring, cabinets, counters & fixtures
  • Appliances
  • Wall, door, and trim paint

 

Maintenance is a reality and without regular upkeep, a minor issue can quickly escalate into a big one with the large price tag to go with it. Preventative maintenance also assists to grow your real estate investment by preserving and protecting your equity.

 

Owners should update and renovate the property before occupancy, ensuring that any issues that arise afterward are minor. Not only is it more affordable to repair, but it is less hassle for the owner and the tenant in the long run.

 

Hiring Incompetent Contractors or Service Providers

 

No one wants to pay more than necessary, and it is tempting to take the lowest bid or pay the lowest fees in an attempt to protect profits.

 

However, this backfires when the lowest price comes with inadequate services, hassles, and mistakes that end up costing more in the end. 

 

By doing the homework of checking reviews and qualifications, owners and property managers create a network of reliable and trustworthy professionals they can turn to time and again.

 

Here is a list of professionals a property owner needs:

 

  • Real Estate Agent
  • Licensed Property Management Company
  • Property Maintenance Company
  • Real Estate Attorney
  • Professional Accountant 

 

It also saves time and money if you find a licensed property management company that offers several services.

 

The Cost of Vacancy

 

The vacancy can end up costing property owners more than they make. In addition, unreliable tenants who damage property or are late paying rent are expensive and lead to evictions. 

 

An extended vacancy in a rental property is a costly issue that every owner wants to avoid. So, they consider researching market rental rates, and when applicable, offering promotions or rental incentives such as one month free to attract potential renters. 

 

These promotions may solve vacancies, but they can attract less-than-ideal tenants and create more problems in the long run. You can also ask for feedback from prospective tenants.   Maybe the issue isn’t rent but the condition of your rental investment property: is it clean? Are repairs necessary? Maybe a freshening up with some paint or new flooring will help you compete against other properties in your area for rent.

 

Eliminate Unnecessary Costs With Professional Property Management Services

 

With a professional and licensed property management company, owners can hand off the hassle of maintenance, rent collection, credit checks, viewings, and revolving tenants. 

 

Emerald Management & Realty Ltd. offers Calgary and area property owners multiple services to keep profits high and task-load low to help you achieve peace of find. Handling all forms of residential and commercial property rentals, Emerald Management & Realty Ltd. brings almost 50 years of expertise to service rental property owners.

 

CONTACT Emerald Management & Realty Ltd. by calling 403-237-8600 or CLICK HERE.


Covid19 Property Management Update

January 2022
 
From our entire team at Emerald Management & Realty Ltd., we hope that this Covid-19 Update finds you and your family safe and healthy.   Although we had all been hoping to return to a sense of normalcy, our global and local communities continue to navigate through emerging variants and changing health mandates.
 
At Emerald Management & Realty Ltd. we continue to ensure that the safety and protection of our team members and our community is our top priority.   Every step of the way, we have continued to learn and adhere to the most up-to-date advised rules and regulations.
 
We recognize that the current strain may impact response times, however we are doing everything possible to maintain our excellent and responsive property management services levels.   We remain committed to following the guidance provided to us by Alberta Health Services and our provincial and federal governments.
 
As we move through this current wave, we want to keep our property management clients and residents informed about what we are doing to maintain our responsive service levels. 
 
In some ways, it feels like the entire World is short-staffed at this time.  With that in mind, we can anticipate a very real impact to our team members and valued contractors, as they take the time they need to adhere to health regulations and as we accommodate for the potential for reduced staff as we support our team members to do the same.  We thank you for your patience as we work together on the following:
  • Kindly reschedule any appointments or property showings to a later date if you are unwell. COVID-19 Information: Daily Screening Checklist
  • We encourage the use of technology to safely convene on-line meetings and property showings where applicable.
  • As we aim to accommodate all those who are scheduled for meetings and any property maintenance repairs.  Issues will be triaged to ensure emergency situations are given top priority for the protection of building residents and property.
  • Non-emergency maintenance requests can be made using our online Maintenance Request Form
  • In addition to the public health measures such as physical distancing, masking and hand hygiene, free rapid tests are being provided to team members (where and when available) to screen for COVID-19. 

FAQs

Is your office open to the public?

We are open to the public but request that where possible, interactions be taken online and/or by phone.  All visitors to the office are asked to stay home if showing symptoms and will be asked to wear a mask in accordance with the current mask bylaw.  Current Office Hours.

How can I contact your customer service or maintenance support team?

In the event of an emergency, please contact our 24-hour emergency line at 403-237-8600.  To learn more about what is considered an emergency please visit: What is an Emergency?.
Should you require assistance, please contact our office or email your property management team.  As individual team members may be working remotely or ill, we thank you in advance for your patience if response times are slower than usual.   You can also contact us online by visiting: Contact Us to register your concern.

Are masks mandatory for team members and customers?

We remain committed to doing all we can to encourage and keep employees and customers safe.  With the emergent of new variants, we continue to mandate the use of masks in accordance with the current local and provincial mandates. 

How are you keeping employees and customers safe?

The health and safety of our customers, employees and communities is our top priority.  Our team continues to communicate and monitor safety protocols implemented.  Further to this ongoing practice, we monitor local and health authority guidelines and best practices.

What are your current office hours and emergency after service protocols?

For more information about our current office hours and what to do in the event of an emergency, please visit our Contact Us page.

Additional Questions?

Please visit Frequently Asked Questions for Owners and Tenants to browse additional FAQs and if you have any other questions, please use our Contact Us page.
 
In order for us to uphold our commitments, we ask that you please reach out to us as soon as you are aware of any concerns.  As always, we will update you on our protocols as changes happen. We appreciate your understanding and thank you for helping to keep everyone in our community safe.
 

Thank you again for your support and patience as we continue to maneuver through this unprecedented time.  We are immensely proud of our team members who strive to respond and adjust to changing mandates and practices. 


Emerald Management & Realty Ltd. is one of the leading residential and condominium property management companies in Calgary, AB.  We specialize in all types of property — including single family homes, hi-rise apartments, condominium corporations, mobile home parks, home owner associations as well as offices and larger commercial spaces.

Emerald Management & Realty is proud to provide excellent property management services near you. Contact our team of property management specialists today to learn how our experience can help you! 

If you are wondering what the best rental property management companies near me are, you don’t need to look further than Emerald Management & Realty Ltd.


Why Single-Family Homes are a Great Investment

The Great Recession of 2008-2009 severely affected the Canadian real estate market. But, over time, it has gradually recovered from the disastrous loss. Now, real estate in Canada has become a safe, more stable investment option again. Meaning; you can easily profit and gain from your investment within a short time.

If you are looking for a long-term investment, buy a single-family home and rent it out. While purchasing a duplex or condo apartment might seem more attractive due to its smaller size, this isn’t necessarily the case. It can mean more work and be more inconvenient; you will have to deal with more people, possibly a higher turnover rate, your tenants will likely be paying lower rent, and you’ll have to consider maintenance fees.

Are you new to investing in real estate? Buying a single-family home is a great, lower-risk option. What is a single-family home? Well, a single-family home is a standalone property fit for an average family. It is considered the best rental property option since you can recover your investment through the monthly rent you’ll charge. 

However, like any investment, there are pros and cons associated with it.

Here are a few points that make single-family homes great investment opportunities.

Long-Term Tenants

There is no guarantee when it comes to human behavior; anyone can be a good or bad tenant. However, it is a common belief that those renting a house tend to be more responsible. Not only does the renter have to have proof of income, but houses are also generally rented to young professionals or those with dependents in their care. They aren’t looking to bounce around from place to place every few months, they’re looking to settle for years to come.

Also, those looking to rent a house are generally better at maintaining the condition of the house and are more interested in the yard work. 

Long-term renters consider the place they’re in, home; they will treat the property as such showing pride of ownership if you will. 

You’ll find rent will be paid on time, as your renters will want to maintain a positive relationship.

As a result of the aforementioned; you won’t have to deal with an empty space, people moving in and out and the deep cleaning that goes along with that, or interviewing potential renters over and over. The process can be quite hectic.  

Lower Property Taxes

Lower taxes; music to your ears!

Single-family homeowners can save themselves thousands of dollars in taxes each year. In addition, owning these properties and managing them as rentals, offer significant tax benefits. There are potential tax deductions for depreciation, property taxes, house repairs, ordinary and inevitable expenses.

The cost of supplies and materials in order to make repairs to the home is also tax-deductible.

Low Management Cost

Overall size considered, a single-family house is smaller than an apartment building. This means the home will be easier to maintain and will cost less.

For instance, if the furnace breaks in your rental home, it should only cost you a few thousand dollars and should generally be a quick fix. On the other hand, if the furnace breaks down in an apartment building, the cost is significantly higher, you’re likely looking at long wait times for repairs and, you have more than one family to concern yourself with. 

Moreover, even for the homeowner, single-family houses should be easier to maintain since the repairs are generally not that expensive or complicated. That said, be sure to keep up with general maintenance as required, ensuring the foundation is sound, the roof is in good shape, the windows installed are energy efficient, etc.  

Contact Us! 

Are you looking for an investment property? A property management service can help. At Emerald Management & Realty we have experts who will guide you along the way, making your property buying decision an easy and seamless one.

To hire our services, call us at 403-237-8600 or visit our website today!


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