insurance Archives - REM https://realestatemagazine.ca/tag/insurance/ Canada’s premier magazine for real estate professionals. Mon, 09 Sep 2024 16:23:31 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.6.2 https://realestatemagazine.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/cropped-REM-Fav-32x32.png insurance Archives - REM https://realestatemagazine.ca/tag/insurance/ 32 32 Protecting your bottom line: Insurance solutions for property managers https://realestatemagazine.ca/protecting-your-bottom-line-insurance-solutions-for-property-managers/ https://realestatemagazine.ca/protecting-your-bottom-line-insurance-solutions-for-property-managers/#respond Fri, 06 Sep 2024 04:03:10 +0000 https://realestatemagazine.ca/?p=34141 Staying informed, leveraging technology and prioritizing comprehensive coverage helps real estate SMEs protect their bottom line and build a resilient business for the future

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Understanding insurance needs can be daunting for any small and medium-sized enterprise (SME). Yet as SMEs contend with an evolving landscape marked by economic fluctuations, technological disruptions and heightened regulatory scrutiny, having a robust insurance strategy is crucial to maintaining stability and peace of mind. 

This is particularly true in the real estate industry. In fact, according to Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada, over 99 per cent of businesses in real estate and rental and leasing are small businesses. To safeguard against uncertainties, it’s crucial to identify specific risks that could jeopardize their operations and seek appropriate, tailored insurance solutions to protect their bottom line.

 

Unique challenges faced by real estate SMEs

 

Real estate SMEs operate in a highly competitive and often unpredictable environment. From property management firms to small-scale developers, the risks are diverse — ranging from monetary or reputational harm, they can significantly impact a business’s bottom line. 

For instance, a property manager might be forced to face legal action if a tenant damages a property and the screening process had been inadequately performed. Imagine a scenario where the property manager overlooks the tenant’s previous eviction history during screening. The tenant subsequently causes extensive damage, leading to costly repairs and lost rental income. The property owner then sues the property manager for negligence, claiming that the manager should have identified the tenant’s past issues during the screening process. 

Such situations underscore the importance of having insurance that appropriately addresses highly specific risks. However, knowing which ones you face can be a challenge, and working with an insurance professional who has specialized knowledge and experience in risk assessment is always a good place to start. 

 

Essential insurance solutions for property managers

 

Considering the various risks that can jeopardize their operations, property managers operating on tight budgets may see insurance as an expense rather than a necessity, overlooking its importance for business continuity.

Essential coverages for property managers can offer security by mitigating risks that could disrupt operations and stunt future growth:

  • Directors and Officers (D&O) Insurance. Protects the personal finances of directors and officers from legal challenges arising from their decisions, offering crucial protection for company leadership.
  • Errors and Omissions (E&O) Insurance. Protects professionals whose business decisions may lead to errors, omissions, neglect or breach of duty while providing services resulting in third-party claims.
  • General Liability Insurance. Protects against claims of bodily injury, property damage or personal injury that occur within their office premises.

 

Customized insurance solutions: A necessity, not a luxury

 

Every industry has its own unique risks, and the real estate industry is no exception — whether it’s residential property management, commercial real estate or development. That’s why working with an insurance professional who understands the specific challenges of the industry can help tailor a policy package that fits a business best. 

One common challenge SMEs face is limited resources. When it comes to insurance, most SME owners don’t have the bandwidth to explore every option available, and this can lead to difficulty in finding comprehensive coverage that properly protects them from a range of exposures.

To address this need, the insurance industry is developing new inclusive policy packages — offering combined policies that are customized for small businesses. This can make it easier for SMEs to manage various areas of coverage and enhance their ability to proactively control risk.

In response to the specific needs of SMEs for a single insurance policy, many are seeking “insurance packages” that combine various coverages into one, including E&O liability, general liability, contents, cyber and legal coverage together, simplifying the management of insurance needs for small businesses.

 

Balancing affordability with adequate protection and a reliable contact point

 

Cost is always a concern for SMEs. However, it’s essential to balance the need for affordability with the need for adequate protection. Cutting costs by reducing coverage can lead to vulnerabilities that may be far more costly in the long run. Instead, SMEs should look for insurance providers who offer competitive pricing without sacrificing the quality of coverage. 

Lastly — and perhaps most importantly — having a reliable point of contact during the claim process will help ease the pressures faced by SMEs throughout that time. This fosters trust and facilitates more seamless solutions when an incident arises so that SMEs can focus on what matters most: their business. 

 

Embracing technological advancements  

 

Brokers act as a lifeline for SMEs, providing them with products, services and experiences based on the risks they’re exposed to. As the insurance space adopts new technology, brokers can now utilize user-friendly digital portals to better assist real estate SMEs in a timely and efficient manner.

These portals offer real-time quotes and policy issuance, available around the clock, enhancing satisfaction and ensuring that clients can purchase insurance policies at their convenience.

 

Insurance plays a vital role in risk management for SMEs in the real estate industry. Understanding insurance products and utilizing technological advancements can greatly simplify the process of acquiring comprehensive coverage. Staying informed, leveraging technology and prioritizing comprehensive coverage will help real estate SMEs protect their bottom line and build a resilient business for the future.

 

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Helping clients prevent costly surprises: How to avoid water damage and maintain insurance coverage https://realestatemagazine.ca/helping-clients-prevent-costly-surprises-how-to-avoid-water-damage-and-maintain-insurance-coverage/ https://realestatemagazine.ca/helping-clients-prevent-costly-surprises-how-to-avoid-water-damage-and-maintain-insurance-coverage/#respond Fri, 19 Jul 2024 04:03:09 +0000 https://realestatemagazine.ca/?p=33028 Returning from vacation to a flood is horrible. Educate clients with firsthand experience and tips on preventing leaks and understanding the importance of maintenance

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Few things will sink the serenity you achieve during a vacation faster than coming home to find your basement flooded. I know this from experience, recently having returned from a trip to discover that a burst pipe had been furiously gushing water out into my basement for weeks. 

I live in Toronto, where water usage is metered, as it is in most large centres across Canada. With a metered system, any leak, no matter how small, can quickly drive up your water bill. Experts note that even tiny so-called “invisible leaks” can easily bleed away a significant amount of water, and a burst pipe running for just a few hours can potentially flood a home from top to bottom. You may eventually get an alert from the municipality, but by that time many in this predicament find themselves in deep water financially with the utility.

In my case, I’m looking at a probable $6,000 hit, unless I can convince the water utility to take pity on me and adjust the bill, by no means an easy task. So far, as per the City’s guidelines on these matters, the documents I’ve sent them include confirmation of my age and income, a licensed plumber’s letter, proof that my water meter is free of defects and that the leak was not in my control and even, as added validation, airline ticket receipts proving that I was out of town when the leak occurred. 

I’m hoping the next step won’t be handing over my firstborn, but it’s a crapshoot.

 

Advising clients when it comes to leak issues

 

Issues around leaks can be of particular concern to realtors with clients whose houses are sitting empty due to divorce, death, a job transfer, etc. It’s important to ensure in these situations that plumbing systems are in good repair, are being checked regularly or are shut off. The latter of course isn’t ideal for showings and open houses, but it beats having your clients get hit with a crippling water bill.

“Tell them to shut off the water and put a ‘don’t use’ note on the toilet,” advises Richard Fleming, broker/owner of Re/Max Mountain View in Calgary. “Often homeowners say they wouldn’t have thought of that.”

Or you could turn on the water when holding an open house but shut it down again when you leave. 

Homeowners can ensure that their water use isn’t creeping up due to unnoticed leaks or a continually running toilet by monitoring usage via their water bills and/or their account on the utility’s website, Fleming points out. 

In his observation, Calgary’s much-publicized water main break this past June didn’t have a noticeable impact on the city’s realtors and their clients, other than some water restrictions which he deemed only “a minor inconvenience.”

On the flip side, he recalls his “worst water leak story ever,” involving buyers who didn’t get their own home inspection but instead, against his advice, used one provided by the sellers that was a year old. Within a few months of his clients moving in, heavy rain caused their basement to flood. The neighbours informed them that this was a common occurrence and was, in fact, the reason the previous owners sold the house.

“My clients sued for $40,000 — the cost of a proper repair — and won. But it took five years,” says Fleming. “Never use a pre-existing home inspection … and don’t list with clients who refuse to disclose these issues to potential buyers.” 

 

Advice from the Canadian Institute of Plumbing and Heating

 

Tips from the Canadian Institute of Plumbing and Heating on how to troubleshoot begin with the obvious: keep an eye out for drips. “This is a hot topic,” says the organization’s CEO, Satinder Chera, explaining that a hefty percentage of insurance claims stem from water damage. “The problem can be costly, not to mention that if left untreated, water damage can develop into a mould issue with real health risks.” 

In his experience, the most common source of water leaks tends to be burst faucets, toilets or appliance supply lines. 

“When vacationing, the best way to prevent potential water leaks is to shut off your incoming water service valve, which is typically right by your water meter,” says Chera. “If you do that, make sure to also turn off your water heater.”

There are numerous products available to help with detecting and managing potential leaks, he continues, including automated shutoff valves.

 

Insurance claims: The big message is ‘maintain your property’

 

If your client winds up having to make an insurance claim, be aware that only certain types of water damage are covered under a standard policy, explains Rob de Pruis, a national director with the Insurance Bureau of Canada. For instance, sudden and unexpected plumbing leaks are covered. But sewer backup and flooding from heavy rain aren’t — for those, you generally need optional coverage. 

“If a supply line under a sink has been leaking for years and bursts, that’s not covered,” adds de Pruis. Normal wear-and-tear isn’t insurable, so the big message is “maintain your property,” he emphasizes. 

An insurance claim may also be denied if the owners didn’t have anyone checking on the home regularly in their absence. Depending on the insurer, in these cases, the homeowner is expected to have someone stop by the property at least once or twice a week. 

 

My basement is unfinished and well-drained, so in my situation, the damage is manageable and didn’t call for an insurance claim. Getting an adjustment to the water bill from the City for uncontrollable consumption is something else altogether (especially right now when the utility is dealing with a much bigger issue, having just discovered that a huge number of Toronto’s water meter transmission units have failed, wreaking havoc with billings). 

But there’s hope for me. For starters, to be considered for a bill adjustment, water usage during the period in question has to be at least three times the home’s usual daily average. No issue there; it was 40 times my norm.

It also seems that the water utility is more likely to cut you slack in these matters if — how shall I put it — your age has reached the “vintage” stage and your income is such that you’re unlikely to have a wallet full of platinum credit cards. I meet those criteria, relatively speaking, which isn’t something I ever thought I’d find particularly helpful. But if it is in this case, so be it.

Fingers crossed.

 

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Letter to the Editor: The ORWP is a long-awaited lifeline https://realestatemagazine.ca/letter-to-the-editor-the-orwp-is-a-long-awaited-lifeline/ https://realestatemagazine.ca/letter-to-the-editor-the-orwp-is-a-long-awaited-lifeline/#comments Tue, 01 Aug 2023 04:02:51 +0000 https://realestatemagazine.ca/?p=23401 Realtor Erin Corcoran shares her perspective on the ORWP, emphasizing its benefits after being without coverage for 17 years

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The new OREA wellness program, from my viewpoint, is a fabulous and beneficial program that is going to be implemented soon for Ontario realtors. Keep in mind this is my opinion, and although many are opposed, many are still in favour.
 
You see, I haven’t been covered by benefits in over 17 years. That’s 17 years of having to pay for everything at full price. That’s travel insurance, life insurance, dental, vision and more, which I haven’t had since before 2010. I’ve even been declined for certain programs that I have tried to apply for because of a rare blood disorder that most insurance companies don’t cover because it scares them and they know nothing about; and if I was able to get it, the amount I would have had to pay would have been an extreme amount; more than medications, etc., per year.
 
With the ORWP, there are no medical tests or questionnaires required to participate. That in itself is beyond incredible for me.
 
I’ve talked to many others that are covered by spouses, etc. or on other family plans, but I haven’t had that opportunity. Both my fiance and I are self-employed, which is hard to support a family of 5 and the cost of living plus an added astronomical amount towards benefits & coverage. Finally, an answer we have been looking for.
 
Never mind the added bonus of dental and eye care for a small added fee. Both of which I require as an individual.
 
I’ve heard talk of how some think it’s not fair for this program to be mandatory or how realtors shouldn’t be involved with organized real estate and not be members of OREA. But why? Why would you then do a disservice to your clients and not want to have access to the MLS system or be covered by errors or omissions? I know some people are incredibly set off by the lack of an opt-out option and the mandatory amount we must pay.
 
OREA says, “The premium for the Standard Plan will be $659.88 annually per Member and will form part of the OREA dues, bringing the total annual OREA dues to $769.88. For less than $2 a day, 96,000 Members across this province will have the peace of mind of a safety net.”
 
$2 a day, that’s it? To have backing from an insurance company, to have safety and a little reassurance when travelling or getting new glasses. That’s the same price as a large coffee from Tim Hortons.
 
We were all sent the same emails asking for our input regarding what we thought and what we, as TRREB members, were looking for.. stability!
 
Why is it a problem now? Because OREA or TRREB didn’t specifically ask whether you would want this if it was mandatory. Or because your voice wasn’t heard?
 
I voted for our representation for TRREB, and I have attended OREA AGMs in the past. I am involved with knowing and learning more about our industry, and I also watch the virtual meetings online. I got involved and understood what is happening through different task forces within our industry, so I feel I have the right to speak out about this topic.
 
Have you? Have you gotten involved? Read all our emails? Know what’s happening within your own board? If the answer is no, then let me be blunt. I don’t feel that there is an option for you to blame others or get angry over a mandatory benefits program. Do you want a change? Then get involved!
 
I’m seriously excited for the program to start in January. I encourage everyone that’s not as excited to look at it from another point of view.
 
Erin Corcoran
Sales representative
Re/Max Prime Properties
 

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Opposition mounts as OREA members face mandatory insurance plan https://realestatemagazine.ca/opposition-mounts-as-orea-members-face-mandatory-insurance-plan/ https://realestatemagazine.ca/opposition-mounts-as-orea-members-face-mandatory-insurance-plan/#comments Tue, 11 Jul 2023 04:03:29 +0000 https://realestatemagazine.ca/?p=22948 OREA's controversial plan lacks opt-out option, sparking outcry among Ontario realtors

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There’s been an outcry from many Ontario realtors following the approval last month of a mandatory insurance and benefits package pushed through by the province’s real estate association. 

Ontario realtors reportedly will be required to participate in the controversial plan or lose their association membership, even if they already have coverage through another provider or a spouse’s plan. The cost per realtor is about $660 annually, and the fact that there’s no opt-out has many agents across the province up in arms. Although a significant percentage don’t have coverage and are pleased to know they’ll be getting it, others feel that the plan could be improved and that the process leading to it has been rushed and lacking in transparency. Seniors as a group are particularly concerned, as apparently they’ll have reduced coverage but still must pay full price, which some construe as discriminatory. 

The majority of an assembly of representatives from member boards voted in favour of the Ontario Realtor Wellness Program (ORWP), which will take effect on Jan. 1, 2024. But individual members of the Ontario Real Estate Association (OREA) had no say in the vote, and many feel that all realtors should have had a voice. As well, it’s been pointed out that the Toronto Regional Real Estate Board (TRREB), the province’s colossus, holds close to 50 per cent of the votes, rendering anything it votes in favour of virtually unbeatable.

“TRREB is a catalyst in this,” surmises long-time Toronto realtor and professional arbitrator Barry Lebow, who’s been brought on board by those opposing the insurance to be a strong dissenting voice. Lebow notes that TRREB has its own benefits package, and for the board to vote to get rid of it for the new OREA program implies that “there must be something in it for them,” most obviously that they can now hand off administrative responsibilities.

 

Legal questions surround implementation of mandatory program for independent contractors

 

A bigger question circulating in real estate circles is whether it’s legal for OREA to implement a mandatory program that has nothing to do with selling real estate, particularly in light of the fact that realtors are independent contractors.

A new Facebook page called ‘Ontario Realtors opposing mandatory OREA ORWP’ has become an online hub for those against the mandatory insurance. (Says agent Gail Cornacchia, one of the admins instrumental in creating and managing the site, “I didn’t know really what I was in for.”)

More than a platform for keyboard warriors, the Facebook page includes a petition — ‘Say No to ORWP’ — that’s racking up thousands of signatures. Money has also been raised through the site to hire a lawyer. The first thing the lawyer will look into is whether the new mandatory insurance is legal by association rules, Lebow explains.  

Word is that the lawyer has asked for radio silence while he does the research, as he was being bombarded with calls. By the end of July, more details will be available, Lebow notes.

If the lawyer finds that OREA has every legal right to implement a mandatory benefits package, the anti-ORWP contingent’s options will be limited. Whatever happens, their biggest objection to the plan is that it’s mandatory. 

Lebow confirms that “nobody would argue if the insurance was optional.” 

He doesn’t know what’s behind OREA pushing the program through in a matter of months, but he doesn’t believe the organization’s motives are underhanded. And he personally doesn’t care that OREA fees will increase substantially. 

“But this was heavy-handed.” he insists. “There was no getting a consensus from members…And OREA didn’t give us the option of opting out or in.”

In his opinion, members were steamrolled. “I think the whole board should resign,” he states. “They have not represented the masses. The association did us a disservice. We had no voice. That’s the biggest takeaway here.”

 

OREA president acknowledges feedback but no direct response to concerns

 

While OREA hasn’t yet directly addressed concerns, President Tania Artenosi indicates in a recent statement to REM that the organization “continues to receive and review feedback.” The plan will continue to be reviewed to improve benefits and reduce costs wherever possible, she states.

OREA’s goal was “a program that delivered broad coverage and incredible support …ensuring valuable coverage for realtors of all ages and situations,” Artenosi continues. She provides this example: “Most corporate benefit plans do not typically offer critical illness coverage to spouses, and travel insurance for individuals 65 and older is often limited or costly. And the program pays for itself through healthcare coverage alone, which offers a total of $2,000 in combined annual coverage available to all members for medical services and supplies, prescription drugs, and paramedical practitioners, including physiotherapists, chiropractors, and massage therapists.”      

The ORWP is a reliable safety net “for just $54.99 a month,” she says. Those looking for increased coverage at their own expense can now view the top-up options on OREA’s website.   

                         

“We’ll both be quitting real estate in January…It feels like we’ve been forced out of the business.”  

– Darlene Foster, Ontario realtor

 

Southern Ontario realtors Darlene Foster and her husband Wayne — both with Royal LePage and approaching their golden years — aren’t sold.  

“We want a choice,” they say, having discovered that — contrary to what they’d been hoping — Wayne’s excellent existing coverage for medications and benefits won’t kick in once the much lower OREA coverage is exhausted. The Fosters contacted OREA but say they received only boilerplate responses along the lines of the plan being what was best for members.

“So we’ll both be quitting real estate in January,” reveals Darlene. “It feels like we’ve been forced out of the business.”  

For those considering the less drastic step of quitting OREA rather than leaving real estate altogether, a recent post on the anti-ORWP Facebook site advises against it, explaining that you’ll likely lose access to MLS and only wind up hurting your business and your clients.

 

Local associations and boards weigh options

 

Associations that voted against the insurance are facing a similar dilemma. Bill Duce, CEO of the Waterloo Region Association of Realtors (WRAR), says that the board is deciding what to do next. That decision “may range from fully participating in the ORWP to not complying” at all, he asserts. “The board is deeply concerned that participating in the program would force them to sign a contract with the carrier of OREA’s choice,” which WRAR cannot amend, despite being held accountable for any risks that arise as a result, Duce explains.

REM conducted its own unofficial newsletter poll recently, resulting in 1,162 responses — 22.8 per cent of which supported the ORWP, while 77.4 per cent opposed it. For those outside Ontario, 18.3 per cent said they’d like to see a similar program in their province, with 81.7 per cent against it. 

It would seem from the array of responses from various sources so far that “the mandatory nature of this insurance program is objectionable” to a much higher percentage of members than OREA originally anticipated, observes Re/Max’s Cameron Nolan. “One would hope OREA will respond to that statistic in setting aside the mandatory nature of the coverage.” 

 

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OREA membership fees expected to surge over 700% after ORWP approval https://realestatemagazine.ca/orea-membership-fees-to-surge-over-700-after-orwp-approval/ https://realestatemagazine.ca/orea-membership-fees-to-surge-over-700-after-orwp-approval/#comments Thu, 22 Jun 2023 04:02:44 +0000 https://realestatemagazine.ca/?p=22552 Controversial program sparks extensive discussion among realtors, raising concerns over cost, options, and potential age discrimination

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Following a decisive vote in favour of the Ontario Realtor Wellness Program (ORWP) on Tuesday, a mandatory insurance and benefits program for realtors in the province is set to be implemented on Jan. 1, 2024.

With nearly 80 per cent of votes from the province’s 34 member boards supporting the program, it will become a mandatory requirement for members. 

 

Increased annual dues to fund the ORWP

 

To fund the ORWP, annual dues will increase for Ontario Real Estate Association (OREA) members. The cost per individual is expected to be around $660 annually on top of regular fees. Based on the current membership of approximately 96,000, the ORWP would result in an additional $63.3 million in dues being collected. 

The increased dues will go towards covering the costs of insurance premiums and administering the program, OREA says.

Tania Artenosi, president of OREA, expressed her enthusiasm for the program, highlighting its affordability and the peace of mind it can provide. “Offering a benefits program that can assist members during trying times has been a long-standing aspiration at OREA, and we are thrilled to have the support of our member boards to do something about it,” she said in a press release. 

Artenosi previously said in a video addressing members that providing a “high-quality plan” at a low cost is only possible due to the collective purchasing power of members.

 

Varied opinions spark heated discussion

 

This controversial program has generated significant discussion among realtors, reflecting diverse opinions and concerns within the real estate community. Real Estate Magazine’s original article received nearly 100 comments in five days, marking it as one of the most commented-on articles in recent history.

Penny Dutkowski criticized the mandatory program, questioning the negotiation process and the potential lack of value for individual members. Dutkowski argues that a one-size-fits-all approach might not suit everyone’s needs and suggests exploring more flexible options.

Gene Kay expressed support for an optional program with more competitive rates and raised questions about the motivations behind the current proposal. Kay writes, “An easy solution would have been to provide a few options that agents or brokers can opt in to both for themselves, their families, or their administrative staff members. This brings value if it’s a choice.”

 

John W. Meehan highlighted potential issues related to age discrimination and the lack of transparency in the tendering process, “The time for an optional member health benefit/insurance program is, and remains long overdue,” Meehan says. “Having a mandatory program that penalizes individuals who receive diminishing benefits due to age and still have to pay the full fee appears very much like age discrimination.”

 

Benefits provided by ORWP

 

The program will include:

  • Life insurance
  • Critical illness insurance
  • Out-of-country emergency medical travel insurance
  • Accidental death and dismemberment insurance

There’s also a member and family assistance program that provides virtual mental health support, along with healthcare coverage, including prescription drugs capped at $750, paramedical services (chiropractor, massage, and several others) capped at $750, and medical supplies capped at $500.

No medical test or questionnaire will be required to determine eligibility to participate, though the concern is that for those 65 and over, some benefits will be reduced.

Stacey Evoy, co-chair of the Realtor Wellness Task Force, highlighted that for a cost of under two dollars per day, realtors in the province will gain the assurance of having a safety net. 

“And with access to up to $100,000 in life insurance and up to $25,000 of critical illness insurance coverage, plus health benefits including 70 per cent reimbursement of prescription drugs — this plan accounts for a lot of life’s medical necessities and unexpected hardships.”

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Reimagining commercial properties to attract new tenants https://realestatemagazine.ca/reimagining-commercial-properties-to-attract-new-tenants/ https://realestatemagazine.ca/reimagining-commercial-properties-to-attract-new-tenants/#respond Tue, 30 Nov 2021 05:00:10 +0000 https://realestatemagazine.ca/reimagining-commercial-properties-to-attract-new-tenants/ For many real estate owners and operators, repurposing property is the right way to survive the downturn. But it’s also important to consider the shift from all angles to understand the risks and insurance needs and prepare properly for the future.

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The global pandemic has truly changed the world. From lowered emissions as a result of work-from-home policies to an increase in pet adoptions and quality time with immediate family, many of the side effects are net positive.

Yet retail is suffering. Vacancy rates for retail space remain high. Many of the hundreds or even thousands of restaurants that shut down over the last 18 months won’t be reopening. And corporate offices are still experiencing low occupancy as workers have grown accustomed to remote work and are reticent to return to shared spaces.

As a result, many real estate owners and operators – struggling to fight back against plummeting occupancy rates during 2020 – are repurposing property to attract new tenants. For example, retail space has been converted to warehousing and vacant restaurants have reopened as cannabis storefronts. As the economy rebounds, the industry is still looking for new and innovative ways to repurpose commercial property.

No such thing as a quick fix:

Transforming a retail space for another purpose isn’t as simple as it sounds. A repurposed building will need to be redesigned, both in terms of the specific layout but even including the underlying infrastructure, including fire and life safety, mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems. It’s crucial to evaluate each of the building’s systems independently to determine if they can adequately serve the space’s new purpose.

Similarly, it’s important to familiarize yourself with local building codes and zoning laws before advertising your space in a new way. Changing a building’s zoning designation does take time and resources – and it’s important to understand that investment before you take positive steps in that direction.

Consider the risk of the change:

Even without a formal change of building code, repurposed property brings with it a new risk profile – as well as different requirements for insurance coverage. The changing risk and coverage can be a challenge to determine, especially if there is a vacancy clause in effect that nullified coverage or altered terms and conditions. Uncleared vacancies can make it difficult to secure new coverage for a repurposed property.

Another factor beyond the owner’s control that makes it more difficult to secure coverage includes insurance capacity. In many cases, different carriers specialize or offer coverage for different types of property. Many underwriters don’t offer policies for the cannabis industry, either because of specific risk factors or because there just isn’t enough data yet. So even if tenants are readily available, it may not be a good idea to make the change if you can’t secure proper coverage.

A “hard” market:

In recent years, underwriters have become more selective when it comes to real estate insurance. This means they have their pick of what to insure – and the result is that premiums have risen across the board. Even if you have squeaked by in the past because of loyalty to a carrier, a repurposed asset may not qualify as a risk they’re willing to take.

The reinsurance market:

Even a willing underwriter is subject to the risk appetite of their reinsurers. Without reinsurance, underwriters are heavily restricted on the policies they’re willing to write.

Despite these hurdles, real estate owners and operators can take steps to reduce their risk and make their property a more attractive risk. When repurposing your property, consider these factors:

  1. Know the expectations in the new industry. Shifting from one space to another often leads to new liabilities and understanding them is the key to success. For instance, a newly minted warehouse owner assumes responsibility for products and materials housed in their space. A legal liability policy can help protect the owner from the financial consequences of a fire, theft or negligence.
  2. Understand your new risk profile. Similarly, repurposing property often changes the risk profile of the space. This change may not require an entirely new insurance policy but could require additional limits and extensions.
  3. Consider additional coverage. If you are making changes to your property, you may need to make other upgrades required by ordinances that were passed after the building was constructed. It may be a good idea to add on building ordinance coverage, an extension to a property policy, to help with those costs.

For many real estate owners and operators, repurposing property is the right way to survive the downturn. But it’s also important to consider the shift from all angles to understand the risks and insurance needs and prepare properly for the future.

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Opinion: OREA’s solution addresses symptoms, not causes of unaffordability https://realestatemagazine.ca/opinion-oreas-solution-addresses-symptoms-not-causes-of-unaffordability/ https://realestatemagazine.ca/opinion-oreas-solution-addresses-symptoms-not-causes-of-unaffordability/#respond Tue, 02 Nov 2021 04:00:18 +0000 https://realestatemagazine.ca/opinion-oreas-solution-addresses-symptoms-not-causes-of-unaffordability/ While the Ontario Real Estate Association’s proposal is a good first step, these suggestions address symptoms, not causal factors of housing unaffordability.

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While the Ontario Real Estate Association’s proposal to end exclusionary zoning and create as-of-right zoning for alternative housing is a good first step in ending community and political NIMBYism towards affordable housing alternatives, these suggestions address symptoms, not causal factors of housing unaffordability.

Most of the housing-related legislation, initiatives, strategies and tactics passed in the last 40-plus years have focused on how to limit housing demand, or such programs inadvertently contribute to increasing demand, rather than increasing supply. Foreign tax on property purchases, barring foreign ownership for two or more years, taxing property “flippings” and other supposed affordable housing tactics are attacking symptoms, not causes and will all result in dire unintended consequences.

For example, while financial breaks for first-time homeowners may sound great, that incentive only increases the number of prospective buyers who are competing for the same diminishing housing inventory. Conversely, increasing the qualification bar for mortgages may have removed 200,000 Canadian families from the pool of competition but those same families didn’t move out of their rental properties, so the blockage at the top has a cascading effect of locking out new and low-income tenants from the low (“affordable”) end of the rental market.

There are a variety of other causal factors and significant challenges that impede, discourage or prevent the building of second suites, which are always rental units, and subdividing larger homes into smaller homes and rental units. These factors are spread across the three (or four) principal layers of government, which generally pay lip service to inter-governmental co-operation.

In Ontario, the Residential Tenancies Act (RTA) is brutal against landlords. Out of 46-plus potential breaches, 34 uniquely benefit tenants while one uniquely benefits the landlord. One breach benefits neither landlord nor tenant.

The Landlord and Tenant Board (LTB) is a disaster, so much so that a class action has been in discussion between the province and an organization representing small landlords. Multi-year above-guideline increase applications for recovery of capital cost investments discourage any rental property maintenance beyond minimum property standards. Rent control, despite its seeming benefit to tenants, actually is a significant career- and lifestyle-limiting factor in tenant personal growth. It also transfers the financial obligations and duties regarding municipal services from low rent-paying tenants to their market rent-paying peers.

Canada Revenue Agency policies significantly discourage housing investment, especially in the missing middle sector (as OREA noted, “condoscrapers” and single-family homes) because of passive versus active income, recoverable capital cost allowance, capital expense depreciation policies and much more.

Property insurance skyrocketed in 2020 with the Canadian insurance industry enjoying one of its most successful and profitable years in decades – during a global health pandemic. Those costs are passed on to tenants and homebuyers.

Utility rates have skyrocketed, especially electricity. Government and utility companies, which are often owned by municipalities, also pay only token gestures to alternative energy sources that could increase housing affordability. I installed solar panels and the government denied the HST rebate and the Greener Homes construction rebate.

In many Ontario municipalities, rental properties are taxed (property tax) between two and 2.5 times higher than single-family homes and condos. Renters carry more municipal services burden than single-family homeowners. Affordable housing is not possible until the affordable housing paradox is resolved. The higher the property tax, the lower the net operating income on which property tax is based. Therefore, raise property tax = lower property value (equity) = less funds for municipal services.

As OREA says, multi-year municipal approval processes are a major impediment to affordable housing development.

Punishing municipal development charges drive up housing prices too. The City of Oshawa and Region of Durham collectively charge $71,733 for a single-detached home, $57,733 for a townhouse and $42,842 per unit for an apartment building. Toronto charges $87,299, $72,158 and $51,103 per unit respectively. Using an average price for a detached home in Oshawa of $723,700, development charges represent 10 per cent of the price.

What surprised me, and I still don’t have clarification, is that the Municipal Act 2001 (Fees and Charges) states, “A municipality or local board does not have the power under Part XII of the (Municipal) Act to impose fees or charges for the processing of applications made in respect of planning matters under the Planning Act. O. Reg. 244/02, s. 3 (emphasis by me). Are development charges separate from Planning Act matters?

Separately but related, under the Planning Act 1994, s. 1.1 “The Purposes of the (Planning) Act are … (d) to provide for planning processes that are fair by making them open, accessible, timely and efficient; (e) to encourage co-operation and co-ordination among various interests; (f) to recognize the decision-making authority and accountability of municipal councils in planning. (emphasis by me). Do these lengthy municipal delays, burdensome administrative demands and oppressive fees and charges not contravene the Planning Act? Perhaps one of REM’s readers who are expert in such legal matters might post a comment?

Construction costs have also skyrocketed. No matter what inducements and incentives are offered, the cost to build anything has increased and that is the foundation for establishing the consequent sale price. The quadrupling of lumber costs over the past one to two years is everywhere in the news but steel, concrete and glass have also risen, so much so that major building projects are buying out total inventories years in advance, leaving virtually nothing for smaller projects. More workers are also leaving (typically retiring from) the construction industry than are entering it so skilled labour costs have risen.

Higher-density housing means greater parking challenges. Many applications for increased parking space run afoul of municipal “green space” zoning and supposed curbside appeal.

I built a seniors’ affordable housing pilot and shut it down in part because no mainstream lender would finance affordable housing, and private lenders wanted on average four times the prime market rate because seniors and affordable housing are “too risky.” Building insurance was quoted at two to three times higher than student housing, again because seniors were higher risk than students.

Many other housing-related government policies and strategies intersect in counter-productive ways. All layers of government completely ignore the small landlord sector but CMHC reports that 49 per cent of all purpose-built residential rental housing in Canada is owned by “non-incorporated” entities, that is, individual owners who hold title in their own name. Statistics Canada reports that there are perhaps 250,000 public housing units and 14 million private residences built by the private sector.

Ontario’s debt is the largest subnational debt in the world, ranked at number 20 – higher than the debt of 168 countries. Ontario pays $9 million per hour in interest payments. Canada is ranked number 10 worldwide despite its population-to-land ratio likely being one of the lowest in the world and without a doubt the lowest of all first-world countries. Government doesn’t have the resources to solve housing supply, let alone provide a fraction of much-needed public housing.

There are other causal factors that must also be considered as part of an all-inclusive housing strategy, which the federal National Housing Strategy hasn’t addressed. The strategy is mostly toothless and mired in red tape and bureaucracy.

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The most expensive Ontario cities for home insurance https://realestatemagazine.ca/the-most-expensive-ontario-cities-for-home-insurance/ https://realestatemagazine.ca/the-most-expensive-ontario-cities-for-home-insurance/#respond Fri, 01 Oct 2021 04:00:42 +0000 https://realestatemagazine.ca/the-most-expensive-ontario-cities-for-home-insurance/ A new report from Ratesdotca says that Ontarians residing in suburban neighbourhoods, such as Lasalle in Windsor, are paying more than double the home insurance premium in comparison to affluent Greater Toronto Area neighbourhoods.

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A new report from Ratesdotca says that Ontarians residing in suburban neighbourhoods, such as Lasalle in Windsor, are paying more than double the home insurance premium in comparison to affluent Greater Toronto Area neighbourhoods such as Woodbridge. Most of the top 10 least expensive places in Ontario for home insurance are well-to-do Toronto suburbs, says the report.

(CNW Group/RATESDOTCA)

Northern Ontario cities such as Timmins, Thunder Bay and Elliot Lake account for half of the top-10 list of most expensive cities for home insurance premiums.

“Many different factors influence the cost of insurance premiums. Unlike auto insurance, the home insurance market is unregulated. Things like credit scores and unemployment rates could be used to determine the cost of insuring a homeowner, which impacts rates,” says John Shmuel, managing editor at Ratesdotca. “Other factors include crime rates and the number of claims in a particular area.”

Only cities with a minimum population of 10,000 were included in the report.

The top 10 most expensive cities and their closest urban areas:

  1. Lasalle (Windsor)
  2. Windsor
  3. Kingsville (Windsor)
  4. Amherstburg (Windsor)
  5. Thunder Bay
  6. Timmins
  7. Lively (Walden), (Sudbury)
  8. Essex (Windsor)
  9. Garson (Sudbury)
  10. Elliot Lake (Sudbury)

Ratesdotca says the provincial average cost for home insurance premiums is $1,342 per year.

Across the province, there is an approximately $1,145 difference in home insurance between the most expensive, Lasalle at $2,098 a year, and the least expensive city, Woodbridge, at $953 a year.

From the top 10 least expensive list, GTA suburbs Woodbridge ($953) and Richmond Hill ($982) topped the list with the cheapest insurance premiums, with Ajax ($1,027) and Kleinburg ($1,031) taking the 9th and 10th spots.

The top 10 least expensive cities:

  1. Woodbridge
  2. Stratford
  3. Richmond Hill
  4. Oakville
  5. Aurora
  6. Holland Landing
  7. Simcoe
  8. Milton
  9. Ajax
  10. Kleinburg

The estimated home insurance premiums are based on a 45-year-old homeowner, who has been insured for at least 10 years and lives in a 2,500-sq.-ft. house with brick veneer, wood frame construction, natural gas heat and a roof that is 10 to 15-years-old.

The estimated condo insurance rates are based on a one bedroom plus den, 800 to 1,000-sq.-ft. condo in a high-rise, fire resistance-type building constructed after 2007, with $40,000 worth of contents.

The estimated tenant insurance premiums were based on a two-bedroom, one-bath, 1,000-sq.-ft. apartment with $35,000 worth of contents and $1-million liability.

Shmuel offers the following tips for homeowners to lower insurance costs:

  • Be selective on what you claim. Avoid making claims for small things as that would impact your claims history, which affects rates.
  • Bundle with your auto insurance policy. Insurance providers offer bundle discounts of up to 15 per cent if home and auto policies are purchased together.
  • Maintain a good credit score or find a home insurance provider who does not use credit score to determine premiums.
  • Install home monitoring systems. Decrease the risk of damage to your home and theft and avoid making unnecessary claims.
  • Compare home insurance rates. Find the policy and rate that best suit your situation.

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Opinion: Organized insurance scam or troubled industry? https://realestatemagazine.ca/opinion-organized-insurance-scam-or-troubled-industry/ https://realestatemagazine.ca/opinion-organized-insurance-scam-or-troubled-industry/#respond Tue, 06 Apr 2021 04:00:37 +0000 https://realestatemagazine.ca/opinion-organized-insurance-scam-or-troubled-industry/ From what I have researched I don’t see anything that indicates that the Canadian insurance industry and 82 per cent of its member companies were hurt by COVID-19 – quite the opposite.

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Every Realtor and their clients have been touched directly or indirectly by insurance premiums, possibly even as simply a consumer.

In early March I received a near exact 30 per cent increase in my small multi-residential rental property insurance premium. I heard from other residential landlords before who also felt they had been victimized by massively increased insurance premiums but I was still stunned, and then quite upset.

I felt I was one of my insurance company’s better operators with a well-established track record. Despite the COVID-19 doom-and-gloom forecasters, this property had no non-payments of rent or evictions, no claims or losses in the past five years and no gas perils (electric heat). The property is much younger than most properties in Oshawa, all units were fully occupied and there was no student occupancy. I reasonably believed this property was very low-risk to an insurer.

So I solicited comparative quotes. Responses ranged from about $250 more than my current premium to almost double the amount. This was the same experience I had in June 2020 when I tried to find property insurance for my Seniors Affordable Housing pilot. The lowest competitive quote was literally double what the current premium was at that time, while a couple of quotes were triple.

What happened!? My insurance agent replied, “Our apartment rates took a hit and it is affecting all of our business, but good business should be rewarded and I will try my best to get you the best rate.” Her eventual counteroffer was to double the deductible from $5,000 to $10,000 (the amount I’d have to pay in the event of a claim) for a savings of $139.32 on a renewal fee of $3,548.80.

Essentially, what she was saying was that all the good operators that paid big premiums and never made a claim were paying for all the bad or unfortunate operators who did make a claim as well as the criminals who may have successfully defrauded the company.

To me, the agent’s explanation smacked of best-seller fiction, although the agent was likely just regurgitating to me the same crud she’d been fed by her company. In part that’s because a decade ago I chose to invest in residential rental properties rather than any other category. In my opinion, it’s the most stable and recession-resistant real property investment asset class. Everyone needs a place to live but they don’t all need a place to work, which became a top-of-mind consequence of COVID-19 – work from home.

After many, many hours of looking unsuccessfully online for summary information of actual profitability of Canadian insurance companies and also looking at individual insurance company annual reports, I stumbled across MSA Research, a Canadian insurance industry research firm that publishes an annual property and casualty (P&C) report on every insurance company in Canada. Its Q4 2020 report identified 183 insurance companies but some companies are owned by larger companies. For example, while Intact operates under its own name, it also owns Belair, Novex, Guarantee, Jevco, Trafalgar and Nordic. There are several such conglomerates including Desjardins, RSA, Northbridge, Economical, CAA and The Cooperators.

I parsed MSA’s report into a spreadsheet and checked out my agent’s claim. Her insurance company had a combined net income (profit) of $362 million. Its poorest performing subsidiary still generated $10 million net income. Out of the 183 companies, 32 did have negative net income. That left 151 companies (82 per cent of the industry) making a profit. The smallest profit was $51 million; the largest profit was about $606 million.

Insurance companies generate revenue primarily in two ways; from the premiums they charge, called underwriting, and from reinvesting that money. Unlike most other types of businesses though, if an insurance company’s investments or underwriting go south, they just hike the price of their premiums and pass the losses on to customers in the form of higher policy costs.

It’s no surprise then why Warren Buffet, the “Sage of Omaha” and the world’s wealthiest individual, invested heavily in the insurance sector by buying Geico and opening his own insurance firm, Berkshire Hathaway Reinsurance Group (BHRG). A Nov. 5, 2020 report on www.statistia.com stated that BHRG was the most profitable property and casualty (stock) insurance company worldwide in 2019, with revenues amounting to USD $254.62 billion.

That’s 3.5 times more than the whole Canadian P&C industry.

Buffet’s strategy might be condensed to three key elements: (1) premiums paid to BHRG insurance companies remain on hand or are invested as its managers see fit; (2) BHRG invests in companies that have a long history of paying dividends and (3) Buffett reinvests dividends rather than paying one out to investors.

According to Canadian Underwriter magazine’s coverage of MSA Research’s Q4-2020 Outlook Report, “Canada’s P&C insurance industry survived the pandemic year of 2020 in good financial health … The Canadian P&C industry emerged from 2020, an extraordinary year in all respects, with strong results and strengthened balance sheets,” said Joel Baker, MSA’s CEO, “… generally speaking all boats were lifted. The industry’s return on equity (ROE) in 2020 reached 11.03 per cent, which is a significant jump up from the industry ROE of 7.1 per cent … in 2019. The industry’s net income grew by 54.73 per cent (italics emphasis by me) last year, expanding from about $3.9 billion in 2019 to $6 billion in 2020. On the claims side, the industry’s net loss ratio dropped 2.42 percentage points (emphasis by me) over last year (64.15 per cent in 2020, compared to 66.57 per cent in 2019). The claims experience in 2020 wasn’t the same for all carriers, as Baker observed.

The article further stated, “Personal and multi-line carriers performed well despite offset lower auto losses with COVID relief via premium rebates and significant Cats (catastrophe events),” he said.

Baker described the top-line growth of commercial insurers and reinsurers in 2020 as “outrunning the bear” of claims inflation. Commercial insurers exhibited very strong top-line growth of 18 per cent as a result of firming rates,” Baker said. “Despite this, claims were up more than 17 per cent.”

From what I have researched I don’t see anything that indicates that the Canadian insurance industry and 82 per cent of its member companies were hurt by COVID-19 – quite the opposite.

Is it possible that there’s an unwritten conspiracy between the insurers to quote extraordinarily high premiums on their competitors’ business in order to discourage customers from changing vendors and possibly to even make the exorbitant renewal premiums look good by comparison to competitor’s quotes? Only one exception out of about 20 attempts came anywhere near to my existing supplier’s renewal premium.

All English dictionaries have a word for such practices – profiteering. Preventing this kind of unconscionable behaviour is the supposed raison d’être of Canada’s Competition Bureau. If there was ever a cry for the Competition Bureau to investigate an alleged cabal of company executives loosely communicated “verbal understandings” to profit from the misfortunes of consumers and commercial business operations universally and unreasonably, especially during times of crisis – such as a worldwide pandemic – it has to be Canadian insurance companies.

If you want to check out your own insurance company’s financial supposed “loss” claims, here is the MSA Research Report.

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What landlords can learn from the pandemic https://realestatemagazine.ca/what-landlords-can-learn-from-the-pandemic/ https://realestatemagazine.ca/what-landlords-can-learn-from-the-pandemic/#respond Fri, 12 Mar 2021 05:42:01 +0000 https://realestatemagazine.ca/what-landlords-can-learn-from-the-pandemic/ The pandemic has taught us the importance of contingency planning and watching financials closely – or get used to being stressed out every time the bills are due.

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The rental market has been hit hard by the pandemic. With Ontario experiencing a downward trend in the number of reported cases and several vaccines rolling out across the world, more investors are becoming hopeful of the rental market and general economy recovering. Whether you’re in Montreal, Vancouver, Toronto or any other major city in Canada, rental investors of all sizes have experienced the need to quickly adapt to the current market conditions. Here are some rental market lessons taught by the pandemic that you should consider as a landlord.

Run the numbers

The pandemic has taught us the importance of contingency planning and watching financials closely – or get used to being stressed out every time the bills are due. As a landlord, you should have a clear understanding of your own break-even rent price, factoring the following:

  • Mortgage payments
  • Property taxes
  • Utilities
  • Repairs and renovations
  • Landlord’s insurance
  • Building maintenance fees
  • Vacancy costs and move-in incentives
  • Professional fees, such as for tenant placement and property management

As we pass the one-year anniversary of the pandemic outbreak, we continue to notice more and more tenants in Toronto requesting early lease termination, assignment or subletting, as well as vacant units sitting on the market for longer. Keep yourself familiarized with your unit’s market price and annual rental increase potential.

In 2020, most Ontario landlords of rent-controlled units could increase rents by just 2.2 per cent and this year the rent freeze is in effect. Because of this, you should ask yourself if you want to heavily discount the rent to fill your vacancy ASAP, or keep it on the market for longer, possibly with move-in incentives, to get a higher base rent.

Keep track of all your costs and always have a backup plan!

Flexibility is key

It is important, now more than ever, to be flexible in the rental application review process. Many parts of the economy, including the rental market, have changed drastically due to the pandemic, and so have people’s financial situations. As a landlord, try to consider broader credit score ranges and income types in your tenant applicants, as well as easing up on some of the rules you have previously set – for example, pet restrictions.

Of course, that doesn’t mean that you should dismiss any due diligence – you should always conduct independent background and credit checks, including reference checks. Remember, a great tenant will not only pay rent on time, but they will also maintain the property and most importantly, give you a peace of mind. Don’t make a hasty decision, especially when many landlords are struggling to deal with their local tribunals.

Better customer service at every step

When you’re managing a rental property, you’re running a business. You should see tenants as your clients. Treat your tenants, both prospective and current, like you would treat an important client throughout the process:

  • Whenever possible, offer your prospective tenants options for viewing availability, since many work from home now and don’t follow the typical 9-5 schedule. Along with in-person viewings, you could offer virtual viewings via Zoom, Google Meet, WhatsApp and other conferencing platforms.
  • Ask the prospective tenants for their feedback during the viewings. See if you could make any accommodations before your tenants move in, such as applying a fresh coat of paint, paying for move-in expenses, or getting the unit professionally cleaned.
  • Surprise your tenants with a welcome gift, whether it’s a bottle of wine, baked goods or day-to-day products like soaps and detergents, complemented with a hand-written card. Such small gestures go a long way.
  • Check in with your tenants from time to time to see if they have any questions or issues about your property.

A little kindness and respect will go a long way when you’re looking for a tenant. Keep that in mind and you’ll save yourself a lot of time, energy and money.

Safety first!

With current social distancing and safety measures, many people are wary of open houses. Think about how to safely host viewings, such as having people at a reduced capacity (for example, a two-person maximum), requiring everyone to wear masks indoors at all times and providing hand sanitizers before they enter the unit. If your current tenants do not feel comfortable (and understandably so) with in-person viewings, take advantage of conferencing tools to host virtual viewings. We’ve seen quite a few tenants willing to do the viewings on their landlords’ behalf as well, to minimize entry into their unit, so talk to your tenants!

Work with your tenants

In the current market, finding and holding on to a good tenant has become a challenging quest of its own. If you are lucky enough to have great tenants, you should try to do everything you reasonably can to keep them. You may consider postponing any rent increases or offering payment plans (discounts or deferrals for example). Even the slightest accommodation for your tenants could go a long way in keeping them happy and maintaining a positive relationship with them.

As a landlord, you must prepare for scenarios where a tenant either doesn’t pay rent, requests for a rent payment arrangement or decides to break the lease early. Throughout the pandemic, we’ve noticed more cases of tenants looking to get out of their leases early. With classes now being offered virtually, many students don’t need to live close to their schools anymore. Many tenants are also finding cheaper rental options and some decided to purchase. Others are moving into the suburbs, as lifestyle in the downtown core is no longer the same and they no longer need to be closer to their offices. Unfortunately, there were even some cases of tenants taking advantage of the current eviction ban and case backlogs at the Landlord and Tenant Board. To mitigate this, and as intuitive as it may sound, treat your tenants to the best of your ability.

Keeping a good tenant happy is more important than ever. Little acts that show you care about them and the property will help you in maintaining the business relationship.

We understand that the pandemic hasn’t been easy for everyone, especially for landlords across Canada. Although no one has a crystal ball for foreseeing just when things might go back to the pre-pandemic normal, it’s important that you always do your homework and stay optimistic.

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