Landlord Beware! - the importance of tenancy/reference checks

[LillianHo]

Thanks for sharing Sherilynn! Good reminder.

 

[CanadianIce]

I've decided to rent out a couple rooms to ESL students. My understanding is the landlord can ask people to leave anytime, which reasonably would be a couple weeks notice, if there is a problem. I might not bother with reference checks. Any advice?

 

[adriano]

I know in British Columbia you can do a month long rental agreement that has to be renewed every month. You can also do shorter.
I had a friend who did this and the tenancy branch could not do anything as the tenants had to legally be out at the end of every month or they had to renew For another month on the first of the month.
Although this is a ton of work it can be done.

 

[RE123RE]

Sad how many people who deserve a chance are homeless and people like this are able to scam their way into lovely (and free) accommodations.

If it comforts you, being a criminal actually means having a pretty difficult and stupid life.

 

[Sherilynn]

I've decided to rent out a couple rooms to ESL students. My understanding is the landlord can ask people to leave anytime, which reasonably would be a couple weeks notice, if there is a problem. I might not bother with reference checks. Any advice?

I would absolutely do reference checks! In Alberta, you are not governed by the RTA when renting rooms of your residence, so you have no protection and less recourse. Sure, you can ask them to leave, but will they? I would want to be sure the person was a solid applicant.

 

[Sherilynn]

I know in British Columbia you can do a month long rental agreement that has to be renewed every month. You can also do shorter.
I had a friend who did this and the tenancy branch could not do anything as the tenants had to legally be out at the end of every month or they had to renew For another month on the first of the month.
Although this is a ton of work it can be done.

Yes, we do this in Alberta when we are having difficulties with a tenant. For example, if the upper and lower suite tenants aren't getting along but there is nothing concrete on either of them, we'll do a monthly fixed-term renewal until we decide what is best.

 

[Sherilynn]

If it comforts you, being a criminal actually means having a pretty difficult and stupid life.

Yes, if only more people would realize this and give up their scheming ways.

 

[Jennifer10662]

Thanks Sherilynn. I am learning a lot from this post.

 

[RE123RE]

if only more people would realize this and give up their scheming ways.

Totally