Prince Rupert rentals?

[quote=“guitargrrl”]I agree that there needs to be a variety of housing options, but as a landlord, the lower income tenants I’ve had dealings with have chosen to live like animals and treat my asset like garbage. It certainly doesn’t make me want to rent to people who have no concept of home ownership or respect for another person’s property.

My partner and I do not discriminate against lower-income folks and have rented to all sectors of Prince Rupert society, from doctors to single mothers on welfare, but time and time again, we’ve provided decent, clean, solid accommodations which at the end of a lower-income tenancy look like shit. Maybe that’s our fault for believing in the wrong people but it is starting to make sense to me to charge a higher rent from someone with a job and a sense of respect for personal property.

If I’m going to have to spend my time, energy, and cash to replace carpet, drywall, appliances, and broken panes of glass, pay the mortgage, and, don’t forget, pay high taxes and utilities, I am damn well looking to make a little profit. Money-driven? Maybe. Don’t forget that housing rentals are businesses, and I don’t need to subsidize anyone else’s life any more than I already do with my federal, provincial, and municipal taxes.

The previous poster’s comment about renters burning bridges is an apt one; if good landlords like myself hadn’t been screwed so many times by deadbeat renters, we might be less inclined to seize the current opportunity to make up some of our losses.[/quote]

Very well said and I agree completely. I’ve been a landlord in the past and have had to deal with nightmarish issues. I had to evict one tenant for various reasons including partying and being disruptive to myself and the other neighbors. Short after I served notice, I had to leave town for a couple of days and returned to find the suite empty, holes kicked in walls and fecal matter smeared on the remaining walls. A small damage deposit did not even come close to repairing the damage. It cost me roughly what I would have received in rent for a year.

Rent is also market driven and landlords are free to charge what the market dictates they can. It’s more than fair.

Very well said “guitargrrl” and agree with your post completely. Part of the problem here also is there seems to be no consequences for those that neglect and abuse properties. Damage it, laugh about it and move on to the next and sadly, some owners have no option but to rent to these asses as they can take the owners denial to rent to them to the Landlord Tenant or welfare office. I have talked to my landlord and the horror stories about past tenants is heartbreaking. Never, in a million years, would I ever buy a rental property in Rupert. Is that generalizing or discriminating against those who are good tenants? Possibly, but the bad outnumber the good here.

home prices have been going up and this would reflect rental prices, higher mortgages = higher rent.

Oh no one can blame the property owner/ land lords for the situation up there … It is a very complex issue and the solutions are not easy… Some tenants at the low end are down right pigs and I don’t see how many property owners ever break even much less make money… Macro has had there bad luck with tenants as have the smaller operations… In victoria there are many non profits that have places that house the difficult to house many staffed around the clock… this only works when the individuals, that are tough to house seek help for whatever health issue (addictions etc ) is causing the problem …

If I was a landlord, I’d like to think I would be like guitargrrl providing “decent, clean, solid accommodations”, and I’d expect to make money. If I needed a place, I’d like to rent from them.

Some renters who “burn bridges” and the “deadbeat renters” are the difficult to house.The hard to house, and the working poor are the ones who may suffer as Rupert gets busier. As jamesbrown says its complex. And speaking of complex, according to the Macro Properties website, they own the Neptune too. Didn’t know that.

But wait a minute, the City employs a City Planner. Is housing and looking ahead in regards to housing in his job description? If not, maybe it needs to be. I’m confidant we have the city resources to tackle this issue without contracting out a study.

[quote=“windchime”]If I was a landlord, I’d like to think I would be like guitargrrl providing “decent, clean, solid accommodations”, and I’d expect to make money. If I needed a place, I’d like to rent from them.

Some renters who “burn bridges” and the “deadbeat renters” are the difficult to house.The hard to house, and the working poor are the ones who may suffer as Rupert gets busier. As jamesbrown says its complex. And speaking of complex, according to the Macro Properties website, they own the Neptune too. Didn’t know that.

But wait a minute, the City employs a City Planner. Is housing and looking ahead in regards to housing in his job description? If not, maybe it needs to be. I’m confidant we have the city resources to tackle this issue without contracting out a study.[/quote]

Yeah Macro bought neptune a quite a while ago… It is now all monthly rentals about 400-450 all inclusive… for the rooms, some have kitchens…

I agree with guitar girl, it’s very frustrating to have to dish out a pile of $$ after a tenant leaves to make the rental nice for the next tenants (and I want my rentals spotless for them to move into). One of my places was left absolutely filthy, the fridge door handle was ripped off, the bedroom door was kicked in and it smelled bad. Thankfully, I now have a wonderful tenant in there.
My other rental has been available since April and it will stay that way until I find the right tenant who is responsible and has excellent references.

[quote=“Crazy Train”]

Rent is also market driven and landlords are free to charge what the market dictates they can. It’s more than fair.[/quote]

A landlord can charge a new tenant whatever the tenant agrees to, but rents for existing tenancies are not market driven - rents can only be increased up to the permitted maximum (currently 3.8% a year) in the Residential Tenancy Act, regardless of the market. < bclaws.ca/EPLibraries/bclaws … 8_01#part3 >

Landlords have options. The Residential Tenancy Act does not require them to rent to ‘asses’ or anyone else. And a landlord can investigate a prospective renter’s “suitability” although they cannot charge a fee for doing that < bclaws.ca/EPLibraries/bclaws … #section15 >.

Under the Human Rights Code a landlord cannot refuse to rent a place because a prospective renter belongs to a protected ‘class’ based on “race, colour, ancestry, place of origin, religion, marital status, family status, physical or mental disability, sex, sexual orientation, age or lawful source of income” < bclaws.ca/EPLibraries/bclaws … #section10 >.

But the Code does not protect an applicant that the landlord does not consider to be suitable because they do not have adequate references or the applicant has expectations that the standard terms do not provide for and the landlord does not agree to.

Tinker Realty rents homes infested with bed bugs.

Judy Park and her pompous assistant show a complete lack of respect for their tenants, I have spoken with others who have had atrocious experiences with this outfit as well…

I once heard Judy tell a tenant “we are all in the same boat” … well some of us have to live on that boat.

The rental situation in Prince Rupert really is abysmal when hacks like this continue to stay in business.

[quote=“SofaKing”]Tinker Realty rents homes infested with bed bugs.

Judy Park and her pompous assistant show a complete lack of respect for their tenants, I have spoken with others who have had atrocious experiences with this outfit as well…

I once heard Judy tell a tenant “we are all in the same boat” … well some of us have to live on that boat.

The rental situation in Prince Rupert really is abysmal when hacks like this continue to stay in business.[/quote]

As a rule I will not edit or delete posts. On occasion I will move them to the wasteland. Please remember that you are responsible for what you write here. Please take a moment to read the HTMF FAQ linked below.

HTMF FAQ

Rental management is a regulated profession in this province. Realtors who act as agents for landlords are required to be qualified and licensed. You have made very serious allegations (for which the administrator has provided cautionary advice).

A constructive way of expressing your concerns would be to file a complaint to the Real Estate Council of BC, which is a government agency that regulates the realty profession and has powers to fine, suspend, dismiss or otherwise discipline licensed realtors. This site and the links will provide details as to how to proceed < recbc.ca/complaints/complaint.html >.

Also, there is advice on another thread as to how tenants facing bed bug problems can seek redress from the Residential Tenancy Branch if the landlord (or their agent) fails or refuses to take appropriate action < viewtopic.php?f=3&t=21480&p=195988#p195987 >.

[quote=“BTravenn”]

[quote=“Crazy Train”]

Rent is also market driven and landlords are free to charge what the market dictates they can. It’s more than fair.[/quote]

A landlord can charge a new tenant whatever the tenant agrees to, but rents for existing tenancies are not market driven - rents can only be increased up to the permitted maximum (currently 3.8% a year) in the Residential Tenancy Act, regardless of the market. < bclaws.ca/
.[/quote]

Fort macmurray is a clear example of what I’m saying…

" The real estate market in Fort McMurray is growing rapidly, driven mainly by the booming oil & gas, mining, forestry and potash sectors"

prisminvestments.com/why-invest- … -mcmurray/

“If the landlord charges an amount in excess of the inflation rate plus two percent, the tenant does not have to pay the excess rent unless the tenant has been served with a Residential Tenancy Branch order allowing the rent increase.”

As you pointed out, If a suite is vacant then the rate you shared does not apply. That’s only for current tenancies. If my unit becomes vacant I’m free to change whatever the market dictates I can get.

We have someone going into our rental house every 3 months. It was written up as part of the agreement and if they didn’t like it, then we did not rent to those people. The tenants we have are amazing and had no issue with the process. Our house is also in good shape, to this day (whew!).

We heard about a guy who’s tenant trashed the house to the extent it had to be taken right down to the studs which took about 2 years to rebuild it from there. That is a lot of rental revenue lost. The tenants were never held accountable and apparently do not understand the landlord’s problem with them. It’s sad but when you look around town, there is not a lot of respect shown to our environment or many properties. The City plants planters - the street kids pull the plants up and destroy them. What are you doing out at 4 and 5 am anyway? Where are your parents?

Prince Rupert’s appearance is not much better than a slum with some of the neighborhoods being disgusting. But with one Bylaw person, how can the City of PR start seriously enforcing unsightly properties? The paradigm needs to be changed both inside the homes we rent out and within our City. It’s a social problem with no immediate or easy solution. BUT Just because one is poor, doesn’t mean you need to live like an animal. Soap is cheap and water is free to tenants. The Sally Anne would help with the soap issue, I’m sure and perhaps throw a broom into the mix. The good news for landlords is that with higher rents, you can hopefully command a better quality tenant – although it isn’t a sure thing there either. People with money and no respect can also trash your house as well as the next person.

I have always considered property ownesr in Rupert that rent out places either small scale or large to be brave souls.
Most tenants have no idea about the cost of up keeping property, some of which is understandable because many have never owned, however the general lack of respect for something that is not theres own is horrible in many cases. honestly don’t blame some owners from uping prices to avoid some of the bad tenants, but as said it can still happen. I feel for the owner who had to strip down there place to the beams. Tenants often don’t realize most owners need revenue coming in to provide them a home… the owner that has to evict for non payment of rent is often put down, well it is a business not a free ride!

The appearance around town is appalling never saw a community where vandalism of public works was so bad ever… The city tries to do what they can on such limited funds, but its a losing battle… And dumps that should be torn down, Rupert must hold a record for that…

now being 2015.
I moved to Rupert in 2011 just before the rentals began increasing.
by 2012 the rents doubled, 3 bedroom places that once asked for 800 were then asking 1600 a year later.
welfare gives a family of 2 adults and 3 children $725 for rent and $300 for food… NOTHING MORE!!!
trying to find a place is not easy when the asking cost leaves you starving with a roof over your head.
there are many people who do not know what it costs a home owner to operate a rental, so many home owners really need to lay out the finances for the tenant.
I think home owners should not post any asking price and just say to be negotiated! the landlord should be able to decide on their tenant based on the references and advise no references to be family members, must be 3 previous landlords, unless been living in the same place for 4 or more years.
I am looking for a place and will have a hard time finding one because I can only afford no more than $1000 a month including paying hydro and gas.
the one bad low income tenant makes bad rep for the rest of us-
31 year old graduate- non drinking non drug user- mother of 3 suffering rent increase because of the acts of the carelessness of other low income people who are on welfare, looking for new home for 3 years now but cant afford one!! and welfare does not allow us to own a home so buying one is out of the question. if welfare let us buy a home then maybe more people would understand the costs of owning a home from at least just looking into buying one because they are allowed to buy one to build credit and so on…

So you want to collect welfare and be able to own a home. What a friggen joke that is

[quote=“tinytedo”]now being 2015.
I moved to Rupert in 2011 just before the rentals began increasing.
by 2012 the rents doubled, 3 bedroom places that once asked for 800 were then asking 1600 a year later.
welfare gives a family of 2 adults and 3 children $725 for rent and $300 for food… NOTHING MORE!!!
trying to find a place is not easy when the asking cost leaves you starving with a roof over your head.
there are many people who do not know what it costs a home owner to operate a rental, so many home owners really need to lay out the finances for the tenant.
I think home owners should not post any asking price and just say to be negotiated! the landlord should be able to decide on their tenant based on the references and advise no references to be family members, must be 3 previous landlords, unless been living in the same place for 4 or more years.
I am looking for a place and will have a hard time finding one because I can only afford no more than $1000 a month including paying hydro and gas.
the one bad low income tenant makes bad rep for the rest of us-
31 year old graduate- non drinking non drug user- mother of 3 suffering rent increase because of the acts of the carelessness of other low income people who are on welfare, looking for new home for 3 years now but cant afford one!! and welfare does not allow us to own a home so buying one is out of the question. if welfare let us buy a home then maybe more people would understand the costs of owning a home from at least just looking into buying one because they are allowed to buy one to build credit and so on…[/quote]

You should never be allowed to own a home while riding the backs of taxpayers. If the more than generous amount of $1025 per month from the government for you to do nothing is not enough, then GET A JOB…even a minimum wage job will net you more money than $1025 per month. The minimum wage in BC is $10.45 per hour, that is $84 per day, $420 per week.

You are a 31 year old graduate with no drinking or drug problems - so I am assuming you are able to be working. You have 3 children…again WHY are you not working?

Also the homeowner does not need to ever lay out anything for the tenant, you either take the place at the price they are offering, or you move on…this is THEIR HOME, THEIR INVESTMENT, THEIR INCOME.

Wow…the level of entitlement from you is jarring…I thought I had seen it all on here, but this poster takes the cake.

The story doesn’t seem to add up…

If you are not working in Prince Rupert and cannot find a job, then go move to a community where you can get a job. If you have no skills, go to a community where rent is cheap and then go to social services and enquire about getting some skills so you can support yourself.

I am in my 60’s. I have worked full-time or part-time (when attending school) since I left home at 18. I have lived in about 10 different communities in BC and one year I travelled into Alberta. A lot of the jobs were pretty shitty and sometimes the living conditions were disgusting, but I did it knowing that if I keep at it, my situation would change.

No one is responsible for your predicament but you. Get off your butt and quite feeling sorry for yourself. If you think you are suffering in Prince Rupert, I will personally buy you a one-way ticket to the Sudan.

Oh, and BTW I do own a house.