Thursday, April 02, 2020
Landlording
Monday, March 30, 2020
Covid-19: Should you continue to issue 14-day notices
Many landlords are understandably worried after stories like this emerged in the media over the last two weeks. On the one hand, landlords, by and large, understand renting is a human business. On the other hand, many landlords are frustrated by being excluded from most of the government's relief packages in light of Covid-19. Not to mention, rent arrear is a risk that is very pres... read more
Friday, March 27, 2020
Covid-19: Mortgage holidays
A what-do-we-know-what-don't-we-know about mortgage holidays so far: Debt-deferral, not debt-forgiveness: Interest will continue to accrue for the duration of the 'holiday'; More information to come: Most banks have signaled that more information/firmed up packages will be announced the week of 30th March; Packages designed more for owner-occupiers rather than i... read more
Wednesday, March 25, 2020
Level 4: Socialise reliefs, privatise solutions
Jeff Bezos said earlier this week that there is 'no instruction manual for how to feel at a time like this' and he is exactly right. There is still a lot to learn and unpack about Covid-19, Level 4 and what all of this means to each and every single one of us. So, for the time being, give yourself a pass to feel what you feel. We are not here to tell you what is normal. What we are he... read more
Thursday, March 19, 2020
Covid-19: Temporary rent reduction
Strange times have the tendency of throwing up unexpected challenges and these are certainly strange times. We are only starting to feel the effects of the coronavirus pandemic. As to how the next few weeks or even months will unfold, it is simply too early to tell. For the time being, we encourage landlords to take stock in order to have a good understanding of your various rental... read more
Tuesday, November 05, 2019
Sandra has a problem
Sandra has a problem. Sandra and her husband Terry live in a small house down a private right-of-way. They have been there for a few years, and like the location. It is handy to Terry’s work, and Sandra can easily catch the bus to her part-time job as a teacher aide. The neighbouring house on the road frontage is a rental, and some months ago new tenants moved in. Altho... read moreFriday, September 27, 2019
How to deal with your tenants break up?
Sometimes, tenants who jointly sign a tenancy agreement may decide to part ways. When that happens, you would expect at least one of the two to move out of the renta. If one tenant chooses to stay on, how do you handle the tenancy? You have two options: In the case of either a fixed term or periodic tenancy: It is on the exiting tenant to obtain a written agreement signed ... read more
Thursday, September 26, 2019
Property inspection - the 2019 way!
Recent changes to the tenancy law have certainly put a whole new spin on the way landlords manage the risks associated with renting out residential properties. As the rental industry comes to terms with the full effects of these changes, experienced landlords and top-notch property managers are busy developing new best-practice models in order to continue growing their rent roll ... read more
Friday, September 20, 2019
You want to test for meth but your tenant says 'No'
Landlords can now enter onto the property* to test for meth contamination. The latest amendment to the Residential Tenancies Act gives landlords the right to enter onto the property to test for meth contamination provided that the following s48(ba) conditions are met: That a minimum of 48 hours and a maximum of 14 days notice has been given to the tenant advising the reas... read more
Thursday, August 29, 2019
Rumour has it...
Landlords are, understandably, feeling vindicated and excited about the RTAA 2019 which now makes tenants liable (up to a certain extent) for carelessly damaging the property. But Parliament being Parliament, its legislative language leaves much to be desired. It should come as no surprise then that various hot-takes arrived at different conclusions as to exactly how will the t... read more
Upcoming Events
07-Apr-2020
Members Only APIA Hangout - Covid-19 First response: What to do NOW to prepare for what is coming
07-Apr-2020
Members Only APIA Hangout - KPM Mortgage Clinic
08-Apr-2020
Members Only APIA Hangout - DKL Legal Clinic
