Posts Tagged ‘tenant credit check’

City of Mississauga and Landlord Licensing

Friday, October 10th, 2014

Mississauga landlords landlord licensing

Mississauga Landlords – Do You Know Landlords Need To Get a City Licence in 2014? Read Our Interview With Mickey Frost, Director of Enforcement for the City of Mississauga

Mississauga landlords know they live in a dynamic and growing city.

With a growing population there is increased demand for high quality rental housing. This means many home-owners are renting out basement apartments to good tenants who are looking for safe and affordable housing.

Some Mississauga landlords are unaware of the need to get a license from the City if you are renting out your basement or other part of your home.

We wrote about this before in an article last year called “Mississauga Landlords Ask: What’s Going On With Landlord Licensing?”

This has led to hundreds of emails and even more posts in the Ontario Landlords Private Members forum from landlords asking a multiple of questions about how the law applies to them.

It’s important that Mississauga landlords are aware of the requirements to rent out property and follow the rules carefully. This way tenants are assured of safe rental properties.

In an effort to help get the message you we interviewed Mickey Frost the Director of Enforcement for the City of Mississauga.

We thank Mr. Frost for his time and want to help get his important message out to Mississauga landlords:

Why does Mississauga require small landlords get a licence when big cities such as Toronto do not?

Mississauga City Council approved a plan to permit second units on July 3, 2013.

The plan includes official plan policies, zoning regulations and licensing requirements.

The official plan policies permit second units within detached, semi-detached and townhouse dwellings, where appropriate. 

Part of this plan included a requirement to licence second units. This was initiated to ensure that these units meet health and safety requirements, property standards requirements and are compliant with the Ontario Fire and Building Codes. 

The licensing system also provides a mechanism through which ongoing inspections can take place to ensure that the secondary units are maintained and meet the requirements of City of Mississauga By-laws.

As to why Toronto has chosen not to pursue a licensing regimen for second units, we would be unable to address that question.

What is the reason we need to get a licence in Mississauga?

The Second Unit Licensing By-law 2014-13, as amended, Section 2 (1) requires that:

“No Person shall own or operate a Second Unit unless the Person is licensed under this By-law.”

If I don’t have a landlord licence and apply for one now will I be punished?

Mississauga City Council approved a plan to permit second units on July 3, 2013. The plan includes official plan policies, zoning regulations and licensing requirements.

The official plan policies permit second units within detached, semi-detached and townhouse dwellings, where appropriate. 

Part of this plan included a requirement to licence second units. This was initiated to ensure that these units meet health and safety requirements, property standards requirements and are compliant with the Ontario Fire and Building Codes.

Property owners who fail to obtain a second unit licence may be charged with an offence under the by-law and if found guilty are liable to a fine of not more than $25,000 for an individual or $50,000 for a corporation.

Can my basement be ‘grandfathered’ in? I did lots of improvements years ago to make my unit “safe”.

There is no “grandfathering” provision contained in the by-law.

If a second unit is present in a residential property, a license is required.

Question: Do I have to pay a licensing fee every year?

Yes. The required license is valid for one year and must be renewed every year.

If I have a tenant who doesn’t pay rent do I still have to pay for a licence even though I don’t get rent?

Yes.

Is there any way I can lose my landlord licence?

The Manager has the authority to refuse to issue or renew a licence. This is identified in Section 8 of the Second Unit Licensing By-law 2014-13 as amended.

What happens if a vindictive tenant calls the city of Mississauga by-laws and claims my licensed unit is unsafe? Will I lose my license?

No If a complaint is received, a Municipal Law Enforcement Officer will be assigned and will investigate to determine its validity and take any action that is necessary.

Do big rental buildings require a landlord licence?

No, “big rental buildings” are not eligible for second unit licences. Second units are only permitted in a detached house, a semi-detached house or a row house.

How can I get a Mississauga landlord licence fast? 

Please visit the City’s website for the process to obtain a licence.

http://www.mississauga.ca/portal/residents/housingchoicessecondunits

Mississauga Landlords Make Sure You Get a License For Your Rental Unit

Thank you Mr. Frost for helping us get the message out.

Make sure your rental property is legal and safe. Use a good tenant screening including tenant credit checks to make sure you find great tenants for your legal and safe rental apartment.

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University of Toronto: How Can Landlords Rent to Students In Ontario?

Monday, September 1st, 2014

Toronto landlords rent to students

University of Toronto – More Top Tips for Ontario Landlords Who Want To Rent to Students

Our post last Spring advising Ontario landlords how to successfully rent to students led to hundreds of emails coming in.

Landlords across Ontario kept telling us how much they appreciated the advice presented by the helpful Manager of Rental Housing Service for the University of Toronto.

It looks like more investors are looking at renting to students as way to create a profitable rental business. We even had some Alberta landlords send some questions in.

One of the highlights of the mail was from a BC landlord. She wrote how the latest CBC News story on some “serial tenants” in British Columbia has led her to thinking of changing her rental business strategy to renting to students only and thanked us for the tips.

The manager is Jennifer Radley and the U of T is lucky to have such an helpful person who cares about student tenants and wants to help student landlords (because creating more educated and professional landlords helps students in the long run).

Here are more questions and answers from Jennifer to help landlords successfully rent to great student tenants.

1. Do students normally have guarantors who can sign the lease?

Not always, especially if they are international students.

Some students will obtain a letter from their Professor or Registrar confirming that they are a F/T student and most likely have the financial means to study/live at U of T.

2. Do students like furnished apartments (beds, tables, chairs, etc.)?And will they

    be willing to pay for the furnishings?

Yes, many students do like furnished apartments. The ideal situation is where furnishings is optional. Depending on how much extra, they could be willing to pay.

3. Most students are pretty young.  Is it worthwhile to do a tenant credit check on

    them before renting?”

We do recommend that landlords protect themselves, but many students may not have much of a credit history, so what you find out may be limited.

However, most students do have funding to cover the costs for their studies, including housing, which they may be able to provide you with evidence of, and may also be able to show they have been responsible in paying off their tuition and other fees to date.

4. How can I screen student tenants?

 We recommend treating a viewing like an interview – ask them questions about past tenancies (if applicable), their source(s) of funding (e.g. OSAP, grants, awards, employment income, etc.), how long they are here to study, etc. and also ask for references – past landlords, registrars, residence deans, etc.

5. Engineering students have a reputation as party animals who wreck their  

    residences.  Any truth to this in 2014?

Not in our experience – most of our residences actually have the opposite experience: Engineering students are so busy with their heavy workload, they do not do engage in enough social activities.

Most engineering students tell us they can only afford to do non-school related activities one night a week.

6. Is it true Masters & PhD students are better tenants compared to undergrads?

Not necessarily. U of T is a challenging school that attracts high caliber students for all its programs.

Most U of T students are hard workers who take their studies, and their financial commitments, very seriously.  

7. How can I explain to students I’m a good landlord who only wants rent paid on   

    time and won’t bother the students at all and will fix things?”

Tell them. Students are looking for honest, kind and hard-working landlords – similar to hat landlords look for in a tenant.

8. Should I hire a female property manager if all the tenants are female nursing

    students?”

 That is not required.

 9. Does the University of Toronto have a department to deal with tenant complaints?”

Yes, Housing Services! We have a formal complaints process for both landlords and student tenants.

Ontario Landlords – Do you want to rent to students?

Learn from the advice provided by the University of Toronto and become the type of landlord student tenants are looking for.

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