A new registry aims to teach people the dos and don’ts of regulations for renting out their homes, suites or properties.
David Hutniak, CEO of LandlordBC, said the registry requires landlords to complete an online course that provides them with a detailed understanding of the Residential Tenancy Act.
Applicants who successfully complete the course receive an “I Rent it Right” certificate that is entered into a database which renters can access when looking for a landlord.
The aim is to provide support for owners and managers of rental housing, including individuals and organizations, explained Hutniak.
LandlordBC, a professional organization that represents the rental industry, was launched earlier this month. The idea came about during discussions following the merger of the Vancouver-based B.C. Apartment Owners and Managers Association, the Victoria-based Rental Owners and Managers Society and the Rental Housing Council.
“In efforts to professionalize the industry, in particular small landlords in the secondary market renting suites and condos, we realized that many don’t appreciate the fact that they’re running a business,” Hutniak said. “That often results in less than ideal relationships between landlords and renters.”
The new registry provides important knowledge regarding the Residential Tenancy Act to landlords and gives renters a tool they can use with confidence, he added.
“It’s rare you build something that’s win-win,” Hutniak noted. “This helps both the renter and the landlord. It lets renters know that someone they’re renting from has the knowledge and certification.”
Michael Taylor, a Greater Victoria realtor with Pemberton Holmes, said the LandlordBC registry is a great idea whose time has come, especially considering the number of rental properties popping up on the West Shore and throughout the region.
“You have a lot of people who are looking for homes that have suites as mortgage helpers, and people looking to sell their condos to buy a bigger home with a yard,” Taylor said.
“They’re not professional landlords, and can get into difficulty because they’re not familiar with the Residential Tenancy Act, so LandlordBC is a great way for them to get familiar with that.”
The online course takes a couple of hours to complete and applicants can make several attempts to achieve the 80 per cent score required to obtain certification. The cost for the course and a three-year certification is $39, plus GST. For more information check out landlordbc.ca.
reporter@goldstreamgazette.com