End of Tenancy: About Notice

by Nicholas Meyer on November 16, 2009

At Downtown Suites, we always act with compassion and empathy to the tenants when delivering an end of tenancy notice on behalf of an owner. At the same time, we want to ensure everything happens without any loss to the property owners if at all possible. An important factor is making sure we have timely delivery of any End of Tenancy Notice, according to the BC Residential Tenancy Act’s stipulations.

Notice is not always considered “received” on the date is it sent, depending on the way this notice is delivered.

Received on the day of delivery: When a copy of the notice is left directly with the tenant, or left with an adult who apparently lives with the tenant, the notice is deemed to be received on the day it is left.

Received in three days: It is important to know that when a copy is left in a mailbox (or mail slot) where the tenant lives, the notice is not deemed to be received until three days after the day it was left. If the notice is faxed to a number provided by the tenant, it is deemed to be received on the third day after faxing. Similarly, if notice is posted on the door or other noticeable place at the address where the tenant lives, it is deemed as received on the third day after this posting.

Received in five days: When a copy has been sent by regular mail or registered mail to the address where the tenant lives, notice is deemed to be received on the fifth day after mailing.

Many owners following these regulations are surprised to discover that, through no fault of the tenant, the notice was not actually received. Unless the notice is directly handed to the tenant, it is wise to have confirmation of receipt. At Downtown Suites, as soon as we hear from an owner that notice must be given, we send it out by registered mail.

(This is an important Evergreen Resource article, revisited from our archives.)

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Remembrance Day on a Wordless Wednesday

by DTSuites on November 11, 2009

Remembrance Day at Vancouvers Chinatown

Remembrance Day at Vancouver's Chinatown

Image by squeakymarmot

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Ending Tenancy after Sale

by Nicholas Meyer on November 9, 2009

Be Aware, Cautious and Prepared

You have just purchased a home in Vancouver and intend to live in it once the deal is completed. In the eyes of the BC Residential Tenancy Act, you become an “owner-occupier” and if this home is currently occupied by a renter you are entitled to end the tenancy. There are some things you should know about the procedure.

When an owner-occupier purchases, she must send a letter to the current landlord, on or before the effective date of the notice. The landlord (or the new owner-occupier) is required to pay the current tenant one month’s rent, plus give 60 days notice, served by the end of month.

In this situation, upon receiving this notice, the tenant, on the other hand, only has to give 10 days notice before ending the tenancy.

Often it becomes a negotiation point at the time of sale, deciding who should pay that one month’s rent – the new owner-occupier, or the seller.

There can be a downside to all this for landlords. If you are counting on the rent, and, say, the deal closes August 1, you will need to request in writing to the current owner to serve notice. However, if the tenant immediately after receiving this notice, gives 10 days notice and leaves after the 10th day of the month, the result to you would be a loss of revenue, in addition to the one month rent penalty.

In the light of this potential loss of revenue, landlords need to be aware, cautious, and prepared.

At Downtown Suites, we assist owners in understanding and preparing for all situations related to their property and the BC Residential Tenancy Act.

(This is an important Evergreen Resource article, revisited from our archives.)

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No Sublets During Olympics

by DTSuites on November 5, 2009

Nicholas Meyer of Downtown Suites outlines company policy regarding tenants subletting during the Olympics.

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Composting on a Wordless Wednesday

by DTSuites on November 4, 2009

At Downtown Suites we are conscious of the environment and we believe in composting

At Downtown Suites we are conscious of the environment and we believe in composting

Image by megananne

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Tenanted Suites

by Nicholas Meyer on November 2, 2009

Many owners of investment property may be unaware of the ins and outs of the new BC Residential Tenancy Act, which has been recently updated. If your suite is currently rented to a tenant, this information should help you understand the tenant rights written into the current legislation.

The new rules for residential tenancy apply to the many suites here in Vancouver that are held as investments and currently occupied by tenants. When owners wish to sell the suite, they find that tenants are not simply expendable, to be evicted upon sale of the suite.

Here in BC, tenants have many rights, upheld by law. It may come as a surprise to owners to discover that when tenants are in a lease situation, that lease takes precendence over the sale. Unlike other countries, an owner here cannot evict a tenant for the purposes of selling. In fact, it is only if the new owner wishes to live in the suite that a tenant may be evicted. This new owner is referred to as an “owner-occupier”.

This is important legislation. At Downtown Suites, we help the owners understand the ramifications of this legislation when they decide to sell their investment property.

(This is an important Evergreen Resource article, revisited from our archives.)

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Looking for Inventory

by DTSuites on October 30, 2009

We help you rent your property. At Downtown Suites we are always looking for new inventory, as seen in this video with Nicholas Meyer.

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West End on a Wordless Wednesday

by DTSuites on October 28, 2009

nic weswt end views12
Vancouver West End in the Fall
nic weswt end views10Vancouver West End view from Stanley Park
Vancouver West End - colourful tree in autumn
Vancouver West End in the fall, with ocean view
Vancouver West End - apartments by the beach
Vancouver West End - a little corner store
Vancouver West End - beautiful old building among the trees
Vancouver West End - tree lined street

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Message for Non-Resident Owners

by DTSuites on October 26, 2009

In this video, Nicholas Meyer shares important information of interest to non-resident owners regarding tax regulations and filing.

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RIP old Documents

by DTSuites on October 26, 2009

A fitting farewell to old documents, the downtown suites shredder is decorated for Halloween.RIP old documents In fact, the whole office is festooned with ghosts and goblins, Halloween goodies, jack-o-lantern and spider.

See more photos on the Downtown Suites Facebook Page – oooooo – scary!

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