B.C. and Vancouver have "Empty Homes Taxes" that were brought in originally to target vacant properties, increase vacancy rates and create affordable housing. The governemtn's goal is to turn under-utilized properties into homes for people living and working in B.C. And people who own property in Vancouver also have a civic tax to pay for similar reasons. We're liv.rent, an all-in-one rental solution, and we created a quick guide to ...

Do you take advantage of all the deductions available to you as a B.C. landlord? When you own a rental property, you are legally obligated to report all rental revenue on the Statement of Real Estate Rentals schedule on your personal tax return. Thankfully, you are also able to deduct a number of landlord expenses from your gross rental revenue and then pay tax only on the amount remaining. We're ...

Unlike realtors who have to market properties all the time, property managers may go months or even years between property vacancies. However, given that most renters are only obligated to give one month's notice before moving on, you will have to act quickly to ensure your property is rented as soon as possible and cash flow isn't interrupted. In addition to home listing sites, you need to employ a focused ...

The most effective way to generate the best return on your investment rental property is by increasing the rental value. especially in competitive rental markets like Vancouver. Deciding where best to spend your money, however, is always a challenge. The fact is that certain renovations are more likely to reap better rewards than others. Here we’ve outlined 10 of the most effective ways to boost the rental value of your investment. ...

Vancouver’s New Airbnb Rules In April 2018, Vancouver City Hall began to regulate the popular home sharing platform, Airbnb, by introducing a new set of Airbnb rules. In response to disgruntled citizens wary of sharing their buildings with a revolving door of Airbnb guests and by others desperate for rental housing in a city where occupancy rates are nearing 100%.  In addition, many Vancouverites feel Airbnb is responsible for further inflating ...

Furnishing a rental property is a considerable expense. Should you spend the money or let your tenants furnish your unit? We're liv.rent and we're here to make everything about the rental process smoother for both landlords and tenants. If you're on the fence about renting it furnished or unfurnished, then here's our guide to what you should consider before you sign your next lease: What is a "furnished" apartment? Furnished vs unfurnished ...

To avoid dealing with bad tenants, the best option is to avoid the situation in the first place. Too often landlords make the mistake of accepting unsuitable tenants in a moment of desperation. Of course, losing one or two month's rent isn't ideal for cash flow, but a bad tenant can prove far more costly, creating serious headaches, causing expensive damage, or, in the worst cases, a 'professional tenant' might ...