{"id":20082,"date":"2020-05-25T12:29:51","date_gmt":"2020-05-25T19:29:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/liv.rent\/blog\/?p=20082"},"modified":"2023-04-11T15:13:01","modified_gmt":"2023-04-11T22:13:01","slug":"moving-during-covid-19","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/liv.rent\/blog\/renters\/moving-during-covid-19\/","title":{"rendered":"Tips for Moving During the COVID-19 Pandemic"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Despite the B.C. Health Authority\u2019s loosening of some COVID-19<\/a> quarantine restrictions, it is definitely not business as usual for most business sectors in the province including the real estate and rental markets. For the foreseeable future, finding a place to rent will be a very different exercise than it was a few months ago. Thankfully, in terms of payments, many provinces, alongside our federal government are offering some relief to renters<\/a>, freezing rent increases, banning evictions and, in some jurisdictions, even offering financial benefits to those struggling to meet their payments. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

See our reference article for details on government assistance: Coronavirus (COVID-19) Canada \u2013 Resources for Landlords and Tenants<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this article we will share some insights and suggestions on renting during the COVID-19<\/a> pandemic covering the following topics: <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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  1. State of the Rental Market<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Communication with Landlords\/Property Managers<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. Tips for Viewing Properties<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
  4. Contract Signing and Rent Payment during the Pandemic<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
  5. Tips for Moving Day<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    State of the Rental Market<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Thankfully, according to LandlordBC<\/a>, most residents in Vancouver<\/a> were able to meet their rent obligations in April exceeding expectations.  According to their survey of 476 landlords (75% of which owned or managed less than 10 units) and of respondents, 64% said they\u2019d collected 100 percent of April rent; about one-quarter collected half or more of April rent; and only 10 percent collected no rent for April. One-quarter of surveyed landlords<\/a> had agreed to rent-deferrals with their tenants<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \"moving
    Payments Received for April Rent | LandlordBC Survey<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    In addition, the province implemented rent and eviction freezes helping to stabilize the market and avoid mass evictions. They\u2019ve also offered $500\/month rental assistance<\/a> to those whose employment has been impacted by COVID<\/a> making it easier to ensure rent obligations are kept. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    RECOMMENDED READING: Coronavirus (COVID-19) Rent Relief Canada<\/a><\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    What the rental market<\/a> will look like through the summer into fall has yet to be established. Data on May rent has not been collected and analyzed yet but the market should brace for some difficulty as people continue to face employment instability and new employment opportunities are limited.  Through this time, we strongly encourage both tenants and landlords to work hard to keep their communication lines open negotiating flexible arrangements if necessary. For landlords<\/a>, it is helpful to try to keep existing tenants<\/a> in place as securing new ones may prove difficult as people may be wary of the rental process during COVID<\/a>. On the flip side, renters will likely only move if absolutely necessary. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    As far as our data shows, there is downward pressure on rents<\/a>, as rental properties have been vacated by students who returned home to ride out the pandemic and whose return is very uncertain.  If, indeed, you need to secure a rental property, then follow these tips in finding your next home during the pandemic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Communication between Landlords and Property Managers<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    It is always good to build rapport with your landlord<\/a> or property manager but especially now. Communication channels will be digital but ensure they are kept open and friendly. This way if you are faced with unforeseen cash flow challenges due to the pandemic, there is a better chance of being granted a rent deferral or other form of rent relief<\/a> than if you are complete strangers or you have a difficult relationship. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    To this end, continue to demonstrate that you are a good tenant. Ensure you abide by the terms of your lease agreement and those set forth by the strata if relevant. Be respectful of social distancing<\/a> guidelines to avoid drawing negative attention from neighbours or your landlord. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Use liv.rent<\/a> to take advantage of the chat feature<\/a> when communicating with your landlord. This way all of your rental-related correspondence is kept in one place separate from your sea of emails and texts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Tips for Viewing Properties during the COVID-19 Pandemic<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    If you find yourself searching for a home, liv.rent<\/a> offers the perfect contact-free experience from initial expression of interest in a property to virtual video touring<\/a> and right through digital applications, contracts and rent payments. Once you\u2019ve narrowed down your selection and viewed the video tours<\/a> of the property, you can set up a safe viewing with the landlord or property manager before finalizing and signing your digital lease agreement<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Here are a few tips for viewing a property in person:<\/p>\n\n\n\n