Backgound check- In Canada and US

Tenant Screening, Landlord Screening, Online Tenant Screening, Tenant Screening Checks, and Tenant Screening Credit Checks

Information accessible to every landlord

This blog is the result of countless hours of research over the internet. We have tried to put together some of the services that you as a landlord would need.. Criminal and Credit check, free advertising of your property, Collection agency, Security cameras, legal forms, informational web site for each of the states in the US and in Canada to cover all the laws concerning Landlord and Tenants, etc. Each week I will try to add more and more useful information that applies to landlords. I have rental property in both the US and Canada. Read about my nightmare tenant and you'll see why it is important to follow all the steps. Taking the time now, will eliminate future financial headaches. I will post as many tips to help you out as I can. There is nothing like a nightmare tenant to motivate a landlord to put the case on the internet. After winning my case against this tenant I decided to make my case public. Although I won, I still cannot collect my overdue rent and legal fees in excess of $12,000,-- In addition I put the amounts owed through small claims court and only claimed $10,000. This amount will forever be in his file. The important issue, we were able to evict him. Nothing worse than a tenant who is not paying and you unable to evict him. Read my story and you'll see why.

Wednesday, September 26, 2012

Tuesday, September 25, 2012

NON SUFFICIENT FUNDS CHARGES


Non-Sufficient Funds Charges
Under section 87 of the RTA, where a landlord applies for an order for the payment of arrears of rent, the application may include a claim for the amount of NSF charges paid to a financial institution in respect of cheques tendered to the landlord by the tenant, plus the landlord’s administrative charges in respect of those cheques.  The administrative charges are limited to a maximum of $20.00 per cheque per section 17 of Regulation 516/06.
These charges, if claimed, will normally be awarded and, if the order terminates the tenancy, the tenant will have to pay these amounts in addition to the other amounts payable in order to avoid eviction.  See also the section below on Amount Payable to Prevent an Eviction.
Although a landlord may apply for NSF charges, they cannot be claimed in an N4 notice of termination.  Under subsection 59(3) of the RTA, a notice of termination is void if the tenant pays the arrears and the additional rent that has become owing.  There is no requirement for the tenant to pay NSF charges to void the notice. Therefore, including NSF charges on an N4 will likely invalidate the notice.

Monday, September 24, 2012

Rent receipts


Rent receipts
A landlord must give the tenant a receipt for any rent payment, rent deposit or other charge, if the tenant asks for one.

A landlord must also give a former tenant a receipt if that person asks for one within 12 months after the end of their tenancy.

The landlord cannot charge a fee for giving a receipt.

Sunday, September 23, 2012

FREE FORM- INSPECTION FORM to be used when moving in or out of the apartment or house

Looking for a form that is absolutely free. No hassles, no hidden fees, no writing across the whole form so that you cannot use them and definitely no need to submit your email address or become a member.  You need a form for the tenant to sign when they move in to indicate the condition of the apartment, appliances etc.  This is a three page document that every tenant and landlord should have on file.  |It is not necessary but it is a good idea.

The same form can be used when moving out.  I have created two documents that are basically identical--the only difference is that one is signed when moving in and the other when they move out.
To access this form just click on MOVING IN INSPECTION FORM  and for MOVING OUT INSPECTION FORM TO ACESS THEM.  They are Excel files and you will need excel to access them.  As soon as I have time I will try and get either PDF or Microsoft word files.
Good Luck and don't hesitate to leave any comments on the use of these forms.

Saturday, September 22, 2012

Looking for a Company that covers both Canada and United States for Tenant Screening- This is it




Tenant Screening, Landlord Screening, Online Tenant Screening, Tenant Screening Checks, and Tenant Screening Credit Checks                    title="Tenant Screening, Tenant Verification Screening, Rental Credit Checks, and Background Screening Services">







Membership

How TVS membership works:


  1. You must Sign Up to become a member; there is no cost for this. However, there is a membership & confidentiality agreement that you need to review and agree to before you can use the Service. TVS must establish your Identity and your permissible purpose for obtaining Consumer information.
  2. You must provide documents as per the membership application confirming rental property ownership and documents that identify who you are before the account can be activated.
    NOTICE: TVS requires documentation in Compliance with Credit Bureau Policy

    Please see below which documents are required from you:


    Landlord

    Landlord1. Current telephone or cellular bill. MUST be current and list your name, current residence, and the phone number listed on your application (check our FAQs for exceptions).
    2. Proof of identification (valid driver's license or Passport)
    3. Proof of ownership for the rental property (two of the following documents: Deed, Insurance Declaration, Mortgage Statement, Title or Transfer Papers, Settlement Statement, Escrow, Utility, Purchase and Sales Agreement)

    IMPORTANT: If your residence and rental property address are the same, please contact TVS prior to filling out a membership application to find out what documents are required.

    Property Manager

    Property Manager1. Property Management Agreement which is signed by you and the Property Owner (If you are doing this on behalf of a friend, please click here to see what is required).
    2. Clear copy of your valid driver's license or Passport
    3. Copy of a valid business license (if applicable)
    4. Current telephone or cellular bill. MUST be current and list your name, current residence, and the phone number listed on your application (check our FAQs for exceptions).

  3. The turn around time for the reports that you order online is 2-3 minutes and they are posted to your account on the website.
  4. Review the Operating Instructions that you will receive immediately after sign up.
  5. TVS will activate your account when documents are received. If application or documents are submitted after Office hours, TVS will activate you the next business day. Also note that the documents need to show the rental property address and your name (they need to be clear enough so TVS Operators can read them).
    TIP: When photocopying documents, set the photocopier to light, particularly for a Driver's License.

Friday, September 21, 2012

Other reasons for eviction

Other reasons for eviction

There are some other reasons for eviction that are not related to what the tenant has done or not done. For example:

• the landlord wants the rental unit for their own use or for the use of an immediate family member or a caregiver,

• the landlord has agreed to sell the property and the purchaser wants all or part of the property for their own use or for the use of an immediate family member or a caregiver,

• the landlord plans major repairs or renovations that require a building permit and vacant possession,

• the landlord plans to demolish the rental property,

• in a care home that is occupied for the sole reason of receiving therapy or rehabilitation, the tenant’s rehabilitation or therapy program has ended,

• a tenant of a care home needs more care than the care home can provide, or no longer needs the level of care provided by the landlord.

Thursday, September 20, 2012

When can the landlord end a tenancy?

Ending a tenancy by the landlord

A landlord can end a tenancy only for the reasons allowed by the Act.

The first step is for the landlord to give the tenant notice in writing that they want the tenant to move out. The proper forms a landlord must use for giving a notice to end the tenancy are available from the Board.

If the tenant does not move out after receiving the notice, the landlord can ask the Board to end the tenancy by filing an application. The Board will decide if the tenancy should end after holding a hearing. Both the landlord and the tenant can come to the hearing and explain their side to a Member of the Board.


The Act allows a landlord to give a tenant notice if the tenant, the tenant’s guest or someone else who lives in the rental unit either does something they should not do, or does not do something they should. For example:

• not paying the rent in full,
• persistently paying the rent late,
• causing damage to the rental property,
• illegal activity,
• affecting the safety of others,
• disturbing the enjoyment of other tenants or the landlord,
• allowing too many people to live in the rental unit (“overcrowding”),
• not reporting income in subsidized housing.

In some cases, a landlord can give a tenant notice based on the presence or conduct of a pet the tenant is keeping, such as where a pet causes damage to the rental property.