Owner FAQs

We ensure extensive visibility for your property through strategic advertising. Not only will it be prominently featured on our website, but we also syndicate the listing across a multitude of both national and local websites for maximum reach. Regular postings on Kijiji are part of our comprehensive marketing approach. Each advertisement is meticulously crafted to highlight the unique aspects of your property, including its amenities, size, and monthly rent.

Our network is our strength. We maintain consistent communication with numerous top brokerages and real estate agents across the Muskoka region. Additionally, our connections extend to relocation agencies and the human resource departments of the region’s leading corporations. This extensive network ensures that your property receives widespread exposure in the market, tapping into a diverse pool of potential tenants.

The timeframe for securing a tenant for your property can be influenced by several key factors. These include the property’s location, its current condition, prevailing market trends, the time of year, nearby schools, available amenities, and the pricing strategy. We will provide you with expert guidance on each of these aspects, along with detailed feedback to optimize your property’s appeal.

Under typical conditions and barring any significant issues, the process of leasing a home usually spans between two to four weeks

Generally, the initial cost for a tenant moving in is equivalent to two months’ rent, covering both the first and last month. Upon moving in, it is customary for tenants to transfer all utility accounts into their name. Depending on the utility provider’s policies, a deposit might be required, especially if the utilities were previously disconnected or if the tenant lacks a payment history.

It’s important to note that the last month’s rent is legally designated for the final month of tenancy only. It cannot be used to cover damages or any unpaid rent.

In Ontario, outside of condo buildings, it’s not legally permissible to impose restrictions on pets. Being pet-friendly can make your property more attractive to a wider pool of potential renters.

Additionally, it’s important to note that under Fair Housing Law, children are included in the protected class of ‘familial status.’ Therefore, any form of discrimination against children or families is not allowed. At Granite Vista, we adhere strictly to all Fair Housing laws as outlined in the Residential Tenancies Act. We kindly request that you do not ask your property manager to engage in any discriminatory practices against children or families, as they are committed to upholding these laws.

Rent is due on the first day of each month, and payments received after the third are considered late. We find that the majority of our tenants successfully submit their rent by the third. However, if rent is not received by this date, we initiate the eviction process by issuing an N4 notice for non-payment of rent to the tenant. This initial step in the eviction process is managed internally and incurs no additional cost to the property owner.

Should the tenant fail to pay within the specified notice period, we will inform the owner. In most cases, we recommend proceeding with the eviction process. At this stage, the eviction process is handed over to a law firm or a paralegal with expertise in evictions.

Rental payments are swiftly deposited into the Trust Fund Account. However, we must wait for the funds to clear through their respective banks before initiating any disbursements. Owners can expect to receive their monthly statements and disbursement proceeds on or before the 15th of each month.

To streamline this process, we offer owners the convenience of direct deposit for their monthly disbursements. Additionally, monthly statements can be conveniently sent via email, ensuring timely and efficient communication.

Our tenant screening process is thorough and comprehensive, encompassing credit checks, eviction history, employment verification, and past rental references. Our aim is to ensure only the most suitable tenants are placed in your property.

In addition to our screening process, we conduct detailed move-in and move-out inspections of the property. This involves creating a written record of the property’s condition and capturing it through digital photography. Granite Vista also commits to an annual review of your property, as we’ve found that regular presence can significantly reduce the likelihood of damage. In cases where damage is observed, we issue an N5 notice to the tenant, which outlines the damage and provides a 7-day period for correction or payment for repairs.

In the event that a tenant vacates the property leaving it in a damaged state, the owner has the option to seek damages from the tenant. If necessary, the matter can be escalated to a collection agency for further action.

Tenants need to be aware that a lease agreement is a legally binding contract. Breaching such agreements can lead to significant and expensive consequences.

In instances where a tenant considers terminating their lease early, Granite Vista will engage in a detailed discussion to determine the most appropriate course of action for each specific case.

It is the duty of the landlord to make efforts to re-lease the property promptly. This approach is essential in reducing any potential financial burdens on the tenant resulting from their early departure.

Granite Vista Property Management offers a round-the-clock emergency call service, ensuring tenants can reach us at any hour in case of urgent situations. You can have peace of mind knowing that a skilled property manager, equipped to deal with any property management emergency, is always on standby.

Our network of vendors is on hand 24/7 to respond to emergency situations, guaranteeing swift and efficient attention to your property. This ensures minimal disruption for your tenants and spares you from late-night emergency calls.

Our approach involves engaging a diverse range of external contractors, selected based on the specific requirements of each job. We have established long-standing relationships with many of our vendors, who are accessible around the clock for emergency situations. These professionals offer competitive pricing and are fully licensed and insured, in line with the standards of their respective fields.

Granite Vista Property Management specializes in the expert management of both residential and commercial properties. We pride ourselves on maintaining strong connections with some of the most reputable real estate brokerages, agents, and investors in the area. These valuable relationships position Granite Vista ideally to assist in making the necessary connections for buying or selling real estate.

If you are considering entering the real estate market, either as a buyer or a seller, we invite you to reach out to us. We are well-equipped to connect you with the most suitable company or individual to meet your specific real estate needs.