FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
We recommend that you research reviews and websites on different property management companies before you start contacting anyone. When you’re ready, call a few places. You should feel confident in how quickly someone responses and how you feel about their responses.
Landlord FAQ’s
Is it ever too late to hire a property manager?
We are happy to take over at any point to help with your management needs and assist you to manage your property.
What is included in property management?
If the property already has a tenant, we will take over day to day task such as collecting rents, arranging repairs, and the accounting for rental property, and we can arrange paying for any repairs out of the rental income.
We can also help to find a tenant. This process will start by us listing the property for rent and arranging showings with potential tenants. We’ll do a thorough application process and then run results by you for approval. Once an approved tenant has been found, we will sign a lease, and do a move in Inspection report with the tenant. After that, we’ll do all the items included in regular management.
What are the benefits of having a property manager?
Ottawa Property managers have a good list of trusted suppliers/ contractors that can handle repairs on your property, they’ll have a realistic view of what your property is worth, and they’ll be able to give you suggestions and tips of what you need to change if the property isn’t renting. Property managers will also have access to prospects as their current tenants always looking for upgrades or friends and coworkers moving into Ottawa.
How much of a deposit can the landlord ask for?
The landlord is allowed to ask for a deposit of an amount up to one months’ rent, and this can be applied only to the cover last month rent before moving out.
Do you inspect the property periodically?
Yes, with our management contract we include two walk-through inspections a year, but additional walk-throughs can be arranged if needed.
How do I choose a property manager?
We recommend that you research reviews and websites on different companies before you start contacting anyone. When you’re ready, call a few places. You should feel confident in how quickly someone responses and how you feel about their responses. A good property manager should be able to give accurate information about the current rental market, the area of town your property is in, and give suggestions about how to make the most of your rental income.
Do you allow short term rentals?
Only if that is what is requested by the owner, otherwise we prefer long term leases usually starting around a year.
How long does it take to find a tenant?
There are many different factors to finding a tenant. There are three major components to finding a tenant: The product (rental unit), the price, and the exposure. If a property isn’t renting, it could be a combination of issues with the three factors. Such as, the price may be too high, or the unit isn’t being marketed enough.
What if I need a repair done on my property?
Our team can arrange and oversee repairs being done. We can use a company that you recommend, or we can bring in one of our trusted vendors!
Will a property manager be able to make recommendations for renovations?
A property manager can absolutely give recommendations for items that could be upgraded.
What happens if there is an emergency at my property after hours?
While our office hours are Monday to Friday 8:00am to 5:00pm, our property managers do respond to emergency situations at all hours.
How do you screen tenants?
Potential tenants are put through a thorough application process after they have met with a property manager at the property they are interested in renting.
How do you determine the best rent for a property?
Rental rate is based upon many different factors including but not limited to the area the home is in, size of the home, utilities, appliances provided (washer/dryer, dishwasher, range, microwave, fridge, freezer), yard space, parking, how old appliances are, if pets are allowed, the time of year.
How often should I hear from my property manager?
Once a relationship has been established, you should expect to hear less from your Property Manager. The less you hear typically means that the property is probably running smoothly.
Tenants FAQ’s
Paying Rent
Rent is due on the 1st of each month. Variations may exist for this policy by lease, so please consult your rental agreement terms.
Rent can be paid by cheque, money order payable to E & S Management Services Ltd. or e-transfer. All cheques will be deposited on the first business day of the month. There is a $25 charge for every NSF cheque
Rental agreement
The duration of your rental agreement is fixed and specified in the lease. Any early termination or extension must be discussed with the Property
Manager.
Keys
If you lose or lock yourself out of your home during office hours there is a $25 charge to make copy of our back-up set of keys, plus the cost to cut the key. After hours there is a $100 charge, plus the cost to cut the key (later than 5:00pm during the weekday or weekends).
Inspections
Under the terms of our contact with the property owner’s we are required to perform annual inspections, one in the spring and one in the fall. There is no need for you to be there unless of course you want to. You will be provided ample notice.
Utilities
Following, please find contact information for the utility companies so that you may create your own account.
Hydro Ottawa
Phone: 613-738-6400
custservice@hydroottawa.com
Enbridge
Phone: 1-877-362-7434
customercare@enbridgegas.com
City of Ottawa – Water and Sewer
Phone: 613-580-2444
revenue@ottawa.ca
Hydro One
Phone: 1-888-664-9376
CustomerCommunications@hydroone.com
Emergencies
E & S Property Management Services Ltd. is pleased to
Provide an after-hours emergency contact phone number 613-868-4962.
Please note that this phone number is only to be used after 5:00 pm Monday to Friday, weekends and holidays. There will be a $100.00 charge to the tenant should this number be used for non-emergency issues.
Emergency items are generally those that could cause injury to the tenant or damage to the property, and may include:
- Water pipes have broken or burst
- Serious roof leak or gas leak
- Dangerous electrical fault, dangerous
power point, loose live wire etc. - Flooding, rainwater inundation inside
the property, or serious flood
damage - Failure or breakdown of the gas,
electricity or water supply to the
premises - Fault or damage that makes the
premises unsafe or insecure - Fault likely to injure a person, cause
damage or extreme inconvenience - Furnace failure during heating
months - Air conditioner failures are not
considered an emergency
If you smell gas, leave the area and contact
Enbridge at 1-866-763-5427. This free emergency service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Should there be a fire or you require help from the police or an ambulance, please call 911.
Yard Care
The responsibility for lawn care and snow removal is usually that of the tenant. Please check your lease agreement.
Insurance
The Tenant understands and accepts the Landlord’s building insurance does not provide coverage for the tenant’s personal belongings and contents. The tenant is responsible for and agrees to get contents
insurance. All liability of the tenant, tenant’s family, guests, contents, and property is the personal responsibility of the tenant. In the event that the landlord’s insurance company requires information regarding the tenant’s insurance on his/her personal effects, the tenant agrees to provide this information.
Furnace Filters
All tenants are responsible for replacing the furnace filter every three months. Problems caused by failure to replace the filter will be the tenant’s responsibility.
