OLA Member in the News: Cheap aprts getting hard to find

[zerg]

The only way to get all the small landlord data would be a rental registry.
Any homeowner/property owner wishing to let must apply to the registry with information about rental units and status.

Now make it publicly available and you have the easiest time finding a place to live!

A path to landlord licensing.

Why don't you be first. Put your rental's address here, your mortgage, your taxes, how many tenants you have, how much each pays, and all your other financial data. And a criminal record check. That's part of the licensing process in Waterloo. And your home address and phone number (also part of the licensing rules in Waterloo because they want to make sure you live within 50 km so you aren't an absentee LL). Also, you will need to submit copies of your leases. When did each start, when do they end. What type of term. How much did you increase rents, etc. All part of the government system.

Still want to be in the business?

Well I was just throwing out an idea but...

- you can't reasonably expect people to have statistics on private landlord rentals unless private landlords provide statistics.
- I'm not talking about licensing, that's a completely different debate.
- Not all the info you listed would be necessary/public either (in my registry example)
- Registering your rental is not the same as putting your personal information on this forum.
- If you are a legit business landlord, why do you have problems furnishing the information in the first place?

Regarding licensing... I would support a LL licensing system if only because of the EDUCATION it would provide many new private LLs who know zip about the rental legislation. It would be almost zero effort for legit landlords. How it is implemented is a whole other story, and, again, I can't comment on the Waterloo situation as I'm not very well read on it. I envision it similar to the boating license in Ontario. Easy to put together, easy to get, orders of magnitude more awareness.

[Marc]

You should spend some time reading the thread on the Waterloo situation. It is far different than licensing for boating.

[zerg]

You should spend some time reading the thread on the Waterloo situation. It is far different than licensing for boating.

I did, and that's why I didn't want to talk too much on it, also why I brought up the boating thing to put my comment into proper context

The fees are pretty high for the waterloo license, I dislike that. I don't know why they need to charge over $400 per year. $25 per year is far more reasonable.

The problem with these things is you only get information from the activist groups who oppose EVERYTHING, or blow small things way out of proportion, despite only a few of the items being unreasonable.

[Marc]

despite only a few of the items being unreasonable.

There are more than a few items in Waterloo licensing that are unreasonable. If you manage or own more properties, you get a much clearer picture of abuses by both tenants and the government.