We're a property management company that takes the time to understand your unique situation and expectations as a rental property owner.
We specialize in securing long-term tenancies in Vancouver, Burnaby, Richmond, New Westminster, Coquitlam, Port Moody, North Vancouver, and West Vancouver.
We take care of everything, so you don't have to.
Hiring a property manager means your property is showcased (in its best light) to an audience of suitable tenants. Our photography style and personable team make your property stand out in the rental market.
We advertise your property on Metro Vancouver’s top rental search sites, feature it within our website and newsletter, and match it against our extensive tenant database.
The search for your tenant starts with one-on-one showings. This is followed by interviews and screening processes, including income verification, as well as confidential reference and credit checks for short-listed applicants.
We regularly work with relocation specialists and tenants who work at some of Vancouver’s largest and most well-known employers, including Microsoft, Amazon, and Lululemon.
While we screen tenant applicants thoroughly, you ultimately decide on whether to move ahead with our applicant recommendations.
The lease consists of the British Columbia (BC) Residential Tenancy Agreement, as well as the Birds Nest Properties Addendum, which sets out additional lease terms such as tenant insurance, pet policy (if applicable), and restrictions on smoking and subletting. Typically, the lease begins as a one-year term and then renews on a month-to-month basis, unless both parties agree to renew for another one-year period.
The lease is secured with a deposit equal to half month’s rent. An additional half of one month’s rent is collected for a pet damage deposit (if applicable).
At the move-in process, the tenant receives a Birds Nest welcome package, including information on elevator bookings, utilities, and strata bylaws. And, of course, we’re always available to answer any questions that arise.
During the inspection, we use our mobile app to record the condition of the property based on the BC Conditions Inspection Report. This record is used for comparison to regularly scheduled inspections and the final move-out inspection.
The tenant pays rent via pre-authorized debit on the 1st or 15th day of every month. Once funds clear, we deposit the net rental income into your account, minus any property expenses such as repairs, fobs, insurance, and our management fees. A detailed rent collection statement is also emailed at end of each month.
In general, rent can be increased only once in a 12-month period, with three months’ written notice, and is subject to the standard allowable rent increase set by BC Government regulations and the Residential Tenancy Act.
A tenant must provide at least one month’s notice to end tenancy. If a tenant leaves prior to the end of their fixed term, they remain responsible for the remaining rent of the lease term, to the extent that we cannot re-rent the property at the same rate.
An owner may also initiate an end of tenancy if he/she, or a close family member, seeks to live in the property. In this situation, the tenant is entitled to two months’s notice, one month’s rent as compensation, and he/she can move out anytime after providing 10 days’ notice.
During the move-out inspection, we ensure the property is thoroughly clean, and compare it with the original record of condition from the move-in inspection. Security deposits are returned within 15 days after the move-out, net of any repairs or cleaning costs incurred.
Proper maintenance and repair work ensures your tenant is safe and comfortable, and protects your property from more costly troubles in the future.
Your approval is required before we proceed with any repair expense, except in emergency situations. Where possible, we solve minor maintenance issues ourselves to minimize your costs. Should a property require a qualified repairs technician, we rely on our network of specialists that we trust on quality and cost.
All repair work is documented with photographs and receipts, and we do not earn commissions or referral benefits from any third-party work that we arrange.
As your authorized agent, we monitor strata issues on your behalf, including special levies, alleged bylaw infractions, and strata insurance updates.
Landlord and tenant insurance policies mitigate risk, and we track and communicate the required coverages to you and your insurance broker. We recommend your policy include coverages for third party liability, personal property, betterments and improvements, and loss of rental income.
Importantly, landlord insurance must be updated promptly to account for the recent trend of rising strata insurance deductibles.
We also require your tenant to obtain and email a copy of their tenant insurance policy to us, prior to the move-in inspection.
On an annual basis, we track real estate tax declaration deadlines for your property. We can work with you to file the BC Speculation and Vacancy Tax declaration. Although we cannot declare on your behalf, we can help locate your required Letter ID and Declaration Code, and guide you through the process.
Vancouver property owners are also reminded of the annual deadline for the Empty Homes Tax declaration, and at you request, we can file on your behalf.
If you’re a non-resident of Canada, you will require a Canadian agent to remit withholding tax equal to 25 per cent of your rental income. Birds Nest Properties is available to provide this specialized service.
