We are in the process of purchasing a small multi-family building (8 units) just outside of Calgary and need to get an inspection done on the 2 buildings. Does anyone know of a good inspector that will do inspections on buildings that have boiler systems for heat? Anything you can provide...

Over the past few weeks, I have gotten tax increase notices from 3 cities in Alberta showing huge jumps in property taxes for the properties that we own. Some of the increases are as high as 50% to 100% (Edmonton taxes rose 100%). It strikes me that while the cities talk of mill rate and an...

I may have missed the "how to`s" for this subject on previous posts and was wondering how do you do a criminal record check? I contacted the Calgary Police Service and they told me that I can`t get a form for someone else to fill out (e.g. a prospective tenant) but rather the prospective tenant...

I just about got tripped up on this one so I thought I would let others know about it and also ask if anyone knows anything about the bylaw. I went to the City of Calgary website and downloaded the new bylaw that apparently takes effect on June 1, 2008 which deals with, among other things...

Where can I find the "Property Intention Form" that Don has previously referred to? This is the one that helps us show that we are holding a property long-term so that we have a better chance of claiming it as a Capital Gain. I tried going into the "download" section and typing in "intention...

Has anyone had any experience in having a court judgement against a tenant and having that appear on their credit report? I was speaking with someone yesterday who said that, while we can`t directly affect a bad tenant`s credit score for not paying rent, etc., we can take the tenant to Alberta...

I recently had a discussion with a banker at the Alberta Treasury Branch as to why the principal on one of my mortgages had increased from one month to the next. Although she was less than confident with her answer and had to confirm with a senior colleague, she told me that ATB, unlike any...

Just a "heads up" for anyone thinking of renting to tenants in Airdrie. I was informed by the City of Airdrie that their bylaw REQUIRES that the property owner pay for water and sewer. This discussion with the City was on the heels of me getting a notice for payment after the tenant applied...

Does anyone have any contacts with corporations in Calgary that look for fully or partially furnished suites for employees in their organization? Additionally, if anyone has any experience in this area of renting (furnished suites) I`d also seek your help. Thanks, Ken

I am currently negotiating an offer on a single family house that has a price tag of $750,000. Obviously, this is not your fixer upper. I have purchased many properties in past but I`ve never gone into this price range for a single unit. The upside is that the seller is willing to take less...

I`ve run into a situation with 3 vacating adult tenants who are friends of one another. Although I was getting the rent cheques from one person, it was understood throughout the term of the lease that each was paying their own way. The person that regularly gave me the rent cheque each month...

I`ve heard all kinds of stories about people trying to rent to scammers that are out of town who contact you via email talking about sending you a bank draft. But has anyone had any positive experience in doing so? If so, what`s the best way to deal with an out-of-towner as, I suspect, some...