I second this. You need someone keeping an eye on things. You could let a friend stay for free in one of the rooms and then rent out the other rooms. In exchange that friend would clear snow, water the garden, clean the common areas, etc.. Maybe give them some cash. You could rent to people who are in Canada on work or student visas so you know they will leave. Or use up to three bedrooms for AirBnb.
Do this. A friend hired one to vet all of his renters for his house properties to avoid dead beats so he wouldn't have any problems. He never had any problems with any of his renters and often they'd call him when minor problems needed to be taken care of by him. And you could hire that same company to do exterior property checks every few months too.
If I was in a situation for just a one year lease where I wanted to make sure the place was taken care of I would see about good friends/good family with college kid needing a place to stay. A responsible kid you have met. Just get expenses taken care of on rent pricing. Have them take care otherwise.
If it is just for a year, let it stay empty instead. The main problem is not the wear-and-tear or minor damages, and not the chance tenants will stop paying rent; the main problem is that they may decide not to move out in one year, and there is absolutely nothing you can do about it. They will simply ignore your N12 notice, then after you file L2 with the tribunal, it will take 6 months to get a hearing, and tenants can postpone it (e.g., fake emergency) and drag it for another 6 months. So, after you are back, you may end up not moving back to your place for another year and you will have to rent yourself (for an unknown length of time). Save yourself the hassle of moving out your staff, just close the door and be back safely in a year. 1-year rent is not worth the risk of being homeless upon your return. And no management companies or realtors can help you there
This is true if the landlord and his family are returning as long as the landlord gives 60 days notice. But even with this, there have been rare instances where it doesn't always work the way it should. That's why you want your tenant screened as well as this lease having written into the contract that it's only good until the specified termination date listed when they have to leave. Gives more weight IF it ever goes to court if the tenant stays longer.
yes, the landlord can give the notice, but it does not mean the tenants have to move out. They will simply ignore the notice, at which case the landlord will submit L2 application to evict. It will take about 6 months until the hearing is scheduled. If tenants say they have an emergency during the hearing day, the hearing will be postponed. It may take 9 to 12 months to get the hearing. Of course, you will win and the eviction order will be issued (or, to avoid the eviction order, the tenants may move out just before the hearing). After the eviction order is issued, there is still some time when you can actually arrange for the eviction (you need a police officer for that). And you are lucky if they will not decide to stop paying the rent. Add to it that you are legally required to pay tenants compensation in the amount of 1-month rent if the reason to end the tenancy is your desire to move back into your own house. And if you think you can have a fixed-term lease or have them sign a notice to end the tenancy at the end of the lease before the lease starts, think again. By law, all fixed-term leases become month-to-month leases at the end of the term, and any documents about ending the tenancy at a specific date signed before the lease starts are illegal.
yes, screening is the key. Unfortunately, having a termination date in the lease or in any other document signed before the start of the tenancy is illegal, so, it can only work against you when it comes to court time, as it will show you tried to trick the tenant and did not inform him of his rights.
