Property Management Network, Niagara

01/27/2023

As the wind whips outside, everyone wants to make sure their home is warm and toasty, but a lack of insulation—or the wrong kind—can make for a frigid few months.

The colder weather is here, which means we’re likely to become more aware of drafts in our homes. As the wind whips outside, everyone wants to make sure their home is warm and toasty, but a lack of insulation—or the wrong kind—can make for a frigid few months. According to National Resources C...

01/20/2023

Looking to update your home’s interior style in 2023? If you’re thinking about sprucing up your home décor, you might be paying attention to what’s in and what’s out.

Your home should reflect your personal style, and that can include incorporating current trends. Reach for those dark and moody colours, patterns, and textures. Think outside the box when it comes to furniture and accessories. Be fearless when it comes to mixing and matching different styles. And most importantly, have fun with it!

Find out what Design Trends to Watch Out for in 2023 that will reflect your own unique style, and how you can incorporate patterns, and textures into it.

01/13/2023

The most common locations for mould
- Basements and crawl spaces
- Under sinks in bathrooms, laundry rooms, and kitchens
- Attics
- Beneath flooring, particularly after flooding or sewer backups
- Air conditioners and dehumidifiers
- Window sills and sashes
- Garages

Unexpected places mould grows
- Under the fridge
- Wooden knife blocks
- Chimneys
- Potted plants
- Front-loading washers
- Toothbrush caddy

Combine excess moisture with a lack of air circulation and a biocompatible host and you have a recipe for mould. It’s not simply an insidious form of dirt that stands between you and a clean house, mould is also a potential health threat that triggers allergies, asthma, and other respiratory ailme...

01/06/2023

This year we are seeing a movement towards clays, stones, and earth hues inspired by nature. Colours that bring calm, zen, and tranquillity are leading the way and people are being urged to paint their home in a way that brings comfort to them. These colours add a touch of calmness, optimism and hope in what’s ahead. So before you tackle your new painting project, consider whether these trending colours help showcase or inspire the feelings you’re chasing. Continue reading to learn more!

Deep reds, bold blues, and neutral earth tones are leading the way for the top paint colours of 2023. See what companies like Sherwin-Williams, Benjamin Moore, Glidden, Behr, and Pantone have chosen as their colours of the year. Refreshing the home is a big part of embracing the new year, and with s...

01/01/2023

11/25/2022

The garage
Storing outdoor items is okay, as long as they can withstand cold temperatures and variable humidity. Inflammables top the list of things to keep in a garage. Don’t store anything that might attract animals or insects.

Basement
A finished, well-sealed, and dehumidified space may be no different than anywhere else in your home in terms of storage risk.

The unfinished basement or utility room, however, is a different matter. Dampness and mould might be the biggest hazards here. Temperature swings can cause problems and the risks of sewer backups or a failed sump pump are a real issue in some parts. Also a gathering place for centipedes, spiders, and silverfish. Keep clothes out of the basement if you’re aware of these pests.

It’s a good idea to keep things off the floor in case of flooding. Consider containers with tight-fitting lids and add silica gel packs and lavender sachets to further protect stored items.

The attic
Not always a good storage location for Canadian homes, and that’s not because of potential damage to your stored goods. The attic has an important function in keeping your home warm and it requires insulation.

There are some things that should never venture all the way upstairs. Avoid storing leather goods, fire extinguishers, flammables and toxins. l
Anything in a cardboard box is vulnerable. Also, attics are yet another place prone to pests.

Organizing Your Home's Storage Space
If you’re not able to store things in your home-storage units and facilities could also be a good way to go. When it comes to what belongs in a storage unit, it falls in line with many of the things you would store in your garage. Tools, seasonal items, patio furniture, or even summer or winter tires could be good options for your out-of-home storage.

The company you rent from will likely have a list of things you can and cannot store in their units, so it’s best to consult with them if you’re unsure of what to bring.

A thorough declutter will increase the availability of quality storage space. You’ll not only make more room, you have a head start on next year’s spring cleaning.

11/18/2022

1. Be sure to turn off your main water supply and ensure your pipes are drained. Turn your heat down to 10 C. You can turn the heat off completely if your pipes are properly winterized.

2. Seal up any soft furniture. Wrap these items in thick plastic. You can also add some scented dryer sheets, as the strong smell can deter unwanted critters.

3. Make sure to close and lock all your windows and doors properly. While you’re doing this, if you notice any drafts or leaks around the w frames, be sure to caulk them. This is a cost-effective way to reduce your heating bills over winter. Also make sure all blinds or curtains are closed.

4. Gutters full of leaves and debris can lead to serious problems. Clogged gutters can trap excess water when it rains or snows, causing water to back up and potentially leak through the roof. Or, when the temperature drops, the excess water can freeze and cause gutters to pull away from the house and create overhead hazards.

5. If your cottage has a wood burning fireplace, be sure to clean it out thoroughly at the end of the season and close the damper vent.

6. If it’s time for your septic tank to be serviced, contact a professional to ensure your septic system is running properly before shutting down your cottage for the season.

7. To deter any unwanted guests, like insects and animals, from settling into your cottage while you’re away, be sure to clear out all your cupboards and remove all food, including cans and dry food. Defrost the freezer, clean out the fridge, and bring everything home with you.

8. Remove all valuables and personal belongings. You can add an extra layer of security by installing a motion-sensored light and camera system.

9. While it’s important to keep some things running, such as a sump pump to prevent any flooding, help prevent electrical fires and other issues while you’re away from the cottage by unplugging larger appliances like the fridge, freezer, microwave, washing machine, and dryer.

10. Take pictures before you leave to identify any damages when you return.

11. Extra steps may include bringing your dock inside, cleaning and storing boats, BBQ equipment like propane tanks, etc.

11/10/2022

11/04/2022

A rent increase is the maximum amount a landlord can increase rent during the year for most tenants without the approval of the LTB (Ontario Landlord and Tenant Board).

After a freeze on all rent increases for 2021, and a slight 1.2% increase in 2022, the Ontario government announced a 2023 Rent Increase of 2.5%.

Landlords can raise rent if they gave tenants at least 90 days’ written notice using the correct landlord form, an N1, Notice of Rent Increase. In addition, at least 12 months must have passed since the first day of the tenancy or the last rent increase.

There are a number of major exemptions to rent control you should note:

1. New Tenants
When tenants turnover and a new tenant moves in, the landlord can set the new rent price at whatever they like.

2. New Buildings
If the building was built after 2018, no rent control applies. This means that even if it’s been the same tenant with the same lease for the last few years, if they are living in a building that was recently built then the landlord can increase the rent by as much as they like, as long as they give 90 days’ notice and don’t increase rent more than once per year.

3. New Units
If the unit is new (but the building is not) then no rent control applies. For example, if your house is from 1985 but you renovated the basement after 2018 and it became a basement apartment then the basement apartment is considered a new unit. The landlord can increase the rent by as much as they like as long as they give 90 days’ notice and don’t increase rent more than once per year.

To read the full rent increase guideline document, you can go to:

Ontario Caps 2023 Rent Increase Guideline Below Inflation at 2.5 Per Cent | Ontario Newsroom