The Certified Rental Building program, launched in 2008 by The Federation of Rental-Housing Provider’s of Ontario (FRPO), has officially rolled out in British Columbia and will be administered by LandlordBC.
Concert Properties and Hollyburn Properties were the first to sign onto the program, which formally kicked off at the launch event on November 26th in North Vancouver. The designation means both rental property management companies and staffs have demonstrated compliance with 50 Standards of Practice including training and education programs.
“The main goal of the CRB program is to build consumer confidence and elevate rental-building standards to make rental housing in the province better for everyone,” said David Hutniak, President and CEO of LandlordBC. “The CRB program will mean peace of mind for renters knowing that when they rent in a CRB building they will receive both a quality product and quality service. “
With vacancy rates in Metro Vancouver sitting at just 0.8 per cent, it isn’t hard to rent an apartment in the fast-growing coastal city. Concert, an owner of over 2,500 rental suites across Metro Vancouver, has observed correspondingly high occupancy levels within all its properties.
But, as evidenced by its involvement in the CRB program, the company remains committed to superior standards of quality and customer service and takes its owner and manager duties seriously. At the event, Concert was recognized for having certified all its properties, both built and under management, currently in B.C.
“We want to clearly distinguish Concert as a first-class property manager to current and prospective residents across British Columbia and Ontario,” said Brian McCauley, Concert’s President and Chief Operating Officer. “We are proud to be one of the first companies in B.C. to have our properties certified under this rigorous program.”
Equally committed to distinguishing itself as a reputable property management company is Hollyburn Properties, who was also on hand at the event.
“We have had tremendous success with the CRB program in Ontario,” said Allan Wasel, General Manager, Hollyburn Properties. “When the opportunity presented itself to expand the quality assurance program in B.C., we were enthusiastic to participate and continue to set the bar for best practices in the rental housing industry. With 38 rental communities certified in Vancouver to date, we are proud to represent the largest number of certified rental properties in British Columbia.”
About the CRB program
The CRB industry accreditation program was specifically designed to assist rental housing consumers in identifying well-run and well-managed multi-residential apartment buildings. A certified building is committed to professionally-managed operations, strict adherence to a number of quality-of-service standards and to working with residents to create a healthier living environment.
The CRB program began in 2008 in Ontario as the first tenant quality assurance program of its type in the North American rental housing industry. Concert quickly followed suit by certifying all of its Ontario rental properties under this program in 2009.
About LandlordBC
LandlordBC is BC’s top resource for owners and managers of rental housing with more than 3,300 members representing all levels of ownership—from high-rise buildings, to investment condos, to secondary suites. Members of LandlordBC have access to education, advocacy, group programs, proprietary tenancy forms, online tools to manage and market properties, networking opportunities and operational advice.
PHOTO – From left to right: Allan Wasel, Hollyburn General Manager; Paul Sander, Hollyburn Director; MLA Jane Thornthwaite, North Vancouver-Seymour; Councillor Holly Back, City of North Vancouver, representing Mayor Mussatto; Karen Rahal, Property Manager, Concert; David Hutniak, CEO, LandlordBC, Shona Athey, Member Services Representative, LandlordBC.
