Membership in the Certified Rental Building Program (CRBP) is an effective means of maintaining a high standard of quality when managing your building or working with residents (tenants). When prospective or existing tenants see the familiar green CRB Program logo on your property, they will immediately know that they will be able to Rent with Confidence.

The CRB Program, North America’s only multi-residential certification program, was founded under six disciplines which all affiliated property managers must comply with in order to receive the certification for their buildings. In this six-part series, we will examine each of the disciplines in detail and explain their importance to the program.

Discipline 1: Building Operations

At the forefront of the CRB Program’s six disciplines is building operations. Both prospective and existing residents have the right to live in a safe, properly maintained building. As the property manager, the onus is on you to ensure that your properties are up to the CRBP standards.

Any property that wishes to apply for the certification or already has it in place must (to name just a few of the requirements):

• Maintain strict adherence to indoor/outdoor cleaning schedules (daily, weekly and monthly)
• Ensure documented policies/processes/procedures in place related to regular inspections of the building
• Strict adherence to all aspects of the Ontario Fire Code
• Building Emergency Plans in place
• Documented vendor approval process including a Contractor Code of Conduct
• Ensure doors and building security measures are being adequately maintained

If your buildings are able to comply with these practices, not only will you be able to retain your existing tenant base; you will also be able to attract new tenants.

It is vital to perform regular inspections around your properties to ensure your building operations are up to par. If you encounter any issues during your inspection, make note of them and be sure to have them corrected as soon as possible. Your tenants expect a certain level of professionalism when it comes to property management and maintenance issue resolution. If left to linger, these problems could lead to negative experiences.

If your tenants report any issues within their units or elsewhere in the building, be sure to follow up with them before, during and after the issue is addressed. Maintaining open lines of communication with your tenants not only ensures quick resolution of issues; it also proves your dedication to maintaining the building’s operations.

For example, if one of your elevators is not functioning properly, be sure to contact your licensed maintenance provider immediately to schedule maintenance/repair. Elevators are a key aspect of accessibility, and if a faulty one is not addressed, it could have a serious impact on your tenants’ mobility and ease of access in and out of the building. Also ensure your Emergency Assistant List is up to date and being checked monthly to ensure it is current.

Regular dedication to building operations helps your properties maintain the standards involved with being a CRBP affiliated property manager while providing a safe and clean environment for your residents. This type of approach defines professionalism for multi-res property managers, and peace-of- mind for renters

In the next part of our series, we will discuss the importance of effective human resources management and ensuring your apartment buildings are being professionally managed. For further information about the CRBP and how to apply for the certification, please contact Federation of Rental-housing Providers of Ontario (FRPO) or visit our website today www.frpo.org.