Seafield Apartments, Vancouver Rental Housing Market, Rental Assistance Program for BC, Vancouver Condo Rents &Vacancy Update, Residential Tenancy Act

Vancouver Seafield Apartments West End Residents Protesting Rental Rent Hikes

According to the Vancouver 24Hours newspaper: The owner of a West End rental apartment building in downtown Vancouver has no reservations about raising tenants’ rent by up to 73 per cnet. Jason Gordon, of Gordon Nelson Investments, took ownership of the 12 suite Seafield Apartment building in the Vancouver West End rental apartment market at 1436 Pendrell Street last year and says the proposed rent increases is fair. “It’s a competitive business and the West End is extremely desirable,” Gordon told 24Hours Vancouver. “This group [of tenants] pays 50 per cent of what’s on the market. I think they should pay what everyone else is.” But the residents at Seafield Apartment Vancouver West End rental suites of the ight knit building have opposed the rent hikes, and have enlisted the likes of Gregor Robertson, when he was a mayoral candidate, and new Vancouver-Burrard MLA Spencer Herbert to champion their cause. “The Residential Tenancy Act is completely out of balance,” Herbert said outside the West End Seafield Apartments for rent yesterday. “The only reason the landlords are seeking these increases is gree.” Herbert is lobbying to eradicate the geographic area clause in the Residential Tenancy Act, which allows landlords to raise below market rents up to the same levels of neighbouring units. “B.C. is the only province in Canada that allows this to happen,” Herbert claims. In the meantime, the residents of the downtown Vancouver rental building at Seafield Apartments West End will be making their case to the Residential Tenancy Branch in March and they’re ready to take their fight to court. “There is very little else that we can do,” said David Bronstein, whose rent for a one bedroom apartment at Seafield Apartments West End Vancouver rental suites will jump from $1,100 to $1,880. By Matt.

Metro Vancouver Rental Vacancy Rates Tightening

According to the Real Estate Weekly, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp’s Fall 2008 Rental Market Survey shows tha the apartment vacancy rate for the Metro Vancouver rental condo market moved lower in 2008. The average apartment vacany rate in Metro Vancouver apartment rental market moved from 0.7 per cent in 2007 to 0.5 per cent as of October of last year. Low vacancies are keeping rents rising at above the rate of inflation right now in Metro Vancouver rental market. “There are several factors driving demand for rental accommodations in Vancouver,” said Robyn Adamache, senior rental market analyst with CMHC. “Job growth and a steady inflow of new residents ot the region are keeping demand for rental housing robust. The large gap between the cost of a home ownership and renting in the Greater Vancouver region is also causing some people to stay in rental housing.”

Vancouver Rental Market Remains Tight – Rental Vacancies Drop Throughout Canada

The average rental apartment vacancy rate in Canada’s thirty four largest major centres has decreased to 2.2 per cent from 2.6 per cnet a year earlier in 2007, according to the Rental Market Survey by Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation. Metro Vancouver rental market, at 0.5 per cnet has one of the lowest vacancy rates in the country, with Kelowna leading the way at 0.3 per cent. The annual CMHC survey found that the rental vacancy rate for Greater Vancouver condominium rentals is even lower than the conventional apartment market. Greater Vancouver vacancy rates for rental condominium apartments were below one per cent in four of the ten centres surveyed. Rental condominium vacancy rates were among the “lowest in Metro Vancouver.” The highest average monthly rents for two bedroom condominium apartments were in Troonto ($1,625), Vancouver ($1,507) and Calgary ($1,293).

The Art of Seniors Living at Tapestry Retirement Homes

Tapestry Retirement Communities offer the very best in seniors living. Enjoy sumptuous choices in dining, housekeeping, health and wellness, transportation, assisted living services and more. It’s five star retirement at Tapestry retirement seniors living tailored to your idea of fun. Tapestry seniors living communities are developed by Concert and operated by Leisure Care by Concert. www.DiscoverTapestry.com.

Rental Assistance Program for BC

Making a difference for fa milies in BC real estate. If your household income is $35,000 or less, you may be eligible to receive cash assistance with your monthly rent payments in the province of BC. Effective April 2008, the Province has increased the maximum household income level for the BC Rental Assistance Program for low-income working families. To qualify for the Rental Assistance Program of BC, families must have at least one dependent child have lived in B.C. for the past 12 months and have spend part of the last year working. For more information about the BC Rental Assistance Program, call 604.433.2218 in the Lower Mainland or 1.800.257.7756 elsewhere in B.C. You can also visit www.bchousing.org as Housing Matters.

Vancouver Rental Market Tightens

Apartment vacancies across Canada’s major cities fell to 2.6 per cent in April form 2.8 per cent in the same month a year ago, according to Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp. “The Canadian economy remains very supportive of strong demand for both ownership and rental housing thnaks to solid job creation and healthy income gains,” CMHC chief economist Bob Dugan said. “High levels of immigration and the increasing gap between the cost of home ownership and renting continue to drive rental demand in 2008. These factors have put downward pressure on vacancy rates over the past year.” The vacancy rate in Metro Vancouver is in the 1 per cent range in most municipalities.

B.C. Real Estate Has Lowest Rental Vacancy Rates

Apartment vacancies in Canada’s major cities fell in April as solid employment numbers and increasing incomes pushed demand higher. About half of BC’s cities record either a decline in the vacancy rate or no change compared to one year ago. The average Vancouver rental apartments vacancy rate in 35 major centres fell to 2.6 per cent in April from 2.8 per cent in the same month a year ago, according to Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp. “The Canadian economy remains very supportive of strong demand for both Vancovuer ownership and rental housing thanks to both solid job creation and healthy income gains,” CMHC chief economist Bob Dugan said Thursday in a statement. “High levels of immigration and the increasing gap between the cost of home ownserhip and renting continue to drive the rental demand in 2008.” The lowest vacancy rates were to be found in Victoria (0.3 per cent), Kelowna, B.C. (0.3 per cnt), Sudbury, Ont., (0.7 per cnt), Vancouver (0.9 per cent) and Saskatoon (0.9 per cent). Rising migration and the high cost of Vancouver home ownership in British Columbia has pushed apartment vacancies there below one per cent in all major centres save Abbotsford. The province’s overall rate stood at 1.1 per cent in April. The Western provinces typically saw the lowest vacancy rates in the country, with Manitoba at one per cent, Saskatchewan at 1.2 per cent. Alberta real estate logged an increase in vacancies to 2.9 per cent from 0.9 per cent in the April a year earlier “mainly due to reduced migration into the province and increased supply of rented condominiums and basement apartments. Vacancies in Calgary increased to 2 per cent from 0.5 per cent and in Edmonton to 3.4 per cent from 1.1 per cent. The highest apartment vacancy rates were seen in Windsor, Ont (13.2 per cent), Moncton (5.5 per cent) and Hamilton (4.7 per cent).

Oh, and by the way, Rent Rules Vital

An important column published in the 24 Hrs newspaper in Vancouver by Siobhan R. though our society pays homeage to the God of home ownership, it’s interesting to note how many people still rent their homes – 57 per cent of households in Vancouver have landlords. Even if, as predicted, Vancouver house prices do level off, asking prices have reached altitudes that prohibit many people from buying a home in Vancouver – a situation that isn’t likely to change for some time in the Lower Mainland. Given all this, and the fact that one third of householders in B.C. rent, it’s infuriating that we have a provincial government that has actually made Vancouver renters more vulnerable to eviction and rent increases. When, in 2004, the B.C. government weakened the Residential Tenancy Act (RTA), it did this knowingly and deliberately. Changes to the B.C. Residential Tenancy Act (RTA) allowed annual rent increases that tenants no longer had the right to dispute, even if repairs hadn’t been done. Don’t take my word though. Just last week, on the City of Vancouver website, I found a letter from Mayor Sam Sullivan to Premier Gordon Campbell (written May 14) urging the Premier to better protect Vancouver tenants and renters in the Lower Mainland area by amending the landlord tenant law of BC. According to the letter, some landlords in B.C. use provisions in the B.C. RTA to increase rents far in excess of what is allowed. They accomplish this by evicting Vancouver tenants on the pretext that major renovations need to be done. This allows them to create a new tenancy at a significantly higher rent. The major’s letter refers to cases of “mass” eviction reported in the Vancouver media but also admits the city has no idea how many tenants of individual or smaller rental units suffer the same fate.

The mayor urges the premier to tighten up the rules around these so-called “renovations.” He also suggests that Vancouver tenants who do have to move are given 90 days notice instead of 60 days, too short a time under the current scarcity of rental Vancouver accommodations to find somewhere new. Sullivan’s letter explains that some landlords coerce tenants, who often feel like they don’t have much choice, into signing tenancy agreements that end at a specific date rather than ongoing tenancies with no definite end. The former type allows landlords in B.C. to raise rents as uch as they wish once the end date comes – even if the tenant in Vancouver remains the same. As if all this isn’t bad enough, in 2004, the B.C. government closed the Vancouver branch of the Residential Tenancy Branch, a service that assists with landlord tenant disputes in Greater Vancouver. Now there is only one such office to serve the entire Lower Mainland. Though the City of Vancouver itself has much to do in terms of housing – its letter to the Premier spells out quite clearly that the B.C. government must amend the B.C. Residential Tenancy Act in order to protect B.C.’s increasingly vulnerable renters, with one third of British Columbians renting their homes. I couldn’t agree more.

Burnaby Rental Apartment Suites and New Westminster Condos For Rent - State of the Rental Lease Market

Burnaby Rentals and New Westminster Apartments for Rent

A great number of rental suites are available in both of these growing municipalities in the Lower Mainland that provide some of the best transportation routes, recreational facilities, parks, hospitals and much more. And best of all, both Burnaby and New Westminster are within close driving distance to downtown Vancouver, without having to cross any bridges. New West and Burnaby condo rental suites are on the rise as more people are moving into this desirable area. It is said that about three quarters of all presales real estate condo developments in the Greater Vancouver area will be in Burnaby and New West and about one quarter of all those units will become Burnaby rental suites and New Westminster apartments for rent within the next five years. With a booming economy, great balance of industrial, commercial, retail and residential, the rental market of condos and apartments as well as single family homes and townhouses in Burnaby and New West is a haven for real estate investors who seek great long-term deals. Here are some of the rental high-rise and low-rise condo homes available in both Burnaby’s real estate rental market as well as New Westminster.

Watch the latest videos on YouTube.com

Lougheed Village Burnaby Rentals

Great location to fit your needs at Burnaby’s Lougheed Village rental apartments. Large units in the village that range from 1, 2 and 3 bedroom condos for rent with heat, light and hot water all included with your rents! Also, the Lougheed Village condominium rentals are just minutes from Lougheed Mall and the new SkyTrain as well as many other community amenities. There is a Fitness 2000 facility, the Lougheed Village Bar & Grill, and professional services/retail shops just a short walk away from the Burnaby rental apartment homes at Lougheed Village and there are also low cost cable and high-speed interent available. Remember that there are no pets allowed. The Lougheed Village Burnaby condos for rent are located at 9500/9502 Erickson Drive as well as 9303/9304 Salish Court in Burnaby, BC. The one bedroom Lougheed Village apartments for rent start from $875 while 2 bedrooms are $1150 (penthouse 2 beds are $1650/month) while the 3 bed rental suites are $1500/month). Call 604.421.0282 or 604.420.3075 or 603.415.9001 or visit www.lougheedapartments.ca for all the details.

The CornerStone Condos at Simon Fraser University Rental Suites

If you are looking for SFU apartments for rent at the University, this spectacular mountain setting is perfect for students, families and couples. The CornerStone SFU rental apartment condos feature studio, one and two bedroom suites. By Midwest property managers, you can find out more information regarding the CornerStone SFU Condos for rent online at www.rentmidwest.com or by calling 64.291.6878 or emailing cornerstone@rentmidwest.com. They are open Monday through Friday between 8:30 and 5. The Cornerstone at Simon Fraser University are rental apartment condos that feature four or six appliances (six being the ones with insuite laundry), new building with easy access to the SFU amenities as well as energy efficient building, saving you on monthly utilites as a renter. The SFU rentals at Cornerstone apartments feature closet organizers, wired for high speed internet access, lock up bike storage in addition to secure underground parking. The Cornestone condos for rent at SFU also are close to the transit loop that is just minutes away as well as 24 hour maintenance.

Gateway Property Management Corporation presents two great Rental Condo Towers in New West and Burnaby listed here.

Parkside Towers 1 & 2 are New Westminster rental apartment high-rise towers located at 820 6th Avenue (North Tower) and 525 9th Street (South Tower). The New West Parkside Towers have outdoor pool and are close enough to walk to transportation routes and SkyTrain to get downtown. The Gateway Property Managed New West rental suites at Parkside Towers also provides secure card access. Gorgeous views, spacious condo suites and modernized elevators with secured floor access. There is also communal amenities at Parkside Towers New West condos for rent that include a recreationa room and sauna and underground parking is also available. For personal viewing, call 604.524.5021. The second of the Gateway Property Management condo towers is Parkview Towers 1 & 2 that are located in Burnaby’s real estate rental market. These are located at 4769 HaZel Street and 4758 Grange Street in BC. Just one block from MetroTown and the SkyTrain, these conveniently located condominium rental homes at Parkview Towers go very quickly. With a range of community amenities that include: social and recreation clubhouse room, exercise room, outdoor pool and saunas, the Gateway Parkview Tower rental apartments provide security cameras and access cards to all residents in addition to great views of the city, mountains and water. These rental apartments in Burnaby are very large compared to other comparable condo towers in the city and also have newer elevators with secured floor access for your security. For more details about the Burnaby rentals at Parkview Towers, please call 778.786.8551.

A Place to Call Home – CAP REIT Apartments for Rent
A great article published in the Home Rentals Guide of Greater Vancouver and Victoria and written by Geraldine to promote New West rental apartment areas.

Massey Place New West Apartments for Rent

Excellent New Westminster location at 855 McBridge Boulevard in BC, the Massey Place condominium apartments for rent include fully remodeled suites that range from One Bedroom (700-850 sq ft), Two Bedroom (1050-1150 sqft), Three Bedrom (1300 sqft) and 2 bed and den condo rentals at 1400 sq ft. A stroll away from the famous Queens Park in New West, Massey Place apartment condos are steps away from Canada Games pool, walking distance to shopping and several schools and features a great outdoor swimming pool and wonderfully landscaped grounds. The New Westminster Massey Place rental apartments also feature heat and hot water inclusion with the monthly rent and new lighting in all rental suites with wall to wall carpeting and drapes. Call 604.524.5840 to tour these outstanding rental suites at Massey Place in the beautiful area of Queens Park New West.

New Westminster Princeton Place Rental Condos

Located at 1021 Howay Street in New West, Princeton Place features heat/hot water that are included with your rent in addition to huge balconies with scenic views, fitness facilities as well as enhanced exterior security lighting and floodlight for your security. Also, the Princeton Place rental suites in New Westminster also provides three modern appliances that include the stove, fridge and dishwasher in addition to a great location that is close to bus transportation and the SkyTrain station. The one bedroom rental apartments at Princeton Place in New Westminster’s rental market start ffrom $800 only and the two beds are from $1000/month. Call 604.521.8831 for details or you can visit www.caprent.com

New Westminster Princeton Place Apartments for Rent

Princeton Place rental suites in New West on 1021 Howay Street is ideal for residents with its close proximity to the SkyTrain and a short commute to downtown Vancouver. The residential rental building in New West Princeton Place surrounds beautiful grounds and a courtyard. With various cycling and walking trails along the Fraser River, easy access to shopping at New Westminster Quay Market, Royal City Mall and neighbourhood shops, Princeton Place condos for rent in New Westminster makes city living enjoyable. The large, cable ready one bedroom and two bedroom units with private balconies. The one bedroom at Princeton Place New West rental suites is available immediately for occupancy February 1st. The rent includes hot water and heat and parking starts at $20. Each carpeted Princeton Place New Westminster rental suite has a 3 piece bathroom with ceramic tile tub surrounds and comes with a fridge, stove and dishwasher. There are laundry facilities on each floor at New Westminster’s Princeton Place rental apartments, an exercise room and Interac on site for easy rent payment. A great way to meet the neighbours is at annual resident events and social gatherings. For more information, contact 604.521.8831 or caprent.com.

St. Andrews Court New Westminster Rental Apartments

If you are looking for an apartment for rent in New West, the St. Andrews Court condo suites provide large units, some with balconies that range from just $800 per month for one bedrooms. Located at 910 Saint Andrews Street, these New Westminster rental apartments feature heat that is included, close to Royal City Centre Shopping Mall, and location that is close to schools and transit. Some of the condos for rent at the New West Saint Andrews Court rentals feature hardwood flooring and the residential leased building is clean and quiet. Cats are also ok. For more information, please call 604.540.0337 and for viewings, please call 604.339.2316.

Vancouver Apartment Rentals and Other Condos For Rent

Vancouver Concert Properties Rental Condos and Apartment Suites for Rent

All of the following are professionally managed by Concert Properties in Vancouver’s rental condo real estate market. Please visit www.ConcertProperties.com for more information about these rental homes in Vancouver. Rental offices for Concert Properties is open noon to 5pm Monday through Saturday (after 5pm by appointment only). Here are the current Vancouver rental condo listings by Concert Property: Cassiar Court rental apartments at 1750 Cassiar Street, Vancouver: ideal family complex, 1 and 2 bedroom apartments (some with dens) or 2 and three bedroom townhomes available at Vancouver’s Cassiar Court apartments for rent. The Cassiar Court apartments and townhouses are close to Brentwood Mall, and Save-On-Foods as well as easy access to Highway #1, downtown Vancouver and near the SkyTrain station. The rental suites at Concert Properties Cassiar Court Vancouver are cat and dog friendly, but some conditions to apply. For viewing of the rental Cassiar Court condos, please call 604.251.2503. Fraser Pointe at 3083 East Kent Avenue in Vancouver offers great views of the Fraser River and mountains and in terms of rental Vancouver condominium suites, includes studio, 1 and 2 bedroom apartments in addition to 2 and 3 bed townhomes (some with an extra ½ bath). The rental Fraser Pointe apartments in Vancouver also includes a communal exercise room, gated underground parking garage, keyless entry as well as a great location that is close to parks, recreation and shopping. Call 451.1180 for more information about he rental homes at Fraser Pointe in Vancouver. The Westridge Vancouver rental apartment suites at Concert Properties rental suites 4170 Nanaimo Street are hot! Including studios, 1, 2 bedroom apartments for rent in central Vancouver, some with enclosed balconies, these Concert Properties rent homes are adjacent to Nanaimo SkyTrain Station, Trout Lake Park and is also features keless entry into your rental home and gated underground parking. The Westridge Vancouver rental apartments do not allow pets. Viewings call 604.871.9104.

Concert Properties also features the Vancouver Parkside Village rental apartment

condominiums are located at 3628 William Street. Ideal family community, the Parkside Village is relatively new rental homes and provides attractive 3 bedroom townhomes with 1.5 bathrooms and appliances including in suite laundry (washer and dryer). The colour coordinated carpet and blinds, decks and carports are extra selling features for renters in Vancouver and the Parkside Village Vancouver rental apartments are close to shopping, parks and all schools and is also pet friendly. The 600 Drake Street Vancouver rental condo apartments are one fo the most sought after places for rent in downtown Vancouver. Located at 600 Drake, these apartment rentals are modern studio and junior 1 bedroom suites (some with Murphy beds) and even some are furnished executive Vancouver suites including utilities and cable! The Vancouver Concert Properties 600 Drake condominium rental apartments also provide great views of False Creek, English Bay and mountains depending on which way you face. Also, the 600 Drake rental apartments in downtown Vancouver provide gated underground parking and keyless entry to save you time as well as a great Yaletown location with restaurants, shopping and much more. Unfortunately, the Concert Properties 600 Drake condo apartments for rent do not allow pets. Please call 604.681.0727 for more details. The Concert Properties also has another rental apartment featured at 3528 Vanness Avenue in Vancouver at Colingwood Village. This spectacular new community at the rental suites at Collingwood Village Concert Propeties includes 5 modern buildings with spectacular views and also studio/1/2 bedroom suites with 1.5 baths in some units and is within walking distance to the Joyce Station SkyTrain. The Colingwood Village apartment rental homes in Vancouver will also provide gated underground secure parking stalls, key less entry and an exercise and games room that is great for entertainment. Also, the Colingwood Village Remington Concert Properties rental apartments provides close proximity to MetroTown and much shopping, schools, parks, recreation, tennis courts and much more. Sorry, no pets are allowed at this Concert Properties managed Vancouver rental apartment complex at the Remington Collingwood Village. Viewings should call 604.438.6911.

More Vancouver Condo Rentals and Suites for Rent Here.

Langara Gardens at 601 West 57th Street provides a country club feel in this rental

condominium complex that provides 21 acres of manicured gardens, 16 stories of residential suits that is close to banks, doctors, dentists, chiropractor, beauty parlour, grocery stores, florist, cleaners, restaurants and computer store. The rental Langara Gardens Vancouver condos includes 1 and 2 bedroom hi-rise and garden apartments for rent in addition to 3 bedroom townhomes with all amenities included! The Langara Gardens Vancouver rental homes provides luxury living at its best, a security guard, exercise room, four pools, Jacuzzi, lounge, piano, pool table, tv and is close to shops and transit lines. The homes for rent at Langara Gardens in Vancouver does not allow pets. Call 604.327.1178 for more info.

The People Have Spoken - #1 Customer Choice Goes to Concert Properties – A Developer With A Difference
And they’ve chosen Concert Properties as the winner of the coveted Customer Choice Georgie Award. This award is especially meaningful to us because it proves that our homeowners experience the same commitment to excellence that we strive for in every aspect of our business – from elegant design, to exceptional building practices, and the very best in customer care. In addition to being voted the best by its customers, Concert Properties has also been singled out by its industry peers and has been awarded two other Grand Georgie Awards, including High Rise Home Builder of the Year. We are delighted and proud to be considered the best by both our contemporaries and by those who we think matter most – Concert homeowners.

Chelsea Park in Vancouver Now Open!

Chelsea Park Non-Profit Supportive Housing for Seniors is now open for viewing at 1968 East 19th Avenue at Hull Street in central Vancouver. This Seniors Supportive Living condominium apartment development is on the south side of the beautiful Trout Lake Part. The Vancouver Chelsea Park supportive seniors housing features include: daily lunch and dinner, weekly housekeeping and linen service, activities and recreational programs, personal emergency response system and 95% of suites are one bedroom with large balconies. The Chelsea Park Seniors Living Housing in Vancouver provides full services and accommodation from $1650/month! Contact 604.874.6255 or www.newchelsea.ca for more details.

Homes for Homeless in Vancouver

B.C. to help out in poverty stricken neighbourhoods. From Metro Vancouver by Andrea to provide more information to the general public about this growing problem and some new solutions by the BC government. The province announced yesterday that is has bought six single room occupancy (SRO) hotels in the Downtown Eastside for Vancouver’s homeless. “This is part of the initiative to expand housing opportunities and stability for people,” said Premier Gordon Campbell. He said that three of the six buildings – the Gastown, Shaldon and Arco hotels – are already housing people. The other three – the Pender, Marr and Rainier Hotels – are currently being renovated and will soon provide 115 more rooms for the homeless in Vancouver. Housing Minister Rich Coleman said that this brings the total number of provincially subsidized units to 2,400 since last April for the province of BC. The buildings, which total $23.7 million will be turned over to non-profit organizations to manage and provide support services for their homeless tenants. “They’re places where healing can begin, where stability can start,” said Campbell. David Eby, lawyer for the Pivot Legal Socity, said he was glad to hear the announcement but that he takes it with a grain of salt. “At the end of the day, they protected about 20 per cent of the privately held low-income housing and there are still 4,900 units that are currently closing at an incredible rate,” he said. According to Eby, five lower income housing buildings in the Downtown Eastside have either closed or been given eviction notices in the past three months alone.