Effective December 30, 2009 Harrity Real Estate Services will be accepting Interac® for regular rent collection and other fees. At this time we will be accepting debit payments for rent at our office on the first and last Saturday of each month, from 9am until 12noon. A convenience fee of $2 applies to all transactions.

Why do we accept debit payments?

Debit payments are often easier for tenants as not all of them have personal cheques as we no longer accept cash for rent. Furthermore this eliminates bounced cheques which end up costing everyone money.

Why do we charge a convenience fee?

The cost of our wireless debit unit cost us some money to purchase. The convenience fee helps subsidize the monthly operating cost of the unit.

Do we take debit at the door?

We only accept debit at the door for disabled tenants or during collections. If a tenant is late on their rent we will visit them to collect it at the door, however a late fee will also be charged.

Do we take credit card payments?

We do not and will not be accepting credit cards for rent paid. In the future we may accept Visa® and MasterCard® payments for management fees.

*Please note that our office will not be open for payments during hours other than listed until further notice. Our office is closed for payments during holidays.

I’ve been thinking lately about how we can go about developing a better relationship with our tenants. It seems like most of the time when you call them or they call you – it’s because of a problem. I don’t want our company to be the one who only converse with their tenants when there is a problem or time to collect the rent.

My solution is a tenant appreciation program. With this program each month we will put all of our tenants in for a draw, and select a random name at the end of each month. Prizes will vary from movie gift certificates, gas cards,  to books on how to increase your savings and decrease your debt. Basically practical gifts that can help improve the quality of living for our tenants.

A part of this program is based on feedback from our tenants. Occasionally we will send out a online survey for them to complete for a chance to win.

Our goal is to develop the program with the feedback from the tenants and owners. If you have any suggestions for the program we look forward to your feedback – just post a comment below.

The new program will start on 1 May 2009. Tennats accounts must be in good standing to take part in the program. All of our tenants will automatically be enrolled in the program, but can opt out if they choose.

Luther Harrity