Our Blog

“As a community for A+ tenants and landlords who are renting, sharing, and caring for homes together, we would like to share what we have learned in the real world, in the hope of helping you in any tiny yet meaningful way possible.

 

So, who are “you”?

 

Maybe you’re a newly graduated high school student leaving home for the first time; or a new immigrant navigating renting in a new country; a family seeking a dream home; or a landlord looking for professional ways to manage your rental homes without a property manager… our blog provides solid anecdotes and real-life stories to guide you with confidence on your journey. Join us and discover how our current members of landlords and tenants are living their dreams while building a better and joyful future.

 

Together, let us make impossible happen naturally.

 

2025-01-30

Say Sorry When You Are Wrong

Recently, we encountered a situation with a newly installed dishwasher. The tenant called requesting a repair. We informed her that the machine was relatively new, and if any damage was found that went beyond normal wear

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2025-01-08

Tenant Communication During Maintenance? 

It is a normal practice that contractors typically give homeowners a quick rundown of issues, keeping them informed and engaged. However, this approach may not work well when it comes to deal with rental homes and here is why…

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2024-12-12

What to Do When Your Furnace Stops Working?

Imagine this: it’s the middle of winter, the temperature outside is a bone-chilling -17°C, and suddenly your furnace stops working. It’s the moment you need it the most, and now you’re left wondering what to do…

2024-12-08

What to Expect During a Culfidant Home Visit

At Culfidant, we believe in going the extra mile to ensure that every home in our community remains safe, functional, and comfortable for its residents. As part of this commitment, we conduct home safety visits — 

2024-12-04

A Simple Guide to Annual Furnace Inspection

Ensuring your furnace is well-maintained is key to a safe and comfortable home. One simple step is scheduling a free in-home inspection with ATCO. Here’s how… 

2024-11-27

How to Collect Unpaid Rent via a Collection Agency: A Step-by-Step Guide

As a landlord, dealing with unpaid rent is never easy, especially when a tenant leaves without settling their dues. In such cases, using a collection agency can help recover what is owed to you. Below is a detailed example and step-by-step guide on how to go through this process efficiently… 

2024-11-13

Trump’s 2024 Term: What It Means for Alberta’s Oil Sands Industry

With Donald Trump back in office, Alberta’s oil sands industry is entering an era with both opportunities and challenges. Here’s a breakdown of the potential impacts… 

2024-11-12

Poppy Seeds and Remembrance: The Surprising Connections from Bagels to Battlefields to Opium!

Poppy seeds have some fascinating connections across history and culture, from the bagels on your breakfast plate to the flowers we wear for Remembrance Day—and even the opium that fueled the world’s earliest narcotic trade! Here’s the scoop on how these seemingly innocent seeds connect to some very different sides of life

2024-11-11

How to Claim an Extra Month of Rent Loss in an RTDRS Hearing

When a tenant unexpectedly vacates a rental property without fulfilling their rent obligations, landlords often turn to the Residential Tenancy Dispute Resolution Service (RTDRS) to recover unpaid rent. But sometimes, the process allows for claiming additional rent losses beyond the initial unpaid rent. Here’s a guide based on a real-life case on how to claim an extra month of rent loss at an RTDRS hearing in Alberta

2024-10-21

How to Update Your Domain Settings After Switching Website Hosts

If you’ve recently switched website hosts, like moving from InMotion Hosting to SiteGround, you may have encountered a step that asks you to “point your domain” or “update your DNS settings” to the new host. If this sounds confusing, don’t worry—you’re not alone! Let’s break it down into simple terms so you can understand what DNS is and how this process works

2024-10-17

What If RTDRS Hearing Time Doesn’t Work?

The RTDRS has scheduled a time and date for the hearing filed by the landlords/agents to terminate the lease due to unpaid rents. The tenants (the respondent) would prefer a different time. What can they do?

2024-10-10

What Should I Do If a Fix or Repair Is Needed?

In any home, it’s natural for things to occasionally need attention—whether it’s a leaky faucet, a malfunctioning appliance, or a furnace that suddenly stops working. But don’t worry! In the Acts Roar community, we’ve streamlined the maintenance process to make it quick and easy.

2024-10-02

A Tale of a Charming Semi-Retired Couple

In the world of landlording, we meet all kinds of tenants: the reliable ones, the quiet ones, and sometimes, the drama queens and kings. Today, I’d like to share an experience that highlights the importance of spotting these “dramatic” personalities early on, before they derail your A+ tenant attracting process

2024-09-28

A Guide for Using Voice to Write Your Book

Have you ever had a great idea for a book but felt overwhelmed by the thought of typing it all out? Or maybe you’ve found it challenging to find time to sit down and write. Good news! You can now use your voice to write a book…

2024-09-26

How to publish your non-fiction book

You have several options to publish your non-fiction book, depending on your preferences for control, distribution, and budget. Here are the main approaches…

2024-09-23

How to get a new mailbox key for your new home

At Acts Roar, we believe in building strong, supportive communities—and that starts with ensuring safety in every aspect of your home life. If you’ve just moved into the new home, securing your mailbox is one important step you don’t want to skip and it will ensure your peace of mind, here’s how you can easily replace your mailbox key … 

2024-09-19

Duct Cleaning – Myth or Necessity?

Many furnace cleaning companies, driven by their own motivations, will tell you that the answer is an absolute “YES” and that not doing it could lead to dire consequences. But is it really that straightforward, or is there more to consider? … 

2024-09-17

How the Acts Roar Rental Application Process Works: A 6-Factor, 18-Score System

When landlords and property agents select tenants, they’re making a significant investment in their property. That’s why selecting the right candidate is a careful process, designed to ensure both the landlord and tenant have a positive experience. At Acts Roar, we use a unique 6-Factor, 18-Score System to evaluate all rental applications…

2024-09-12

Hanging Pictures in Your New Home: A Guide

We understand how important it is to personalize your home with family photos and memories. However, a little care in how you hang pictures can go a long way in preserving the condition of your rental space while still creating a beautiful photo gallery …

2024-09-11

How to Keep Your Front-Load Washer Free from Mold

Front-load washers are great for saving energy and water, but they can easily become a breeding ground for mold if not properly maintained. Mold can not only smell unpleasant but can also be harmful to your health. Here’s how to prevent mold buildup …

2024-06-20

Where is it located?...

In the quest for your perfect rental home, there’s a subtle dance of information exchange that can either pave the way to your dream dwelling or lead you down a frustrating path. One of the first questions many prospective tenants ask is straightforward yet loaded: “Where is it located?” Seems harmless, right? Not quite…

2024-05-16

Q083- Why Green Viewing, and How

Thank you for booking Culfidant green viewing with us! We’re excited to introduce you to an environmentally friendly way to view homes at your leisure, saving an estimated 12.6 pounds of CO2 per showing.

In this blog post, we’ll explain how green viewing helps you effortlessly view a home in person, on your own time, without our agent to be there and in an eco-friendly…

2024-04-18

Q084- What to Expect During the Showing (with current tenants in)

As you prepare to join us for an upcoming property showing, it’s important to be aware of the setup, especially since the current tenants are still residing in the home. We aim to make this experience as smooth and respectful as possible for both parties involved. Here’s what to expect during the coming showing … 

2024-04-09

Q082- Get Ready for Your New Appliance

Great news for you – a new appliance is soon to grace your home! This post is your go-to guide to ensure your space is primed and ready for this exciting upgrade. With a few key pointers, let’s ensure a smooth transition … 

2024-04-05

Q085 – Step by Step Guide to “ACTs Roar” Home

Thank you for your interest in one of  ACTs Roar certified A+ Homes – “ACTs ROAR” is a vibrant community where ACulfidant Triplet of homes, tenants and landlords can match and discover years of joy by renting, sharing and caring through human decency and mutual respect… 

2024-04-01

Keep Your Kitchen Sink Happy: Easy Care Tips

Welcome to a quick guide on keeping your kitchen sink in great shape! If you’ve ever had a clogged sink, you know it’s no fun. In ACTs Roar-certified rental homes, every kitchen sink starts off clean and in good condition. Here’s how you can keep it that way, avoiding clogs and enjoying your kitchen more … 

2024-03-20

Why It’s Getting Hard for Groups of Friends to Rent Homes

In recent years, a common practice among friends to team up and rent a home has faced a significant hurdle. The tightening of rental insurance policies by insurance companies has led to complications for such arrangements. … 

2024-03-20

Community Care Through a Small Drawer Fix

In our vibrant ACTs Roar community (A+ Culfidant Triplet of homes, tenants and landlords), we take immense pride in recognizing the exceptional residents who go the extra mile to care for our collective home. Get ready for a series of heartwarming anecdotes that underscore the power of shared caring and dedication within our midst … 

2024-03-06

Why the Home "Pending Rented" before My Viewing?

You’ve eagerly booked a viewing, anticipating the chance to step into your potential new home, only to receive a message informing you that the property is now “pending rented.” What gives? In this blog post, we’ll delve into why this might happen … 

2024-03-05

We Show Once a Week, and Here's Why

In the realm of ACT Roar – the A+ Culfidant Triplet of homes, tenants, and landlords – our commitment stands firm: to maximize the peaceful enjoyment of our current A+ tenants, even as they prepare to move out when their lease ends. How? It’s simple. We stick to our tradition… 

2024-02-29

Case Study 02 – Two Brothers in a Large Home with a Legal Suite

I’ve got another fantastic tale to share with you today, straight from the experiences of our incredible tenants—a family that’s not just living large but also saving big. Let’s delve into their story and uncover how they’re maximizing the potential of our beautiful large home with a legal suite through the innovative concept of co-living … 

2024-02-27

Case Study 01 - Large Homes with a Legal Suite...

Allow me to present a case study featuring a remarkable family currently residing in one of our expansive homes boasting six bedrooms and four baths. They’ve been happily settled for over four years now, and I’m thrilled to share their experience with you … 

2024-02-24

Why You Should Aim for Large Homes with Legal Suites

Picture this: you’re a big family with grandparents, parents, and kids all under one roof. Or maybe you’re a group of close-knit siblings ready to embark on the next chapter of your lives together. Finding the perfect living space can feel like searching for a needle in a haystack, especially in Edmonton’s bustling rental market where homes are snatched up faster than you can say … 

2024-02-11

Why Was My Rental Application Rejected? …

Have you ever faced the disappointment of a rejected rental application and wondered, “What went wrong?” It’s a common scenario that often leaves many feeling frustrated and perplexed. But while rejection can be tough to swallow, understanding the reasons behind it can offer valuable insights for the future… 

2024-02-01

Rent Big in Sizzle Hot Edmonton Market

Let’s talk about the current residential rental scene in Edmonton—it’s hotter than a summer barbecue, with a vacancy rate of less than 1%. Bidding wars are becoming the norm as folks scramble to snag their dream digs. But amidst the frenzy, there’s a golden opportunity that many overlook…

2023-11-28

Why Most First Home Buyers Fail Strategically...

For many, buying/owning the first home is likely the most significant financial move in a lifetime, yet 9 out 10, if not more, have failed and will likely fail strategically for the following three reasons: 01) Confused dream; 02) Confused timing; and 03) The lack of skin in the game…

2023-09-08

Turning a Stormy Situation into a Soothing Soak: A Tale of Landlord-Tenant Harmony

Last night’s storm was not just a test of Mother Nature’s power but also a test of our landlord-tenant relationship. It all started with a text message from our tenant, accompanied by pictures of a fallen tree in front of their rental home. As we scrutinized the photos, we noticed something unexpected…

2023-08-14

Instant No-Cost Fix for Broken Laminate Countertop Edge

It is common for the edges of laminate countertops to be broken in many rental homes. They are eyesores, to say the least. Not to mention, if not fixed promptly, it may lead to much costlier repairs in the near future. However, the conventional method of fixing them starts with finding a matching laminate kit…

2023-05-13

How to screen tradeshow contractors in 1 min?

I went to ARLA trade show yesterday (2023-05-12) and spent over 3 hrs to chat with most of 36 contractors. Later, I realized there is a way to help me screen them quickly so that I can spend time on the ones likely more promising – I called “Stand up or not method” and yes, it only take 1 min or less…. 

2023-04-18

Why/How to conduct rental credit check?

“Credit check” is a comonly applied practice by many landlords in rental applications. In this blog, we will share the traditional way to conduct it and the new way (Culfidant way) to do it, their pros/cons, and the best practice we recommend in Culfidant community..

2023-04-07

Broken Sink - Wear and Tear, or, Else?

A fellow landlord asked the following question: “Sink crack – If a tenant drops something and cracks the sink significantly, we can charge that back to them, right? We do have it in our lease that if they are responsible for it, it’s at their cost…” So how would you hanle it, if this happened to you?…. 

2023-03-20

For First-Time Home Buyers: Understanding Mortgages 101

Buying your first home can be overwhelming, especially when it comes to understanding how a mortgage works and how to qualify for one that best fits your needs.

As a community that values knowledge and expertise, we turned to mortgage experts for help. We spoke with Justine Cooper, one of ATB’s top mortgage specialists in the Sherwood Park and Edmonton areas, and asked her the most commonly asked questions about mortgages for first-time homebuyers.

2023-03-09

After $15.00 Additional charge and A Favor…

On March 8th, I had the opportunity to attend the ALC meetup in Calgary. While there, I stayed at a hotel and had a few experiences that I believe can help improve my own landlord business. I want to share my experience with you, in the hopes that it can also provide some valuable lessons

2023-03-09

Lesson Learned – from ALC Meetup in Calgary

I recently attended the Calgary ALC meetup hosted by Mackenzie, the founder, along with two other amazing landlords. ALC and Mackenzie have done incredible work in bringing together over 4,000 landlords into a tight-knit online community, and the meetup took this community to another level.

2023-02-24

How to Buy Your First Home in Alberta

Buying a home can be an exciting but daunting process, especially if you’re a first-time homebuyer. As a resident of Alberta with an annual income of $80,000, you may be wondering how to navigate the homebuying process and what your purchasing power is. In this article, we’ll go over some tips and guidelines for buying a home in Alberta with an annual income of $80,000 as an example, and how we can help every step to your new home!

2023-02-21

Is "DIY TV Wall Mount Installation" a Good Idea?

Installing a TV wall mount can be tempting for new tenants who want to save money, but it’s important to remember that it’s best practice not to take on this task on your own for very good reasons. Instead, we have proper guidelines and steps in place to ensure that everyone shares and cares for the property equally…

2023-02-18

Why Is It More Than Simply "Rented" ?

When you’re renting out a home or property, it’s important to keep in mind that everyone who is going to view/viewed and or applied for it deserves to be treated with respect. It’s important to inform other applicants/viewers that the home has already been rented out, so that they can make informed decisions and not waste their time waiting for a response.

At our company, we believe in the first principle of sharing and caring. By letting everyone on the waiting list know that the home has been rented out, we are showing that we care about their time and their interest in our properties. It’s a small gesture that can go a long way in building goodwill with our customers…

2022-10-12

What Have Been Learned from "Google Review"...

No, it is not a mistake. No one screwed up, either. And no, it is not a hacking issue either.

And yes, after some serious thinking, we have made the move to “permanently closed on Google.”

Here is why – if you would like to know.

Time is the only asset that is invaluable for all of us. We found that instead of spending time dealing with a few who enjoy bad-mouthing others when their entitlement mindset is being disturbed, we decided to focus our effort on providing the best service to those who are right for our service.