Household items and furniture should be disposed of at your own expense and not thrown into the garbage bins. If we are able to trace items back to you, we will charge you back for the cost of removal.
We do perform credit checks prior to approving applicants. Please be assured that your information will be kept confidential.
For your safety, and security purposes, we have all the locks to your home re-keyed before you move in.
Residential tenants are responsible for their own cable, telephone and electricity. It is important that you call to set up your utilities upon moving in, and cancel them when you move out to avoid additional charges. In most cases, hot water is included in your rent. To contact BC Hydro call – 604.224.9376. Or you can apply for new service online: http://www.bchydro.com
Commercial tenants are required to carry their own insurance to cover all contents inside their unit, including personal belongings and improvements. The insurance policy must be kept up to date at all times.
Depending on your lease agreement and the type of use of your business, your responsibilities in these areas may vary. Please email us at help@porte.ca if you are unsure about anything, and we can help clarify.
Residential tenants are required to get their own insurance coverage for contents inside their suite as personal belongings are not covered under the building insurance. Refer to Section 29 of the Tenancy Agreement for further information.
Our homes are smoke free. There will be money withheld from your damage deposit if extra cleaning is required as a result of smoking in your suite.
No, we require a year’s lease. The most significant reason is that a stable community is more comfortable for all residents. Secondly, things like advertising, painting suites, wear and tear on common areas and staff time, (on site and in administration) consume both time and money.
If you are coming towards the end of your lease term, you will receive an information package from us approximately one month before you are due to move out which will explain the process and your responsibilities in more detail.
However, if you are interested in terminating your lease early, please contact us directly at 604.732.7651 to discuss your options.
Keys should be distributed through the leasing agents at the time the lease is signed; but you may contact us and arrange for this, if necessary.
Please see moving information for details on how to clean your suite and for information on what is required of you.
As a residential tenant, you are required to sign a 1-year lease upon moving in. If you move out before your lease is up, there will be a liquidated damages fee. Please refer to Section 5 of your lease agreement for the amount or contact your building manager should you have any questions.
The first and primary contact in an emergency is your building manager. If your building manager is not available and you require immediate assistance, please call our main switchboard at 604.732.7651 and push #2 for the answering service. Give them the details of your emergency, your name and phone number. They will have someone knowledgeable get back to you. To contact your residential building manager, please see emergency contacts.
Your belongings will be disposed of at your own expense if they are left behind after moving out.
If it is an emergency outside of office hours, please call our main switchboard at 604.732.7651 and push #9 for the answering service. Give them the details of your emergency, your name and phone number. They will connect you with a knowledgeable staff member. Inside of office hours, please contact 604.732.7651 ext 104.
At Porte we believe that referrals from residents are the best compliments we can receive. As a sign of appreciation, we would be pleased to offer you a $100 referral bonus. Please visit the Rewards Program Information page for more details.
For your privacy and out of the respect of your home, we will give 24 hours notice prior to entering your suite. However, in the event of an emergency or other special circumstance that may put the safety or living conditions for other tenants at risk, we will enter without notice.
Deposit cheques are mailed out from the head office 15 days after the end of your rental term. Be sure to attend your move out inspection so that you are aware of any charges that are to come out of your deposit refund. It is also important to provide your building manager with a forwarding address that we can send your refund cheque to.
Both the Residential Tenancy Act and your rental agreement stipulate that a calendar month’s notice is required, therefore you must give your notice on the last day of the month.
Per the Residential Tenancy Act, rent increases are allowable once every year, or on the anniversary of your lease start date. If you are to receive a rent increase, you will receive written notice from us three (3) months prior to the increase taking effect. The percentage amount we are allowed to increase rent is set by the Residential Tenancy Office each year.