Canadian Certification Program For Renters And Property Managers Unveiled

The Objective of the national CCRBP program is to provide Edmonton, Sherwood Park, Leduc, and Grande Prairie renters with a clear quality assurance alternative when selecting their rental apartment home

Kelson Group became the first property management company in Edmonton and Northern Alberta to have its multifamily apartment buildings recognised under the Canadian Certified Rental Building Program (CCRBP); specifically, its buildings in Edmonton, Leduc, Sherwood Park, and Grande Prairie, AB.

The Kelson Group celebrated its first CCRB-designated buildings in BC in 2016, shortly after the program expanded to BC in 2015. Kelson Group President Jason Fawcett says its newest certified properties in Alberta represent a win-win for its apartment renters and all property management companies, noting, “Our objective with the national CCRBP-approved apartment building program is to provide Edmonton, Sherwood Park, Leduc, and Grande Prairie renters with the peace of mind and a clear quality assurance alternative when selecting their rental apartment home.”

CCRBP is North America’s first quality assurance program that specifically promotes and acknowledges quality for rental housing consumers, as well as professionalism for multifamily property managers and their staff. The program is a huge game-changer when it comes to the rental industry in Canada. Apartment shoppers who choose a CCRBP building enjoy enhanced peace of mind, knowing that their apartment community meets defined standards for quality and service.

In short, says Ted Whitehead, CCRBP Certification Director, “The designation means tenants can rent with confidence. With the added impetus of an increasing number of multifamily companies adopting Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) as a strategic business imperative, we expect that over the next 18 months this program will help build a national network of professional multifamily property managers whose focus will go far beyond financial measures to incorporate factors measuring the sustainability and ethical impacts of their investment.”

For a multifamily apartment building to qualify as a Canadian Certified Rental Building, it must meet five mandatory requirements:

• Abide by the Program’s Member Code of Conduct
• Adhere to the Program’s Mandatory Standards of Practice
• Successfully comply with a mandatory third-party audit process
• Have identified staff successfully complete the program’s training and education component.
• Agree to market and identify their building as a Canadian Certified Rental Building to prospective tenants.

“We are happy to have our members participate in this important ‘for-renters’ initiative,” said Donna Monkhouse, Executive Director of the Albert Residential Landlord Association (ARLA).

At the heart of the Canadian Certified Rental Building Program are 54 standards of practice and associated requirements to which all organizations and buildings must adhere. These requirements translate the concepts of environmental, social and governance into concrete measures that focus on environmental and social responsibility and enhanced corporate accountability.

“We want renters to recognize that ARLA landlords care about their renters and the buildings in which they live,” Monkhouse adds.