FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about working with Northline. Can't find your answer? Contact us directly.
1Pricing & Fees
Our 8% management fee covers ongoing property management including:
- Rent collection and late payment follow-up
- 24/7 emergency maintenance coordination
- Regular property inspections
- Monthly financial statements and year-end tax documents
- Owner portal access
- LTB compliance and hearing representation
- Non-resident services (NR4/NR6) if applicable
- Lease renewal coordination
Tenant placement is a separate one-time fee (one month's rent), but your first placement is FREE - we waive our side of the fee for your first tenant.
No hidden fees. Our pricing is straightforward:
- 8% management fee (monthly, of rent collected)
- Tenant placement: One month's rent (first placement FREE!)
Additional costs you may incur:
- Actual repair/maintenance costs (passed through at cost - no markup)
- LTB filing fees ($186-201 depending on application type)
- Eviction enforcement costs if required (Sheriff fees, etc.)
You'll always know about these costs before they're incurred, and you'll see the original invoices - we don't mark anything up.
Our pricing typically saves owners money compared to competitors who charge:
- 8-10% base management fee
- PLUS 50-100% of first month's rent for EVERY tenant placement
- PLUS $100-200 for lease renewals
- PLUS $75-150 for property inspections
- PLUS hourly rates for LTB work
With Northline, you pay 8% management with lease renewals included, plus one month's rent for tenant placement (split with cooperating broker when applicable). And your first placement is FREE - we waive our side of the fee to earn your business.
Rent is deposited directly to your bank account within 48 hours of collection. You'll receive a detailed monthly statement showing all income, expenses, and the net deposit amount.
We collect rent on the 1st of each month. If a tenant is late, our collection process begins on day 2.
2Getting Started
No. We work on a month-to-month basis. You can cancel our services with 30 days written notice at any time.
We believe in earning your business every month. If we're not delivering results, you shouldn't be locked in.
Getting started is simple:
1. Free Consultation - We'll discuss your property, your goals, and answer any questions. No obligation.
2. Property Assessment - We'll evaluate your property, recommend a competitive rental price, and provide a detailed proposal.
3. Agreement & Handoff - Sign our simple month-to-month agreement and hand over the keys. We take it from there.
Most owners are fully onboarded within 1-2 weeks.
Absolutely. We regularly take over properties with existing tenants. We'll review the current lease, introduce ourselves to the tenant, set up rent collection systems, and seamlessly assume management.
The transition is smooth - your tenant won't experience any disruption.
We serve the Greater Toronto Area including:
- Toronto (all neighborhoods)
- North York
- Scarborough
- Etobicoke
- Mississauga
- Vaughan
- Markham
- Richmond Hill
- Thornhill
Not sure if we cover your area? Contact us - we're always expanding.
We manage residential rental properties including:
- Condominiums
- Single-family houses
- Townhouses
- Multi-unit properties (2-6 units)
- Basement apartments
We specialize in residential rentals. For commercial properties or large apartment buildings (20+ units), we can recommend partners.
3Tenant Placement & Screening
We use a multi-platform marketing approach:
- MLS and Realtor.ca listings
- Kijiji and Facebook Marketplace
- Rentals.ca and other rental platforms
- Our network of pre-qualified tenants
- Professional photography and detailed descriptions
We work to fill vacancies as quickly as possible through professional marketing and our network of qualified tenants.
Our 12-point screening process verifies:
- Credit history and score
- Employment and income (minimum 3x rent)
- Previous landlord references
- Rental history verification
- Identity verification
- Eviction history search
- Criminal background check
- Social media review
- Pet policy compliance
- Lease term alignment
- Move-in date confirmation
- Overall application completeness
We present qualified candidates with our recommendation, but you make the final decision on tenant selection.
Our rigorous screening minimizes this risk (less than 2% eviction rate), but if a tenant needs to be removed within the first 6 months due to non-payment or lease violations, we'll re-lease the property at no additional charge for our time.
You would still be responsible for any LTB filing fees if eviction is required.
Yes. While most owners trust our screening and recommendation, you're welcome to meet finalists before making a decision. We can arrange a meeting or video call as needed.
You always have final approval on tenant selection.
4Maintenance & Repairs
We have a 24/7 emergency hotline for urgent issues like:
- Burst pipes or major leaks
- Heating failure in winter
- No hot water
- Electrical hazards
- Lockouts
Average emergency response time is under 2 hours. Our licensed contractor network is available around the clock.
No. We pass repair costs through at cost - you see the original invoice and pay exactly what we paid. No markup, no padding.
Because we manage multiple properties and have long-standing relationships with contractors, our clients typically save 15-25% compared to one-off repairs.
For routine repairs under $500, we handle them immediately to maintain tenant satisfaction and protect your property.
For repairs over $500, we'll contact you for approval before proceeding (except true emergencies that require immediate action to prevent damage).
We conduct formal property inspections at least twice per year, plus a move-in and move-out inspection for each tenancy.
You'll receive detailed inspection reports with photos documenting the property's condition.
5Legal & Compliance
We handle the administrative aspects of LTB compliance, including:
- RTA-compliant lease preparation
- Proper notice serving (N1-N13)
- Documentation preparation for LTB applications
- Coordination with legal professionals
However, we do not provide legal representation or appear at LTB hearings. When legal representation is needed, we work with trusted paralegals and lawyers who specialize in Ontario landlord-tenant law. We'll help ensure all documentation is ready and coordinate with your legal representative.
Legal fees for representation are separate and handled directly with your chosen professional.
Our collection process is immediate and systematic:
- Day 1: Rent due
- Day 2: Phone call to tenant
- Day 3: Written reminder
- Day 14: N4 Notice to End Tenancy served (if still unpaid)
If the tenant doesn't pay within the N4 period, we'll prepare all documentation needed for an LTB application and connect you with a qualified paralegal or lawyer who can file and represent you at the hearing. We handle all administrative coordination and keep you informed throughout the process.
Yes, we handle rent increase administration within Ontario's rules. For most residential tenancies:
- Rent can be increased once every 12 months
- Proper N1 notice (90 days) is required
- Increases are limited to the annual guideline (2.5% for 2024)
- Above-guideline increases require LTB approval (we'll refer you to legal counsel for this)
We track rent increase eligibility and handle the notice process for you.
Yes. We use Ontario's standard lease (Form 2229E) with appropriate additional terms that are compliant with the Residential Tenancies Act.
Our lease protects your interests while staying within legal boundaries. We stay current with regulatory changes and update our practices accordingly.
6Non-Resident Owner Services
Absolutely. We coordinate with your Canadian accountant and provide detailed reporting:
- Detailed financial reporting for your accountant
- Direct coordination with your Canadian tax professional
- Referrals to qualified accountants who handle NR4/NR6
- Multi-currency reporting available
- Full owner portal access from anywhere in the world
Your accountant will handle the tax compliance aspects (NR4 filings, withholding, etc.), and we'll provide them with all necessary documentation and work directly with them.
When you're a non-resident property owner, the CRA requires:
- NR4: 25% of gross rental income withheld and remitted monthly to CRA
- NR6: An undertaking you can file to reduce withholding to 25% of net rental income (after expenses)
These filings require specialized tax expertise. We work with qualified Canadian accountants who handle NR4/NR6 compliance and can help you minimize your tax obligations legally. We'll provide detailed financial records and coordinate directly with your tax professional.
If you don't have an accountant, we can refer you to trusted professionals who specialize in non-resident property taxation.
We can deposit directly to your Canadian bank account (recommended for simplicity) or work with you on alternative arrangements.
You'll have full access to the owner portal from anywhere in the world, so you can monitor your property's performance in real-time. All financial reports are formatted to make tax filing straightforward for your accountant.