Exchange Magazine Summer 2017

August 2017

www.reic.ca

Growing

Together

REIC News

Pursuit of Excellence Awards

REIC Membership Milestones

REIC Celebrates Canada 150

... and more

INSIDE

Exchange

Real Estate Institute of Canada

Inside This Issue

REIC News

Nouvelles de L’ICI

Message From the President

MESSAGE Du PRÉSIDENT

Message from the RVP

Message du Vice-Président Régional

REIC National Board

7

REIC Pursuit of Excellence Awards

8

Lead. Serve. Inspire. Becoming a CPM®

10

#REIC2017 Annual Conference & AGM

13

REIC Launches 2017-2020

Strategic Plan

14

REIC Celebrates Canada 150

16

Why You Have to Care (and Know!)

About More than Per Square Foot

Rate

18

REIC Membership Milestones

Étapes des membres de l'ici

Inside This Issue

Visit Us Online

/reicnational

Real Estate Institute of

Canada - REIC

@reicnational

www.reic.ca

President

Bruce Bassett, CRF

Vice President

Winson Chan, FRI CRES

Secretary/Treasurer

Lindsay Carlson, FRI CRES

Executive Director & CEO

Maura McLaren, CAE

Editor

Britny Rodé, Marketing and

Communications Coordinator

About REIC

REIC is a provider of advanced education and

designation programs to professionals in the

real estate industry. With 9 Chapters across

Canada, we have been educating and certifying

professionals since 1955.

208-5407 Eglinton Avenue West

Toronto, ON M9C 5K6

Tel: 416-695-9000 or 1-800-542-7342

Fax: 416-695-7230

www.reic.ca

Published by MediaEdge Communications:

5255 Yonge St., Suite 1000

Toronto, Ontario M2N 6P4

E-mail: info@mediaedge.ca

Tel: 416-512-8186

Fax: 416-512-8344

REIC Career Centre

Quality career

positions

www.reic.ca

REIC Exchange, August 2017

REIC News Nouvelles de l'ICI

REIC Greater Vancouver and IREM BC Chapters

Merge

Earlier this year, the REIC Greater Vancouver Chapter and the

IREM BC Chapter voted to merge and become the REIC BC

Chapter with a newly formed IREM Chapter Council. Maria Jeck,

CRP will serve as Chapter President and Lisa Biggin, CPM® will

serve as Chair of the IREM Council. The merger will strengthen

chapter resources to enhance member services and support in the

region. The IREM Chapter Council ensures property management

members receive full chapter representation and support from

IREM.

FIN402 Now Available in French

REIC is pleased to announce that the FIN402: Investment Real

Estate – Financial Tools course has been translated into French

for use in the Quebec marketplace. This initiative was realized

through our work with CMHC Assisted Housing Division’s desire

to educate many of their residential managers in Ottawa and

Quebec. The course was held in May and June with Jean-Francois

Bigras, CPM® as the instructor, conducting two classes in English,

and two in French.

REIC Quebec Chapter Success

Chapter success is great to share! Over the last few months, the

Quebec Chapter successfully held 100% of their scheduled REIC

courses. The Chapter was also able to welcome 6 new candidate

members (4 FRI and 2 CPM®). This success was achieved through

collaboration with the REIC National office and the hard work of

the Chapter leadership – great job!

Fusion des divisions de l’ICI du Grand Vancouver

et de l’IREM de la Colombie-Britannique

Plus tôt cette année, la division de l’ICI du Grand Vancouver et la

division de l’IREM de la Colombie-Britannique ont voté en faveur

d’une fusion en vue de devenir une seule division de la Colombie-

Britannique avec la formation d'un nouveau Conseil de l'IREM.

Maria Jeck, CRP, sera présidente de division, et Lisa Biggin,

CPM®, sera présidente du Conseil de l'IREM. La fusion permettra

d’améliorer les ressources de la division, ainsi que les services aux

membres et le soutien dans la région. Le Conseil de division veille à

ce que les membres en gestion immobilière soient bien représentés

et obtiennent du soutien de la part de l’IREM.

Le cours FIN402 est maintenant disponible en

français

L’ICI a le plaisir d’annoncer que le cours FIN402 « Investissement

immobilier : Outils financiers » a été traduit en français pour le

marché québécois. Cette initiative a été réalisée suite au désir de la

Société canadienne d'hypothèques et de logement d’informer les

nombreux gestionnaires immobiliers d’Ottawa et du Québec. Le

cours a eu lieu en mai et en juin, et Jean-Francois Bigras, CPM® était

le formateur. Il a animé deux cours en anglais et deux en français.

Succès de la division du Québec de l’ICI

Le succès d’une division fait toujours plaisir à partager! Au cours

des derniers mois, la division du Québec a tenu 100 % des cours

de l’ICI prévus. La division a également accueilli six nouveaux

candidats (4 FRI et 2 CPM®). Cette réussite a été possible grâce à la

collaboration avec le bureau national de l'ICI et le travail acharné

de la direction de la division – beau travail!

REIC

NEWs

Nouvelles

de l'ICI

www.reic.ca

Message From the President

MESSAGE FROM

THE PRESIDENT

Message du

PRÉSIDENT

I am pleased to report that our Annual Conference and AGM

in June was a great success. Members and partners from across

North America gathered in my home town of Halifax for three

days of informative sessions and fun social events. We learned

how to engage young professionals, inspire volunteers, and

get our #REICHUSTLE on with an inside look at social media

marketing. Our delegates were also given a chance to explore

some of what Halifax has to offer, enjoying some beautiful

weather and partaking in the age-old Maritime tradition of the

‘sociable’! We had the privilege of touring a national historic site,

the Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21, which served

as a gateway for one million immigrants between 1928 and 1971.

It was truly inspiring to hear the stories of those who left their

homeland in pursuit of a better life in Canada. If you did not

have the opportunity to attend this year’s event, please consider

joining us next year in Montréal, May 29-31, 2018! I certainly

look forward to seeing you there.

I would be remiss if I did not extend my sincere gratitude to

our Past-President, Don Kottick, FRI CRES, for all he has done

for our Institute in this past year. I am eager to continue his

work as we move forward with the 2017-2020 Strategic Plan: e3

- enrich, elevate, exceed. I would also like to congratulate our

newly elected National Board! I am very excited to work with you,

alongside our Members and staff, as we position the Institute for

an even brighter and more successful future.

Here’s to another wonderful year of growing and learning

together!

Bruce Bassett, CRF

REIC National President

Je suis heureux de souligner que notre conférence et assemblée générale

annuelle de juin a remporté un vif succès. Pendant trois jours, des

membres et des partenaires de partout en Amérique du Nord se sont

rassemblés dans ma ville natale de Halifax pour assister à des séances

d’information et des activités sociales divertissantes. Nous avons appris

comment intéresser les jeunes professionnels et inspirer les bénévoles,

et nous avons amorcé notre campagne #REICHUSTLE en jetant un

regard sur le marketing dans les médias sociaux. Nos représentants

ont également eu la chance d’explorer Halifax sous une température

magnifique et de vivre la tradition ancestrale du « social » des Maritimes!

Nous avons eu le privilège de visiter un site historique national, le Musée

canadien de l'immigration au Quai 21, qui a servi de porte d’entrée à

un million d’immigrants de 1928 à 1971. C’était vraiment inspirant

d’entendre l’histoire de ceux qui ont quitté leur pays natal en quête

d’une meilleure vie au Canada. Si vous n’avez pas eu l’occasion d’assister

à l'événement de cette année, pourquoi ne pas vous joindre à nous l’an

prochain à Montréal, du 29 au 31 mai 2018? J'ai assurément hâte de vous

y voir.

Je manquerais à mes devoirs si j'omettais de mentionner ma profonde

gratitude envers notre ancien président, Don Kottick, FRI CRES, pour

tout ce qu’il a fait pour notre Institut au cours de la dernière année. Je

suis impatient de poursuivre son travail avec le plan stratégique 2017-

2020 : e3 - enrichir, élever et exceller. J’aimerais également féliciter notre

conseil d’administration national nouvellement élu! Je suis très heureux

de travailler avec vous, ainsi qu’avec nos membres et le personnel, afin

d’orienter l’Institut vers un avenir encore meilleur.

Je me réjouis déjà à l'idée d'une autre année au cours de laquelle nous

pourrons progresser et apprendre ensemble!

Bruce Bassett, CRF

Président national de L’ICI

It is an honour to take a leadership role in an

organization whose hallmark is that of professionalism

and high ethical standards. There are many dynamic

forces shaping the real estate industry and REIC

Members are uniquely qualified to adapt to these

changes and create value for their clients. It’s

an exciting time to be in the industry and to be a

Member of the Institute.

C’est un honneur de jouer un rôle de leader dans une

organisation caractérisée par le professionnalisme et

des normes d’éthique élevées. De nombreuses forces

dynamiques s’exercent sur l’industrie immobilière, et

les membres de l’ICI sont spécialement qualifiés pour

s’adapter à ces changements et créer de la valeur pour

leurs clients. C’est une période stimulante pour travailler

dans l’industrie et être un membre de l’Institut.

REIC Exchange, August 2017

Message from the RVP

Message

from the RVP

Message du

vice-président

regional

All expectations were met, as we had a fantastic time learning,

sharing and networking with Members from across the country,

as well as our IREM partners who were in attendance. Many

thanks to the incoming IREM President Ben McGrew, CPM®,

who led the IREM leadership session and provided us with some

great information, as well as the IREM staff in attendance for

their contributions: Nancy Kirk, Leah Misbin and newest staff

member Bethany Bijonowski. Thanks, as well, to current IREM

President Mike Lanning, CPM® for taking time out of his very

busy schedule to join us for part of the conference. On the final

evening we enjoyed a night of great food and fellowship at the

2017 Pursuit of Excellence Awards gala, where we celebrated

outstanding achievements in the industry - congratulations to all

award recipients!

Congratulations, as well, to the new 2017-2018 Board of

Directors! Welcome to the Board Theresa Salsman, CPM® ARM®

and thank you to outgoing board member Candace LeRoux,

CPM® ARM® for all your hard work. Thank you Don Kottick, FRI

CRES for your dedication as President this past year and welcome

Bruce Bassett as our 2017-2018 President.

I’m looking forward to more Chapter visits out east in the summer

and fall, and connecting with our Members. Please don’t hesitate to

contact me if there’s anything you need from your RVP.

Ron Penner, CPM® CRP

IREM Regional Vice President – Region 14

Toutes les attentes ont été comblées, et nous avons passé ensemble de

bons moments à apprendre, partager et réseauter avec des membres

de partout au Canada, ainsi que nos partenaires de l’IREM qui étaient

présents. Un grand merci au nouveau président de l’IREM Ben McGrew,

CPM®, qui a dirigé la séance de l’IREM et nous a fourni de précieux

renseignements, et au personnel de l’IREM présent sur place, pour

sa contribution : Nancy Kirk, Leah Misbin et Bethany Bijonowski.

Merci également au président actuel de l’IREM, Mike Lanning, CPM®

d’avoir pris le temps, malgré son horaire chargé, de se joindre à nous

pour une partie de la conférence. Le dernier soir, nous avons partagé

un excellent repas dans une ambiance de camaraderie lors du gala des

prix En quête de l'excellence 2017, où nous avons célébré des réalisations

exceptionnelles dans l’industrie. Félicitations à tous les récipiendaires!

Félicitations également au nouveau conseil d’administration 2017-

2018! Bienvenue à Theresa Salsman, CPM® ARM®, et merci à Candace

LeRoux, CPM® ARM®, qui quitte le conseil, de son excellent travail.

Merci à Don Kottick, FRI CRES pour son dévouement à titre de

président au cours de la dernière année, et bienvenue à Bruce Bassett,

notre président pour l’année 2017-2018.

J’ai hâte de visiter d’autres divisions dans l’Est à l'été et à l’automne

et de discuter avec nos membres. N’hésitez pas à communiquer avec

moi en tout temps si vous avez besoin de l’aide de votre vice-président

régional.

Ron Penner, CPM® CRP

Vice-président régional de l’IREM – Région 14

Greetings everyone! I hope you are all enjoying the

summer. We just had an amazing Annual Conference

and AGM in Halifax. Thank you to REIC staff for

putting on a great event and to the Nova Scotia

Chapter for being such wonderful hosts! The theme

of this conference was Growing Together, where we

focused on engagement and excellence.

Bonjour à tous! J’espère que vous passez un bel été.

Nous venons tout juste de vivre une excellente

conférence et assemblée générale annuelle à Halifax.

Merci au personnel de l’ICI d’avoir organisé cet

événement et à la division de la Nouvelle-Écosse de

nous avoir si bien accueillis! Le thème de la conférence,

Progresser ensemble, était axé sur l’engagement et

l’excellence.

www.reic.ca

REIC National

2017-2018 Board of Directors

l-r:

Ken Loeppky, Walter Lui,

Lindsay Carlson, Theresa

Salsman, Bruce Bassett

(President), Maura McLaren,

Don Kottick, Winson Chan,

Diane Glover, Johnmark

Roberts, Steve Kincade

Meet your new board

President

Bruce Bassett, CRF

Regional Manager, Eastern Canada

RBC Global Asset Management

Halifax, NS

Vice President

Winson Chan, FRI CRES

Vice President, Sales Development

Tridel Corporation

Toronto, ON

Secretary/Treasurer

Lindsay Carlson, FRI CRES

REALTOR®, NOW Real Estate Group

Sherwood Park, AB

Past President

Don Kottick, FRI CRES

Executive Vice President, Corporate

Development

Peerage Realty Partners

Toronto, ON

Directors

Diane Glover, CPM®

Senior Property Manager

Globe Property Management

Winnipeg, AB

Steve Kincade, CPM®

CEO, Kincade Management Inc.

Saint John, NB

Ken Loeppky, CPM®

Vice President & COO, Innovation Place

Regina, SK

Walter Lui, FRI CPM® CRES

Broker/Manager, Century 21 Leading

Edge Realty Inc., Brokerage

Toronto, ON

Johnmark Roberts, FRI

Broker of Record, B&B

Associates Realty Ltd., Brokerage

Toronto, ON

Theresa Salsman, CPM® ARM®

General Manager, Commercial Division

CitiGroup Properties Limited

Dartmouth, NS

ED & CEO

Maura McLaren, CAE

Quackenbush Thomson Law

Personal Injury Corporate & Commercial Law

·

Real Estate Wills & Estates Civil Litigation

·

·

(902) 492-1655

www.qtrlaw.com

REIC Exchange, August 2017

REIC Pursuit of Excellence Awards

Congratulations to our 2017 Pursuit of Excellence Award recipients. Award recipients were formally

recognized at the Awards Gala held during REIC’s 2017 Annual Conference in Halifax.

“I am honoured to have received the REIC Emeritus Award. Being a member of REIC and IREM has truly been a cornerstone of my

real estate career. I am fortunate to have had the opportunity to serve on the REIC National Board of Directors and lead the IREM

Canada Council, a role that is now called the Regional Vice President – Region 14. I also have the privilege of representing IREM

membership at the international level, currently serving as the Secretary Treasurer nominee (the first International member moving

to an officer role) and as IREM President in October 2019. I am truly thankful for the opportunity to serve and support our members

and be the recipient of this highest honour given to a member of REIC.”

– Cheryl Gray, CPM®

2017 Pursuit of

Excellence Awards

REIC Emeritus Award

Cheryl Gray, CPM® - QuadReal Property Group.

Jim Murphy, FRI - Royal LePage Atlantic

Don Myhre, CRP

J. A. Weber Award

Carmela Corrado, FRI CLO – Metrolinx

Patrick J. Harvey Memorial Award:

Nick Iannazzo, FRI CLO – Iannazzo Law Firm

Longley Condominium Real Estate MANAGEMENT

MEMBER of the Year Award

Barry Williams, CPM® ARM® - Bentall Kennedy LP

REIC Community Service Award

Tahir Qureshi, FRI CRES – City-Pro Realty Inc.

W.P.J. McCarthy Corporate Citizen of the Year

Award

Domus Realty

Globe Property Management

REIC Association of the Year Award

Calgary Residential Rental Association

QuadReal Literary Award

Natalka Falcomer, CLO - Managing Partner, Groundworks

QuadReal Excellence Award

Vanessa Van Dette, CPM® CRP ACoM - Larlyn Property

Management Ltd.

Chapter Administrator of the Year

Sharon Radford, REIC Edmonton Chapter

Chapter Initiative of the Year Award

REIC Calgary Chapter

Don Hill Award - Large Chapter

REIC Toronto Chapter

Don Hill Award - Small Chapter

Real Estate Institute of Manitoba (REIM)

Chapter of the Year Award - Large Chapter

REIC Toronto Chapter

Chapter of the Year Award - Small Chapter

Real Estate Institute of Manitoba (REIM)

IREM Outstanding Chapter Award

Real Estate Institute of Manitoba (REIM)

Visit the REIC website (www.reic.ca/awards) to view the 2017 Awards Gala photos!

www.reic.ca

Getting Designated

One of the most challenging experiences

in the designation program was the

Management

Plan

Skills

Assessment

(MPSAXM) exam; it was one of the most

challenging things I have ever done.

Luckily, I met another amazing student

taking her exam alongside me. Together,

we stayed up all night in preparation for

the exam; studying and bouncing ideas off

each other. This collaboration is what made

the seemingly impossible, possible. We

were all very fortunate to have an amazing

instructor, Steve Leistner, FRI(A) CPM®

CMOC CRU CRP ACoM, who walked us

through every lesson, making sure we all

understood the content. Steve brought a high

level of knowledge, and at the same time

made our classes fun. Although, at times, the

process seemed a bit overwhelming - it was

worth every minute! The CPM® program

has been one of the most powerful learning

experiences of my career.

Since taking these courses over the past

two years, I feel I have grown so much. I

am about to write my final exam, and I

believe I have not only become a better

professional - but also a better person. I

have had the opportunity to meet so many

other like-minded professionals who strive

to be their very best, and to do their best for

our clients. How can we be anything other

than inspired? As I go through my journey

I now know I have an amazing network of

people I can turn to, and they can also come

to me. With the knowledge I have gained

in the CPM® program I am more confident

in my decisions and in my day to day life. I

know I have the ability to find the answers

my clients need, and helping them become

successful is just so rewarding.

Being a woman in my 50s - who would

have thought that going back to school and

For the past 10 years I have worked in property management, in the not-for-profit sector, and with it has

brought many challenges and successes. I have always strived to be the best I can be for my clients and even

though I had taken both my strata and my residential property management through the University of British

Columbia, I felt I was falling short. There was just so much more for me to learn. When a colleague mentioned

the CERTIFIED PROPERTY MANAGER® (CPM®) designation I felt inspired again. With this program I would be

able to study at my own pace, bounce ideas off fellow colleagues, meet amazing people, and learn more about

property management - all at the same time! It was an opportunity I just couldn’t pass up.

By Christine Williams, CPM® Candidate

Lead. Serve. Inspire.

Becoming a CPM®

REIC Exchange, August 2017

Getting Designated

bettering my education would even be a

thought, let alone a reality? I would definitely

recommend continued education to anyone

who is thinking about it. Just do it! You have

nothing to lose and everything to gain.

Now, I feel that I have plenty of tools in

my toolbox and I am able to use them in the

best interests of my employers, clients, and

tenants. One of the great things of being a

part of an organization is feeling like you are

part of their success - and with the education

you will gain through REIC and IREM you

will absolutely feel your confidence level

rise and your knowledge increase with

each course you take. I highly recommend

spreading the news to as many fellow

property managers as possible!

I am counting the days until my final

exam, and when I can become a member

of the REIC BC Chapter. Together, we will

bring the public, our clients and our tenants

the best possible service available! I am eager

to take my pledge:

• I pledge myself to the advancement of

professional real estate management

through

the

mutual

efforts

of

Members of the Institute of Real

Estate Management and by any other

proper means available to me.

• I pledge myself to maintain the

highest moral and ethical standards

consistent with the objectives and

higher purposes of the Institute.

• I pledge myself to seek and maintain an

equitable, honorable, and cooperative

association with fellow Members of

the Institute and with all others who

may become a part of my business

and professional life. I recognize and

support the need to preserve and

encourage fair and equitable practices

and competition among all who are

engaged in the profession of real estate

management.

• I pledge myself to place honesty,

integrity, and industriousness above

all else and to pursue my gainful

efforts with diligent study and ongoing

education so that my services shall be

beneficial to the general public and my

obligations to my clients shall always

be maintained at the highest possible

level.

• I pledge myself to comply with the

principles and declarations of the

Institute of Real Estate Management

as set forth in its Bylaws, Statement of

Policies, and this Code of Professional

Ethics.

I would like to take this opportunity to

thank everyone who has helped guide

me through my journey to becoming a

CPM®, with special thanks to the board

at the REIC BC Chapter for making my

journey such a memorable one!

Building

stronger

communities

At BMO Bank of Montreal*, we take pride in our

local communities. That’s why, each year, through

various sponsorships and community involvement

we are committed to providing our support.

BMO Bank of Montreal is proud to support

the Real Estate Institute of Canada

We’re here to help.

TM

www.reic.ca

2017 REIC Annual Conference

10

REIC Exchange, August 2017

Conférence annuelle 2017

11

www.reic.ca

Growing Together

The #REIC2017 Annual Conference & AGM made a splash in sunny Halifax, Nova Scotia this year. We learned

about best practices with volunteers from Sarah Sheila Birnbach, how to #REICHustle with Clinton Wilkins,

the ins and outs of content marketing with Ross Simmonds, and how to figure out your "shtick" with Adam

Growe of Cash Cab.

Delegates experienced Canada's immigration history at Pier 21, and saw all that Halifax has to offer on the

city bus tour. We were very sociable at the Halifax Distilling Company, and again at the Pursuit of Excellence

Awards, hosted by Liz Rigney. Thank you to everyone who attended and help create such a successful event.

We look forward to see you all again in Montreal, May 29-31, 2018!

Many thanks to our sponsors who helped us launch another successful conference!

REIC Annual

Conference & AGM

Platinum Sponsor

Silver Level Sponsors

Award Category Sponsors

Official Media Sponsor

Delegate Gift Sponsors

Bronze Level Sponsors

Harbourside Realty

Keller Williams Select Realty

REIC Ottawa Chapter

REIC Nova Scotia Chapter

REIC Calgary Chapter

REIC Vancouver Chapter

Royal LePage Atlantic

Chapter Sponsors

REIC Edmonton Chapter

REIC Toronto Chapter

Real Estate Institute of Saskatchewan (REIS)

12

REIC Exchange, August 2017

REIC Unveils New Strategic

Plan with a Video

In late spring, REIC presented its Members with the

newly adopted 2017-2020 Strategic Plan: e3 - enrich,

elevate, exceed. This plan commits the Institute and

its Members to the continued pursuit of excellence in

advancing professionalism in the real estate industry.

At the Annual General Meeting in Halifax, REIC

unveiled a new promotional video: an animated short

that outlines the mission, vision and values of the

Institute as well as the goals contained in the new plan.

Visit the REIC

Youtube channel

(www.youtube.com/

user/REICNational)

to watch the video!

13

www.reic.ca

Canada Day Celebrations

REIC Members from across the country celebrated Canada’s 150th birthday in style!

Congratulations to Yolanta Murphy, CPM® ARM® for winning our #Canada150 contest with

her photos from the Calgary Ranchmen's Club and Canada Day parade in Banff, Alberta.

REIC Celebrates

Canada 150!

14

REIC Exchange, August 2017

15

www.reic.ca

Ethics and Real Estate

Why You Have to Care

(and Know!)

How can you avoid a lawsuit? You’ll have to

flip through the 100-page lease and have a

strong understanding of every clause. The

problem, however, is that you don’t have

the time and getting a lawyer involved is

very expensive. Yet, you also can’t afford

to not know the legal dangers lurking to

destroy your deal, client and reputation.

The solution? Educate yourself and read

on to learn about one of the most common

mistakes arising out of lease deals.

The Scenario

Your client is an experienced restaurateur

and needs a space that’s at least 3,000 sq

feet in a trendy Vancouver neighbourhood.

The square footage is critical because

anything smaller won’t fit the number of

seats required for the restaurant to turn a

profit. Losing even one table would destroy

his business.

After months of searching and several

deals falling through, you finally find the

perfect location at a below market rate. The

suite is in a busy strip mall with a gorgeous

green space attached and large parking area.

As you review the Offer to Lease you know

that your client will be pleased because the

Offer clearly states that the Rentable Area is

approximately 3,020 sq feet.

A month later, your client calls. He

tells you that his contractor measured

the suite and the space is actually 2,500

square feet – he won’t be able to make

his business work. He says you and the

landlord intentionally misrepresented

the size of the unit and he wants out of

the deal! If not, he’ll sue.

Is the square footage discrepancy

between what your client measured

versus what is written in the lease and

what he’s paying rent on legal? You bet.

May your client try and sue you? You bet.

What Happened?

Your client assumed that the Rentable

Area was the actual size of the unit and

you didn’t explain the difference between

Rentable and Useable Area.

What is the Difference and Why Does

the Landlord Do This?

Before signing an Offer it is imperative to

always warn clients that there can be a big

difference between the Useable Area and

the Rentable Area. Understanding and

telling your client about these differences is

imperative because rental rates are almost

always based on the basis of Rentable Area.

I’ve seen many disgruntled tenants start

lawsuits over failing to appreciate this

difference and businesses fail because of the

unexpected cost of rent.

Lawyers are great assets for any real estate agent or realty team. They’ll help you craft a legally acceptable

arrangement, but they have their limits. They won’t help you create a good business deal because that’s your

job. And if you don’t do your job your client will be stuck with a bad deal and the courts will not strike down an

agreement just because the deal, well, “sucks”. But, the courts will uphold a lawsuit against you if you failed to

meet your professional duty to provide competent advice!

By Natalka Falcomer, CLO

About More than Per Square Foot Rate

16

REIC Exchange, August 2017

Natalka Falcomer, CLO is a lawyer, real estate sales agent and Certified Leasing Officer with a passion to make the law accessible and affordable.

She founded, hosts and coproduces a popular legal call-in show on Rogers TV, Toronto Speaks Legal Advice. She founded Groundworks, the only

firm specializing in commercial real estate law that offers flat fee rates, online delivery of legal work and a guaranteed turnaround time. Natalka can

be reached at natalka@groundworksfirm.com. For more information about the author or leases visit www.groundworksfirm.com

Ethics and Real Estate

Generally, Usable Area is the space that

a tenant can actually occupy and use, while

Rentable Area includes a tenant’s share of

space in the building deemed beneficial to

the tenant. The tenant doesn’t necessarily

have exclusive possession of such space:

Rentable Area of the Premises means

the area expressed in square feet […] as

certified by the Architect or Lad Surveyor

of all floors of the Premises (including,

without limitation, any Mezzanine Area,

Basement Areas and Storage Areas),

measured from: (a) the exterior face of all

exterior wall, doors and windows […]. The

Rentable Area of the Premises includes all

interior space, whether or not occupied by

any projections, structures, stairs elevators,

escalators, shafts or other floor openings or

columns, structural or non-structural and

[…] the area of such recess or entrance for

all purpose lies within and forms part of the

Rentable Area of the Premises.

This clause essentially means that the

Rentable Area, unlike the Useable Area,

includes the tenant’s share of the building’s

common spaces such as lobbies and other

non-rentable space such as elevators,

mechanical rooms and shared or public

bathrooms. The measurements include

spaces that no one can physically occupy,

such as columns and rooms filled with

laundry machines, boilers and HVAC

systems.

Why does the Landlord make this

distinction between Rentable and Useable

Area? Because it costs money to run the

entire facility, which is open for the tenant’s

use and benefit. As such, the Landlord will

want to recoup these costs and, sometimes,

even make a profit for running the building.

What Should You Do?

The first method to protect your client and

yourself from professional negligence

claims is to advise your client to hire an

architect to measure the space. The hired

professional should not only measure

the space, but also help your client

determine if his space needs are met. Be

sure that the architect or professional

has the proper accreditation to provide

a Letter of Area Certification and uses

a

generally

accepted

measurement

standard such as the standard adopted

by Building Owners and Managers

Association (BOMA). Although the BOMA

standard isn’t a standard required by law,

it is very well recognized and will enhance

the legitimacy of your position during

negotiations or if your client has a dispute

with the landlord.

The second protective measure you

should take is to figure out if the Landlord

has added a “loss factor” to the Rentable

Area calculation. Although not contained

in our clause example, above, Landlords

may also add an arbitrary “loss factor”

which is used to “gross up” the Rentable

Area’s size. A “loss factor” is perfectly

legal as there is no measurement standard

required by law.

The final protective measure is to walk

through the entire premises. As outlined

above, the Rentable Area also includes

columns. By doing a walk-through, you

may find that there are numerous columns

within the premises that are not available

for use by your client. If that’s the case

ask the Landlord to reduce the Rentable

Area calculation by excluding a few of the

columns.

The best defence against lawsuits,

damaged reputations and failed deals is

planning and information. With your own

facts you’ll have a more informed basis for

negotiation and you’ll protect your client

from any business-destroying surprises.

DISCLAIMER: This article offers general comments on legal issues and developments of concern to business organizations

and individuals and is not intended to provide legal opinions. Readers should seek professional legal advice on the

particular issues that concern them.

17

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Membership Milestones

10 YEARS / ANS

Laynie Hicks, CPM® CLO

Sarah Meade, CRF

Rob O'Connor, CRF CRU

Lori Sealock, CPM® ARM®

Jennifer Smith, CRF CRU

David Yauch, CPM® ARM®

Willvorn Grainger, CRU

Jasmine Irish, CRU

Cynthia Joseph, CRU

Lindsay Carlson, FRI CRES

Babita Khurana, CPM®

Barry Meckelberg, CPM® ARM®

Zdravko Anthony Prsa, CPM®

Harold Schmidt, CRES

Wendy Taylor, CRF

David Albrice, ARP

Guy Cormier, CRU

Branko Cvoric, CPM®

Allen Hoffer, ARM®

Cristiana Vlasceanu, CPM®

Mark Uddin, CPM®

Alicia Brodie, ARM®

David Chambers, ARM®

Octavio Mendonca, FRI CRES

Theresa Salsman, CPM® ARM®

David Nevins, CPM®

Geoffrey Younghusband, CPM®

Sylvie Beaudoin, FRI

Angelo Guaragna, FRI

Pierre LeSieur, FRI

Rene LeSieur, FRI

Athanase (Tom) Poulis, FRI

Jimmy Vittoria, FRI

Kim Aasen, CPM® CRP ARM®

Lisa Brewster, CPM®

Laurie Wionzek, CPM®

Harminder Athwal, CPM®

ARM®

Desmond Au, FRI CRES

Darlene Cole, CLO

Mark Coward, CRU

Peter Dou, FRI CLO

Karen Doucette, CRF

Ken Finch, FRI CPM®

Scott Fischer, CRP

G. Steven Hughes, CPM

Richard Johnson, FRI(E) CLO

Lenard Lind, FRI CRES

Nick Savino, CPM®

15 YEARS / ANS

Robin Elford, FRI

Lauretta Enders, CPM® CMOC

Vanda Brown, CRU

Molina Shillingford-Samuel,

CRU

Glen Cowan, CRP

Roseanne Evans, CPM® ARM®

Ghislaine Hebert, CRF

Joel Helm, CPM®

Mary Aubrey, CPM®

Kristofer Hansen, CPM®

Elton Ash, CRES

Darlene Mae Rendell, CPM®

Louis Serafini Jr., CPM®

Franco Falbo, CPM®

Serge Rivet, FRI

Jackie Presnell, CLO

Kelly Skiffington, ARM®

Giselle Gagnon, CPM®

Phillip Galin, CPM® CMOC

D. Chris Innes, CPM®

Karu Kandiah, FRI CRES

Andrus Kung, CPM®

Eddie Lok, CPM®

Parbati Prashad, CRF

Renate Weidner-Lorber, CPM®

20 YEARS / ANS

Alan Tennant, FRI(E)

Vlado Brcic, CPM® CLO

Edgar Jackson, FRI CRP

Lorraine Miller, CPM®

Jonathan Lo, CRES

Mercedes Wong, FRI

Leslie Bessey, FRI CPM®

Cathy Mihailides, CPM®

Mark Coutts, FRI(E)

Douglas McDonald, CPM®

Grant Stevenson, CPM® CMOC

CRP

Ian Lindsay, FRI CRES

J. Scott Wilson, FRI CRES

Lawrence Woytowich, FRI

CRES

Bruce Bassett, CRF

Brian Edmison, CPM® ARP

Janice Edmison, CPM® CRP

Stephen MacKechnie, CPM®

CMOC

Vincent Biello, FRI

Marc-André Bourdon, FRI

Marco Casella, CRES

Bertrand Pelletier, CRF

Sherril Carlson, CPM® CRP

ARM®

Donna Jamieson, ARM®

Henry Moulin, CRES

Joyce Tourney, CRES

Leonid Brandt, CPM®

Stephen Evans, FRI CRES

J. Kelly Hourigan, CPM®

Margaret Liu, CRES

George Miller, FRI CPM® CRF

Nasir Nathoo, CPM® CRF

Suny Rho, FRI CRES

25 YEARS / ANS

Dale Anda, CPM® CRF

Susan Eyre, CPM® CRP

Robert Serr, CPM®

Donna Monkhouse, CPM®

Patrick Rudiger, FRI

Kasturi Chandok, CPM®

Michael Colpitts, CPM®

Jit Varaitch, FRI

Frank Carroll, CPM®

Susan Vered, CPM®

Pierre Moffet, FRI(E) CRF

Francois Paquin, FRI

Christian Pare, CPM®

Carole Pepin, CPM®

Casey Chan, FRI

Joseph Giacomo Donato, FRI

CRES

Ronald Fraser, CPM®

Mario Furgiuele, FRI

Eddie Lee, FRI

Aileen Mak, FRI

30 YEARS / ANS

Sam Kolias, FRI CPM®

Diane Vine, CPM® CMOC

T.J. Crowley, CPM®

Danny Boyd, FRI

Neal Fisher, FRI CMR

Craig Harrold, FRI(E) CLP

Dougal Shewan, FRI

Congratulations to the following members who are

celebrating membership milestones! Thanks for

being part of the REIC family!

Félicitations aux membres suivants qui célèbrant des

étapes! Merci de faire partie de la famille de l’ICI!

2017

Membership

Milestones

Étapes des

membres de

l'ICI 2017

18

REIC Exchange, August 2017

David Hillhouse, CPM® CRES

Scott Reid, CPM®

Perry Staniscia, FRI CPM® CRF

R. Scott Ullrich, FRI CPM®

John Iannuzzi, FRI

Jeffrey Gould, CPM®

Denise Duprat, FRI

Frank Imbrogno, FRI

Paul Mehlsen, FRI CPM®

Luigi Conforti, FRI CMR

A.R.G. Khan, FRI

Edward K.C Li, FRI CMR

Mark McKay, FRI CPM®

Gino Romanese, FRI CMR

35 YEARS / ANS

G.L. Smith, FRI CMR

Vyetta Sunderland, CPM®

Richard Linklater, CPM®

Lloyd Cohen, CPM®

David Blanchard, FRI CPM®

CMR

Fred Waymouth, FRI CRF

Guy Huneault, FRI

Robert Kiledjian, CPM®

Christian Messier, FRI

William Kirkpatrick, FRI CPM®

Alan Moses, FRI CRES

Barry Wyner, FRI

40 YEARS / ANS

John Ayre, CPM®

Klaus Bernhard, FRI CPM®

Michael Chomyshyn, FRI CPM®

CRES

Jacob Ellens, FRI

Ronald Farrington, FRI

William Greenwood, FRI CMR

Veronica Lord, FRI

Donald MacDonald, FRI

W. Brian Patterson, CPM®

John Rogan, FRI

Ernest Smith, FRI

Bruce Spragg, FRI

P. Michael Strus, FRI CRF

45 YEARS / ANS

Ronald Smith, FRI CMR

Ronald Reynolds, FRI

Graeme Rowswell, CPM® CMR

Peter Davy, FRI CMR

Carl Fox, FRI CMR CLP

George Metz, FRI CMR

Michael Novac, CPM® CLP

N.S. Smith, FRI CRF

50+ YEARS / ANS ET PLUS

Philip White, FRI

Lawrence D'Orsay, FRI

Graham Downey, FRI CMR

Ian Macnaughton, FRI

Ian Caunce, FRI CMR

Kent Lyle, FRI CMR

Georges Couillard, FRI CPM®

Roy Wilson, FRI

Terry Barber, FRI CMR

Leonard Potechin, FRI CPM®

Ronald Klombies, FRI CMR

Stanford Korsch, FRI

Étapes des membres

Trust an RBC Mortgage Specialist to

make your client’s Someday

® happen.

Find an RBC Mortgage Specialist today

at rbc.com/mortgages

® / TM Trademark(s) of Royal Bank of Canada. Personal lending products are provided by

Royal Bank of Canada and are subject to its standard lending criteria. 109597 (05/2017)

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Results.

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19

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on International Real

Estate Opportunities

REGISTER AT

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or call +1 (312) 321-4460

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