By Chadd Cawson Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Green Door Property Management Ltd. specializes in managing long-term residential properties in the Columbia Valley and is hoping to see more opportunities from property owners come a-knocking. If you have been looking at renting your property or have strayed away from the idea due to a bad experience, let Green Door handle it for you.
“We manage a variety of properties, including condos that are part of a strata, townhomes, cabins, lower-level suites, apartments, detached homes, single-family homes, duplexes and acreage properties,” Green Door co-owner and office manager Aimée Tweddell-Brown said. “We manage seasonal properties, specifically over the winter period, for an average of six months. This gives prospective tenants looking to live here for the winter the opportunity to find accommodation and work and not have to sign a longer tenancy term. It also allows the property owners to enjoy their homes throughout the summer.”
Tweddell-Brown said long-term rentals tend to be for a 12-month fixed term, with the option to extend by signing another fixed term or continuing on a month-to-month basis.
Originally founded by Ben Green more than 10 years ago. Green Door was built from the ground up and, on average, has managed 100 properties throughout the Columbia Valley, including the areas of Canal Flats, Fairmont Hot Springs, Windermere, Invermere, Panorama and Radium Hot Springs. Ben and wife Becky also own Fairmont Creek Vacation Rentals, where they met Tweddell-Brown and Jayde Cooke, both of whom moved to the valley five years ago. As their relationship grew, it was decided that Tweddell-Brown and Cooke would step up to be the new owners as the Greens put their focus on their other business. Cooke signed on in October of 2020 and Tweddell-Brown followed in January of 2021.
“We’re very lucky to have Ben still a part of our team due to his relationships with owners and tenants,” Tweddell-Brown said. “His knowledge and expertise have been vital in myself and Jayde navigating our way through the world of property management. We receive so many applications daily and so many phone calls from prospective tenants — people looking to move to the mountains to retire, young professionals wanting to start careers here. But over the past year or so, many applications have come from people who already live here, people who have built lives here and families who have children in school. Their current rental is no longer able to accommodate them for whatever reason and, sadly, we just have not had the inventory available recently to accommodate everyone.”
Tweddell-Brown said Green Door helps by getting the word out to residents of the valley who own homes here, but who may not reside in them at all or even full time. Green Door lets them know the benefits of hiring a property management company and what the company can do to protect their investment while they make some money. The Residential Tenancy Act and the tenants and owner responsibilities guidelines can be a fickle thing, but while it may be complex and changing, it is there to protect both tenants and property owners. Tweddell-Brown said Green Door wants to see the housing situation in the valley improve. The company wants to build connections and spread the word, opening opportunities for tenants and property owners alike. With a new part-time maintenance member added to the team, Green Door also hopes to employ another licensed property manager in the future and would eventually like to expand into strata management.
“We specifically want property owners to know that by hiring us, they are massively minimizing risks,” Tweddell-Brown said. “We have an extensive screening process, we ask for rental references and other references if required, we meet the tenant in person, we carry out viewings and, when it comes to securing a tenant, we draft up all the paperwork and conduct a very thorough move in inspection report to get a really detailed description of the property prior to move in.”
Tweddell-Brown added that Green Door handles all rent and security deposits. “Apart from signing some paperwork and having to respond to a couple of emails from time to time, property owners can do very little, if they wish,” Tweddell-Brown said. “We also take care of all tenant communication and deal with any maintenance issues that may arise. If there are any owners out there considering renting their property out, please do give us a call and we will be happy to discuss your options.”
Green Door Properties operates on the unceded territories of the Secwépemc and Ktunaxa Peoples and the land chosen as home by the Métis Peoples. To learn more about their services visit www.gdpm.ca or call 250-345-2133.
