The Level Enterprise Portal

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Opportunities for Housing Providers

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Housing Provider Kit

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Housing Provider Resource Centre

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The Housing Registry

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Info for SSH providers

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Frequently Asked Questions

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Frequently Asked Questions

This section provides answers to questions most frequently asked by housing providers. The questions are broken into distinct categories. Clicking on the category heading will reveal a list of questions associated with that category. Select the appropriate question.

Financial guide questions

(0 folders, 11 documents)

What financial policies should our society have?

Why does BC Housing make adjustments to the mortgage interest amounts we report in the audited financial statements?

What does the term “not fully funded” mean when referring to replacement reserves?

What can we do when we’ve underestimated our operating costs and the approved budget is wrong?

BC Housing has asked us to repay the surplus from last year, but we will be short of cash if we do. Do we have to pay it back?

What can we do if we don’t have enough cash to pay the property taxes?

How does BC Housing calculate economic rent for units in the development?

What can we do if BC Housing’s Summary of Tenants and Rent Subsidies shows the wrong amount for a tenant rent or member housing charge contribution?

How does BC Housing determine the subsidy and repayable assistance for the development?

Does BC Housing automatically adjust rent subsidy when resident information changes?

What do we post to the contingency budget line item?

Governance questions

(0 folders, 10 documents)

What kind of policies does our organization need?

Which policies should our residents receive copies of?

What can the Board do if a director is not doing the job?

What does “constating document” mean?

What is meant by conflict of interest?

Can a resident be a member of a non-profit housing society? What about housing co-operatives?

Can a Board director also be an employee?

Does BC Housing have a sample tenancy agreement we can use?

Where can I get copies of various Acts such as the Residential Tenancy Act, Society Act, Cooperative Association Act, and the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act?

What other resources are available for Boards?

GST guide questions

(0 folders, 13 documents)

Does GST apply to us?

Do we have to register for the GST for new construction?

What is the difference between a charity, a designated municipality and qualifying non-profit organization?

What is the difference between an input tax credit and a rebate?

What are some examples of government funding?

We only incur $20,000 a year on taxable expenses. Why should we bother accounting for the GST?

How do we record the GST?

Will a new building or a change in operations affect our GST status?

The Canada Revenue Agency often tells us to de-register. What does that mean?

How do I change my GST filing period when a development starts, and then again when it is over?

Can we claim both an input tax credit and a rebate on the same building?

We rent out our meeting space sometimes. Does this mean we have commercial activities and should charge GST?

The Canada Revenue Agency is going to audit us. What should we do?

Maintenance questions

(0 folders, 10 documents)

What maintenance work can be funded from the replacement reserve?

Are housing providers required to get three quotes for maintenance projects?

Does BC Housing help housing providers tender large projects or provide tendering guidelines?

Does BC Housing have specifications societies and co-operatives can use for tendering purposes?

Does the Builders Lien Act require housing providers to hold back 10% of development invoices?

Does the Builders Lien Act require housing providers to ask contractors for a Statutory Declaration, confirming they have paid all suppliers, subcontractors, and employees?

What documentation should housing providers obtain from contractors before proceeding with a new development?

Are there any advantages for societies or co-operatives in hiring a building manager/caretaker on a contract basis?

Does the BC Non-Profit Housing Association (BCNPHA) help its members develop maintenance operating systems? What about the Co-operative Housing Federation of BC (CHF BC)?

How can we find reliable, competitive small contractors such as plumbers or roofers?

Management questions

(0 folders, 5 documents)

What’s the purpose of an operational review?

What’s covered in an operational review?

What are best practices?

How can best practices help us?

Where can I find out more about best practices?

Operational questions

(1 folders, 23 documents)

Our society operates several buildings under different programs. Why can’t we blend them all into one operation?

My society just wants to help low income people. Why do we have to have an income mix?

If we want to permanently change the income mix of our HOMES BC development, what’s the process?

If someone in a market unit becomes permanently unemployed, can they become an RGI tenant right away, or do we have to wait until a current RGI tenant moves out?

Can we set up a security of tenure fund for a HOMES BC development?

My society wants to limit tenant selection to people who belong to our church. Is this possible?

Under the Residential Tenancy Act, do we have to give three months notice of a rent increase to people paying 30% of income for rent?

Do societies and co-operatives have to respond to people who want to look at the records in their tenant/member file?

What happens if a prospective landlord calls us for a reference on a former resident?

Can I share former resident information regarding damages or money left owing to our society or co-operative with BC Housing?

How do we determine the rent for the caretaker’s unit? Do we have to hire someone who meets CNIT income levels?

If we tender work, such as a large renovation or repair, and have BC Housing help write the specifications, evaluate the bids, or provide funding for the repair, can unsuccessful bidders access the bidding documents through BC Housing?

Should we do criminal record checks on our caretakers?

Do we have to house someone who is a known criminal, but comes out at the top of the point scoring?

Can we house a family of two in a three-bedroom unit, if there are no other applicants?

Do we have to complete an Application for Rent Subsidy form on our market units every year?

Why does BC Housing over or under pay subsidies?

Do we have to pursue legal remedies when a resident owes us money, even if we know they have no money?

What are some options for dealing with a difficult tenant or co-operative member?

Keeping, storing and managing records - questions

(0 folders, 4 documents)

What kind of records should we be keeping?

How long should we keep these records?

What security issues should be considered for storing and disposing of records?

What computer program do you recommend for keeping all our records?

The Housing Registry questions

(0 folders, 12 documents)

What is The Housing Registry database?

Who can participate?

What does the registry offer Housing Providers?

Why have The Housing Registry?

What about my existing applicant list?

How do I fill units when they become available?

What if we are not on the Internet?

What are the computer requirements?

How is The Housing Registry managed?

How does The Housing Registry work?

Is there a membership fee?

If there is no Housing Registry office near me, how will applicants apply?