House Management

House Property Management in Ottawa

A house means you're responsible for everything — roof, foundation, yard, driveway, and every system in between. We take that on so you don't have to worry about a thing.

House Portfolio

Our Track Record With Houses

1%
Vacancy Rate
14
Avg. Days to Lease
98%
On-Time Rent Collection
40+
Years Managing Houses
Whole-Property Care

What House Management Involves

Houses require more hands-on management than apartments or condos. There's no building superintendent to call — when something breaks, it's on the owner. We step in as your on-the-ground team, handling everything from furnace repairs to lawn care oversight. Single-family homes demand attention to both interior systems and exterior property maintenance, plus accountability for yard care and seasonal preparation. That's where most property owners struggle — and where we excel.

  • Full interior and exterior maintenance coordination
  • Seasonal tasks — furnace servicing, gutter cleaning, winterization
  • Yard and landscaping oversight
  • Snow removal and driveway maintenance
  • Roof, foundation, and structural monitoring
  • Tenant accountability for property care
What House Management Involves
House-Specific Services

Beyond Standard Management

Houses need attention that other property types don't. We cover it all.

Exterior Maintenance

Roof, siding, windows, gutters, and drainage — we monitor and coordinate repairs.

Yard & Landscaping

We oversee lawn care, snow removal, and ensure tenants maintain the property.

Seasonal Preparation

Furnace tune-ups, A/C servicing, pipe insulation, and winterization.

Whole-System Oversight

HVAC, plumbing, electrical, and appliances — all tracked and maintained.

Tenant Accountability

Clear expectations for property care, regular inspections, and follow-up.

Key Services for House Owners

Management Services House Owners Rely On

Houses need more hands-on management than any other property type. Here's what matters most — and why it's critical for single-family rentals.

24/7 Maintenance & Emergency Response

There's no building super to call at 2 AM when the furnace dies or a pipe bursts. We're your 24/7 response team with vetted contractors on speed dial. For houses, emergency response isn't a convenience — it's essential. We handle everything from furnace repairs and plumbing emergencies to roof leaks and appliance failures. Routine maintenance is coordinated based on seasons so repairs don't surprise you.

24/7 Emergency Response Vetted Contractor Network Seasonal Planning
Maintenance Services

Full Property Inspections

Houses fail quietly — a roof leak spreads for months before you notice. We conduct regular interior and exterior inspections, checking HVAC systems, plumbing, electrical, foundation integrity, roof condition, yard maintenance, driveway pavement, fencing, and drainage. We catch problems early when they're cheap to fix, not after they've caused thousands in damage.

Interior & Exterior Checks Structural Assessment Photo Documentation
Inspection Process

Tenant Screening & Accountability

House tenants have a different responsibility profile than apartment dwellers — they're accountable for yard care, snow removal, seasonal maintenance, and exterior property condition. We screen for responsibility and awareness. We check references carefully and verify they understand the yard maintenance expectations before they move in. This prevents conflicts down the road.

Responsibility Assessment Reference Verification Expectation Clarity
Screening Process

Non-Resident Services

Relocated for work, living overseas, or simply want hands-off management? Complete property oversight with detailed monthly reporting. We handle inspections, maintenance coordination, tenant communication, rent collection, yard oversight, seasonal preparations — everything. You stay informed through reports; we handle the work.

Complete Oversight Detailed Reporting Direct Deposit
Non-Resident Services
Also Included

Complete House Management

On top of the hands-on services above, house owners also receive the following.

Rent Collection & Financial Management

Monthly rent arrives on time via pre-authorized debit, e-transfer, or online payment. We follow up on arrears starting day two. Funds deposit directly to your account. Monthly reports show income, all expenses itemized, maintenance costs, and net income — with annual summaries for tax filing.

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Monthly Reporting

Clear monthly statements showing rent collected, every expense documented, maintenance and repairs, management fees, and your net income. Access to an owner portal where you can view financial history, maintenance records, and property inspection photos anytime.

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Tenant Relations & Lease Enforcement

Yard care expectations, snow removal responsibilities, property upkeep standards, driveway maintenance — we establish clear lease terms and enforce them consistently. Tenants know the expectations; we follow up if standards slip.

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Professional Marketing & Leasing

Professional photography showing interior, exterior, and yard. MLS listing with detailed description highlighting the full property. Multi-platform advertising to attract quality tenants. We handle inquiries, showings, and lease execution to minimize vacancy time.

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Getting Started

How We Onboard Your House

Free Consultation & Full Property Assessment

We visit your house and conduct a thorough walkthrough — interior systems, exterior condition, roof, foundation, yard, driveway, landscaping needs, and seasonal maintenance schedule. We review current tenancy, lease terms, and discuss your goals. You get a clear management proposal with no obligation.

Complete Property Documentation

We inspect every room, document existing conditions with photos and notes, assess exterior and yard condition, identify any deferred maintenance, establish contractor relationships, and set up your owner account. You'll know exactly what your property's baseline is.

Tenant Transition or Placement

For existing tenants, we meet them, clarify expectations, and establish communication. For vacant properties, we market immediately — professional interior and exterior photos, MLS listing, targeted advertising. We screen thoroughly for responsibility and reliability.

Ongoing Full-Service Management

Rent collection, 24/7 maintenance response, regular inspections, seasonal preparations, tenant relations, yard oversight, and monthly financial reporting. You stay informed through your portal and monthly reports — we handle the entire operation.

What Our Clients Say

House Owners Trust Us

★★★★★
"We have had a professional relationship with Centa Property Management since 1996. In that time, we have benefited from the advice and support related to our investment properties. The property management team, led by Fern Bada, has done outstanding work on our behalf over the years. They are always responsive to our property needs, in a timely manner. It simplifies the ownership of our rental properties when a strong management team is there to handle all the details."
Brian Boyer
Client since 1996
★★★★★
"A point that should be made is that it is a complete hands-off operation. Centa manages all aspects and as an investor that is very comforting. As a long term client we couldn't be happier."
Rob S.
Property investor since 1984
Read More Testimonials
Common Questions

House Management FAQ

Who's responsible for yard maintenance — the tenant or the owner?
That depends on your lease terms, which we establish upfront. Most owners have tenants handle basic lawn care and minor maintenance, while we or contractors handle major work like tree removal, landscaping, and seasonal services like spring cleanup. We enforce whatever expectations are in the lease and handle disputes professionally.
What happens with snow removal and driveway maintenance?
We coordinate this based on your lease terms and local weather. Some owners require tenants to handle light snow; others prefer professionals. We establish clear expectations before move-in and oversee implementation. If a tenant isn't clearing snow safely, we step in so liability doesn't fall on you.
How do you handle seasonal maintenance like furnace servicing and gutter cleaning?
We develop a seasonal calendar specific to your house — spring gutter cleaning, pre-winter furnace tune-ups, A/C servicing, pipe insulation, and winterization. We coordinate with vetted contractors and manage the entire schedule. You're kept informed via monthly reports.
What happens when a major system fails — like the roof or furnace?
We respond immediately with emergency contractors. For anything over $300, we get your approval before proceeding. We coordinate the work, manage the project, and handle tenant communication. Expenses are itemized in your monthly report. We're your buffer between crisis and resolution.
How often do you inspect the property?
We conduct regular inspections — typically at least twice per year, with additional inspections after maintenance work or tenant concerns. Inspections cover interior condition, appliances, HVAC, plumbing, electrical, exterior walls and foundation, roof condition, yard maintenance, driveway condition, and fencing. We document everything with photos.
Who pays for exterior maintenance like roof repairs or siding replacement?
That's your responsibility as the owner. We identify the need, get you quotes, get your approval, manage the work, and keep tenants informed about timeline and access. Tenants don't pay for structural repairs — those are owner expenses. We handle the logistics so you don't have to.
What's your insurance liability if something goes wrong?
We carry professional liability insurance as property managers. That said, we recommend you maintain appropriate landlord insurance on your property. Maintenance emergencies are covered under your insurance policy. We're responsible for negligence on our part; you're responsible for the property itself. We recommend reviewing coverage with your insurance broker.
How does tenant screening work for a house versus an apartment?
House tenants need to understand they're responsible for yard care, exterior maintenance expectations, driveway care, and snow removal (if applicable). We screen for responsibility and verify they understand these expectations before signing. Credit checks, reference calls, employment verification — all the same — but we focus on finding tenants who will take care of the whole property.
Other Property Types

We Also Manage

Apartments

Walk-ups and mid-rise units with shared space coordination and multi-tenant management.

Apartment Management

Condos

Unit-level management with condo board liaison, bylaw enforcement, and move-in coordination.

Condo Management

Townhomes

Row houses and stacked units — multi-level care with shared structure awareness and board liaison where needed.

Townhome Management

Own a House in Ottawa?

Let us take the work off your plate. Full-service management from a team that knows houses inside and out.