OLH vs a Traditional Ontario Property Manager
Most property management companies do the same three things: collect rent, call a contractor, and hand you to a paralegal when it goes wrong. We charge a flat fee instead of a percentage, keep the legal work in-house, and list your vacancies through our own brokerage. Here’s the whole comparison — including where we’re not the right choice.
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The Comparison Most Managers Would Rather You Didn’t See
“Typical Ontario manager” below describes the common market model — percentage-based fees, outsourced legal work, and referral leasing. Always confirm specifics with any company you’re considering, including us.
| What matters | Typical Ontario manager | OLH |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly fee | 8–12% of rent — $176–$264 on a $2,200 rental | Flat $139 or $199 per property, whatever the rent |
| When your rent goes up | Their fee goes up with it, automatically | Your fee doesn’t move |
| LTB representation | Referred out — you pay a paralegal separately, commonly $1,500+ per matter | Licensed paralegals on staff. $0 representation fees on the Legal Guarantee |
| Who serves your N4 | An admin, if and when they get to it | A licensed paralegal, the day rent is missed |
| Finding a tenant | One month’s rent, or referred to a realtor for a commission | Our own brokerage — from $549 flat, or $29/mo on tap for management clients |
| Tenant screening | A credit report bought from a third-party reseller | Equifax in-house + income & ID verification + 84,000+ LTB orders checked |
| Software | Rented from a US vendor; you get whatever it does | We built and own it — LandlordEzy, improved weekly |
| What you can see | A monthly PDF summary | Live owner portal — ledger, statements, maintenance photos, 24/7 |
| Proof a repair happened | An invoice | Photo/video verification attached to the work order |
| Rent reporting to Equifax | Rarely offered | Included in every plan — it measurably improves on-time payment |
| Rent-default protection | Not available | Rent Guarantee — up to 3 months’ rent for $1,250/yr |
| Maintenance markup | Common, often invisible | None — invoices passed through, approval thresholds you set |
| Setup fee | Frequently charged | None |
Three Licences, One Company — and Why That Changes Your Outcome
Almost every Ontario property manager is one business that buys the other two functions from somebody else. OLH holds all three, which is why the handoffs — the places where your money and time leak away — simply don’t exist.
🏠 A Real Estate Brokerage
We list your vacancy on the MLS® and REALTOR.ca ourselves. No referral fee to a realtor, no month’s rent, no waiting on someone else’s calendar — and management clients get listings on tap for $29/mo.
⚖️ A Paralegal Firm
Licensed Ontario paralegals prepare the notices, file the applications, and stand up at your hearing. The people managing your property are the people who defend it.
💻 A Software Company
We invented the platform everything runs on and sell it across Canada. When something needs to work better, we change the software — we don’t file a support ticket with a vendor.
What the Percentage Actually Costs Over Five Years
Assuming a 10% management fee and modest annual rent increases, against OLH Full-Service at a flat $139/month.
| Monthly rent | 10% manager — per year | OLH Full-Service — per year | You keep |
|---|---|---|---|
| $1,800 | $2,160 | $1,668 | $492 |
| $2,200 | $2,640 | $1,668 | $972 |
| $2,800 | $3,360 | $1,668 | $1,692 |
| $3,500 | $4,200 | $1,668 | $2,532 |
Illustrative comparison at a 10% market rate; percentage fees vary by company. The gap widens every year, because a percentage fee rises with your rent and a flat fee doesn’t — and it widens again the first time a tenancy needs the LTB. See full OLH pricing.
When You Should Not Hire Us
No company fits every landlord, and pretending otherwise wastes your time and ours. Call somebody else if you need an on-site superintendent living at the building, if your property is commercial or retail rather than residential, or if you’re running short-term and Airbnb-style stays — those fall outside the Residential Tenancies Act work we specialize in.
We’re also probably wrong for you if what you want is the cheapest possible number and nothing else. Our Full-Service plan at $139/month isn’t the bargain end of the market — it’s a flat fee for a real team answering your tenant at 2am, never a percentage of your rent.
If we’re not the right fit, we’ll tell you on the first call rather than sell you a plan you’ll cancel.
We’re a strong fit if you…
- Own residential rentals anywhere in Ontario
- Are tired of a percentage of rent leaving every month
- Want legal enforcement included, not referred out
- Have a tenant in arrears and need action now
- Live out of town, out of province, or overseas
- Own a duplex, triplex, or a home with a basement suite
- Want to see everything in real time instead of monthly
Comparison Questions Landlords Ask Us
Is flat-fee really cheaper than a percentage?
Why does in-house legal matter so much?
Do you charge a percentage on anything at all?
Can you take over mid-tenancy or mid-eviction?
How do I verify these claims?
Compare Us Properly — On a 15-Minute Call
Bring the quote you’ve been given, or your current manager’s statement. We’ll show you the real annual difference for your property, and tell you honestly if you should stay where you are.
📅 Book My Free Comparison Call 📞 Or Call/Text (519) 258-3966Book Your Free Landlord Consultation
Tell us about your property or tenant situation. A licensed paralegal property manager will reach out — usually same-day. 100% free, no obligation.