Who is Grace?

I confess. There is no "Grace" at Grace's Places Inc. The name was chosen because it is easily remembered, but if it conjures up an image of a kindly landlady then that's terrific, because friendly and personal service is what we're all about. The name was not chosen in order to hide the real identity of the landlord. Grace's Places Inc. is owned by myself, a Toronto-based photojournalist. I began rehabilitating distressed rental properties as a hobby in 1994 and continue to enjoy the challenges and rewards of meeting (and hopefully exceeding) tenants' expectations. Although I am not a full-time landlord I am ably assisted by talented and personable helpers who understand and share my values...

Grace's Values
Quality

Your apartment should be a pleasure to come home to. All of Grace's Places apartments have been renovated, and even the most affordable units have "upscale" features usually found only in more expensive accommodations.

Respect

I believe that tenants deserve to be treated with courtesy and consideration and that the landlord - tenant relationship should be characterized by mutual cooperation and respect.

Service

When you call the landlord you get the landlord! Not an agent or a property management company.

Value

Many large landlords are publicly-held corporations or investment trusts which have an obligation to maximize income for their shareholders, often focusing on short-term quarterly returns. At Grace’s Places I focus on longer term objectives and have found that these are more likely to be achieved where tenants enjoy good value, so Grace's Places rents are usually significantly lower than "market" rents.

Professionalism

Too often small landlords are not equipped to deal with tenants' needs and many have a poor understanding of their responsibilities under the Residential Tenancies Act.

Community

I believe that businesses have an obligation to contribute to the well-being of communities in which they operate.

“Every dollar that a man has that he didn't work for is a dollar
another man worked for and didn't get.”
(Graffiti attributed to Karl Marx)

Reconciling fairness and the need to operate profitably can be challenging. But profitability does not require that tenants be exploited. For example, new, energy-efficient appliances and modern heating systems reduce energy costs (and help the environment) while modernized mechanical and electrical systems reduce
maintenance and repair costs (and improve tenant safety). Prompt attention to minor repairs results in fewer major repairs. Maintaining good tenant relations results in less-frequent turnover and eliminates the need for expensive evictions.

As these savings are reflected in affordable rents tenants become valued partners in Grace's future success.

Keith Beaty, Grace's Places Inc.