Frequently asked questions

Answers to owner questions

How much does tenant placement cost at AA Location?

The evaluation is free and without obligation. The exact fee depends on unit type, neighborhood, and complexity — communicated clearly during the evaluation. As a benchmark, a professional placement typically costs less than one month of lost rent, and far less than evicting a bad tenant (often $12,000+ between arrears, legal fees, damages, and post-eviction vacancy).

How long does it take to lease a unit?

Median time-to-lease in Greater Montreal ranges from 14 to 35 days depending on city, neighborhood, bedroom count, and season. Our free Time-to-Lease Estimator calculates the range for your specific unit, adjusted to current local supply. High season (May-August) shortens it; winter typically extends it by 30-50%.

Who makes the final decision on the selected tenant?

The owner ALWAYS keeps the final decision. Our role is to pre-select 2-3 verified files (credit, references, TAL, employment) and provide objective analysis on the 6 criteria permitted under the Quebec Charter. You compare and choose. We make no decision on your behalf — it's your unit and your choice.

Which criteria do you use to evaluate a candidate?

Only the 6 objective criteria allowed under article 10 of the Quebec Charter: payment capacity (rent-to-net-income ratio), file seriousness, prior-landlord references, TAL history, income stability (duration — SOURCE is never weighted), and verification consent. No protected criterion is ever requested: origin, age (except majority), family status, religion, etc.

Why does an OACIQ broker coordinate the lease signing?

Because lease signing is the most legally sensitive moment of the rental relationship. An OACIQ-regulated broker brings professional protection, a framework compliant with the Real Estate Brokerage Act, and explicit liability covered by the Compensation Fund. That's a level of legal security that listing platforms (Kijiji, Marketplace, Centris) simply can't offer.

Are you a traditional property management agency?

No. Our primary service is tenant placement (finding, qualifying, and presenting the right tenant). Property management is offered as an option, after placement, for owners who also want to delegate the day-to-day (communication, payments, repairs, renewals). Many owners choose placement only, then handle management themselves.

What happens if the first placed tenant becomes a problem?

Our verification method (Equifax/TransUnion credit, phone-validated references, TAL search, employment validation) drastically reduces risk but doesn't eliminate it 100% — no service can honestly claim that. If a problem arises, we provide our OACIQ broker's support for the procedure (notices, TAL recourse, replacement). Exact conditions (free re-placement or reduced rate depending on situation) are specified in the initial agreement.

Do you serve all of Quebec?

Active Phase 1: Montreal, Laval, and Longueuil. We focus operations on Greater Montreal to deliver real local expertise (neighborhood knowledge, local broker networks, current market data). Expansion to Quebec City, Gatineau, Sherbrooke, Trois-Rivières, and Lévis is in preparation — the site's architecture is already ready.

How long does your full process take?

The initial evaluation takes 24 business hours. Listing and pre-selection of 2-3 files typically take 2 to 4 weeks depending on season and unit quality. The lease is generally signed within a week of candidate selection. Typical total: 3 to 6 weeks from evaluation to move-in.

Do you work with a single broker or a team?

Adli Ben Tekaya, OACIQ-licensed real-estate broker based in Greater Montreal, currently coordinates lease signings. Over 10 years of experience in residential leasing, property management, and real-estate investment. For every mandate, you have a single, identified point of contact.