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Four Ways to Use Furnished Rentals—Without Leaving Town

June 14, 2022
Long-term rentals photo by Stephanie Harvey on Unsplash.

How many things can you do with a furnished Toronto rental condo? It’s been a long time since furnished rentals were just for business travelers, even though we can often still think of them that way. But a temporary home built for long-term stays—30 nights or more—can bring a flexibility and freedom to your life, even if you already live in the same city.

Here’s four ways furnished rental apartments can get you where you want to go—right at home in Toronto.

Hold out for the right home—and save your money

A fully-furnished, serviced condominium doesn’t seem cheaper than a normal rental. But if you’re finding a place to call home in less-than-perfect conditions, it can be a way to save big money in the long run.

Whether it’s location, the condition of the space, rowdy neighbours, or a landlord whose problem-solving style doesn’t match yours, there are lots of reasons a lease can go bad—and be very expensive to break. From storage, reclaiming rent money, service installation fees, lost working time, and more, those abrupt and necessary moves are anything but cheap. And they have a terrible habit of adding up, since emergency expenses never show up one at a time.

If you’re not loving your housing market options, a stable and temporary home can save you both money and stress. A DelSuites furnished condo is a chance to really find the right long-term apartment, while turning crisis expenses into predictable ones. You’ll know exactly what you need to budget, and be able to keep the stress spending under control.

Or, if you’re contemplating putting money on a down payment, it’s a way to know that if construction or closing is delayed, you won’t be left scrambling. You can pick out the home you really want—and keep your life on plan and on budget, whatever comes your way.

Be closer to family when they need you

Toronto’s increasingly a city of dense, compact condominium neighbourhoods—and when our loved ones need us nearby, it’s not always easy to fit everyone into an open-concept home. It’s always easier to have help—but it’s no fun to choose between help and getting on each other’s nerves with the very predictable, very different ways adults live our lives.

If your family’s welcoming a new baby, dealing with a challenging illness, grieving a loss, or preparing for any major life change, a furnished rental can be a way to stay the right kind of close by. A furnished rental in the neighbourhood can keep loved ones on hand for emergencies or care, without turning it into a question of how to share space 24/7.

It’s a solution to getting and giving real family support that works—and that everyone can feel good about afterwards.

Study at your own pace

Everyone knows when student move-ins happen: June and September, when lots of apartments in university and college neighbourhoods go up for grabs. But many colleges and grad programs offer January or July starts—especially for professional, condensed programs—and if you’re starting one, a home you love can be harder to find.

As schools go back to on-campus classes, a fully-furnished rental condo can be the key to starting the program you want, when you want. Whether it’s to fill the gap for a few months, until more long-term spaces open, or for the whole semester—you don’t have to wait to start your education.

DelSuites Toronto rentals also let you finish your degree or college program when you want. If you’re taking your last classes in the summer semesters, we can bridge the summer housing gap—without figuring out shared sublets or signing long-term leases you’re not sure you’ll use. You can get to your future sooner, and stay comfortably while you do it.

Take a job contract without the commute

Nothing spoils a dream job offer like a two-hour commute. If you’ve got a job contract on your desk—but don’t want to uproot your whole life—a furnished DelSuites rental can be your temporary teleporter.

It’s a little more freedom to make big, bold career moves—without being limited by location. And it’s a chance to shake up your career without having made huge life commitments in case the job isn’t for you.

You can save your commuting time and still get comfortable in a space that fits your habits and lifestyle. With high-speed internet and cable included in your monthly rate, full ensuite laundry and kitchen, and biweekly cleaning to help out, you can move your hobbies and habits over without breaking a sweat.

Wherever you’re going in life, the right home in the right place and time can be a real help it getting there. Call us at 647-370-3504 or email info@delsuites.com to find out how we can take your Toronto life one step farther.

 

Business Travel, Toronto Condos

The New Era in Business Travel: 2022 Trends

May 17, 2022
2022 business travel photo by mentatdgt from Pexels.

Business travel is dead. Or—not?

Since the world pulled inward to combat COVID-19, the business travel industry has been declared dead and resurrected with every pandemic wave. What’s certain, however, is that the growing corporate housing industry, after weathering quick and unpredictable pivots, is starting to see broader change emerge.

The global COVID pandemic hasn’t killed or revived business travel, but it’s definitely changed what business travellers value—and how to approach making guests feel at home.

We’d like to share what we’ve learned about 2022 business travel: how it’s evolving, what’s changed, and what we’re seeing grow into the future.

Trend: 2022 business travel budgets are all about supply chain

The COVID-19 pandemic saw business travel all but shut down as borders closed, offices went remote, and conferences wheeled to a stop. We saw the majority of our 2020 and 2021 bookings come through B2C channels: health care workers staying closer to work, insurance housing, and medical stays for patients travelling to access treatment.

But as 2022 has opened, vaccines have rolled out, and restrictions have loosened in Ontario, we’ve seen employer-assisted travel make a comeback.

Companies are navigating an uncertain landscape as businesses update travel policies to reflect our new reality. Travel managers are reporting new challenges around fuel costs, environmental concerns, continuing supply chain backlogs, and how an evolving employment market has changed per diem expectations.

They’re also facing a changed continent-wide demand for furnished apartments, according to a Corporate Housing Providers’ Association report. Rising urban rents and disruptions in the furniture and housewares supply chains have made furnished housing more expensive.

As industries find the tempo of 2022 business travel, we’ve found they value providers that meet them halfway with stability, flexibility, and transparent options.

Trend: How business travellers use our space

COVID-era living has demanded a new flexibility from our everyday spaces—and that need has carried over to furnished rentals and corporate housing. When more time is spent inside the suite, our guests want to eat, sleep, work, and live comfortably, without feeling constrained.

We’ve noticed an understandable desire for larger spaces, as guests rethink their accommodations as multi-functional space. 2022 business travel is prioritizing spaces that adapt: where guests can move between functional “zones” throughout their day.

But we’ve also supported our guests in making their business travel accommodations do more. We’ve provided more permanent office furniture to enable remote work, helping set up temporary office nooks in spaces that, pre-pandemic, were geared toward off-work hours.

That desire for a fully-stocked temporary office space is a trend we see continuing, as remote work—full-time or sometimes—keeps its place in our lives.

Trend: A COVID plan that works

COVID-aware business travellers are prioritizing safety when they choose their accommodations—and a clear, transparent protocol is more important than ever.

DelSuites implemented a layered response to protect our guests and staff from COVID. We added new cleaning and safety protocols at all levels of interaction, shifted to lighter and no-touch operating models, and incorporated quality PPE into our procedures. All guests are issued standard COVID-19 questionnaires and informed of our protocols on booking.

We’ve seen travellers respond to not just the presence of our COVID plan, but its clear standards and layered components. Each business traveller’s experience of COVID-19 has been different, and a multifaceted plan lets us provide a good welcome to guests from all over the world.

Trend: A stay based on flexibility

After two years of uncertainty, good planning has shifted to mean flexibility. More than ever, business travelers are privileging the ability to flex, adjust, and accommodate their travel plans. At DelSuites, we’ve seen positive responses to all the flexibility we can build into our service offering.

More client-friendly terms and conditions, which allow guests to cancel on shorter notice, extend their stays, or modify their travel dates, have been met with enthusiasm as travel requirements change. Our ability to accommodate guests has been deeply appreciated when they’ve faced delayed or cancelled travel due to flight rescheduling or government COVID mandates.

Our guests have also appreciated flexibility in how we welcome them. The age-appropriate kids’ activities in our family welcome kit have made family travel easier in an era of changing travel requirements. Our pre-arrival grocery request service has also seen more use, as guests shift to using our fully equipped kitchens over local restaurants.

We’ve also found ways to “door drop” guest requests and service, such as grocery orders, cleaning supplies, linens service, and more. While the services we’ve traditionally offered—linens service, suite cleaning—are appreciated, our business travel guests have also reacted positively when we can modify them to keep everyone safe.

While the state of the COVID pandemic constantly evolves, and we won’t be living with extreme levels of COVID forever, we’ve learned important things from that desire for flexibility. Whatever conditions we’re facing, business travelers appreciate being heard and accommodated—and when their provider works with them to make a stay good.

Trend: Balancing technology and the human touch

The social distancing COVID-19 brought us has turbocharged the use of technology for established corporate housing providers. From sales to service delivery, we’ve taken many of the ways we do business digital: live bookings, 24/7 Guest Services availability.

With digital bookings soaring, we’ve upgraded our suite photos and virtual tours to help guests understand our suites from a distance.

We’ve also introduced digital solutions for guest support, with how-to videos for some of our suites’ unique features, such as wall beds and AEG microwaves.

While we can sometimes think tech solutions and personal connections rarely mix, industry experts are actively exploring how to connect with our guests in different ways. We believe the personal touch that real hospitality brings isn’t going away, but ubiquitous digital solutions will change how it’s delivered. Establishing the right balance for our guests—making the digital feel personal, with the right amount of human touch—is going to be a growing trend for successful corporate housing providers.

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Our knowledge of corporate housing is always growing—and we’re always eager to share!

For more DelSuites insights into how business travel is evolving, join us at our blog or get in touch at 647-370-3504 or info@delsuites.com.

Corporate Housing, Toronto Condos, Uncategorized

Make Investment Condo Management Simple with DelSuites

May 10, 2022
Investment condo management image by Mizianitka from Pixabay

Renting out a condominium is an investment—in more ways than one.

Being successful as a condominium landlord requires many skills: knowing Toronto’s rental laws, procuring reliable tenants, securing a roster of reliable and responsive trades, and putting in the time to manage your tenancy. Keeping your suite full and in good repair can be a second career—especially if you’re hosting guests as a long-term rental.

The solution? Working with an expert property management company can bridge the gap between the rental you want and the effort it takes to keep both your investment and your free time safe.

Here’s how DelSuites makes managing your investment condo stress-free—and prevents problems before they start.

Expert investment condo management you can trust

DelSuites brings you a unique expertise in condo management. We are backed by the Tridel name—and more importantly, Tridel know-how. With Tridel’s more than 85 years of experience at our fingertips, we have the depth of knowledge and experience to collaborate with your condo board, understand your building, and keep your suite maintained.

As an independent landlord, making repairs to your suite can be a race against the clock and knowing which contractors are available and trustworthy can be a challenge. Working with DelSuites lets you take a proactive approach to maintenance: happier guests, lower repair bills and a better-looking suite that keeps its value—without stress, lost hours, or inconvenience to you.

Our professional property management team regularly assesses what your suite needs are and has a directory of trustworthy, affordable contractors on hand—especially for emergency repairs. If there’s an urgent problem in your unit, we’ll fix it—and you’ll still get a full night’s sleep.

It’s hard for one person to be a rental agent, cleaner, market researcher, tenant-screener, housing lawyer, advertiser, accountant, and problem-solver. But DelSuites is all that and more, and our expertise is ready to work for you.

Round-the-clock coverage that won’t miss a thing

While most independent landlords aren’t running their units full-time, property management firms are—which means a full-time and fully staffed commitment to knowing what’s current in your neighbourhood. Our dedicated hospitality professionals keep their finger on the pulse of corporate and long-term furnished rentals. We know what’s reasonable to ask for our units, which communities guests prefer, and how to keep suites looking their best.

But we also know what’s needed to keep on the right side of your condominium board, your neighbours, and the law.

The legal landscape around investment condo management has changed due to COVID-19. Short-term rentals have been banned for everything but primary residences in Toronto, and city enforcement is increasing. Outside legal channels, many condominium boards are developing or changing their policies on rentals in their buildings. And Ontario’s Condo Authority has been established to help regulate disputes in buildings, adding another important factor to how you run your rental business.

An experienced property management company is an essential asset as Toronto condominium laws evolve. DelSuites can make sure you stay up to date on what’s allowed, and what’s off-side—and keep the business of running your suite friendly, positive, and simple.

The reliable guests you want

Independent landlords agree: the biggest stress in renting is choosing tenants.

There are as many ideas about what makes a good guest as there are guests, and DelSuites has the experience to understand which of them truly matters. DelSuites guests love us for our top-notch service—and we appreciate them for their top-notch care for the spaces they share.

Our guests go onstage in Toronto’s biggest theatre productions, delivering front-line healthcare, and make multi-million-dollar business deals. They are everyone from Toronto’s thriving film industry to grandparents visiting from across the world to meet their grandchildren for the first time.

DelSuites and our diverse community of guests keep your suite rented, tidy, and productive—and keep your neighbours happy that you’re around.

Be part of life-changing stories

The DelSuites program isn’t just a simpler, more affordable way to run your rental business well: it’s a way to take part in the inspiring stories that make Toronto beautiful.

DelSuites furnished rentals in Toronto have provided a home away from home for families who’ve lost their house to fire or flooding. We’ve been the safe place to stay at the end of the day for medical travellers fighting cancer on Hospital Row. And we’ve been the first place new Torontonians call home, whether they’re here for work, school, or to start a whole new life.

Being a part of the DelSuites means being part of everything that’s vibrant in Toronto communities. It’s a way to know that the investment that improves your life also starts amazing Toronto stories—or catches people when they’re in need.

After our decades-long partnership with DelSuites, we appreciate our professional relationship with the team (management, maintenance, and accounting) where we have constant communication and feedback about the property. We know that the property is visited frequently by the housekeeping team and the maintenance team, and any issues are resolved with multiple quotes from trusted trades or with the in-house maintenance crew without the owner having to step in. The team goes above and beyond to also liaise with building property management when necessary, and assist with insurance and warranty claims if required on your behalf. This peace of mind continues to be tremendously helpful, knowing that our property and investment is efficiently cared for by a professional company 24/7. 

For rental income, there is no disruption in the income stream regardless if the property is rented to guests or not. Rent is always paid on time.  — Emily P., Property Owner

Customer Service Experience, Downtown Toronto Condos, Toronto Condos

DelSuites Introduces 24/7 Guest Services

April 19, 2022
24/7 guest services photo from Pexels

Your life moves around the clock—and now DelSuites Guest Services does too.

We’re proud to announce that we’ve expanded our dedicated Guest Services offerings beyond standard business hours. As of this week, our Guest Services team is newly available 24/7, whatever your needs—and we’re excited to bring that higher level of service to you.

Built on our standard of service

The DelSuites experience is built on personalized, committed service: solving problems, sourcing that special something, and making sure your suite perfectly fits your lifestyle. We’re always looking to grow our standard of service and make your stay truly memorable.

Whether you’re traveling on business or for an important medical procedure—staying with us a month or half a year—our Guest Services team is dedicated to a stay tailored to fit you.

From pre-arrival grocery services to the right equipment for pets, families, and mobility-impaired guests, the DelSuites Guest Services team already has the tools to customize our spaces for your life. Now we can deploy those tools anytime during your stay, to make your DelSuites experience frictionless.

Book online anytime

Our round-the-clock Guest Services availability builds on the gains we’ve made with our expanded booking tools. Our secure online booking portal lets you see, virtually tour, and book our suites from the comfort of your desk—anytime, anywhere.

You can customize, adjust, and personalize what you need for your stay whenever you’d like through our online booking tools. On your arrival day, all you have to do is show up at the door.

Communicate your way

Everyone has their favourite way to get things done—and our Guest Services team is available not just when you need, but how. Our Guest Services team is available by phone, email, or specialized secure forms, letting you communicate your preferred way.

We’ve automated some of our most common guest needs to get things done trouble-free. Our online check-in procedure and extension form let you handle your booking at the touch of a button. And if anything in your suite needs a tune-up, our maintenance form lets you report it easily—and starts repairs moving while you live your busy life.

But if you’d rather speak with one of our team directly, Guest Services is ready with the personal touch. We’re always available by phone at 416-296-8838. Our highly trained team members are here to handle more complex situations, important questions, and recommendations for how to enjoy Toronto.

What you need, when you need it

Now that we’re fully into the era of international travel, remote work, and digital lifestyles, nobody’s lives stop at 5:00 p.m. If you find there’s something that would improve your stay—whether it’s a small question, or a big adjustment—there’s no longer any need to wait for a solution.

Connect with our Guest Services team right away, and we can solve any small problems immediately—or get a start on untangling more complex questions while you sleep. Our network of partners, experts, and vendors can work on solutions for you at every hour, whether it’s a repair, special delivery, or just something to make your stay that much easier. And we’re always here with a listening ear.

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We’re looking forward to expanding the peerless service DelSuites is known for to all our guests—no matter what time it is. If you have a question about your suite—or a need we can satisfy—call or contact our Guest Services team. We’re looking forward to hearing from you.

Downtown Toronto, Toronto Condos

Returning to the Office Flexibly with Furnished Rentals

April 5, 2022
Returning to the office photo by Cadeau Maestro from Pexels

Spring is here, and Torontonians are returning to the office—at least for a few days a week. With Ontario’s COVID mandates loosening, companies that worked remotely for the past two years are calling their teams back into downtown offices.

It’s created a dilemma for the hundreds of Torontonians who traded a hectic life downtown for more space in smaller towns or suburbs—enough that some are seeking second homes downtown or signing year-long micro-condo leases to be close to work again.

But before you jump into a major financial commitment: a furnished condo rental can help you balance today’s work expectations and the long-term plans you’ve been making.

Here’s why long-term furnished rentals are the perfect solution for navigating the transition back to office work: stress-free, affordably, and in style.

Stay flexible in a changing work world

Mandates may be lifting, but public health officials have warned us that COVID isn’t over—and today’s reopening plans can change in a heartbeat.

It’s not just another COVID wave that could change things. While some companies may want teams back in the office, they’re facing real resistance: 25% of Canadians solved huge life problems with remote work, and aren’t ready to give it up.

So while returning to the office is the reality now, many companies are using this spring as a testing period for new work situations. Hybrid work, most analysts agree, is the future; it’s just a question of what that balance will look like—and no one has the answer yet.

While companies—and the job market—figure out the mix that works for everyone, it’s worthwhile to be flexible and think long-term. While it’s tempting to commit to a separate downtown lease or buy a second property, it might be premature. One job change, policy change, or COVID spike can see you saddled with an expensive second lease—or worse, having rented your own home to tenants for a long year.

A long-term furnished rental apartment is a chance to stay comfortable, but stay flexible. With locations in the heart of not just downtown’s business district, but the tech haven of Markham Centre and the up-and-coming Scarborough business district, we’re close to where you work.

With stays that start at 30 nights—and discounts for longer—we’re a more agile, responsive way to figure out how hybrid work actually fits in your life. Our flexible stays let you extend your stay as long as you need, or work out the right check-out date if your circumstances change. And if you find yourself needing space in a hurry, our online booking portal can have you walking through the door in as little as a few days.

Spend less on a second home

A second home in the city—whether you buy or rent it—comes with a second set of expenses. Even a few days a week living somewhere new means a lot of purchases: a new bed, furniture, kitchen supplies, towels, sheets, and appliances like coffee makers, lamps, and televisions.

With everything more expensive, backordered, and harder to find (thanks, supply chain!) the startup costs can get into five figures. And they’re not purchases it’s wise to make with cheap stopgaps: skimp on a good mattress, and you pay with your back.

That doesn’t even address the cost of a second internet hookup, utilities, and secondary home insurance—which is an absolute must.

A fully furnished long-term rental wipes out those expenses before you even start. Our all-inclusive rates cover must-have items as big as furniture, as everyday as kitchen supplies, and as small as toiletpaper and laundry detergent. Extras like biweekly cleaning, linen service, and a premium cable TV package mean you won’t just save money on setup—you’ll experience a little bit of luxury.

Most importantly, our fully furnished suites guarantee what your new space and surroundings are high-quality—from your couch to your frying pan. Even if you’re only there two or three nights a week, you’ll get to feel at home during every single one.

Get some space—and keep your quality of life

It’s tempting to go smaller in the city to afford a split lifestyle—after all, many of us are used to doing more with less or compromising to get the job done. But how we live has a real effect on us: our mindset, our mood, and our motivation. And living small can quickly get oppressive.

An affordable micro-condo can be what realtor Mila Sheina called, in the Toronto Star, “the size of an office pod, with a toilet.” It’s harder to entertain friends, harder to separate work and life on those days you’re stuck indoors, and harder to stretch out for your hobbies and interests.

DelSuites units make sure to be spacious: from comfortable one-bedroom units to grand, family-sized three-bedrooms that you can share or split with friends. However you use them, we make sure you’ve got the room to thrive—and the option to do so without real estate bidding wars or breaking the bank.

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Whether you’re setting up for hybrid work, trying out a new job, or finding your way into Toronto, we can make returning to the office comfortable, flexible, and affordable. Call us at 647-370-3504 or email info@delsuites.com to find out how we can make your work and life really balance.