Big White is AWESOME!!! So you are arriving soon... Yay!!!

I am so excited for you. No, really, I am - when I was in the Army (a long long time ago) my regiment sent a team down to Austria for six weeks training and then onto France for two weeks of racing. But but but... please don't be under the illusion that I knew what I was doing, I didn't. I had done two hours of grass skiing and a hour on a dry slope... I had bluffed my way onto the team "Yes sir, I have skied before..."

And then, when I left the army I went and spent a season in Chatel, France, working any and every job I could find, skiing lots and er... drinking a little too much. But OMG I had a blast.

More recently I did part of a season instructing in Niseko (why yes, it does snow a lot) and part of last season instructing at Whistler. On top of that... I have spent most of the last 26 seasons at Big White - I know right! No I can't believe how old people my age are!!!

Anyways... so after that little preamble, ramble (see what I did there? I know you're impressed) I have a property management company, here at Big White that caters solely to seasonal staff. And yesterday I sent them a couple of notes for their ease of moving in etc etc etc.

And with a spark of, what I like to call, "Trump like genius" (which is the same as a regular genius except, you know, opposite) I thought I'd share it for both owners, renting to seasonal staff, and said staff themselves - for Free! How generous am I?

Well, of course I'm pretending to be nice, yes, to try and attract some extra business. Do you need a property manager...? We are for you. There, done. If... you're looking for a bed - sorry, we are full :(

If you are imminently arriving... this may help. If you are an owner sharing unit information, you can use this as a template - fill in the details, which are specific to your place; and viola - easy. Yes yes, I know 'Voila...' couldn't be bothered changing it.

Hey Everyone,

November 1st is quickly approaching... so I have a couple of bits of information for you. 

Access

• The unit is XXXX - top floor, out of the elevator, turn left and follow your nose to the end.
• The unit is numbered and the access code is XXXX
• If you are bringing a vehicle - only two of you atm. The access code for the parkade is XXXX - please do not share this code.
• The parking stalls are numbered XXX and are to the far right of the garage door. Please take care to park between the lines, ensuring there is room for two vehicles nose to tail in the tandem spot.
• The ski locker is in the parkade to the left of the elevator doors. There are two ski lockers. The code for the ski locker door is XXXX- please don't share this code.
• All bedding and linens are provided and the beds have been prepared by my wife with lots of care and attention... cos that's the way she rolls... true story.
• There are sufficient towels for everyone.

Heating - this is important for everyone's comfort.

Modify below as you need.

• The floors are heated.
• But... you will not feel much if any. If you do, then the heat is set too high.
• Because the floor is such a huge area, a small change in the thermostat has a large impact on the overall temperature.
• And... moderating the temperature is like trying to change the direction of an oil tanker - it is slow and cumbersome.
• What tends to happen is someone is cold, turns up the heat and nothing happens... then they crank it up a little more... and nothing happens... and a little more...
• At 3am everyone wakes up in a sauna-like environment...
• And they turn the heat down... and nothing happens...
• And they turn the heat down further... etc etc etc... Are you getting the literal picture? I thought so - you guys are smarter than the average cookie.
• If you are cold - turn on the fireplace... if it gets warm turn off the fireplace.
• Bedrooms - the bedrooms are on a separate thermostat.
• I know most of you are Aussies from that big ol' hot continent... but, science has proven that people get better sleep in cooler bedrooms.
• I don't care if you want to walk around (mostly) naked... be considerate of your roomies.

Hot Tub.

1. You will recall the hot tub does not function. This detail is specific to a specific unit - yours maybe different.
2. On November 3rd the hot tub is being filled and tested.
3. If it proves to be functioning... it will be run until it stops functioning.
1. If it stops functioning... refer to point one.
2. The non functioning hot tub will not be repaired.
4. Tips to keep this non functioning hot tub functioning... is that an oxymoron...? Asking for a friend.
1. It is a six person hot tub, the max number of people allowed, at any one time is...? Altogether now... SIX! Well done.
2. Do not cause water to spill onto the deck.
1. If the water level drops to low the pump will automatically switch off... not good.
2. Then the water will stop heating... not good.
3. Then the pipes will freeze... not good.
4. Water flowing over the deck irritates the strata and they will issue a fine... this fine will be passed on to you guys... good...? No, not good.
3. Do not bring your friends back from the bar to use the tub - this is not a thing... and is... yep, not good.

Smoking and Vaping.

• The XXXX (as well as the whole of Big White) is a non smoking, non vaping building. Neither in the unit, on the decks, in the parkade... or anywhere.
• If you do smoke or vape... are you Insane?
• Besides, if you are seen smoking or vaping on the deck, the strata will impose a $200 fine for every single infringement - this fine will be paid by you. $200 is typical for all stratas, as far as I know.
• "But our new bestie from the bar smoked on the deck..." The strata does not care... they will issue a fine. Which is... paid by you and... not good.

Noise.

• There is an eclectic mix of people staying in the building and in the unit... lifties, ski patrol, serving staff etc etc. everyone has different schedules - please respect each other's need for sleep and quiet times.
• Remember - this is a family vacation, mountain and building. Please don't ruin people's vacation or quiet enjoyment.
• Besides (that word again) the strata (yes, they are a fun bunch...) will fine the unit for noise violations, again it is $200 per infraction. not good.
• 
  Top tips.
• Do not have parties.
• Do not bring people back from the bar.
• Be respectful of units below and to the side of you.
  

Ski and Snowboard Storage.

• Skis and snowboards must be kept in the lockers in the parkade.
• Doing this is a pain.
• But it must be done.
• Every time you bring skis boards indoors, you bring in ice and snow. Not good.
• This ice and snow melts and creates a very humid environment. Not good.
• This humidity then condenses onto the windows and walls. Not good.
• Creating an awesome environment for mold to develop... Not good.
• Let's keep everyone healthy... er... Good.

Gear Theft.

Every year jackets, skis and snowboards are taken - sometimes accidentally, sometimes opportunistically... don't be a statistic, look after your gear especially in the bars.

Drugs and Alcohol.

• Hmmm... this is a sensitive subject. But encouragingly, over the years with the changes in generational culture (whoa... that is a bit of terminology eh? I'm very proud of myself for that one) the incidences of alcohol/drug problems seem to be diminishing/lessening or if you wish, improving... however... 
• Be careful.
• Make smart choices.
• Look after each other - there have been incidents at Big White of drinks being spiked.
• If something happens, call 911 - the fire department will be despatched immediately. They are competent, very well trained and... very good looking - true story.
• If you suspect your friend has had drugs or too much alcohol and they are struggling... call the fire department - They do not care, they are not the police, their sole job is to make things safe - information helps.
• Stay in control.
  
  

Do you want to hear a little story...? You do...??? Okay. Somebody got drunk one season, they were so bad they could not walk, so their friends decided to carry them - two holding their legs two holding their arms. Now their friends were also very intoxicated... and they were trying to get back to snowpines... along the lit walking trail... the very snowy and icy... lit walking trail... Have you ever tried to carry someone?

Here is a little self promotion... I'm ex-army so I have done carry drills, sober, having been taught the correct technique, using a stretcher or modified equipment, on dry land, with a team of highly trained squadies as carry partners... And STILL, and still, it is not easy.

Anyhoo back to the story... eventually the fire department are called and these trained, experienced, good looking, guys and girls turn up and do their thing. "Has the victim been drinking?" (they know the answer) "Has the victim had any drugs?" (they suspect the answer). "We don't care, we just need to know what kind." and finally "has the victim banged their head...?"

Remember the 'hard to carry bit'?

"Well... we did drop them on their head a couple of times..."

"...a couple of times..."?

The story had a happy ending, they were fine but you know, two-day hangover. But my point is...

Stay in Control!!!

This story may or may not be fabricated by me... no, I lie, of course it's fuching true.

Cleaning.

• 
  Keep the place clean.
• You are all adults - clean up after yourselves.
• Recommendations - create a schedule for everyone.
• Take all garbage down to the waste bins every day. There are XXX of you - once every X days is not a big deal.
• Clean the bathrooms every day - individually once every XXXXX days is not a big deal.
• Clean the kitchen every day - if you use it, clean it.
• Vacuum common areas every day - your turn every XXX days is not a big deal.
• Vacuum your room every day - once every XXX days is... yep, not a big deal.

Repairs and Maintenance.

• Things break... the stove, bar fridge and microwave, (fill in your own details) are basically brand new.
• Things break pt 2... but please don't abuse things.
• Never ever put metal into a microwave...
• It has only happened three of four times over the years, but tenants have put metal in a microwave... it kills the microwave almost instantly.
• You can tell if metal has been placed in a microwave as there are burn marks on the inside of said machine... you are looking at a $500 replacement cost.
• Replacing a microwave can take weeks...
• Do not put anything in the toilet other than toilet paper-
• No sanitary products - the toilet will block, and possibly flood - flooding a toilet is not fun.
• No kitchen roll.
• There are two plumbers on the mountain - getting a plumber in the off season is a challenge (I know, my wife does the admin for one of the plumbers and he is a really good friend... so you know 'I' can get a plumber... after about a month). Getting a plumber during the season... to fix your toilet... ha! Good luck.
• Quick question for you. Was the toilet working when you arrived? Yes? And is the toilet working now? No? Then you blocked the toilet... 
• Things break pt 3...
• Most of you hairy aussies shed hair like the local bernese mountain dogs... this hair gets stuck in shower drains... and eventually blocks them. This is... altogether now... "Not good."
• If the drains start to drain slowly - add some draino. They sell it in the market, if, there is none in the unit.
• If this doesn't work send the owner a message.
• Do not let water sit in shower basins - especially the tiled basin.
  

Getting to Kelowna.

There is a Facebook Group for rideshare. My recommendation is to join it - you don't really need a vehicle at Big White. 

Okay that's it from me. Sólido Properties  has been owning, managing, buying, selling, developing property at Big White since 2001 (we built the Edge, Timbers etc). We have managed as many as 25 properties per season and many of our clients are still with us. If you're thinking we need a fixed, guaranteed, (we have never missed a rental payment) revenue stream... you can email me at solidorentals@gmail.com if you're thinking "Hmmm... I wanna know more about this dude." Well, there are lots of blog posts to the right of the screen.

Big White is AWESOME!!! Is it a great experience..?

The coming for the season thing, is it a great experience? Well, the short answer is 'yes' but I don't think it is the reason you think it is. 

I did my own ski season thing back in 1992/93. I'm guessing most of you, were not even born back then... correct, I am that old. 

Actually it was kinda my second ski season - my first was a couple years back, in the army. My regiment would send eight guys down to Austria (from Northern Germany) to alpine (race) train for six weeks and then onto France (Le Grand Bornand) to compete against other army units for another 10 days or so. To be clear, I never liked being in the army... except for this, this was brilliant... and it changed my life. But that is not this story.

Going back to my other ski season. It was in Chatel, France. And, probably like you, some guy (or girl) inspired me. 

You see, I'd picked up a hitchhiker (yep, it was a thing once) and as you do, we got chatting "Yeah, if I lose my job" his brand new job, he was telling me (he was a delivery driver for Coca Cola and had just lost his license for drink driving... yeah exactly, there was no 'if' he was definitely gonna lose his job) "If that happens then I'll just go back to France to work in a ski resort..."

WHAT??!!?? Wait a minute, What?!? You just tell me that again.

I didn't even know that was a thing. But it was a 'thing' and it was now going to be my thing.

Up to that point I was still in the British Army, six years to date but, and these are two keys facts. One, I, (as mentioned), really did not like the army - people kept shooting at me. And two, I had done my minimum six year sentence... I mean, contracted sign-up period. I was at the point where I could give my three months 'get out of jail free' notice. So that's what I did. Cos I wanted to be off to France.

Being in the army was okay, I had great holidays (six weeks+ each year), I had accommodation, I had three good meals a day, I had a career, I had paid training, I had travel... even the skiing thing, was an army gig. I had all of this, and steady, decent income, but you know the shooting thing. Actually I embellish a little - it only really happened once, and it wasn't at me personally it was just in our general vicinity... during the First Gulf War. Yes yes, a veteran.

Truthfully (as opposed to?) I just didn't like the army, period.

Anyhow, where was I? Oh, yes, France.

A few months later (that December) I was out of the army and I found myself at Geneva airport. 

I thought I had accommodation organized at some hotel in Morgins, along with a job at the same hotel... and transport from the airport to this said hotel.

Nope... nope... and er... nope. None of those things existed. Well, the hotel did exist but the other stuff at the hotel, not so much.

So I had to do that thing you know, be self sufficient and figure things out... all by myself. It was all so inconvenient.

The first night (& second) I ended up staying with the serving girl at the bar. Nope, not what you think. She had a boyfriend, and a spare room. She was just being nice. I had to pay for the room but it was cheap and it saved my bacon.

Morgins (pronounced Morzhen) was small, but just 3km away over the French border was Chatel (pronounced Chatel...) a larger place. I hitchhiked (cos as mentioned it was a thing) across the border the next morning and because I needed both a place to stay and a job... the first thing I did was... go skiing. True story.

Being an intelligent chappy, at the end of the ski day, instead of heading back to Morgins I headed to the bar... and got drunk... and hitchhiked back to Morgins at 1am... to stay with... it's funny but I don't remember her name, but her boyfriends name was Oliver.

The next day I did focus on some 'adulting' - job hunting. 

Back in the 90's not many people in France spoke English and back in the 90's nobody from Wigan spoke French. Je suis cherche por travier' I learned that phrase pretty quickly... of course when they answered in their French... I looked like an idiot. Of course, looking like an idiot was not unusual por moi, but you know...

Despite being my French language ignorance, I found some work that morning, at the local hotel... working for Michel. I worked all day, got paid and... let go. The job was maintenance and another guy had turned up who was better qualified - had building and maintenance experience... spoke French... and was French... my first experience of racism.

Of course I also needed accommodation so off I went to the bar again... with some extra cash in my pocket.

Michel walked in 10 minutes later. "Hey Michel! Let me buy you a drink" I greeted him. Even though Michel had chosen the Frenchie over me, I did like him.

A few drinks later Michel says to me in his broken English "Vair veel you stey to-neet?" 

"oh, I'll get a room at the hotel next door" my written French accent is better than my written Wiganese... hold on, let's get Google involved... "Aw, Ah'll get a rewm at th' otel next duwer" that's not bad eh? 

Anyway Michel came back with "Non! You vill stay viz my familee to-night."

When we turned up, both drunk, and late... Nicol, his wife... didn't seem very happy about this situation. Can you imagine your 65 year old husband brings home a mid 20's, 'new, drunk friend' or 'stray' and says he's staying... can you imagine? And on top of that he doesn't speak French and he is English...

It gets better... I had dinner with Michel and Nicol and then I took myself back-off to the bar... to find work. Actually, there is some logic there - all the seasonal staff hung out at the bar and the seasonal staff knew where jobs could be found... I'm not a total idiot... just a marginal one.

Anyways... that night I met Sam... and Sam thought I was cute, so instead of going back to Michel's and my bed for the night, I went back with Sam... no, unfortunately, and despite my best efforts, very little happened. Obviously not cute enough.

The next morning, and very hungover, I headed back to Michel's... who as it happened, had already left for work... or so Nicol told me... as she was heading out the door... to go to her job herself... I think anyway... cos you know, the language barrier.

Well, that was kinda my introduction to bumming around a ski resort in France... what...? Oh yeah, you're wondering where I ended up staying? Funny story, I ended up living with Michel and Nicol for most of the season. That day I went out and bought them gifts for letting me (not) stay, cos of the Sam thing. They, that very day, had bought their first, ever, brand new, car. They were going out to celebrate this car and, god knows why, took me with them. I loved Michel and Nicol.

I eventually landed on my feet and found a job; as a 'plunger' or dishwasher for you English speakers. That was a tough gig. I would literally run around that kitchen trying to keep up with the dishes. Giloo, the owner would yell at me... his girlfriend (I don't remember her name) would yell at me... her voice is still in my head after 30+ years "PAN!!! Pan por la self!!!"

A great experience? 

Actually there is no single why... Maybe it was Fresh air. Sunlight. Exercise. Social connection. Friction. Challenge. Discomfort. Hard work. Survival. Self reliance... but what about the skiing and snowboarding? I hear you ask? Yep - love it but the thing is, I don't look back on my experiences and think about the snow sports... I look back and remember everything else.

Doing this on your own is not easy, it is not really hard, but it is scary. Heck, even doing it with friends is scary. So, anyone trying this... kudos to you. And if you're female... well, double kudos. 

Every year new people turn up, bright eyed, bushy tailed... and I know, I know they are going to have an experience that will change their life. And you know what? Every year... every year I feel the same, every year I am envious of their adventures to come. True story.

Solido Properties... if you click on this link it will take you to my crappy website... you know the one that needs updating... but the thing is the only reason I get inspired to update is when I need to find tenants... and really, I hardly ever need to find tenants hence the continuation of my procrastination skill set. You can try emailing me... through the contact page, you can try...

Big White is AWESOME! True Story... But beware of Scams if you're coming for the season.

Scams.

Sadly the sophistication of scammers is increasing; I write this to try and save maybe you or your friends from falling victim to these characters. I wanted to use a different word but you know... PC n' stuff...

I've lived at Big White for 26+ years, I got married here, my kids grew up here, went to school here... heck, their big yellow school bus was the big yellow gondola... well, during the ski season anyway. Want more? I'm a ski instructor (Whistler these days), so is wifey, so is my son (who was also a senior freestyle coach), so is my daughter and my daughter is also working ski patrol these days.

Even more...?

I was a realtor for a couple years in the early 2000's and I developed & built around a 100 properties at Big White... including The Timbers, The Raven, Glacier Lodge and The Edge (you know the ones with the funny roofs) and and and... this is where this blog was born... I started Solido Properties Ltd - a property management company looking after property catering to seasonal staff only.

So my point...? 

Well I'm very familiar with Big White and I've seen lots; Including different variations on scams... so, if you are coming for the season, I have some tips for you (or your friends).

Too good to be true...

If it sounds too good to be true, it is. Nobody is going to rent you something below market value - they won't. Think about it for a minute, would you pay $1.50 for something you can get the exact same thing for a $1? Same with a property owners, they know market value. If it sounds too good to be true... it is. End of story.

Found on Facebook?

Not a bad thing, you gotta find them somewhere, right? And I post mine on Facebook, well I do things like this blog and provide links to my crappy website. But, my crappy website has this blog which I have been writing for almost 13 years - you can see every blog I've ever written. Yeah, my website needs work but I can't fake 13 years of blog posts... and most of the blog posts lead to my website, Facebook page and include some legitimate way to contact me.

The thing is, scammers are phishing on Facebook too - it is where most of their targets are spending time looking.

And Facebook is easy these days. Especially with AI stuff. Imagine telling an AI engine "go and find X properties, download 10 pictures from each, create a website promoting these properties as seasonal rentals. Fabricate a new Facebook profile, join the Big White Facebook groups and start advertising on these groups. Pretty easy eh?

So... Things to look out for with Facebook...

• Brand new Facebook profile?
• No, or few Facebook friends?
• None or few posts - i.e. no pictures. 
• No actual pictures of the person?  
• In truth, these could all be legitimate, but they do warrant further investigation.
• The owner/landlord is away, or lives out of country...? Rubbish, they have a cleaner, friends, building manager, property manager. If they won't let you do a video walkthrough then it probably does not exist.

If they won't let you or your friends see it...? Again probably doesn't exist. 

Which leads to... 

Fake Websites.

I was once contacted by a renter who had 'found' a place. "Is this legitimate?" she asked. There was a website, 50+ images, address at Big White, Kelowna office and phone number, email, Facebook profile... the only problem was the unit did not exist. The office didn't exist, the phone number was fake... the email worked. The building existed (The Legacy if you want to know) but the actual unit, not so much.

Deposits and Pre-payments.

Don't pay anything until you or someone has seen the place - anyone asking for a 'security' deposit without a viewing? Find out why, and don't believe any crappy excuse.

Too Easy...?

Your landlord may have a lifetime of savings and work tied up in their property. They are going to want to protect their asset, they don't want party animal druggies... (wait, am I allowed to say druggies these days?) They will want referrals, they will want to know the names of anyone staying in their property. Some landlords I know have demanded to know Social Security numbers and others have requested passports - I don't, but I'm not everyone.

So, if your 'potential' landlord is not that cautious and more interested in getting money out of you rather than checking you out... that's another red flag for me.

Video Walkthroughs

With my places I always do a video walk-through... for two reasons. 

• One, I want my potential tenants to see the property, I want potential tenants to know exactly what to expect. I show them everything, including outside. It is impossible (as far as I know) to fake a live, video walk through. 
• The second reason - I want to see my potential tenant and I want them to see me. 

Before you commit to paying anything, do a video walk through - they only take 10 minutes... and you will feel far more confident about your new place... and your new landlord... true story.

Find a Friend...

Get a friend to see the place - there are lots of people living on the mountain. Businesses, trades people, restaurants. You are probably gonna find a job ask your boss or supervisor - if they don't know the place or the owner be cautious. Not always, but you know, time for you to do more checking. 

Get referrals.

Find people who have been, find out where they stayed, where they worked, who was their boss/supervisor etc. Who their landlord was...

Staff Accommodation.

What about Staff Accommodation? Great question, Big White is by far the largest employer on the mountain - my recommendation if this is your first season, get a job with Big White and ask about accommodation - Big White prioritizes first timers in helping find places to live. And and and... if you work for Big White, you would qualify for a season pass - of course there are limitations, but they are not that onerous. 1500 people a year can't be wrong.

Finally... if you are looking for my recommendations... I think the best advice is pay attention to your gut, if it feels somewhat 'off' then do more investigation. Ooh... I'll tell you a little story :) 

One season I had a young couple come stay in our, one-bedroom suite, in our house. It was their first time to Big White, they were coming from Australia, he worked the mines in Western... he (I'll call him Lachy) was very nervous. So what Lachy started doing was to follow me on Strava... he could see what I'd done, and tell his girlfriend "Look, he's just been for a bike-ride again." We found out later she didn't care at all.

Lachy was nervous but his 'detective' work wasn't bad - pretty hard to fake Strava bike rides... no? The downside for you guys, if you're thinking 'I'll do that with Christof Lummy Pie'... I stopped riding in October... but I do hike every day... but that's not on Strava... but my yoga is, obviously yoga is a bit static in location... but but but... you can see where I live... hmmm do I really want that?

Lastly...
Cos' I didn't think I should use 'finally' again... if you are coming to Big White I am just starting to take enquiries - this link will take you to our 'contact' page. You may notice that I am rubbish at responding... but keep chasing, you know the old idiom 'squeaky wheel gets the oil'. This link will take you to my Facebook stuff.

Work...

Alright, now I promise this probably the last 'last' bit... I hope anyway. If you are looking for accommodation and work then look at these businesses. It's not a comprehensive list but not a bad place to start. But, you gotta do some work yourself by doing a search...

• Trades - especially plumbers contact Billy's Waterworks. Or for this one you can message me at Solido hopefully that email works. The only downside is Billy can be a little chaotic... he's one of my best friends but you know. Added bonus with Billy, he has some staff accomm.
• Ski instruction, ski patrol, lifties, Big White direct - they also have a ton of serving jobs.
• Bars and Restaurants. Try Black Diamond (Don and Theresa), Fourth Ace and Bullwheel (Heighten Management - they may have accomm), Six Degrees, Underground Pizza and Fat Marmot (find Mooney Supply), The Cabin (Russ)... Snowshoe Sams - find Gio.
• The Market hires 50+/- every season. Mark and Patty will look after you if you do your job but if you don't... well, you won't have one. True story.
• Cleaning - Okanagan Vacation Rentals (Eti) and then there is Luxury Mountain Vacation Rentals. There are others, do a search.
• Hot Tub maintenance - try Snowy Nights.
• Snow shovelling - BWB Services. Find Reuben.

And no, this list is not comprehensive.

So, if you're looking for Accommodation contact me through my website if you are a property owner looking for...

• Risk free rental streams.
• Guaranteed income - we've never missed a rent payment in 13 seasons.
• Comprehensive due diligence.
• Full season or part season rentals (minimum 12 week blocks)

Then you can email me direct at me.

Big White is AWESOME!!! Non seasonal staff are... sometimes worthy of a story, or two...

I've been looking after and renting/managing property at Big White since 2003... well for the first ten years it was very casual, starting with my brother's place in Glacier Lodge. In 2013 I incorporated Solido Properties (or www.solido-rentals.com) and started doing it commercially.

12 years later, and suddenly 12 years have passed - true story.

Now, I have had some really really good tenants... and some on the other side of that spectrum...

My Business model.

Now, I only do (if it is a real thing) medium term rentals, you know six months in the winter and four-five months in the summer, so everything has a fixed ending; sometimes I'll extend but everything that starts, has that fixed finish. 

Here are a couple of examples some of the 'fun' tenants I have had... 

The deaf alcoholic...

She arrived with her mother who seemed really really angry with her. She drove her up to Big White with all her stuff, she helped unload and take everything up the entrance stairs to the place. 

We only met as she moved in, everything had been done via email. Anyway she told me she was a teacher... then told me she was deaf... she had a dog - cool, I like dogs... she was incredibly thin - like sickly thin... she had just bought a new car... and because she was a teacher was going to tutor from her new place 'huh? this is Big White', I thought, but whatever. 

Her mother left, well, stormed off actually and left her with me. She kept mentioning "new start, new start, private tutoring, I'll build up my client base" etc. Again 'huh?' I thought, 'you're only here for four months... but' again, 'whatever.'

Deaf...? Well, she combined a hearing aid with lip reading.

Her mother had given me her number in case of emergencies... a bit weird I thought because this woman must have been mid 40's... but again, whatever.

Yes, Alcoholic...

It probably was a week before she 'fell off the wagon'... and started screaming... (yep, screaming or maybe wailing would be a better word) usually at night, occasionally in the middle of the day... with her door locked... and her hearing aid out... banging on the door didn't work cos you know, deaf. Calling her cell didn't work because ditto. I lost count the number of times the fire department were called. They would come, break in, find her screaming and completely drunk, almost passed out drunk (but still screaming) in her bedroom...

Bad? It was so bad an ambulance came to take her to the hospital numerous times... but she would just check herself out... find more alcohol... come back up the mountain... drink more... start screaming.

And that car...? Oh yes. I was driving up Big White road one time and I see it half on and half off a forestry road. Apparently she had run out of alcohol, driven into Kelowna, bought more alcohol and then driven off the road... hitch hiked back up to the village, nope not to go home... but to go find more alcohol...

Obviously I realized why her mom had given me her number... I realized why her mom was so angry when I first met them... and I realized why her mom was so angry when she came to pick her up, and take her away...

The Roofer.

'Never rent to roofers.' A number of people had told me. "Ha! What are they talking about? I know roofers, my friend's son is a roofer, those people know nothing."

I cannot remember his real name so I'll call him Jon.

Jon came from Vancouver, had just split with his wife (er those alarm bells didn't ring...) had a contract in Kelowna, needed a place for a few months - great.

The rent.

Jon paid his first month, but his debit card didn't work when he needed to pay his second month... 'his wife had emptied his account' apparently. "Don't worry." He said, "I'll sort it out..." He said... ha! I don't think I saw another penny.

The brother... and his family.

I went to Jon's place; someone else was living there. "Who are you?"

"I'm Dave, my brother said we" (a family of four apparently) "could stay for a while." He said.

"Where is your brother? He's not paid rent."

"He'll be back... tomorrow, a few days, next week... never."

The brother and family seemed really nice... at the start. But after a couple weeks, a month, with no rent  being paid, or electric, gas, insurance, water, cable, internet... I'm getting concerned. I don't want to kick this young family out, but you know, I have my own family to try and support. "You can't just kick renters out." He told me.

"You are not a renter, you're a trespasser... your brother was a renter and he has disappeared back to Vancouver."

"Well, we've go nowhere to go..."

I thought I was really nice to them, I let them stay for months, they never paid any rent... of course they promised numerous times but you know... He told me he was struggling with Bi-polar disorder... okay, but I still cannot afford to support you and your family.

Eventually I convinced them to leave - it was kind of amicable... "we've left some garbage" he told me "sorry". I didn't really care at the time, I just needed him out.

Now you think after parasiting off of me for four months they could at least clean... or even take the garbage down to the garage waste bins... or not steal my furniture... or electronics (x-box and a bunch of games...) you'd think eh?

He called me up all mad "Why did you call the police!??"

"You stole from me."

"Well... you didn't have to call the police!"

"What should I have done? You owe me thousands in rent, thousands in stolen goods, and you're not answering, my calls or emails?"

He promised to return the stolen items... ha!.

But that story didn't end there. A few weeks later after not returning the $1000's of stolen items, he calls me up. "My son left some remote control cars there..." He tells me.

"Pick them up when you bring my stuff back." I suggest.

He's mad again "Can you not send them?!!"

"I'll send them when you send me my stuff, or you pay for it."

And just in case you're wondering... nope I never got anything back, the police never did anything and he never paid me... fun times.

Seasonal Staff.

It is what I started with. Yes I have had some challenging ones but 12 years of as many as 25 properties under management each year... I've decided, they are the best - you guys are the best! I don't rent to anyone but seasonal staff these days.

They are AWESOME!

If you're still reading, thanks! But back to my business model. 

• I rent direct from owners.
• I guarantee the owners rent - my company still pays the owner even if the tenants are delinquent.
• Because I guarantee rent, I am very careful with the tenants I choose. Really? Yep, true story.

Solido Properties Ltd has been renting, owning, buying, selling, managing, renovating, suffering, enjoying, repairing and and and... cleaning... lots... since 2012. If you're looking for an alternative to vacation rentals or looking for longer mid season (5-12 week) bookings. Contact us through our (what you will discover) rubbish website or via email at solidorentals@gmail.com or even through our Facebook page here.

And if you are seasonal staff looking for summer or seasonal rentals, reach out to us too.