Case Study

Heritage Triplex Management in Plateau-Mont-Royal: From Chaos to Profit

How strategic coordination transformed a century-old building into a well-managed, profitable rental property

The Situation

Sarah owned a century-old triplex on rue Saint-Denis - three units, exterior staircases, original hardwood, and masonry that had been collecting maintenance issues for years. Two units were chronically vacant due to slow turnaround between tenants. The third unit had a long-term tenant, but minor maintenance requests kept piling up because Sarah didn't have reliable contractors who understood heritage buildings. July 1st came around, and coordinating three moves simultaneously was a nightmare. She was losing money on every vacancy and spending evenings fielding tenant complaints about slow repairs.

Our Approach

Jones started with a comprehensive assessment: we identified deferred maintenance, prioritized critical repairs using contractors who specialize in period construction, and created a maintenance schedule aligned with the building's actual needs (not guesswork). We established clear move-in/move-out protocols to minimize vacancy between tenants. For the ongoing tenant, we set up a responsive maintenance system so requests got handled within 48 hours. We created a communication system between the three tenants about shared spaces - the courtyard and back lane. Most importantly, we built relationships with three specialized contractors: one for masonry and exterior work, one for plumbing (original cast-iron risers), and one for hardwood floor refinishing.

The Results

68%

Vacancy Reduced

From average 3 months per turnover to 1 month through efficient coordination

+22%

Rental Income

Properties in better condition command higher rents; all units now consistently rented

-15%

Maintenance Costs

Proactive maintenance costs less than emergency repairs; preventative work catches issues early

Why this matters in Plateau-Mont-Royal

Plateau-Mont-Royal is defined by heritage buildings like this one. What many owners don't realize is that these properties aren't more expensive to manage - they're just different. The key is having contractors who understand century-old materials and building systems, and staying on top of preventative maintenance so small issues don't become catastrophes. Tenants in the Plateau also expect fast turnaround during July 1st moves, and the market moves quickly. Sarah went from losing money on vacancies to filling units within weeks. The neighborhood's character is her asset - it's also what makes expertise so valuable.

"I was spending my evenings managing tenant complaints and worrying about my vacancy rate. Jones turned it around - my units fill faster, tenants are happier, and I actually get to keep my weekends back."

Sarah M.

Triplex Owner, Plateau-Mont-Royal

Key Takeaways

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Heritage buildings need specialists, not generalists. Finding contractors who understand 100-year-old construction is half the battle.
✓
Coordinating moves during July 1st peak season requires planning weeks in advance, not last-minute scrambling.
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Proactive maintenance costs less and keeps tenants happier than reactive repairs.
✓
Responsive maintenance (48-hour turnaround) reduces tenant turnover and increases rent-to-market pricing.
✓
Properties in better condition attract and retain higher-quality tenants.

Your Property Could Tell a Similar Story

If you own a heritage building in the Plateau - whether it's a duplex, triplex, or converted loft - there's almost certainly money being left on the table through slow turnarounds, deferred maintenance, and reactive management. We can audit your property, identify opportunities, and build a management plan that works with your building's character, not against it. The Plateau's character is valuable. Your management should match that value.

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Services we offer in Plateau-Mont-Royal

Triplex Management in Plateau Duplex Management in Plateau Property Maintenance in Plateau Move Coordination in Plateau

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