Running any type of business often comes with frustrations and challenges, but there are also many rewards. Being in the property management business is no different. We sometimes have situations that leave us baffled, confused and even in fits of laughter. Sometimes these unique situations involve our employees and at other times our tenants. Either way, our team members usually learn a valuable lesson or at the very least share a few good laughs. We’ve had some pretty crazy things happen over the years, but the following stories probably top out as the most bizarre things that we’ve experienced over the last seven years. 1.    One time, a tenant had their power cut off for non-payment of their hydro bill. They were somewhat creative though in that they ran an extension cord out their window and to the eavestrough. They then plugged their cord into the power source where the heat tape goes. After that, they ran cords under their door to the hallway to use the plug to provide power to the unit. These crafty measures allowed them to run a space heater, a microwave oven and their TV…until they received an eviction notice for not staying current with Manitoba Hydro. 2.    Sometimes tenants and their guests are fairly innovative when parking is tight. We’ve seen people park on the lawn or even back their moving trailers right into flower beds! 3.    Vionell Holdings has a number of properties that we look after and quite often it takes a bit of time to get new staff up to speed on where each of the properties is located. One time, a newly hired maintenance team member picked up a work order for a suite which was vacant. The job involved removing the baseboards, patching holes and painting the unit. Unfortunately, he went to the wrong property. When the tenant came home, they found that their unit was in the middle of a renovation!   This error was led to some changes in improving the orientation of our new team members to get more familiar with the properties. 4.    We manage a group of apartments that have locks on the doors that exit out to the balconies. One tenant was barbecuing on their balcony and managed to lock themselves out. They were living on the third floor so they couldn’t just jump the railing to get back in. However, before long they saw someone from their building and asked them to go let them in, but when the person got up the stairs they discovered that the unit door was also locked. The neighbour was kind enough to call the office and fortunately we were able to unlock the door and allow the tenant to finish making their supper, hopefully, it wasn’t too overcooked! 5.    A few years back, our company hired students to mow the lawn at various properties. I recruited a young man that I knew was a hard worker to run the crew, he in turn, recruited a couple of his friends to round out the team. I didn’t know his friends, but they seemed like they would work out ok. My first encounter, however with one of the lads wasn’t quite as positive as I had thought it would be. As I was driving by one of the properties where they were supposed to be cutting the grass; I spotted him lying on his back on the grass, completely engrossed in his cell phone. Thankfully, this was just a small blemish on his five-year summer job run with VHP. Vionell Holdings Partnership (VHP) provides rental housing and property management for an array of residential and commercial customers, including Condominium Management. VHP currently has nearly 4,000 units under management in Manitoba. For more information please visit www.vhproperties.ca. VHP has committed to constructing 128 multifamily residential units in Portage la Prairie that will be ready for occupancy in fall of 2019.

Brandon, MB – With the Christmas season upon us, Brandon Fire & Emergency Services wishes to remind the public of a few important fire prevention tips if your celebrations involve a live Christmas tree. Live Christmas trees are one of the most popular traditions of the season, but can also be one of the most dangerous when it comes to the risk of fire. By following these fire prevention tips, you can help keep your family safe during the holidays: Choose only a fresh Christmas tree.  A dry tree may create a serious fire hazard.  If the needles are shedding or break when gently bent, choose another one. Keep the tree outdoors until you are ready to decorate. When you are ready to put your tree up, make a fresh cut off the bottom of the trunk to allow the tree to absorb water. Put the tree in a sturdy, water-holding stand with wide-spread legs. Keep the stand filled with water the ENTIRE time the tree is indoors. Place the tree away from any heat sources and away from the exits. Unplug all inside and outside Christmas lights or decorations before leaving the house or going to bed. Brandon Fire & Emergency Services wishes you a safe and enjoyable holiday season!

If you’re looking for the best Christmas Light display in Brandon then you owe it to yourself to check out the impressive light and sound show at 239 Princess Ave E. Homeowner, Jason Cross said the show will either start Saturday Dec. 1 or Sunday Dec. 2, 2018 (depending on how final setup went this morning).   This iconic light show features 1,776 lights synchronized to some rocking Christmas tunes coming through your very own car radio (104.1 FM). According to Jason, this year the show is basically the same as last year as he had weeks of work to do after a major software update broke the entire show.  Any donations received will go to Muscular Dystrophy.  A link to their Facebook page can be fund at this link. Sundays - Thursdays: 5pm - 10pm Fridays - Saturdays: 5pm - 11pm  

When we’re kids all we want to do is celebrate more birthday’s and be older than what we are. When we actually become adults, many of us long for the easy, playful, simple days of when we were kids. Adulting is hard. There are always so many things to think about — work responsibilities, relationship commitments, cleaning, maintenance, and bills to pay. One of the biggest challenges can be learning how to manage your finances and keep your bank account balanced. For many, the largest monthly expense when you’re just starting out in the real world is likely rent. There may even be times when the first of the month rolls around and you realize that you don’t have enough money to pay or that you simply forgot to pay the rent. If you’re struggling with making sure that your payments are in on time, here are some tips on how to stay current with your rent and in good standing with the property manager: • If your landlord offers direct withdrawal, sign up (and make sure there is enough funds in the account on the 1st of the month). This not only saves going to the office each month, but it also gives you peace of mind and one less thing to worry about doing. • Offer 12 post-dated cheques that correspond with the term of your lease. • If you are not great at budgeting, consider pre-paying one month’s rent. This way, if you happen to come up short one month, you know that you have that cushion and still have a place to live. If you are going to be late on your rent (we don’t recommend this, but life happens!), try the following: • Call your landlord or property manager as soon as you realize that you may not be able to pay on time. • Offer to pay some of the rent on time or early and make payment arrangements for the balance. • Clear up your outstanding balance as soon as possible or be sure to pay according to the payment plan you developed together.  • Consider getting a second job or working overtime to make sure you won’t be short in the future. • Don’t make being late on your rent a habit. Get professional advice on how to manage your finances or set a budget (and actually stick to it) to ensure you can consistently pay your rent on time. If you are behind on your rent, take responsibility. Some of the worst things you can do are: • Wait for the property manager/landlord to call, email or show up on your doorstep. • Say that you have paid, when you have not. • Say that someone else or an agency is responsible for your rent. • Move out of your apartment without notifying anyone. • Pay with a cheque while knowing that there really are no funds in the account to support it. Vionell Holdings Partnership (VHP) provides rental housing and property management for an array of residential and commercial customers, including Condominium Management. VHP currently has nearly 4,000 units under management in Manitoba. For more information please visit www.vhproperties.ca.

BRANDON, Manitoba, November 8 — Bohemian Rhapsody announces the 3rd Annual A Very Bohemian Christmas Sale.  After two previous successful sales, Bohemian Rhapsody has teamed up with nine other local Artisans and Makers for a unique and “Bohemian” Christmas sale. The sale will consist of ten curated local vendors selling items from jewellery, pottery, children’s clothing, skin care, henna designs and products and home decor.   The event will include free parking, free coat check, free beverages and a Food Truck with great food and coffee for sale.  There will also be a $1 draw with individual prizes from each vendor with proceeds going to Samaritan House in Brandon. “We have put together an eclectic group of artisans and makers and added a Food Truck to this years’ sale to set us apart from some of the other sales in the area.”  Says Karen Numrich of Bohemian Rhapsody. A Very Bohemian Christmas Sale starts at 3:00PM and runs until 8:00pm on Saturday, November 17th.  It is located in the Medallion Room, Building Refit Store, 23 - 12th Street in Brandon. The sale will include vendors; Bohemian Rhapsody, TECK, Lavender Blue Henna, Kunai Kids, C&D Designs, Hazel + Blue Co., Dandy Wee Strings, Gee Natural Skin Care, Naturally Imperfect Concrete, Magpie Pottery & Fine Art. Visitors should use Pacific Avenue and the lanes to access the sale during the Santa Parade (which runs from 5:00pm - 7:00pm).