Guiding Principles
Professional responsibility and integrity will guide our decisions and actions.
We support the industry’s interests through appropriate representation, education and support services to our members.
About
Mission Statement
The Calgary Residential Rental Association provides a voice for the residential rental industry and provides professional services and learning opportunities for our members.
Vision Statement
The Calgary Residential Rental Association is committed to promoting and enhancing the residential rental industry by providing quality, professional leadership.
Meet Our Team
Wayne Morishita
Executive Director
Wayne Morishita is the Executive Director of the Calgary Residential Rental Association (CRRA), Alberta’s largest association representing the residential rental housing industry. With more than 30 years of leadership experience across the corporate, agency, and non-profit sectors, Wayne has built a reputation for bringing people together to solve complex challenges and advance industry priorities.
Before joining CRRA, Wayne served as Executive Director of the Alberta Continuing Care Association and the Alberta Energy Efficiency Alliance, where he successfully advocated on behalf of members, fostered strategic partnerships, and led initiatives that delivered meaningful results. Throughout his career, he has worked closely with industry leaders, government, and community stakeholders to build consensus and create positive change.
Wayne is passionate about supporting a strong and sustainable rental housing industry through advocacy, education, collaboration, and member engagement.
Sarah Harrison
Financial and Event Manager | Director of Marketing
With over 18 years of experience in event management, financial operations, and marketing strategy, Sarah Harrison is a seasoned professional who brings a wealth of expertise to her role as the Event and Financial Manager and Director of Marketing at the Calgary Residential Rental Association (CRRA). Sarah plays a pivotal role in overseeing the association’s events, managing financial responsibilities, and leading marketing initiatives that enhance CRRA’s visibility and support its mission within Calgary’s residential rental sector.
Throughout her career, Sarah has honed her ability to plan and execute a wide range of events—from educational seminars to large-scale events – ensuring each is impactful, well-organized, and tailored to the needs of CRRA’s members. She also oversees budgeting and financial operations, ensuring resources are used efficiently to support CRRA’s long-term objectives.
With nearly two decades of experience, Sarah’s combined expertise in event management, financial oversight, and marketing makes her an invaluable asset to the CRRA, where she is dedicated to advancing the association’s initiatives and supporting the success of its members.
Nikki Petrowitz
Administrator and Communications Coordinator
Nikki is the effervescent and gregarious first contact for many at the CRRA office and manages the phones, emails, and communications for the association. Many members have come to rely on her knowledge and friendly demeanor in discussing their landlord business & issues. Nikki is also one of the RTA Course instructors and also presents to community groups throughout the Calgary area.
She and her husband, along with their four cats, moved to Alberta from Vancouver Island in 2013, and her hobbies include reading, sightseeing, and gaming.
Board of Directors
Brandon Lord
President
District Manager,
Realstar Corp.
Shamon Kureshi
Vice President
President & CEO
Hope Street Management Corporation
Johnson Ieong
Secretary
Managing Partner
Fenix Engineering
Marlys Jordan
Treasurer
Chief Executive Officer
Calgary Heritage Housing
Jeffrey Klaus
Director
Vice President, Asset Management & Development
Boardwalk REIT
Kimberly Leriger
Director
Vice President, Residential Operations
Quadreal Residential Properties
Todd Main
Director
Regional Property Manager
BGO Properties
David McIlveen
Director
President
Apartment Life Canada
Graeme Mitchell
Director
Senior Vice President, Operations for Southern Region
Avenue Living Communities
Christopher M.A. Souster
Director
Partner
Nimmons Law Office
Josh Weber
Director
Principal
Northern Property Tax Advisors
CRRA Landlords Guide To Success
The Landlord Business
Are you ready to be in it?
Preparation is key in business, and being a landlord is no exception. Whether managing your property or working with a property manager, knowing the rules and having the right documentation are essential for success. The CRRA equips Members with the tools to navigate the Residential Tenancies Act of Alberta and understand their rights and responsibilities.
- Will you be managing your rental property yourself or be hiring a property manager?
- Are you aware of the laws that govern rental properties?
- What are the tax implications for having a rental property?
- Do you have proper landlord insurance for your property?
How the CRRA can help
Tenant Screening & Due Diligence
Do you know who you are renting to?
Why bother with tenant screening? Improper or a lack of tenant screening is often the cause of most tenancy issues. Your rental property is valuable – why would you not want to know who you’re renting to? Tenant screening can vary from confirming their employment to conducting a credit check, and our resources can help you figure out what you should be doing.
- Why are tenant credit checks essential for your business?
- How should you check references?
- What can you do with the information you collect?
How the CRRA can help
Business Management
Are you prepared with the right information?
Now that you’re a landlord, how do you manage your rental business? Improving your business acumen can help you in determining many things, including what the rent should be and what processes you should implement for successful tenancies. The CRRA can show you the best business practices to help you make the best decisions for your business.
- Do you know how to market and advertise your rental property?
- How and when should you increase the rent?
- Do you have a process for collecting rent and other monies?
- What other fees should you consider collecting?
How the CRRA can help
Security Deposits
Do you know the rules?
Collecting, holding, and returning the security deposit incorrectly is one of the biggest mistakes you can make as a landlord. The CRRA’s resources can help you know and understand the rules surrounding security deposits so that you don’t end up paying the price later.
- What is the difference between a security deposit and a damage deposit?
- Collecting, holding & returning: what are the requirements for each?
- Are security deposits mandatory?
- What is the security deposit for?
How the CRRA can help
Property Inspections
Why are these important?
Inspections are a corner stone in the landlord’s business – they are important and, in some cases, required. Routine Inspections can help you avoid costly repairs and keep a keen eye on your properties. The CRRA is here to give you the knowledge about your rights and responsibilities for your property inspections.
- What are move-in and move-out inspections?
- What are your rights as a landlord to inspect your rental property?
- Is there a reason for doing routine inspections?
- Why are cleaning lists and setting expectations important?
How the CRRA can help
Rental Leases
Why do you need a proper lease agreement?
A lease agreement puts the terms of your agreement with your tenant on paper and also protects you and your rental property. Having a comprehensive lease that you use correctly can help you avoid costly mistakes and hold your tenant accountable. But what can you put in a lease? The CRRA’s forms and resources can point you in the right direction.
- Is your lease valid in Alberta?
- Will your lease stand up in court?
- Do you know the difference between a fixed term and a periodic lease?
- Do you know what you can add to your lease?
How the CRRA can help
Landlord & Tenant Relationship
Why is it so important to manage it?
You may be a nice person, but are you being a good landlord? Are you fair, firm, and friendly but have made it clear that you’re not your tenant’s friend? Setting expectations and boundaries can help you go from someone who allows bad tenant habits to form (like consistently late rent) to having a good rapport with your tenants.
- What are the rights and rights responsibilities of landlords and tenants?
- Why should you have a process for managing relationships with your tenants?
- Do you know how to set proper relationship boundaries & clearly defined expectations?
- Why is proper documentation so important?
How the CRRA can help
Tenancy and Property Problems
Do you know how to deal with them?
Do you know what to do when there’s a problem in your rental property? Not only should you have your own processes in place to handle the different issues that can come up, but you should also know what you’re required to do in those situations. The CRRA can help you better understand the steps and offer guidance through common tenancy and property problems.
- What are your strategies for dealing with tenancy problems like unpaid rent?
- How do you deal with property damage?
- Do you know your rights regarding cannabis and smoking in your rental property?
- What maintenance is the landlord responsible for?
How the CRRA can help
Ending the Tenancy
How many ways are there to end it?
An eviction is one way a tenancy can end, but how many more ways are there? A tenancy ending is not always a difficult process and can be very amicable if you know your way through it. The CRRA offers educational courses and support to help you better understand how to end a tenancy properly.
- Do you know how to end a tenancy?
- When would an eviction be appropriate?
- How does a tenant end their lease?
- What do you do if your tenant has abandoned the property?