Widsten Property Management Inc.

Fantastic experience: Widsten Property Management provides outstanding support to our Longwood Strata Council, ensuring strong management, appropriate budgeting, and smooth day‑to‑day operations. Their guidance is a major reason our community remains so well‑managed and consistently thriving. I want to especially recognize Chris Widsten and Sady McClinton for their leadership, responsiveness, and professionalism. They address concerns promptly and offer clear direction. They obviously help our strata council carry out its responsibilities with confidence and care. As a long‑time condo owner (also in two other cities) who chose Longwood and have watched this company for the past three years, I remain convinced that our community’s success is due in large part to Widsten’s steady, knowledgeable management. Highly recommended.

Fantastic experience: I can’t say enough good things about my experience renting through Widsten Property Management, especially with Tara. From the very beginning, Tara made the entire process feel effortless. She was always kind, approachable, and quick to respond, and I truly felt like she cared about making my rental experience a positive one. Any questions I had were answered promptly, and every interaction was professional, friendly, and reassuring. I’m incredibly grateful for such a positive rental experience and wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Widsten Property Management to anyone looking for a company that treats its tenants with respect and professionalism. Thank you, Tara, for making what could have been a stressful experience such an enjoyable one. It truly made all the difference.

Negative experience: The lady who is the first person you see and interact with when entering this rental management agency is a nasty, rude spirited person. Maybe she is miserable because life sucks for her but bringing it to a place of business and treating humans poorly with nasty looks and rude comments for simply coming to your agency in hopes of finding a decent rental is crazy poor character and horrible business ethics. No smile no good morning even after I said good morning just misery and disgust written all over her face. I asked a simply question because I've never used a rental agency before and she just looked at me like I was stupid..then replies "what are you here for?" I said a rental hopefully she said well maybe start with that then next time! Ummm..I mean you are a rental agency so when I asked how does this all work I'd assume it would be obvious I was there in hopes of getting a rental. Unnecessary nasty behavior and poor selection for the face of a company. Also after going through the reviews it is very clear that the 5 star comments are written by both AI and friends of those running Widsten. Not one reach out to any review under 5 stars to try and understand why people are feeling less than satisfied with Widstens employees and services. It is very clear where the customers of this poorly run business stand. And it is even clearer that the business does not give a damn about their concerns. The CEO should be extremely ashamed.

Fantastic experience: We've been renting through Widsten for more than 15 years. I can't speak highly enough about the company as landlords. Professional, reliable, respectful of tenant rights. Legitimately the best landlords we've ever had

Fantastic experience: I’ve rented through this company for many years and have consistently had a great experience. The team has always been professional, responsive, and accommodating whenever we’ve needed assistance. Maintenance requests were handled promptly, communication was clear, and they genuinely made renting stress-free. It’s refreshing to work with a property management company that treats tenants with respect and care. Highly recommend to anyone looking for a reliable and well-managed rental experience.

Negative experience: Dishonest people who don't know the content of their own lease contracts nor the BC tenancy act based on the interactions I've seen. Avoid

Fantastic experience: Great business, even better people

Fantastic experience: I highly recommend Widsten Property Management. They are reasonable, responsive, and professional in every interaction. Their communication is always timely and the genuine care for us has always been greatly appreciated.

Fantastic experience: I’ve worked indirectly with Widsten and know that they are dedicated to their top-notch service model! They look after their properties, tenants and owners and have a loyal extended local team who, when called, are eager to help! Highly recommended!!!

Negative experience: Worst company to deal with, always slow in responding

Negative experience: Never replies to emails — it’s doing my head in

Negative experience: Don’t trust the review written down by their friends. very unprofessional, lack of the communication, and response so so slowly, always try to pretend they can resolve the issue but never did. sososo bad!!

Fantastic experience: I would highly recommend Widsten Property Management. Very helpful and nice in dealing with them.

Fantastic experience: We recently sold our rental home in Nanaimo. For the last eight plus years we’ve been very fortunate to have Widsten Property Management to find us tenants, and maintain the property when things arise. In the whole time Widsten has managed the property we’ve felt confident they could maintain the property, while meeting the needs of the tenants who occupied the home. This maintenance of the home included clearing gutters of leaves, weeding and pruning trees and shrubs, painting, repairing plumbing fixtures, a dishwasher leak that flooded the kitchen floor and needed attaining to immediately! They even put our tenants up in a hotel for a night, while they arranged plumbers and helped us with the insurance agency. We would like to thank Tara who even spent time choosing a kitchen laminate floor replacement for us! While most years were not so drastic as a flood, we appreciated their quick hands on approach to managing the property and never did we feel that they left us hanging, or our tenants. One time, while applying for insurance with a new insurer, we needed photos of the property fast. Tara was quick to respond to our request once again. Tara you are really indispensable. Thank you to all the staff as well - Jessica thank you for sending statements during tax time when I couldn’t find a month I needed while preparing for our accountant. Lastly, thank you Steve Widsten, doing the walk through while selling the place. It was so nice to see you again Steve, after a number of years. Your calm, professionalism demeanour has not change a bit! We wish you and your team all the best and wouldn’t hesitate to recommend your property managent business to a friend or acquaintance.

Fantastic experience: We are approaching the end of our first year of working with Widsten Property Management as our Strata Management Company and we couldn’t be happier and more grateful for having made the change! Thanks to Chris Widsten and his kind and competent Property Management Team the transition was seamless - they made it easy for us. They are a breath of fresh air and an absolute pleasure to work with. Professional, knowledgeable, practical, efficient, effective and caring! Those are only a few of the words that come to mind when describing Chris and his Team. Thank you Widsten for being there for us every step of the way. You are the best!

Fantastic experience: I have been involved in our strata at Longwood for just two years now and I am so impressed with the services of Widsten Property Management. Any issues that arise are dealt with quickly and thoughtfully. They always have the property's best interest to keep things on budget. Thank you for always having an open door to communication.

Negative experience: Widsten Property Management is the worst property management company in our city. They sorely lack communication skills and the ability to run a business. If you are paying strata fees to Widsten, you will not be getting what you are paying for. Simply put, it is a cash grab. The people here who gave rave reviews would have been paid to do so. None of what they are writing is the reality. Avoid any dealings with Widsten if at all possible.

Negative experience: Unprofessional, and unethical. One PM sends emails in all caps, and the owner doesn't care. Mistreating clients is normal for these people and they have no comprehension about proper procedure, or relevant legal framework. It is a bizarre company.

Fantastic experience: As a tenant of property managed by Widsten I cannot say how first class our treatment has been from this group. Great communication, prompt action to property issues, First class . Gold medal to tara especially for her work . Great company . Good team

Fantastic experience: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Widsten Property Managers have been absolutely outstanding! Their professionalism, fairness, and genuine care for their tenants shine through in every interaction. They are not only incredibly efficient and expedient in addressing any concerns or requests, but they also go above and beyond to ensure their tenants feel valued and supported. It's clear that Widsten Property Managers take pride in providing top-notch service, and their attentiveness and thoughtfulness have made our experience smooth and stress-free. It's rare to find a property management company that balances professionalism with such a personal touch, and we are so grateful to have been in their care. Highly recommend to anyone seeking reliable and considerate property managers in Nanaimo. Check out the rental listings on theor website. Thank you, Widsten, for setting the gold standard in property management!

Fantastic experience: Widsten Property Management is the best landlord I've ever had. As a renter, I was respected, and all problems that came up were solved immediately. My rental was my home, and everyone in the company knew that. They were all kind, and accessible, especially Tara, who was always there for me. I highly recommend this company.

Fantastic experience: Great group of people. Easy to deal with.

Negative experience: The worst management companies I dealt with

Positive experience: Really responsive to issues at the rental. Great people to deal with. Easy rental payment system each month. I would rent from them again.

Negative experience: Sent in an application, and have tried to contact them directly with multiple emails, but no response... the property I was interested in has been listed for almost 2 months, and they just dropped the price of $100.. when I would have gladly paid what they originally asked for it.. I'm sure the owner of this property would be very upset if they found out this management company isn't doing their due diligence.

Fantastic experience: Casual

Fantastic experience: Best rental management team we've ever dealt with.

Fantastic experience: Fantastic Company! Friendly owners who care about their properties. Very well managed. Would highly recommend!

Fantastic experience: Best property management company in town!

Fantastic experience: Despite dealing with a multitude of personalities with divergent agendas, in my opinion the Widsten Management team is effective at cutting the BS and representing the best interests of the majority of people involved. There isn’t a family business working to support their community who cares more and wants the best more so

Fantastic experience: Widsten Property Management managed the rental of my condo for almost 20 years. When I took personal possession, I was shocked how clean it was. My wife says the only time she has seen an oven so clean is when it was new. Further, I was also pleasantly surprised at how good the condition of the condo was given it has been rented for over 30 years. For my transition, Widsten also helped arrange the painting of the condo and the team he referred did a very good job. Another example of how Widsten has gone "the extra mile" even when no longer managing my place. I thank Steve and his good team.

Fantastic experience: We have rented through this company for about 15 years and have really only one regret, that we very sadly, have to move... Thank you to Steve and everyone at Widsten for their patience, understanding and helpful advice on our upcoming move.

Negative experience: Dealing with this company has been a horrible experience and no matter how many times I asked for help with the issues I was dealing with in my suite there was nothing ever done. Do not make the same mistake I did using this company and trusting that they had any of my interests in mind. Also if you read their bad reviews they are all the same, bad service. Funny how they try and drown out bad reviews with FAKE contractors that work for them adding reviews. Place is a joke that rips off people in our city.

Positive experience: Very knowledgeable, helpful, staff.

Fantastic experience: I have worked with a lot of property management firms in the last decade in Nanaimo and Widsten has maintained an excellent reputation for good service with my real estate clients.

Fantastic experience: I have been the strata president of a large property for over 11 years now... We have found Widsten Property Management to be quite good. Very knowledgeable and professional. They have a very friendly and courteous staff and Chris himself is excellent... Highly recommended!

Fantastic experience: Having dealt with many different property management's over the years.. Widsten Properties works the hardest and fairest in handling of the properties they oversee. They always get back to you with a response. There is a reason you may not like their answer, but they take the time to explain why ! I wish myself and others had the patience and understanding as they do. Kudos to them.

Fantastic experience: I deal with Property Management Companies every day and if I could give a 10 star rating to Chris and his employees at Widsten I would! They bend over backwards to help, professional, knowledgeable and they make my job easier!!! 10 stars!!!!!! Fantastic company!!

Fantastic experience: Great people

Fantastic experience: This is the best property management company I e dealt with, willing to work with my crazy work hours, always professional and easy to relate to! 100% recommend using them to find your next rental!!!

Fantastic experience: Widsten Property Management is a family business that treats you like family...including work family Having been a renter in Nanaimo for 23 years and a tenant under Widsten for the last seven years, my only regret is not having been a tenant of Widsten sooner. If you are a reasonable tenant, they respond with treating you like you are their ONLY tenant, going above and beyond their obligation...at times even improving your place...WITHOUT BEING ASKED! (Their main competition in Nanaimo is the exact opposite, having a long history of tenant abuses...of which I personally experienced in extreme form) As a whole Widsten is understated, exacting and empathetic and extremely professional, but delivered with a kind approach. Try them and you'll see. Tim Cassidy

Negative experience: Applied to no avail.

Fantastic experience: Professional, prompt, knowledgeable and courteous.

Fantastic experience: I highly recommend Widsten Property Management. As a investment property owner it is nice to know that my investment is in great hands. The screening and process of the applicants is top notch. I feel comfortable knowing I do not need to worry. Thank Tara for being one of the best in the business.

Fantastic experience: Great people and very helpful

Fantastic experience: My partner and I have begun renting with Widsten recently. Our place is an older character/heritage style house which of course comes with a few issues here and there after years of being lived in. These issues have ranged from minor (small issues with a power outlet) to fairly major (washer/dryer needing to be replaced and an area of flooring also needing to be replaced). Regardless of the severity, all these issues have been taken to heart and addressed immediately. I am very impressed with their response time, attentiveness, and professionalism. Tara in particular has been an absolute delight to deal with! We feel truly heard and valued by Widsten. The team has been wonderful and diligently work with the home owner to ensure we are taken care of and the property is properly maintained. While it is still early in our tenancy and dealing with Widsten, we are already very impressed and pleased with this company and the staff we have dealt with so far. Based on what we have experienced thus far, I highly recommend Widsten if you are looking to rent. Thank you to both Tara and Lindsay for all they have done for us thus far, and for what they continue to do!

Fantastic experience: I live in a large Widsten managed strata. Excellent service! Fiscal responsibility and top of the line maintenance.

Fantastic experience: Widsten Property Management has been the property management company for Pacifica, where I own a condo, since 2011. They are a very professional company and have done an excellent job , having a great staff working for them who well with all of the Strsta Council members. The company has been responsive to the needs and requirements necessary to make Pacifica a great place to live

Fantastic experience: I would like to extend my gratitude to Widsten Property Management staff and especially Chris for their professional and competent manner in dealing with our strata complex. I’m relatively new to the strata council and in all my dealings with Chris and his staff they have been friendly, willing to help and are very efficient in getting things done. Our meetings are professionally run and Chris’s knowledge of strata rules and regulations is outstanding. I would highly recommend Widsten Property Management.

Fantastic experience: I am an owner in a Strata that is managed by Widsten Property Management. The Widsten team is everything I would hope for, and expect in a PM company. The entire staff are very competent, respectful and professional. In my opinion, Chris is a Property Manager that all others could be measured by. He is courteous, efficient and above all else, VERY knowledgeable, as it pertains to Strata rules and the Act. I highly recommend this company to any Strata, looking for a Property Manager.

Fantastic experience: Tara at Winston was an awesome landlord! Always responded as quick as she could, and also same day maintenance. They are there when you need them.

Fantastic experience: I have rented from Widsten for almost two years...and I have been very impressed with their response time whenever I have had any concerns, as my issues have always been addressed in a timely, professional manner. As such I would highly recommend them and have truly appreciated their service level and follow up.

Negative experience: Weird rules for renters, avoid at all costs.

Negative experience: Their "process" to rent to someone is a total joke. Your "application" to see a property is meant for someone who actually may want to live there!! All that info to VIEW a property??? That you might not even WANT to rent in the end??? That's over the top too much info to ask for as far as I'm concerned. Only to have to go to a group showing?? It should be the first come first served rule. Go through one, if they're suitable and the owner agrees, that's it! If not, on to the next in line. Only one family/person will live there in the end anyways. The process is unfair in that I believe they are hand picking who they want from a group. I think it's a lie that the owner chooses the renter. What are they going to do? Go through all the applications themselves? That's what they hired a property manager to do! And then they get to hear the property management's opinion on who they think is best. Come on!!

Fantastic experience: Widsten managed an investment property for us for several years. They were very professional and found us quality tenants. We just sold the property and I was really impressed with the way they helped ease the sale process both with the tenant and our real estate agent. I highly recommend working with them!

Negative experience: The receptionist Eileen was unfathomably rude, to the point where this is the first review I have ever written in my entire life. I called back to return a missed call from them. The receptionist abruptly responds "check your voicemail, as I have no idea which agent to pass you off to, we have many" then hangs up the phone no words. Now it gets worse. I call back to ask "why the application didn't get approved i.e. is it up to the owner or the?..." (as I would like to know because I have great credit, and my fiancé and I can by far afford the place) She cuts me off again, talks over me, then hangs up the phone. Completely blown away at the whole entire situation, I call back and to calmly let her know that it is extremely rude to a) hang up on people and b) to talk over people when their talking. So, you'll never guess what she does next. Yes, talks over me and says "well there's nothing to say to you" and hangs up on me AGAIN. Widsten Property Mgmt your receptionist is the face of your company, and this horrendously ill-trained, ill-mannered woman in my professional opinion has to go.

Negative experience: DO NOT RENT FROM THIS COMPANY. THIS COMPANY IS FULL OF MONEY HUNGRY SCAMMERS WHO DO NOT CARE ABOUT YOUR WELL BEING. I lived at a home for 1 year and was constantly harassed. I had a roommate that was a drug addict and it took them 5 months to have him removed despite the evidence constantly sent to them. Trying to do inspections with no notice, showing up to the house unannounced, doing work on the property with no notice or privacy. The gave me a notice to vacate and that if I didn't respond that I had 30 days to leave. I accepted their notice and they handed me another piece of paper saying I still owe them rent despite accepting their first notice. They kept myy damage deposit despite there being no damage. They stole 1325$ of my money and refused to return it. Steve and Lindsey Widsten are criminals, the entire Widsten family deserves to be in prison. They are lying cheating scammers who only care about money and themselves.

Fantastic experience: Great place to find your next .

Fantastic experience: Good company to work with!

Fantastic experience: Our Strata has been with Chris for a few years now. Our property has improved significantly since we hired him. He always provides sound advice and guidance as we work within the bounds of the Strata Act. Our finances are in good shape as we grind our way through depreciation report items needing attention. Our regular meetings are always well organized and productive. Highly recommended. Thanks Chris for outstanding service!

Fantastic experience: Dealt with many rental companies in Nanaimo and this one is by far the best. They are very professional and always willing to go the extra mile! Thanks so much Widsten Property Management!

Fantastic experience: Great company to rent from. Very professional and friendly. I would highly recommend them to anyone in the rental market.

Fantastic experience: The Widstens are great people to rent from. I rented houses and condos for most of my life, usually with Widsten, and they never raised my rent and always treated me fairly, so fairly that we were able to buy our own house because we were able to save money. Also, they are always really great at fixing any problems!

Negative experience: This company is horrible, avoid them at ALL costs! I once trusted Widsten with one of my previous properties and my experience was extremely unpleasant. I had more than $6000,00 in tenenant damages and this company returned the entire damage deposit back to the tenant. Also, I trusted them to set the rental amount, after further investigations, I found that the company had set the rent 25% below market value. So with a loss of about $18,000 in lost revenue, and more than $6,000 in tenant damages, I estimate that Widsten cost me more than $24,000 over a span of 5 years.

Negative experience: Need to learn how to help people

Positive experience: so far so good. may need to ask twice sometimes but things do get done. update: sometimes you have to ask more often and sometimes you just don't get a response. Keep asking. Ongoing issue at my place with other tenants breaking rules.

Negative experience: Worst service I have ever seen. Impossible to get a response back. They manage a building in south nanaimo that is over run with drug addicts and crime. Take your sign down

Fantastic experience: I have had nothing but GREAT services, If there is ANY problems Tara and Jim are on the BALL...Much appreciate the energetic, quick and efficient problem solving skills ..The staff are friendly, helpful and always answer my questions and concerns.. A huge RAVE to you ALL ..A special one to Tara for being nothing but accommodating when I've hit a snag! Merry Christmas ..:)

Negative experience: My roomate and I really wanted an affordable place and had money in the bank to afford it for months. Being in transition from leaving squamish (due to the school year starting) we didn't have a job lined up. We dealt with Lindsey, who didn't like the idea of us not having worked lined up already and never gave us a call back, despite repeated attempts to hear a definite yes or no. Lindsey is a superficial moron, with no concept of how the world works. I would not recommend this company to anyone as it has employees like Lindsey in it.

Fantastic experience: Excellent Property Managers. Professional and very knowledgeable. Highly recommend them to manage your rentals!

Negative experience: Dealing with this company has been nothing but pain, and I begin to suspect there may have been more than simple negligence here. They have done nothing for our property or for us. They selected awful tenants, and then allowed our house and garden to get ruined by these tenants without ever inspecting it. They also refused to take any action when we finally traveled 9,000 Km to inspect the property ourselves. Our property took thousands of dollars worth of damage. Some elements were stolen, appliances were damaged or taken, the yard and all our trees were dry and dead, the fence had been broken and this company did nothing but make excuses for the tenants. The company did not even claim any of the damage deposit. I suspect they may have rented our property to a personal friend or family member, at a very low price, as some sort of personal favor. We have, thankfully, terminated our relationship with this company and won't be dealing with them again. I would recommend to stay away from this company to manage your property. They don't care about your property and they will not be on your side if there is any kind of trouble. They have not been, for us.

Negative experience: I cannot believe this company calls itself a Property Management company. I want property owners to realize how lame this company is. I submitted a Rental Application for a property on a Thursday morning. I was immediately emailed that a property manager would contact me in a couple of days. It is now a Tuesday afternoon and still no one has contacted me. What's worse....On Monday, I was viewing another property on the same street, and I contacted Widsten about the possibility of viewing the property I had submitted an application for as it was just down the street from the other property I was viewing. I was viewing the other property at 6 pm, so I said either 5:30 or 6:15 would be great. I was told they only show properties between 9:00 am and 4:00 pm - business hours. I asked what about if you're working. They responded "somehow people manage." Whatever happened to customer service? They should be trying to make it convenient for the client, not the other way around.

Negative experience: Garbage company to deal with the people who are in charge of viewings are worse then lame horses ....if they represent and are the face of the company no wonder people of the city of nanaimo can't stand WIDSTON PROPERTIES . Needless to say I will never recommend this property management company to anyone .

Fantastic experience: good property rentals they have !!!

Fantastic experience: I have rented from widsten for 2 years.. Amazing service, understanding and when there is a problem they fix it ASAP. Great rental company!!

Fantastic experience: The BEST property management company in Nanaimo!! I have been dealing with Widsten for over two years and in that time the service has been exceptional. They are genuine and treat both the tenants and the property owners with courtesy and respect. I have always received a prompt and relevant response to any question or concern. They are very courteous and friendly. I wish all property management companies conducted themselves with the same integrity and principles.

Negative experience: this company is corrupt, avoid renting from these people. They do bad business

Fantastic experience: Nanaimo's best property management company in my opinion. From a landlord' perspective, this company puts a real effort into finding quality tenants. I often recommend them to my clients. WES SMITH, REALTOR®, RE/MAX OCEAN POINTE