The Hermes Journal

Notes on never missing a call.

Practical, no-fluff guides for Canadian businesses on AI phone answering, capturing every lead, and turning the calls you used to miss into booked revenue. Written by the team that builds Iris.

01

AI phone answering in Canada

What an AI phone agent actually does, what it costs, and why Canadian businesses are adopting it now.

02

For brokers

How mortgage and real estate brokers lose deals to missed calls, and how to stop it.

03

For property managers

Leasing, maintenance, and after-hours calls: handling the volume without growing the team.

Latest

Recent posts

Buyer education

What to ask before you buy an AI phone agent: a buyer checklist

A practical checklist for buying an AI phone agent: what to ask about pricing, setup, call handling, and fit before you sign anything.

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For brokers

AI receptionist for mortgage brokers in the GTA: a practical guide

A plain guide to using an AI receptionist as a mortgage broker in the GTA: what it should do, what it must never say, and how it captures leads around the clock.

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For property managers

Answering service for property management companies: what actually works

A plain guide to answering services for property management companies in Ontario: what a live service does, where it falls short, and what actually captures leads and triages maintenance.

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AI phone answering

How much does an AI receptionist cost in Canada?

A plain-English breakdown of what an AI receptionist costs in Canada: setup fees, monthly plans, per-minute traps, and how to compare pricing without surprises.

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Compliance

Higher RTA fines and compliance risk: why Ontario landlords need better call documentation

Ontario has raised RTA fines and tightened landlord rules for 2026. Here is why clean call documentation matters, and how it protects you against compliance risk.

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tenant rights

Ontario tenants can install window or portable A/C units: what landlords need to know

Ontario now protects a tenant's right to install a window or portable air conditioner. Here is what landlords and property managers need to know about the rules.

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eviction process

Bill 60’s shortened N4 timeline: what faster rent-arrears workflows mean for landlords

Bill 60 shortens the N4 termination timeline for non-payment of rent in Ontario. Here is what the new N4 notice period means and how landlords should tighten their arrears workflow.

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RTA compliance

Ontario landlords now need the official LTB payment agreement form for rent arrears plans

Ontario landlords now need the official LTB payment agreement form when setting up a rent arrears repayment plan. Here is what changed and what to do.

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Ontario rentals

Tracking maintenance requests without the chaos

A simple way for Ontario landlords and property managers to track rental maintenance requests, keep a clear record, and meet their repair duties under the law.

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AI phone answering

What is an AI phone agent, and how does it actually work

An AI phone agent answers your business calls 24/7, qualifies leads, and books appointments. Here is what it is and how it actually works, in plain terms.

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Toronto compliance

Why Toronto property managers should care about RentSafeTO signs this summer

Toronto is rolling out colour-coded RentSafeTO signs that grade apartment buildings in public. Here is what property managers need to know and how to stay ahead of it.

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Ontario rentals

What Ontario tenants are actually entitled to

A plain guide to tenant rights in Ontario: vital services, repairs, rent increase rules, privacy, and how the Residential Tenancies Act protects renters.

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AI phone answering

AI receptionist vs answering service vs voicemail: a plain comparison

A plain, Canadian comparison of an AI receptionist, a live answering service, and plain voicemail: what each one does with your calls, and which captures the most business.

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Ontario rentals

Last month's rent deposit: what is and is not allowed in Ontario

A plain-language guide to last month's rent deposit rules in Ontario: how much a landlord can collect, what it can be used for, and the interest you owe on it.

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Ontario rentals

The Ontario standard lease and the clauses that matter

A plain guide to the Ontario standard lease: who must use it, the clauses that matter, and how added terms interact with the Residential Tenancies Act.

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Ontario rentals

Tenant screening in Ontario, done right and legally

How to screen tenants in Ontario without breaking human rights law. What you can ask, what you cannot, and where landlords get tripped up.

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For property managers

Why property management offices miss so many owner and tenant calls

Property management offices miss calls because a small team juggles maintenance, showings, and paperwork all at once. Here is why it happens and how to fix it.

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For property managers

After-hours maintenance calls: triaging emergencies without a night shift

How property managers can triage after-hours maintenance emergencies without staffing a night shift, using a clear escalation path and an AI phone agent that answers every call.

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For brokers

AI receptionist or a virtual assistant: which fits your brokerage

An honest comparison of an AI receptionist versus a virtual assistant for mortgage and real estate brokers. Coverage, cost, and which one captures more leads.

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For brokers

After-hours mortgage leads: where they go when you do not answer

When a GTA mortgage lead calls after hours and you do not answer, here is where they actually go, why speed to lead decides the deal, and how to stop losing them.

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Ontario rentals

Ontario's rent increase guideline and how it works

How much can a landlord raise rent in Ontario? A plain guide to the annual rent increase guideline, the rules around it, and the exceptions to know.

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Ontario rentals

A landlord's maintenance and repair obligations under the RTA

What repairs is a landlord responsible for in Ontario? A plain-language guide to your maintenance and repair duties under the Residential Tenancies Act.

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Ontario rentals

How the Landlord and Tenant Board process actually works

A plain-language walkthrough of how the Landlord and Tenant Board works in Ontario: notices, applications, hearings, and orders, so landlords and tenants know what to expect.

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For brokers

How much does a missed call really cost a mortgage broker?

A borrower who hits your voicemail usually just dials the next broker. Here is how to put a real dollar figure on that, using the speed-to-lead research.

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AI phone answering in Canada

AI receptionist vs answering service vs voicemail: a plain comparison

What each one actually does, what it costs, and which one stops you losing customers.

Coming soon
For property managers

After-hours maintenance calls without a 24/7 team

How to triage emergencies and capture leasing leads when the office is closed.

Coming soon
The demo is the proof

Rather hear it than read about it?

Hear how Iris would sound answering your phone. It is free, takes about 15 minutes, and you will hear it live.