What automating a large portfolio actually looks like

Every part of managing a large rental portfolio, from listing a unit to collecting rent, now ties into a specific liv.rent integration. Webhooks, XML feeds, RentSync, Buildium, Yardi, Zapier, Rhenti, Leasey.AI, and the Developer API each automate one link in the chain, connecting liv.rent to the tools a landlord already runs so listings and leads move automatically instead of by hand.

How liv.rent integrations plug into your existing dashboard

Every liv.rent integration connects to a specific point in a landlord’s day to day workflow rather than replacing it. Enterprise users keep their landlord dashboard and digital tools as the home base, while Webhooks, XML feeds, Zapier, Buildium, Yardi, and the Developer API each automate one part of the process running underneath it, as outlined in liv.rent’s own integrations guide. A dedicated account manager handles the technical setup for every integration; a landlord only needs to share API, XML, or Yardi credentials to get started.

Listing creation and multi channel marketing

For a portfolio spread across dozens of buildings, listing accuracy is the first process worth automating. Depending on which system a landlord already runs, liv.rent offers several paths to bring that listing in automatically: a custom XML feed, a RentSync connection, the Developer API, a sync through Rhenti or Leasey.AI, or a direct pull from Buildium or Yardi. Whichever path fits a landlord’s existing stack, the result is the same: unit details, availability, photos, and pricing update on liv.rent the moment they change at the source, instead of someone re-entering the same listing by hand a second time.

Tenant screening and lead response: Webhooks and Zapier

Once a listing is live, speed of response becomes the next bottleneck. A Webhook fires the instant a new application or lead comes in, and a connected Zap sends it straight to a landlord’s CRM or task manager, so every inquiry lands in one central system of the landlord’s choosing without anyone copying it over by hand. Trust Score screening happens separately, inside liv.rent: because it draws on sensitive information like credit summaries, income verification, and risk assessment, that data stays on the platform rather than being exported to a connected CRM or other tool. A landlord reviews the Trust Score within liv.rent itself, then acts on that decision in whichever system they’ve centralized their leads.

From application to signed lease

Once an applicant is approved, the lease itself can be created, sent, and signed through liv.rent’s digital lease agreements, with both signatures collected in the same chat thread as the application. This step lives entirely within liv.rent and does not depend on a third party integration. Once the lease is signed, rent collection runs through liv.rent as well, accepted by credit card or UnionPay directly through the platform.

Scaling automation across a multifamily portfolio

At enterprise scale, no single integration carries a portfolio on its own. Multifamily operators, student housing managers, and REITs typically combine several at once: XML feeds, RentSync, Rhenti, Leasey.AI, Buildium, and Yardi for bringing listings in from a landlord’s existing systems, Webhooks and Zapier for centralizing lead flow into a CRM, and the Developer API for anything that does not fit an off the shelf connector. liv.rent’s Enterprise plan is built specifically around this combination for operators managing hundreds of units across multiple properties. Landlords who want the fuller picture beyond integrations, including screening, applications, and lease management, can start with liv.rent’s landlords guide, then reach out to the liv.rent team directly to confirm enterprise access.

The post How landlords with large portfolios automate processes using liv.rent integrations appeared first on liv.rent blog.

What is Multi-platform Advertising?

Multi-platform advertising from liv.rent is a convenient marketing solution for busy landlords. Available as part of our Growth and Business plans for landlords or on an add-on basis through our Credit Usage system, Multi-platform Advertising involves sharing your listing to Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, and other platforms, with our team managing all inquiries from these platforms and directing applicants back to liv.rent where you can message them directly and sign a lease.

Benefits of Multi-platform Advertising

For landlords looking to find qualified tenants fast, Multi-platform Advertising is an affordable and efficient solution that helps cut down on your time spent posting listings and responding to inquiries.

Here are some of the main benefits of Multi-platform Advertising:

1. Increased Visibility: By utilizing Multi-platform Advertising, landlords can significantly expand the reach of their property listings. Sharing listings on popular platforms like Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist ensures that the properties are seen by a wider audience, increasing the chances of finding suitable tenants.
2. Time Savings: Instead of manually posting listings on multiple platforms and managing inquiries separately, our team will handle everything seamlessly to save you time. Landlords can focus on other aspects of managing their properties while we take care of the advertising.
3. Centralized management: liv.rent acts as a centralized ‘hub’ for managing inquiries from various sources. Landlords no longer need to juggle between different platforms to respond to inquiries and track applications. From listing to signing and receiving rent payments, everything can be done through liv.rent – providing a hassle-free experience.
4. Better applicant experience: Applicants will submit their application directly on liv.rent, which has numerous benefits for renters such as built-in safety features and a centralized inbox for communicating with landlords. Landlords benefit from a more qualified applicant pool as only interested renters will apply through their liv.rent listing.
5. Cost-Effectiveness: Multi-platform Advertising offers excellent value for landlords. Compared to traditional advertising methods or hiring third-party services, this affordable solution allows landlords to reach a broader audience without breaking the bank.

How to find tenants with Multi-platform Advertising

Landlords can easily utilize this time-saving feature by upgrading their pricing plan or purchasing and redeeming add-on credits through the platform. Here, we’ll walk you through the different ways landlords can unlock Multi-platform Advertising.

Upgrading your landlord plan

In addition to a free Essentials plan, liv.rent offers Growth and Business plans for landlords looking to further automate their rental process and grow their business. These premium plans include access to Multi-platform Advertising, plus other tools like Trust Score tenant screening reports, lease protection addendums, and multiple user seats.

To upgrade your landlord plan, simply head to liv.rent/pricing to compare plans and features, then select ‘Get Started’ under the plan that best fits your needs. Then, you can either upgrade your profile or create a new account to get started with your new plan. In terms of Multi-platform Advertising credits, Growth users receive 2 credits per month, while Business users receive 6 per month.

For any pricing inquiries or to request a demo, feel free to get in touch with us at sales@liv.rent.

Purchasing add-on credits

The other way landlords can unlock Multi-platform Advertising is through a new flexible Credit Usage system. Through this system, landlords can purchase single-use credits for a variety of premium liv.rent features including Sponsored Listings, Trust Score tenant screening reports, and Multi-platform Advertising.

Here’s a step-by-step walkthrough of how to purchase and redeem credits on liv.rent:

1. Post a listing & get verified

To get started with Multi-platform Advertising, you’ll first need to ensure you have an active liv.rent listing. Posting a listing is completely free with an Essentials plan.

You’ll also need to make sure that both your profile and listing are verified before you can use Multi-platform Advertising. Getting verified is easy and your personal information is stored securely throughout the process and deleted once verification is complete

2. Navigate to the Credit Usage page and purchase credits

Find the Credit Usage Page on the left-hand side of your screen while logged in to liv.rent. From here, simply navigate to the ‘Rental Advertising’ section to find Multi-platform Advertising. Here, you can purchase credits or click ‘Learn more’ for more information on any add-on features.

Activating Multi-platform Advertising

Once you’ve either upgraded your landlord plan or purchased add-on credits, you’re ready to activate Multi-platform Advertising for your listing.

From the Credit Usage page, click ‘Use Credit’.

Select the listing you’d like shared.

Customize the platforms you’d like your listing shared to, and select the duration.

Here, you can see how many credits will be used. Once everything looks good, hit continue to proceed. Here you can confirm the transaction and begin the Multi-platform Advertising.

FAQ: How to find tenants with Multi-platform Advertising

Can I view my listings on shared platforms?

There is no built-in way to view your shared listings on other platforms, but feel free to reach out to our Support Team once your listing has been advertised and we can provide links upon request.

What happens to shared listings if I update my liv.rent listing?

When any changes are made to your liv.rent listing, our team automatically receives a notification regarding the updated information. Our team will update the shared ads on external platforms accordingly, typically within 24 hours if received during our business hours. 

How does Multi-platform Advertising work?

When you use a Multi-platform Advertising credit to share your listing, our team will share your listing to your choice of platforms including Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist. Our team will also help respond to any inquiries received from other platforms and redirect them back to your liv.rent listing.

Landlords can follow the steps outlined in this article to start syndicating their listings with Multi-platform Advertising.

How will I receive inquiries?

Any inquiries received on the syndicated listings will be responded to by the liv.rent team. Within our response, our team will provide instructions and redirect the potential tenant to reach out directly on your liv.rent listing. You will simply need to monitor your liv.rent messages for any potential incoming leads.

Rethink The Way You Rent

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>> Stay up-to-date on the average rent in Vancouver, Toronto and Montreal: Rent Reports.

The post How to find qualified tenants fast with multi-platform advertising appeared first on liv.rent blog.

What are Credits?

Within the liv.rent platform, credits are a form of digital currency which landlords & property managers can use to unlock additional features. Credits for certain features come pre-loaded in our Growth and Business plans, while users on our free Essentials plan can purchase add-on features on an ‘à la carte’ basis.

Landlords can access a variety of time-saving features and renting solutions through the credit system. These features were designed to provide an extra boost to your productivity, helping you find reliable tenants and manage your listings more efficiently and effectively.

Here are brief explanations of some of the features that can be unlocked either through credits or liv.rent’s premium Landlord Plans.

• Tenant Screening Report — The Trust Score gives landlords a comprehensive report on applicants’ suitability complete with Equifax® credit information, income & employment verification documents, a detailed risk assessment, and more.
• Sponsored Listings — Sponsored Listings help boost your inquiries and applications when you need it most with front & centre placement on our listing pages. Starting at just $1.72/day, landlords can customize when, and for how long their Sponsored Listings appear to deliver maximum results at crucial times.
• Automated Multi-Platform Advertising — Your listing will be shared to popular rental platforms like Craigslist and Facebook and our team will manage all inquiries.
• Monthly Analytics Report — View a detailed report of your listing’s performance with metrics that will help you reach more renters.
• Company Landing Page — A Company Landing Page displays all your business’ listings in one convenient location with customized branding to stand out from the competition. There are two types of company landing pages on liv.rent: Standard for Growth users and Custom for landlords on our Business plan. Only Custom Company Landing Pages display customized branding for your business.
• Addendums by liv.rent — Use pre-loaded, lawyer-vetted lease addendums to bulletproof your contracts and add details to smoking, pet, and parking policies plus more. For Business users, Custom Addendums allows you to upload your own existing addendums for use directly on liv.rent.

The liv.rent Credit Usage system explained

The new Credit Usage system makes it easier to access premium features with more ways to pay for the solutions you need. Here’s how landlords can access & view their credits, purchase additional credits, and use them to unlock features.

Accessing the Credit Usage page

Landlords can learn more about and unlock additional features for their listings by navigating to the Credit Usage page located on the left sidebar. Here, Growth and Business users can see the features available through their Landlord Plan by using the My Products tab, as well as a list of all available features under the All Products tab. For convenience, this can also be sorted into Tenant Screening, Rental Advertising, and Leases & Payments sections.

Purchasing credits

Growth & Business Plans

For landlords and property managers on liv.rent’s Growth or Business plans, you’ll notice that some features are already unlocked in the My Products tab. You can also view how many credits you have available and use remaining credits to unlock certain features. Credits included in premium plans reset each month on your billing date, but you can purchase more credits as needed if you use your included credits.

Essentials Plan

For users on liv.rent’s free Essentials Plan, you can unlock additional features like Tenant Screening Reports or Sponsored Listings on a pay-per-use basis. Once you click “Buy more” you’ll be redirected to a payment screen to complete your purchase. Additional features under the All Products tab can be unlocked by upgrading your plan and/or contacting sales.

How to use credits

To use your available credits, simply follow the instructions next to each feature. Some features can be unlocked by clicking “Use Credit” while for others you’ll need to contact our Support Team to set them up.

For example, clicking on Sponsored Listings will take you to a screen that allows you to select which listing you’d like to use your credit on. Similarly, clicking on Tenant Screening Reports will take you to your Applications page for you to select a tenant, and Addendums will take you to the Contract section of your Landlord Dashboard.

Which Landlord Plan is right for you?

Landlords on liv.rent can post unlimited listings, message renters, sign standard digital leases, and collect rent for free with liv.rent’s Essentials Plan, and can access premium features like Automated Multi-Platform Advertising and Trust Score tenant screening reports on a pay-per-use basis.

For landlords and property managers looking to further streamline their rental process and gain access to features used by top professionals, liv.rent’s new premium plans are here to make renting even easier. Both the Growth and business plans include credits each month that can be used to unlock additional tenant screening & advertising solutions – plus unlimited access to addendums (standard for Growth users, custom for Business), and more.

You can compare different liv.rent plans here to find the right option for your rental business.

How liv.rent’s premium features help get listings rented faster

Now with new ‘à la carte’ purchasing options, liv.rent’s advanced time-saving features are more accessible to landlords at all levels, giving you access to the same tools used by professionals.

Whether your listing could use a boost with Automated Multi-Platform Advertising or you’re hoping to identify the perfect tenant through the Trust Score, our technology-driven features help streamline time-consuming tasks and make renting easier, safer, and more convenient for landlords.

You can read more about some of our top features in the articles below.

• How liv.rent’s Sponsored Listings fill vacancies faster
• The Trust Score: Explained For Landlords
• Common Lease Addendums And How To Use Them

Learn more and upgrade your landlord plan at liv.rent/pricing.

Rethink The Way You Rent

Not on liv.rent yet? Experience the ease of digital applications & contracts, verified tenants & landlords, virtual tours and more – all on one platform. Sign up for free or download the app.

Subscribe to receive the latest tenant & landlord tips and get notified about changes in the Canadian rental market.

>> Stay up-to-date on the average rent in Vancouver, Toronto and Montreal: Rent Reports.

The post Rent your listing faster with premium liv.rent features appeared first on liv.rent blog.

Why it’s important to get a tenant’s credit report

Doing your due diligence when it comes to selecting tenants is an integral part of the rental process. After all, you’re essentially inviting strangers to live on your property – which doesn’t come without risk.

In order to evaluate both the financial suitability and trustworthiness of applicants, credit checks have become an indispensable tool for landlords and property managers to screen tenants. A tenant credit check can provide you with valuable information on an applicant’s credit history, borrowing patterns, and overall reliability. By reviewing this information, you can make an informed decision on whether to accept or reject a rental application.

The main purpose here is to protect your investment and minimize the risk that comes with renting. By choosing to rent to applicants with a strong credit score and a good history of making payments on time, you’re cutting down on your chances of late or missed rent payments, or worse.

How much does an untrustworthy tenant cost?

Troublesome tenants don’t just take an emotional toll on you, they can also seriously impact your financial situation and turn your profitable rental business into a costly burden. It’s not just missed rent payments that landlords have to worry about, either. In addition to causing you to lose out on potential revenue, untrustworthy tenants can add a ton of unforeseen expenses to your operations by causing significant damage to the unit, scaring off neighbours, and refusing to move out.

Here’s a sample breakdown of what an untrustworthy tenant could cost you, in a worst-case scenario:

• Damage to interior finishes — $3,300 ($300 for drywall repairs, $3,000 for painting)
• Missed rent payments — $2,500 (approximate average monthly rent for a 1 br. unit in Vancouver or Downtown Toronto)
• Plumbing repairs — $390
• Unhappy neighbours/other tenants leaving — $2,500
• Eviction / legal fees — $1,050)
• Vacant unit — $2,500

Total: $12,240

Bear in mind that this is just an estimate, and is based on a situation where the tenant not only misses rent payments, but also causes damage and major disturbances to other tenants. Still, this worst-case scenario can quickly become a reality if landlords aren’t proactive about their tenant screening.

How to get a tenant’s credit check in Canada

Credit information in Canada typically comes from one of the country’s two major credit bureaus: Equifax® or TransUnion®. There are a few ways landlords can obtain this information:

• Directly from a credit bureau — With applicants’ consent, landlords can grab a credit report from either of Canada’s two major credit bureaus
• Through a tenant screening service — Tools like liv.rent’s Trust Score allow you to quickly & easily access applicants’ credit history, often including additional information as well – like income & employment verification documents, court records, and a detailed risk assessment in the case of the Trust Score.
• Asking the tenant to provide a credit report — It’s also common for landlords to ask tenants to purchase a credit report themselves and provide a copy with their application.
• Using a property management company — Some busy landlords opt to use a property management company for handling their rental properties. These professionals will also take care of tenant screening for you using one of the above methods.

What information does a tenant credit check include?

A tenant credit check in Canada is primarily used to evaluate a tenant’s financial suitability based on their spending habits and debt levels. This takes the form of a credit report that summarizes their credit history, including:

• Credit score
• Any outstanding debts, loans or bankruptcies
• Payment history on loans, credit cards, and other financial obligations

The Trust Score from liv.rent also includes additional information, like:

• Employment history and income details
• Court records or other details
• Risk assessment

How much does a tenant credit check cost in Canada?

The cost of a tenant credit check in Canada varies greatly depending on the method used to obtain it. Getting this information can be free to landlords if they request that tenants pay for and provide their own credit report, however there are plenty of different ways to get this information on your own at varying price points.

Typically, a tenant credit check will cost $10-30 per report from either Equifax® or TransUnion®, with prices varying greatly depending on the level of detail and the specific package purchased.

If you’re using a third-party tenant screening service, prices similarly range from about $15 per report, to monthly and yearly payment plans that offer several included reports for a given period. The section below will provide a more detailed overview of the different credit check options available to Canadian landlords, including pricing for each.

The best credit check tools for Canadian landlords

1. liv.rent

The Trust Score from liv.rent goes beyond credit checks to give a complete understanding of applicants’ suitability. As you can see from the chart above, liv.rent provides landlords & property managers with information that isn’t found on a traditional tenant credit check, all condensed into an easy-to-read score for filtering out unqualified applicants at a glance.

Individual landlords can choose between a variety of flexible pricing options. With a free Essentials Plan, you can add on a Trust Score report for just $16.99, or you can opt to enroll in liv.rent’s Growth Plan to receive 2 included Trust Score reports per month, plus a variety of other time-saving features like lease protection addendums and automated multi-platform advertising for up to 2 units.

This innovative tenant screening feature provides greater security for renters, as their Equifax® credit info and uploaded photo ID are only stored until their Trust Score has been calculated, at which point this data is securely deleted by the server.

Here is a sample Trust Score report:

How to unlock the Trust Score

The Trust Score is available even for tenants applying from outside of liv.rent. All landlords need is a verified profile to generate Trust Score reports – no liv.rent listing or tenant application is required.

Follow the steps below to unlock Trust Score reports for tenants applying both from within and outside of the liv.rent platform:

1. For liv.rent renters
   • Create a liv.rent listing
   • Ensure that both your ID and listing are verified
   • Once you receive an application from a renter whose Trust Score report you’d like to view, click “Unlock Trust Score”
   • Redeem a Tenant Screening Report credit or complete payment to unlock the full Trust Score report
2. For tenants outside of liv.rent
   • Sign up for a liv.rent Landlord account
   • Verify your ID
   • Navigate to the “Trust Score” tab on left-hand side of your Landlord Dashboard while logged in
   • Follow the prompts to submit the applicant’s information and complete payment

Note: Landlords generating a trust score on an applicant’s behalf must first obtain their written consent to perform a credit check. You can do this by downloading and completing this Tenant Consent Form.

How to read the Trust Score

The Trust Score is broken down into sections to give landlords a complete overview of prospective tenants’ reliability. For a quick guide on how to read and understand an applicant’s Trust Score report, you can watch this short how-to video.

Does the Trust Score impact the tenant’s credit score?

The Trust Score gathers information from renters’ Equifax® credit reports and will appear as an inquiry on their credit file. This will impact their overall credit score, however the impact will not be significant since the Trust Score is not an application for credit.

A new credit inquiry is conducted whenever a landlord unlocks a renter’s Trust Score. Multiple inquiries within a short period generally count as one credit check, so when renters apply for numerous listings they are unlikely to see multiple inquiries on their credit history.

2. SingleKey

SingleKey offers a simple platform that provides detailed reports using information from Equifax® credit checks. Where SingleKey sets itself apart is in its speed. The site advertises a less than five-minute processing time for a tenant credit check, which allows landlords to get the answers they’re looking for faster than getting it directly from a credit bureau.

However, this speed can’t compete with the instant response given by liv.rent through the Trust Score feature, which allows landlords to instantly view necessary renter information the moment they apply to a listing.

In terms of information, SingleKey offers a similarly comprehensive overview to other top options, combining an overall Tenant Score with a broken-down series of metrics that display the most pertinent information for landlords. The platform also gives users the ability to pay as you go, at a cost of $25 per report.

3. Naborly

Naborly is another popular option for screening tenants, also relying on Equifax® for the bulk of its information. Similar to liv.rent, Naborly provides landlords with a single score that factors in data like employment history, court records, and credit information to paint a picture of the applicant as an individual and as a tenant. Naborly also makes it easy to get approval for these checks with a built-in application process

Some landlords may also prefer the flexibility Naborly offers, as there is a flat rate of $25/check with no additional membership or subscription fees. It’s worth noting though that Naborly is intended to be used solely for tenant screening, and doesn’t offer the additional functionality provided by all-in-one rental platforms like liv.rent.

4. FrontLobby

FrontLobby is unique in that it allows landlords to report tenants’ rent payments to Equifax®, helping to establish renters’ reliability while giving fellow rental managers an additional metric to look at. Additionally, landlords can purchase add-on credit and background checks, at varying prices based on the plan chosen.

For the most part, these checks are standard credit reports, although the rent reporting feature and additional functionality FrontLobby offers make it an intriguing choice for some landlords. With that being said, these features are only available through the platform’s paid plans, which still require landlords to pay add-on fees for credit and background checks.

5. TransUnion SmartMove

TransUnion®’s SmartMove service is another popular option for Canadian landlords that distinguishes itself on its speed and ease of use. After registering, landlords can directly send a request for a credit check to tenants. Once they’ve completed their application, you can see the applicant’s information in minutes – including their credit check, criminal & eviction history, and income insights.

All this information is contained within their ResidentScore™ feature which will also help with quick decision-making. The $25 per report price point is standard compared to other options listed here, however it’s worth noting that this is for their SmartCheck Basic Report, which only includes applicants’ credit-based ResidentScore™ and a criminal background report. For a full credit report, landlords will need to pay $39.99 for SmartCheck Plus.

6. Equifax

Equifax® remains one of the most popular tenant credit check platforms in Canada since many landlords prefer to get reports from the bureau itself. This is a standard credit report and doesn’t contain much of the information found within some of the other options here that are designed specifically for landlords.

Still, Equifax® offers great flexibility in terms of pricing, as landlords can also opt to have tenants pull their own credit report, which can be free using a trial for the service. For the most complete information, Equifax® recommends using their Complete™ Premier plan, which costs $19.95/month.

What makes the Trust Score from liv.rent unique

The Trust Score enables Canadian landlords to find the right renters quickly and easily, going beyond a credit check to provide a complete picture of applicants’ suitability.

We’ve recently upgraded the Trust Score to include additional information, giving landlords & property managers even more tools to make important tenant screening decisions. Alongside these changes, we’ve implemented new, flexible pricing options to suit a variety of rental management needs – including the option to purchase add-on reports for just $16.99 each.

With any renters that apply to their listings, landlords will be able to see:

• The number of accounts checked to qualify their payment record
• Collections record
• Bankruptcy index
• Income-to-rent ratio
• Credit utilization
• Income & Employment verification documents
• A detailed risk assessment
• & much more

This score is immediately available to unlock & view for any applicants who have already completed their profile and been given a Trust Score, allowing you to evaluate renters faster.

Click here to learn more about how the Trust Score can help you find qualified renters and manage risk in your rental property.

FAQ: How to do a credit check on tenants

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The post How to do a credit check on a tenant appeared first on liv.rent blog.

Read on for our complete list of apps every landlord should have, or use the table of contents below to navigate to a specific section.

What are the best apps for landlords?

Renting out property has developed a reputation for being a tiresome, neverending job thanks to potentially troublesome tenants, constant upkeep, and making sure you’re getting paid on time. Thankfully, this has changed over time as more and more technologies evolve to free up landlords’ valuable time. The reality is that with the right tools, Canadian landlords can save themselves a ton of time and effort by automating essential duties like marketing, tenant screening, and contract signing.

Even better, all of these things can even be done while landlords are on the go as smartphones grow more sophisticated and mobile apps gain popularity. In fact, there are even some apps that do it all, in one place — which brings us to our first section. Read on for the best all-in-one landlord apps available in Canada.

All-in-one landlord apps

Today’s busy landlords need one app that does it all. Listing, marketing, screening tenants, signing lease agreements, and rent payments: these apps can support landlords through every step of the rental journey, albeit to varying degrees. Only one rental app truly lets landlords do everything, even while they’re on the go — and that’s liv.rent. Here’s the top five options for all-in-one rental apps and what each offers.

1. liv.rent

Unsurprisingly, our first pick on this list is liv.rent. In addition to being Canada’s safest rental platform with features like listing verification and the Trust Score, liv.rent allows landlords to post & share listings, screen tenants, sign digital contracts, and perform other rental management duties from anywhere with a handy mobile app. This all-in-one landlord productivity tool has just about everything landlords and property managers could ask for, and best of all — it offers a free Essentials plan for landlords. With a full 12 out of 12 features, liv.rent is truly the full package.

For landlords looking to further streamline their rental process and gain access to the same tools used by professional property managers, liv.rent’s new Growth plan is here to make renting even easier. The Growth plan is effectively an all-in-one property management software package, with all the tools you’ll need to digitize and streamline your rental process from start to finish. For just $48/month, this comprehensive plan includes:

• Unlimited lease protection addendums
• 2 Trust Score reports with credit check per month
• Automated rental advertising (2 per month)
• Shared management tools for up to 3 users

…plus everything in our Essentials plan.

2. Buildium

Buildium is another rental management software that’s available in Canada and offers landlords quite a few useful tools. Designed for property managers, this app is quite capable at handling day-to-day rental operations, but lacks some features that individual landlords might need, like instant chat and efficient, automated advertising.

3. Yardi Breeze

Another complete property management solution, Yardi Breeze is a Canadian platform with an assortment of solutions for busy landlords and property managers. Like Buildium though, Yardi Breeze lacks some features that individual landlords in particular will find useful. The per unit pricing structure may endear some landlords though, despite the platform lacking instant chat and automated advertising.

4. Total Management

Total Management is a web-based rental management service that bills itself as “the easiest property management software on the market”. Its simple interface and ease of use make it a good choice for beginning landlords or those who aren’t so tech-savvy, but it is missing a few key features — most notably the ability to add and customize lease addendums.

5. AppFolio

AppFolio is another popular option that also has 9 of the 12 features we’re ranking for here. Again, the platform is missing an easy, instant way to communicate with tenants, as well as lacking lease addendums and automated rental advertising. However, AppFolio does feature an intuitive, easy-to-use layout and contains some of the most important features landlords look for in their rental management apps, with a per unit pricing structure.

Landlord apps for productivity

Productivity apps are often associated with large-scale businesses trying to organize team members’ day-to-day tasks, but landlords can benefit greatly from them as well. With the seemingly endless to-do lists most landlords face on a daily basis, it can seem impossible to stay organized and accomplish everything on-time. Being able to visualize your tasks and collaborate with property managers, maintenance people and others on your team is key for stress-free renting, and these apps can help.

Of course, liv.rent is also a landlord productivity tool as well, with features like user management, income expense statements, rent payment reminders, and more — in addition to many of the features highlighted here. You can learn more about everything liv.rent offers landlords here.

1. Asana

Asana is a favourite of many workplaces across a variety of diverse industries, and for good reason. Though it’s designed more for enterprise than individual users, this productivity tool has a ton of functionality that can help landlords get and stay organized, like a customizable dashboard for visualizing the workday, prioritization tools, time tracking, and even a focus mode for when you really need to get something done.

2. Hive

Hive offers a similarly broad assortment of productivity features designed to simplify landlords’ busy days and make managing rentals easy and efficient. With 9 out of the 10 features we’re examining present here, Hive is another great option for organizing your day. The only feature it lacks is a dedicated focus mode, which probably won’t be a dealbreaker for many.

3. Todoist

Todoist is an excellent choice for individuals, particularly landlords since its simple interface and broad functionality lend themselves well to renting. Easy categorization tools allow landlords to input their personal tasks, work goals, and rental activity to keep track of every facet of day-to-day life. The only things Todoist lacks are a focus mode and time tracking, which shouldn’t be a huge loss for individual landlords.

4. Calendly

Especially for busy landlords managing multiple listings in addition to personal and work-related commitments, Calendly can come in handy to keep track of appointments and obligations. A hub for scheduling and keeping track of important meetings, landlords are able to easily build and visualize their days and weeks, while ensuring they never miss an inspection, key hand-off, or open house.

5. Evernote

Evernote takes note-taking to the next level with scheduling, task management, and more. For landlords looking to remember important things like renter information and rent payment deadlines, this convenient software is an excellent tool.

liv.rent pro-tip: Landlords can make private notes within their listings to remember key details about tenants, their applications, and other relevant information.

Landlord apps for listing & advertising

Of course, every landlord needs a place to list their units in order to capture leads and get their property rented as fast as possible. A large audience of renters is great, but with rental scams and professional tenants at an all-time high across the country, the quality of renters a platform attracts is far more important. Competition for units is steeper than ever, with landlords often receiving hundreds of applications in one day, so a landlord tool that helps easily filter applications, like liv.rent’s Trust Score is another helpful feature of a good listing platform.

The other key concerns landlords should have when choosing where to post their listings are the ease with which they can share their listings, and the marketing options available to them. While one platform is great, having the ability to post your listing on one platform and share it to other sites makes landlords’ lives much easier and ensures you’ll have a large pool of renters to choose from.

1. Zumper

Zumper is among Canada’s better-known listing platforms, with a variety of key features that can help speed up the application process. This popular site does have tenant screening and other tools like digital contracts and rent payments, but lacks some of the more in-depth rental management and productivity features of all-in-one tools like liv.rent.

2. Zillow

Zillow is best known as a real estate marketplace, but it does have support for rental units as well. Like other platforms on this list, Zillow has handy templates for creating appealing listings, including convenient neighbourhood map for all listings. Zillow has a number of convenient features for managing rentals as well, including rent payments and digital contracts, though again, it’s missing key marketing and organizational tools.

3. Kijiji

Kijiji is a popular marketplace site for buying and selling just about everything, from cars, to furniture, and whatever else you can imagine — and of course, it’s also used to post and rent property too. While it does do the minimum that’s required of it, Kijiji lacks more specialized features like rental applications, tenant screening, support for digital payments, and lease agreements.

4. Rentals.ca

Rentals.ca, as its name suggests, is another popular app for landlords to post and rent apartments, houses and condos. It offers a user-friendly layout and basic functionality like inquiries, listing pages, and some organizational tools — though it lacks any sort of rental management features. Despite this, Rentals.ca does allow landlords to post for free, and the site offers lots of ways to customize your listing and make it stand out, including a photo gallery and neighbourhood score.

5. Craigslist

Another popular marketplace site, Craigslist is still many landlords’ first stop when they need to post rental listings due to its pared-down appeal and ease of use. Though it may come out on top in terms of the number of listings available, the site lacks many of the security features landlords should look for in a rental platform, not to mention any sort of capability besides basic listing.

Landlord apps for tenant screening

Tenant screening is an integral part of the rental process, and has the potential to make or break a tenancy based on how diligent you were in filtering out applicants. Troublesome tenants can cause a number of problems to your unit, neighbours, and of course you, yourself, so the best way to eliminate this risk is to screen tenants thoroughly in advance.

The traditional way of doing this is by performing a credit check using one of Canada’s two major credit bureaus, but there also exist a number of tenant screening apps to help simplify this task and make the results easier to understand. Here’s a quick breakdown of some of the top tenant screening software for landlords.

1. SingleKey

SingleKey offers a simple platform that provides detailed reports using Equifax screening. Where SingleKey sets itself apart is in its speed. The site advertises a less than five-minute processing time for checks, which allows landlords to get the answers they’re looking for faster. However, this speed can’t compete with the instant response given by liv.rent through the Trust Score feature, which allows landlords to instantly view necessary renter information the moment they apply to a listing.

In terms of information, SingleKey offers a comprehensive look into tenants’ financial history, combining an overall Tenant Score with a broken down series of metrics that display the most pertinent information for landlords. The platform gives users the ability to pay-as-you-go rather than locking landlords into membership plans, at a rate of $25 per report.

2. Naborly

Naborly is another popular option for screening tenants that also relies on Equifax for the bulk of its information. Similar to liv.rent, Naborly provides landlords with a single score that factors in data like employment history, court records, and credit information. Naborly also makes it easy to get approval for these checks with a built-in application process.

Some landlords may also prefer the flexibility Naborly offers, as there is a flat rate of $25 per check with no additional membership or subscription fees. It’s worth noting though that Naborly is intended to be used solely for tenant screening, and doesn’t offer the additional functionality provided by all-in-one rental platforms like liv.rent. Still, it’s a suitable option for those looking for a straightforward way to obtain important background information on prospective tenants.

3. RentCheck

RentCheck is one of Canada’s first tenant screening services, and offers a fairly standard credit report, with the option to gather even more in-depth information for an additional cost. RentCheck’s reports offer landlords the ability to choose between Canada’s two major credit bureaus, with information like credit utilization, income-to-rent ratio, bankruptcy index, and more. The price is similar to what landlords would expect to pay for a report directly from a credit bureau, and there is also the option to purchase an annual plan for landlords who need to screen tenants more frequently.

4. TVS

TVS is a Canadian tenant screening service that provides basic information on applicants to landlords using reports from either of Canada’s two credit bureaus. Prices vary based on which of the two is opted for, and criminal records are extra. Still, TVS gives a good idea of tenants’ suitability with information like credit utilization, bankruptcy index, and previous addresses.

Landlord apps for contracts & document storage

Lease agreements are one of the most important parts of the rental process, codifying the tenancy and outlining rules to govern the rental period. For many landlords today, paper leases are a thing of the past, as digital contracts offer a more convenient way to send, sign & store leases on the go. The key features here are digital signing and secure storage, both of which help simplify landlords’ business and offer peace of mind knowing that their vital information is protected.

1. DocuSign

DocuSign is Canada’s #1 choice for digital signatures and cloud-based document security, thanks to a full 8 out of 8 features and a handy mobile app. This helpful landlord app ensures that your lease agreements are legally binding, and that you can easily create and keep track of your agreements with features like view receipts, an automated contract history, identity verification, and convenient customizable templates. For landlords, this platform even supports payments so you can arrange to receive rent right through the app.

2. Dropbox (and HelloSign)

Dropbox has long been a major player in secure, cloud-based document storage, but with the addition of HelloSign, a digital contract solution from the same company, landlords can get even more out of the platform. Now, you can create, send, sign and store your contracts and agreements within one platform, with a nearly complete suite of features to support your needs. This one-two punch is still missing support for rent payments though, so landlords will need to look elsewhere for that feature.

3. PandaDoc

Offering a similar array of features, PandaDoc is another option for landlords & property managers looking to create and sign documents on the go. The app still supports eSignatures with secure storage, customizable templates, and identity verification for added protection, but again — it’s limited to document signing, and lacks support for rent payments and other rental management functions.

Other helpful apps for landlords

These apps perform other functions landlords might find useful, and can go a long way to automating simple but time-consuming parts of your rental management operation.

RentZend

Whether you’re looking to purchase a property or are listing your unit for rent for the first time, it’s a good idea to figure out what you’ll need to charge for rent in order to break even and ideally make a profit — especially in the current climate with rising interest rates leading to larger mortgage payments for many homeowners. RentZend is a good option that includes a variety of factors, looking at tax records and estimated rent to give landlords a better picture of how their investment will perform over time.

Pro-tip: For a personalized estimate of how much your property rents for, liv.rent’s rental experts will examine your listing details, neighbourhood and market trends to give you an accurate sense of what to charge. Click below to start your free estimate.

TaskRabbit

Every landlord needs a handyman for the miscellaneous repairs that will inevitably arise for any rental property. If you don’t already have someone available, TaskRabbit is a popular place for landlords, renters, and practically everyone else to find people to help clean, move, repair, and just about anything else you can think of. You can search the platform for workers who are able to assist, and both booking and payments are conveniently processed through the app.

Zolo

Zolo is a popular real estate marketplace with listings across Canada and a variety of other insights. If you’re looking to purchase a property, whether it’s your first or fifth, Zolo is a great place to start your search and get a sense of where prices stand in the neighbourhoods you’re looking in.

Walk Score

Getting to know your neighbourhood is always a good idea before you go to rent out your property. Walkable amenities and transportation options are a big part of what attracts renters, so being able to speak to these things in your listing description can help attract renters. Enter Walk Score — an app designed to rank your property’s location based on how accessible it is by foot, looking at a unique walkability index to give renters a sense of what to expect from their new home.

Pro-tip: All liv.rent listings contain a handy map of the neighbourhood, including walkability to nearby transit options.

CMHC Mortgage Calculators

Mortgage rates are on every landlord’s mind right now as the Bank of Canada’s interest rates increase. If you’re concerned about what your variable-rate mortgage payments will look like, or if you’re thinking about purchasing another property, CMHC’s mortgage calculator app can help add some certainty to your payment rates, frequency and more.

How liv.rent helps landlords

liv.rent combines features from all of the different landlord app categories featured here, giving landlords and property managers a complete solution to your rental needs. This all-in-one platform helps you see more profits by giving you the tools to digitalize and automate your workflow from start to finish. liv.rent features intelligent productivity and management solutions for every step of the process, like the Trust Score – a comprehensive tenant screening metric that provides complete information, including Equifax® credit reports and income & identity verification for faster, more effective screening.

A productivity tool as well, liv.rent gives landlords the ability to save time and perform key rental functions on-the-go with a mobile app, including a full suite of marketing features like multi-platform listing syndication and insights into your listing’s price and performance. All this, in addition to all the features you’d expect from a rental management and listing platform, like automated rent collection, secure cloud-based document storage, digital contracts & addendums, and so much more.

If you’re ready to automate your rental process and make the switch to an easier, all-in-one rental management app solution – explore liv.rent’s affordable pricing plans for landlords and property managers here.

Rethink The Way You Rent

Not on liv.rent yet? Experience the ease of digital applications & contracts, verified tenants & landlords, virtual tours and more – all on one platform. Sign up for free or download the app.

Subscribe to receive the latest tenant & landlord tips and get notified about changes in the Canadian rental market.

>> Stay up-to-date on the average rent in Vancouver, Toronto and Montreal: Rent Reports.

The post The 27 best landlord apps for easier renting appeared first on liv.rent blog.

More so now than ever before, property managers in Canada rely on property management software to assist with just about every part of their business. As technology continues to improve, so do the number of functions property managers can perform digitally, and the possibilities for automation have become near endless. No longer do property managers need to spend countless hours manually screening tenants, cross-posting listings, and other administrative and organizational tasks – property management software has enabled them to focus on what really matters: acquiring more leads and scaling their businesses.

With this has come an increased number of options to choose from. Regardless of whether you’re a new property management company or an experienced business looking to migrate your company’s operations to a new platform, picking the best property management software for your business’ needs is paramount. Here, we’ll be covering the top property management software in Canada based on pricing and twelve key criteria – as well as going into detail about what makes liv.rent so effective and easy to use.

How do I manage properties digitally?

With so many digital platforms rising to fill the needs of today’s property managers, how is one to choose? It’s increasingly difficult to find a one-size-fits-all platform, as every company’s needs are different. Analyzing each software’s pricing structure, availability and features is a job in and of itself – one that busy property managers don’t always have time for.

That’s why we’ve taken it upon ourselves to do the research for you. The following ranking will break down some of the most popular, and best property management software options available for Canadian property managers to give you a better idea of which ones your company should explore further. To read about specific platforms, use the table of contents above to navigate this post.

1. liv.rent

Note: PAD Integration is coming soon

In addition to being an all-in-one rental platform, liv.rent has evolved to become a complete property management solution with all the features today’s property managers expect – with affordable plans designed for every stage of your business’ development.

With a complete 12/12 features, liv.rent has solidified itself as the top option for property managers looking to automate their workflow from tenant screening to signing, collecting rent payments, and more. Not only this, the platform prides itself on creating a trusted community of renters through multi-step verification processes, so property managers can easily recognize and communicate with trusted renters.

liv.rent’s wide range of time-saving features include a comprehensive marketing suite including a customized company landing page, a centralized dashboard for easily managing rent payments, documents, and more, and the new & improved Trust Score – an all-encompassing tenant screening tool designed to give landlords and property managers a complete sense of applicants’ rental and financial history. Not only this, but the platform makes a strong case as one of the safest platforms on this list thanks to secure, cloud-based document storage powered by military-grade encryption for added peace of mind.

For landlords & property managers looking to further streamline their rental process, liv.rent’s new Growth plan is here to make renting easier. The Growth plan is effectively an all-in-one property management software package, with all the tools you’ll need to digitize and streamline your rental process from start to finish. This comprehensive plan includes:

• Unlimited lease protection addendums
• 2 Trust Score reports with credit check per month
• Automated rental advertising (2 per month)
• Shared management tools for up to 3 users

…plus everything in our Essentials plan.

2. Buildium

Buildium comes close to having a complete range of features but falls short by lacking Instant Tenant Chat and Automated Rental Advertising. With that being said, this popular property management software offers plenty of great tools for beginning property managers and experienced businesses alike. Some companies may find the platform’s pricing a bit restrictive though – plans start at $50 per month with only partially unlocked features, and scale exponentially depending on the number of listings your business manages. In order to unlock the full range of features shown above, you’ll likely be paying upwards of $460/month.

3. Yardi Breeze

Yardi is a popular property management software company that offers two distinct versions for property managers: Yardi Breeze, a streamlined version designed for landlords & property managers with small to medium portfolios, and Yardi Voyager which is designed for larger companies. We’re looking at the former here, which is a streamlined version with an appealingly simple layout and an impressive number of features. In fact, Yardi Breeze only lacks instant chat, with tenant communication only available via SMS or email. Still, this platform has a lot to offer and the per-unit pricing structure may appeal to some property managers.

4. Total Management

Total Management is a web-based property management platform that bills itself as “the easiest property management software on the market”. The software has 9 out of the 12 features we’re looking at here, and notably also lacks Instant Tenant Chat as well as pre-loaded lease addendums.

5. AppFolio

AppFolio is another popular option that also has 9 of the 12 features we’re ranking for here. Again, the platform is missing an easy, instant way to communicate with tenants, as well as lacking lease addendums and automated rental advertising. However, AppFolio does feature an intuitive, easy-to-use layout and contains some of the most important features property managers look for.

6. Leasey.AI

Leasey.AI provides a powerful suite of AI-driven property management tools designed to simplify operations and enhance decision-making. While it lacks features like Integrated Lease Negotiation or Automated Payment Tracking, the platform excels in areas such as automated showing, scheduling and property listing syndication across major rental marketplaces. Leasey.AI is particularly well-suited for property managers seeking to leverage advanced technology for streamlined processes and data-driven insights. The platform’s core strengths lie in its ability to adapt to the evolving needs of modern property management.

7. Doorloop

Doorloop has a solid 8 out of 12 features and is a popular choice among landlords and property managers thanks to its easy setup and all-in-one approach. The platform also lets users manage different types of property like commercial and student housing without requiring additional fees, which makes it attractive for companies with varied portfolios. Despite this, the platform still lacks features like instant chat, lease addendums, automated advertising, and rental pricing insights within listings.

8. Re-leased

Primarily focused on managing commercial properties, Re-Leased is a cloud-based software solution that features a centralized dashboard that allows for a number of complex functions within one platform. With 8 out of 12 features, Re-Leased is a good option for property managers whose portfolios are heavy on commercial properties, but doesn’t quite hold up to some options that are more focused on managing residential properties, since the platform doesn’t advertise tenant screening, instant chat, automated advertising, or lease addendums.

9. Building Stack

Building Stack is specifically designed for Canadian property managers and has a variety of pricing options with varying access to the platform’s many features, including a free tier that only facilitates digital rent payments. The customizability may appeal to some property managers, as you can opt to only use Building Stack’s marketing or communication features without paying for more, or opt for the ‘Full Stack’ package. Building stack offers a solid 8/12 features, although it is more expensive per month than other options on this list.

10. Property Vista

Designed specifically for Canadian property managers, Property Vista has a wide range of tools geared towards managing residential properties. One of the more tenant-friendly options on our list, Property Vista has a convenient tenant portal with communication through email, SMS or bulletins, but doesn’t have a built-in instant chat. The platform also falls short on marketing without the option to automate your advertising and also lacks specific insights, addendums, and a centralized dashboard.

11. TurboTenant

Technically designed for landlords rather than property managers, TurboTenant is a rental property management solution with a good amount of features to conduct basic marketing, management and organizational functions. While the platform is free for landlords, this is only because tenants bear most of the financial weight of the application process – including for screening, paying rent, and optional insurance. Landlords can opt to pay for additional services like lease agreements, e-signing and additional forms.

12. SingleKey

SingleKey bills itself as purely a tenant screening and credit check solution, so it doesn’t provide the same scope of functions as other platforms on this list. With that being said, what SingleKey does do, it does quite well. Its screening reports are similarly comprehensive to liv.rent’s Trust Score, but with a pay per use rate rather than being included in a monthly plan. Additionally, SingleKey facilitates digital rent payments for landlords and property managers for additional functionality.

What is the best property management software in Canada?

It’s hard to determine a clear-cut winner for the best property management software in Canada, since this largely depends on your business’ individual needs, what you’re looking for in software, and what your budget is. With that being said, it’s easy to see why so many property managers have turned to liv.rent for its easy-to-use platform, mobile app, affordable & flexible pricing plans and the sheer number of functions property managers can perform.

Although other options like Buildium, Total Management and AppFolio come close in terms of the number of features offered, liv.rent differentiates itself with its trusted community of renters, landlords and property managers, combined with its unique Trust Score tool, allows for a safe, convenient rental process that eliminates much of the guesswork property management companies usually face.

How liv.rent helps property managers

By combining a complete range of marketing and management features, liv.rent helps property managers save time and grow their business by digitalizing and automating their workflow from start to finish. This all-in-one platform features intelligent solutions for every step of the way, like the Trust Score – a comprehensive tenant screening metric that provides complete information, including Equifax® credit reports and income & identity verification for faster, more effective screening.

For those looking to grow their business or scale their company’s portfolio, liv.rent also gives property managers access to a full suite of marketing features like customized company websites, multi-platform listing syndication, and insights into your listing’s price and performance. All this, in addition to all the features you’d expect from a property management tool, like automated rent collection, secure cloud-based document storage, digital contracts & addendums, and so much more.

If you’re ready to automate your rental process and make the switch to an easier, all-in-one property management software solution – explore liv.rent’s affordable pricing plans for landlords and property managers here.

FAQ: The best property management software in Canada

Rethink The Way You Rent

Not on liv.rent yet? Experience the ease of digital applications & contracts, verified tenants & landlords, virtual tours and more – all on one platform. Sign up for free or download the app.

Subscribe to receive the latest tenant & landlord tips and get notified about changes in the Canadian rental market.

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The post The 12 Best Property Management Software In Canada appeared first on liv.rent blog.

We’ve updated our pricing plans again as of June 2023 to better meet the evolving needs of landlords & property managers. Please click here for the most up-to-date pricing information.

Table of Contents

What’s changing about liv.rent’s landlord pricing plans?

We’re lowering the prices of our landlord & property manager plans across the board, as well as giving each plan a clearer identity with new features tailored to every stage of your rental business’ development, with convenient pay-per-use options for beginning landlords. Here’s a quick breakdown of the new plans and what each includes:

Note: Automated Direct Deposits are coming soon

Let’s also quickly look at how these plans have evolved from our previous plan structure, and who each plan was designed for.

Essentials Plan – Free

Formerly the Personal plan, our free Essentials plan is an excellent starting point for novice landlords to discover how liv.rent’s rental management and automation features can help them save time and create a more effective, efficient rental process. Landlords on our Essentials plan get a sneak peek of our premium features, with access to basic versions of some of our most exciting rental tools. With this free plan, you’ll get:

• Unlimited listings & tenant inquiries
• Option to purchase Trust Score reports for $16.99 each
• Basic digital contracts
• Support for one user

Growth Plan – $48/Month

Our Family plan has become the Growth plan, with a more accessible price point at $48 per month, billed monthly – reduced from $79. Specifically designed for growing landlords and property managers looking to scale their portfolios and take their rental business to the next level. The Growth plan is effectively an all-in-one property management software package, with all the tools you’ll need to digitize and streamline your rental process from start to finish. This plan includes:

• Unlimited lease addendums
• Advanced tenant screening with 2 included credit checks per month
• Standard digital contracts
• Automated rent collection & organization
• Shared management tools for up to 3 users

…plus everything in our Essentials plan.

Business Plan – $399/Month

Our new and improved Business plan is tailored to seasoned landlords, investors and brokerages who aim to optimize their marketing and rental management operations. This updated plan has a more accessible price at just $399 per month, billed monthly, down from $439, in addition to an increased range of top-level features, such as:

• Unlimited automated rent collection
• Advanced tenant screening with 15 included credit checks per month
• Extensive marketing suite and optimization solutions
• Custom contracts and addendums
• Team management for up to 10 users

…plus everything in our Growth plan.

Why are we changing our pricing plans?

Our aim with these revamped plans was to provide our community of landlords and property managers with more accessible plans better tailored to their needs. With lower prices for our updated Growth and Business plans, it’s never been more affordable to access comparable all-in-one property management software which typically costs nearly ten times the price. We also felt strongly about maintaining a free Essentials plan so that starting landlords or those curious to explore our premium features could access basic management features with ease.

When do these changes go into effect?

Our new pricing plans are already in effect for landlords and property managers looking to upgrade now. Our previous plans will be officially phased out on April 15, 2022, following a 30-day grace period that begins March 15. During this time, users on our legacy plans will still be able to access all of the features included in their plan without interruption. After April 15, users who haven’t upgraded their plans will automatically be downgraded to our free Essentials plan.

How should I proceed?

In order to prevent users on your account from temporarily losing access, we recommend upgrading to a plan that fits your needs before April 15. If you forget to upgrade or choose not to take action, your account will automatically be downgraded to our free Essentials plan – but don’t worry, you can upgrade your account again at any time.

Here’s a quick breakdown of the plan we recommend based on the number of users and listings on your account:

• 1 User, 1 Listing: Essentials / Growth
• 1 User, 2-3 Listings: Growth
• 1-3 Users, 1-4 Listings: Growth
• 3 Users, 4-10 Listings: Growth / Business
• 4-15 Users, 5+ Listings: Business

Frequently asked questions: New landlord pricing plans

Rethink The Way You Rent

Not on liv.rent yet? Experience the ease of digital applications & contracts, verified tenants & landlords, virtual tours and more – all on one platform. Sign up for free or download the app.

Subscribe to receive the latest tenant & landlord tips and get notified about changes in the Canadian rental market.

>> Stay up-to-date on the average rent in Vancouver, Toronto and Montreal: Rent Reports.

The post Feature Update: New Pricing Plans For Landlords & Property Managers appeared first on liv.rent blog.

For Data Privacy Day this year, we’re taking a closer look at data privacy during the rental process and what landlords and renters can do to ensure their precious information remains secure.

Table of Contents

What is data privacy?

First and foremost, what exactly is data privacy? Essentially, data privacy refers to strategies for handling sensitive data online in a way that meets regulatory standards and protects the confidentiality of users’ information. This is of key concern when it comes to renting, due to the amount and sensitivity of information exchanged between landlords and renters.

As more aspects of our day-to-day lives move online, there’s growing concern about how and why companies are using our data and personal information – and rightfully so. Your information has become a valuable commodity for brokers and marketers who can use your data for a number of purposes. Normally, these purposes are relatively harmless. Plenty of websites claim to capture user data in order to refine the user experience and improve their marketing, but there are certainly more nefarious uses as well.

Renting online certainly isn’t exempt from this. Both renters and landlords need to provide key information about themselves, their finances, and more in order to register and use most platforms – making it an easy target for data brokers or worse: data breaches. Your best strategy for safeguarding your digital privacy as a consumer is seeking out platforms and websites with robust security measures, clear privacy policies and concrete statements as to what they’re doing with your information. Naturally, this isn’t always easy to find.

In spite of the Canadian Government’s efforts to regulate data privacy through policies like The Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA), it’s ultimately up to individual businesses to decide how they’ll use and store their users’ information. That’s why liv.rent promises to never sell your data in order to protect our safe, trusted community of renters and landlords.

Renters: How to protect your information when renting online

Renters face a disproportionate risk when it comes to data security during the rental process. Today’s landlords understandably look for a complete picture of a tenant’s personal, financial and rental history before putting pen to paper on a lease agreement, which requires renters to fill out numerous forms, checks and registrations in the hopes of securing a rental. Ensuring that all of this precious data stays in the right hands is a frequently overlooked but hugely important aspect of the rental process.

Let’s look now at some common data privacy threats renters face, and our tips for preventing them:

Threat #1 – Rental sites sharing/selling personal data

Unfortunately, it’s more common than you think for rental platforms to share or sell your personal information. While data sharing has become an almost inevitable part of the rental process in order to improve business’ marketing and user experience as well as offer credit and background checks, renters should be careful about the extent of the sharing. Selling data is a different story. By commodifying your information, your data is essentially sold to the highest bidder and by that point, the matter is almost entirely out of your hands.

liv.rent tip:

Before entering any personal information on a rental platform, take a closer look at their privacy policy. These documents aren’t meant to be a thrilling read, but they should provide more insight into what that site is doing with your data. If it’s hard to find this information or the wording is ambiguous, that’s generally not a good sign. Do note that the majority of websites will share your information in some way, so it’s important to decide what you’re comfortable with

Instead, opt for rental platforms that collect minimal data and are clear about where it’s going, and why. We can’t speak for our competitors, but liv.rent is committed to never selling your data and we provide clear direction as to what data we do collect, and why we collect it.

Threat #2 – Fake listings designed to steal personal information

Rental scams are unfortunately growing more common and more sophisticated, forcing renters to stay on their toes when browsing for apartments. There are countless variations out there, but perhaps the most sinister are fake listing scams that encourage you to submit a full application immediately, often including private information like your Social Security Number or banking info.

liv.rent tip:

Watch out for red flags as you’re browsing listings – if it looks too good to be true or you have a bad feeling, trust your gut. A popular tactic to encourage applications is creating a false sense of urgency by saying that the listing is only up for a limited time and that renters must act immediately to be considered. Requesting too much information upfront is also a notable warning sign.

For added security, consider using a rental platform with verified landlords and listings, such as liv.rent. Our multi-step verification process gives renters peace of mind by ensuring that you’re dealing with real landlords and real listings.

Threat #3 – Hackers attack landlords to steal tenants’ information

Unfortunately, renters don’t have a ton of control over how landlords handle and store their personal information, meaning that if their security is compromised, your data is also at risk. While thankfully these cyber attacks aren’t all that common, it’s a frightening concept and definitely worth protecting yourself against however possible.

liv.rent tip:

Be aware of how landlords are storing your information. Wherever possible, go through the rental process on an all-in-one platform that offers secure, encrypted storage of sensitive information. Naturally, this isn’t always an option when you’re trying to secure a rental as fast as possible, but platforms like liv.rent are an obvious choice thanks to secure cloud-based storage backed by military-grade encryption protocols for safe, convenient data storage. As well, liv.rent automatically deletes identifiers once the information has been used for its specified purpose, and asks only what is necessary.

Threat #4 – Landlords asking for too much information

It’s understandable for landlords to ask for lots of information during the rental process in order to get a good picture of who you are as a renter. With that being said, there’s plenty of pieces of information that are off-limits. Knowing your rights as a tenant and only providing what’s necessary is a great way to keep yourself safe during the rental process.

liv.rent tip:

Brush up on your knowledge of your local tenancy and human rights laws before you start applying for rentals. In many cases, landlords simply aren’t aware of what they can ask and there’s no malicious intent, but it never hurts to be cautious.

Threat #5 – Unsecured mobile devices/WiFi networks

This applies to pretty much any online activity, but is especially relevant when it comes to renting. Unsecured devices and wireless networks are prime candidates for information theft due to how easy it is to monitor others’ activity without the proper protocols in place.

liv.rent tip:

Never submit applications or fill out sensitive information over public WiFi as these networks are extremely susceptible to information theft. If you can avoid it, try to wait until you’re home to access or send any important rental documents rather than using the network at your local coffee shop. For your personal devices, be sure to turn on two-factor authentication for added security.

Landlords: How to ensure your tenants’ and your own data privacy

Tenants aren’t the only ones whose data privacy is at risk during the rental process. Since landlords typically store information about applicants throughout the rental process and even afterwards, they’re just as likely to fall prey to cyber-attacks and information theft. Taking steps to protect not only yourself but your tenants is key to renting online safely.

Let’s look now at some of the threats facing landlords and how liv.rent can help you prevent them before they become an issue.

Threat #1 – Data that isn’t stored securely

Are you familiar with how your rental platform of choice is storing your and your tenants’ information? Plenty of sensitive information is exchanged during the rental process and safeguarding this data should be a priority for every landlord and property manager. Especially when you’re using multiple platforms for different facets of the rental process like listing, tenant screening, marketing, and rental management, it’s hard to stay on top of where all this data is going.

liv.rent tip:

When deciding where to post your rental listing, look for an all-in-one rental platform that offers secure data storage. This way, both you and your tenants can rest assured that information is handled properly and isn’t at risk of being sold or otherwise compromised. One great option is liv.rent – our secure, cloud-based storage allows landlords to keep track of their most important documents in one place, all protected by military-grade encryption.

Threat #2 – Weak passwords

You’ve no doubt heard it before, but weak passwords are a one-way ticket to jeopardizing your personal information, and in landlords’ case, can put your tenants’ data at risk as well. Particularly if you’re re-using passwords for multiple websites and platforms, one weak password can quickly turn into a data privacy nightmare.

liv.rent tip:

Create strong passwords for any new accounts, and update existing passwords whenever you can. As well, try not to use the same password for different websites as this puts you at risk of having multiple accounts compromised. Another good strategy is to not incorporate personal details like your pet’s name or where you grew up into your password as this information can easily be dug up on social media.

Threat #3 – Malicious emails & Malware/Viruses

We’ve all received questionable emails in the past, and hackers are showing no signs of stopping. The links and attachments contained within these messages are more often than not connected to phishing scams that put your passwords and information at risk.

liv.rent tip:

Don’t open any messages from suspicious email addresses, and certainly don’t click on any links or attachments. It’s also a good idea to install anti-virus software on your computer and avoid using company devices for general use.

FAQ: Data privacy and renting

For both landlords and renters, the best way to protect your information during the rental process is by using a secure, all-in-one rental platform. Rent with confidence on liv.rent with secure, encrypted data storage, verified listings, landlords & tenants, and more. Sign up today to take back control of your data privacy.

Rethink The Way You Rent

Not on liv.rent yet? Experience the ease of digital applications & contracts, verified tenants & landlords, virtual tours and more – all on one platform. Sign up for free or download the app.

Subscribe to receive the latest tenant & landlord tips and get notified about changes in the Canadian rental market.

>> Stay up-to-date on the average rent in Vancouver, Toronto and Montreal: Rent Reports.

The post Data Privacy And Renting: How To Protect Your Information appeared first on liv.rent blog.

How do I find rentals in Vancouver?

Renters have plenty of options for finding a place to rent in Vancouver. Gone are the days of canvassing neighbourhoods for “for rent” signs – though this can still be an effective, albeit time-consuming strategy. Instead, today’s renters should take advantage of the wide variety of rental websites available in Vancouver and across Canada to help streamline their search.

There’s an almost overwhelming amount of options for rental websites, though, and it can be hard for renters to know where to start. For landlords too, discerning every platform’s features and finally choosing a place to post your listing can be a tough task on top of an already busy workload. That’s why we’ve collected our top picks for the best rental websites Vancouver. Here’s the list!

1. liv.rent

Features — 12/12

Starting Price (for Landlords)

liv.rent is a Vancouver-based all-in-one rental platform that allows landlords and tenants to rent safely and securely thanks to an extensive verification process and tools like the Trust Score. As you can see, the platform unsurprisingly ticks all of our boxes, and has a variety of flexible payment options for landlords to get started and rent better.

Renters

On liv.rent, tenants can easily search for rentals using a variety of filters and even a map view, then quickly message landlords for more information using built-in instant chat. From there, they can submit applications, book viewings and when it comes time, sign lease agreements and pay rent and security deposits through a variety of methods including credit cards, UnionPay and even Bitcoin.

The platform also has standard digital lease agreements for B.C., in addition to a variety of customizable lease addendums to add detail to your contract. For quick and effective tenant screening, liv.rent created the Trust Score, which gives landlords a comprehensive picture of a tenant’s suitability including a credit summary, a detailed risk assessment, income & employment verification, and more. All in all, this complete platform is the best way to advertise your apartment for rent.

For landlords looking to further streamline their rental process and gain access to the same tools used by professional property managers, liv.rent’s new Growth plan is here to make renting even easier. The Growth plan is effectively an all-in-one property management software package, with all the tools you’ll need to digitize and streamline your rental process from start to finish. For just $48/month, this comprehensive plan includes:

• Unlimited lease protection addendums
• 2 Trust Score reports with credit check per month
• Automated rental advertising (2 per month)
• Shared management tools for up to 3 users

…plus everything in our Essentials plan.

2. Zumper

Zumper is another all-in-one rental platform that Vancouver renters and landlords will likely encounter. In addition to its visually-appealing layout, Zumper has features to help landlords and tenants navigate every stage of the rental process, including tenant screening and rent collection.

Renters

For renters, Zumper offers a convenient way to browse and apply for listings thanks to its visually appealing layout. With that being said, the site does lack the comprehensive security and verification features of other platforms like liv.rent, though it does allow for the entire rental process to be completed within the site.

Landlords

Zumper also has a full 12/12 features, including digital contracts and rent payments and a variety of tools to help you create and share listings. The only area where the site falters is in its security protocols, which aren’t as in-depth as other platforms. Also, though it’s free to start, Zumper charges 2% of rent for landlords or property managers who have more than 10 listings, which makes it a costly option for businesses. Still, this platform’s wide range of features put it in contention for the best rental websites in Vancouver.

3. Zillow

Zillow is primarily a platform for buying and selling real estate, but the site can also be ranked among the best rental websites Vancouver. The platform has a variety of tools to simplify the lives of both landlords and renters, although it’s two shy of a perfect 12. Zillow is free to start for landlords but can get costly quickly if you’re posting more than one listing due to the weekly rate.

Renters

Zillow is fairly easy to browse thanks to a handy map view and a simple, easy-to-navigate layout. Renters can also request to book showings/submit applications directly from the listing page using pre-set forms. It’s also handy to be able to see exactly when listings were posted front and centre to save time applying to outdated posts.

Landlords

Zillow has a good range of descriptors and options for creating great-looking listings which include room for tons of photos as well as 3D tours. The site also provides a convenient neighbourhood map for all listings, in addition to an FAQ section that gives more information about the property and its location. Zillow has a number of convenient features for managing rentals as well, including rent payments and digital contracts, though it lacks some marketing and organizational tools.

4. Kijiji

Features: 5 / 12

Kijiji is a marketplace site that has also become a popular place for landlords and renters to post and find rental listings. The platform offers a basic suite of listing features including plenty of fields and filters for filling out specific details and room for lots of photos.

Renters

Kijiji is a good basic option for browsing and applying for listings, though it lacks many features that renters may look for. The site does allow for messaging within the platform which makes for much easier communication. Unfortunately, Kijiji doesn’t have much in the way of security features and provides little protection against scams.

Landlords

For landlords, Kijiji is a perfectly suitable place to post your listings due to the site’s broad audience and high traffic, though that’s about all it offers. Unlike Craigslist, Kijiji does have a chat feature for easy communication, as well as a centralized inbox for easy lead management.

5. Rentals.ca

Rentals.ca is another popular place to find and rent apartments, houses and condos, and offers a user-friendly layout as well as excellent search capabilities and an interactive map.

Renters

Rentals.ca is a great option for renters looking for the best rental websites in Vancouver primarily because of the number of listings available. Since it’s such a popular platform, there are plenty of rentals to choose from and the site makes it easy to navigate them thanks to a split-screen map/photo view and lots of different search filters.

Landlords

Rentals.ca allows landlords to post for free, and the site offers lots of ways to customize your listing and make it stand out, including a photo gallery and neighbourhood score. Because it’s a listing site, Rentals.ca doesn’t provide features for navigating the rental process beyond inquiries.

6. PadMapper

As its name suggests, PadMapper provides an easy-to-use map view for convenient navigation, as well as a variety of search features. The site is fairly bare-bones in terms of appearance and features, but does work exceptionally well for what it does.

Renters

PadMapper lets renters browse with ease thanks to an interactive map and various filters. As far as communications, PadMapper allows tenants to send messages with their phone number and email address to get in touch with landlords. The platform doesn’t mention any specific security or verification processes, though it does require a precise address in order to post a listing.

Landlords

PadMapper is a simple, effective way for landlords to get their listings posted quickly, though the site doesn’t offer support for much beyond inquiries. The site’s map view is extremely easy to navigate though, a feature which tenants still gravitate towards.

7. Facebook Marketplace/Groups

Facebook Groups and even Marketplace are great ways to find places to rent in Vancouver. Though renters and landlords should exercise caution when using the platform due to the potential for fraudulent posts and users, there are plenty of local, moderated groups that allow for easy browsing and the ability to get in touch over Facebook Messenger. For a safe, convenient Facebook Group, check out liv.rent’s own curated rental group, where we post and share apartments, houses and rooms for rent in Vancouver.

Renters

Facebook has become a great option for renters to browse apartments thanks to the volume of posts, though this is also its greatest downfall. Because Facebook has never claimed to be a rental platform, the site has few checks in place for screening out scams, although there are many moderated groups that provide a safer alternative.

Landlords

Landlords looking to reach a broad audience would do well to post their listing to Facebook due to the large number of renters browsing the platform. Though it doesn’t provide much in the way of additional features, it’s easy to get your listing posted and communicate through the built-in Messenger app.

8. Craigslist

If you’ve ever rented in Vancouver before, you’re likely no stranger to Craigslist. The marketplace site has become an extremely popular place to post and find rental listings due to its pared-down appeal and ease of use. Though it may come out on top in terms of the number of listings available, the site lacks many of the security features renters and landlords should look for in a rental platform.

Renters

Renters can easily browse the site using a good selection of filters. For applications, Craigslist lists landlords’ email addresses and/or phone numbers for renters to get in touch. Do use caution when applying to rentals on Craigslist though – since there’s little in the way of verification, it’s not uncommon to come across rental scams on the site.

Landlords

Craigslist does provide a basic listing template including room for plenty of photos. The site also allows for a map view of each property and provides ample room for a description, as well as pre-set options for details about the unit. Renters can easily browse for rentals using a good selection of filters. For applications, Craigslist lists landlords’ email addresses and/or phone numbers for renters to get in touch.

Renters: What is the best website to find rental homes?

For renters, choosing a rental website that prioritizes your safety and security while giving you access to plenty of listings is key. When we look at both of these categories together, there’s a clear winner among the rental websites discussed here: liv.rent.

In addition to being one of the few platforms available in Vancouver that allows renters to conduct the entire rental process online – from application to rent payment, liv.rent stands tall as the safest rental website. Not only this, liv.rent also has over 600 listings available in Vancouver at the time of writing, which puts it solidly among the top rental websites in the area in terms of quantity.

For the hands-down best all-in-one rental platform, be sure to start your search on liv.rent.

Landlords: What is the best website to find tenants and manage your rentals?

Websites like Craigslist and Kijiji are great for landlords looking to simply post their listing and nothing more, but this isn’t usually the case. Today’s landlords look for a rental platform that allows them to perform all their essential functions in one place, and in that respect, liv.rent is the clear winner for best apartment rental website in Vancouver.

The platform’s broad range of marketing and management features put it head and shoulders above the competition, while flexible pricing plans let both landlords and property managers find an option that works for them. As well, liv.rent has a detailed verification process for tenants including the Trust Score, where you can view employment/income verification, credit checks and more in an easy-to-understand format. Best of all? It’s completely free to post unlimited listings, as well as access many liv.rent features like rent collection and standard digital contracts.

If you’re searching for an easier way to list and manage your rentals, be sure to sign up for liv.rent today.

What is the best rental website in Vancouver?

As we stated earlier, liv.rent takes the proverbial cake for Vancouver’s best apartment rental website due to its streamlined approach to the rental process and next-level security and safety features. The variety of different functions landlords renters can perform without leaving the platform sets liv.rent apart, like sending, receiving & signing digital leases, scheduling and paying rent through Automated Direct Deposit (or Bitcoin!), all backed by ultra-secure encryption protocols and manually verified landlords, tenants and listings. In terms of quantity and variety of listings as well, liv.rent has more than enough different rental listings to go toe-to-toe with global heavyweights like Zillow and Zumper, as well as local favourites like Craigslist.

Particularly for first-time renters, students, or those renting from abroad, using a rental platform that protects you from the stress and financial burden of scams should be your first priority. In the absence of face-to-face communications, there are plenty of opportunities for dishonest or deceitful behaviour on either end of the rental process. Our goal at liv.rent is to reduce the risk of potential scams by helping connect verified landlords & tenants to build a trusted rental community.

Start your search for Vancouver rentals today — sign up for liv.rent for FREE and enjoy unlimited access to verified listings, trusted landlords & more.

FAQ: The best apartment rental websites in Vancouver

How do I find a place to rent in Vancouver?

An apartment rental website is the most common method of finding housing in Vancouver, though some renters still prefer to look for a place to rent in person. If you do want to go digital, this list should provide a good idea of where to start your search.

We’d highly recommend starting on liv.rent, since this is the only platform on our list with verification processes for both landlords and listings, which ensures you’re protected from costly rental scams.

What is the best site to find a rental?

Again, our vote would have to go to liv.rent. With plenty of listings in the city of Vancouver and surrounding areas and a complete 12/12 features, not to mention its unique safety features, this all-in-one rental platform is the best site to find a rental in Vancouver.

Where is the best place to advertise a rental?

For landlords as well, liv.rent is the best option for listing and advertising rentals in Vancouver thanks to its easy listing sharing and features like built-in tenant screening with the Trust Score.

Is it hard to find a place to rent in Vancouver?

There are many factors that go into determining how easy or hard it might be to secure rental housing, such as competition, vacancy rates, and the time of year. In general, renters will have a tougher time finding a place to rent in Vancouver during the summer months and into the fall as students return to school, while the winter months are typically a bit slower with less competition, but scarcer units.

How do I advertise a place to rent?

Once you’ve posted your listing online, your best strategy for advertising your listing and renting it as quickly as possible is by sharing it to multiple platforms. You can read liv.rent’s guide to effectively advertising your rental property here for more helpful tips.

Rethink The Way You Rent

Not on liv.rent yet? Experience the ease of digital applications & contracts, verified tenants & landlords, virtual tours and more – all on one platform. Sign up for free or download the app.

Subscribe to receive the latest tenant & landlord tips and get notified about changes in the Canadian rental market.

>> Stay up-to-date on the average rent in Vancouver, Toronto and Montreal: Rent Reports.

The post The Top 8 Apartment Rental Websites In Vancouver 2026 appeared first on liv.rent blog.

Table of Contents

Top 7 most common lease addendums in Canada

Landlords have a variety of lease addendums at their disposal to help add detail to their original lease agreements. Knowing which ones to use for a given rental unit can require experience, but even novice landlords would do well to include addendums for anything they’re concerned about.

Put simply, addenda are a way for landlords to further protect themselves against the many things that can go wrong during a tenancy. If you aren’t armed with the proper legal documentation, any issues with renters can become a murky subject and lead to complicated disputes later on. Thankfully, there’s an easier way to bulletproof your lease and ensure that any potential problems are addressed long before they become an issue. With liv.rent, landlords and property managers can create and sign digital contracts including some of the most common lease addendums, as well as creating their own custom addenda right within the platform. So, what options are available to landlords? Let’s take a look.

Looking for an easier way to create and sign digital contracts and standard lease addendums? Sign up to liv.rent and streamline your rental process today.

1. Smoking Addendum

One of the most common types of addendum landlords and tenants are likely to see is a Smoking Addendum. In both B.C. and Ontario, there are laws in place to ban smoking from indoor public spaces but not within individual residences — rental properties included. For landlords to codify that their unit is designated as non-smoking, they must include the required Smoking Addendum.

This lease addendum will also lay out exactly what is and isn’t allowed within its terms. In this case, it’s standard to make clear what types of smoke are not permitted (vaping/e-cigarettes, tobacco, cannabis), exceptions to these rules, and consequences for refusing to follow them. Smoking Addendums may also prohibit the growing of marijuana/cannabis within the unit as well.

2. Subletting Addendum

Another common issue landlords face is when a tenant needs to sublet their property for whatever reason. Subletting is allowed within both B.C.’s Residential Tenancy Agreement and Ontario’s Standard Lease, but it’s important for landlords to further outline exactly what is required of tenants and how the subletting process will go. In standard leases, the only provision is that a landlord may either accept the sublet or deny it, but the grounds for doing so and further guidelines are not specified.

A Subletting Addendum clarifies these issues, and generally gives landlords permission to run credit/background checks on subletters, in addition to stating the grounds under which they may reject a proposed subletter. A Subletting Addendum will usually also outline what happens if a tenant sublets without the landlord’s permission — generally ending the tenancy for both the original tenant and the subletter unless a new lease is able to be negotiated. This is hugely important for landlords as it clears up any grey area that exists within a standard lease and lets tenants know the precise consequences for subletting without permission.

3. Form K (Strata Property Act) Addendum

This addendum is specific to B.C., but similar addendums concerning condominiums may exist in Ontario as well. The Form K Addendum specifies that tenants in a Strata Corporation must comply with any additional rules and bylaws which are usually laid out in an additional document at the time of signing the lease.

The Form K addendum also lays out what happens when a tenant goes against these rules, generally — fees, denial of access to shared facilities, or payment for any costs incurred from their actions. This is all intended to protect landlords from these penalties, as without an addendum they would generally be on the hook for any liabilities their tenant causes.

4. Rent Payment Expectations Addendum

A standard lease outlines the basics of rent payment, including the amount to be paid, the frequency, which day of the month it’s due, and what is included. It also makes clear that failure to pay rent will result in a Notice to End Tenancy, which allows the landlord to evict the tenant unless they dispute the notice. This is usually clear enough for most situations, but some landlords may want to provide further explanation to ensure tenants understand exactly what happens when they miss rent or pay late multiple times. In this case, they may want to include a Rent Payment Expectations Addendum.

A Rent Payment Expectations Addendum provides further explanation for the situations where rent is not received or is received late. Generally, it will include conditions for fees that arise as a result of non-sufficient funds, as well as letting tenants know that the money for rent must remain in their account until it is withdrawn, even in the event of a public holiday where funds may take longer to come out of their account. It will also clarify any confusion regarding the 10 Day Notice To End Tenancy, including the timeline for dispute.

5. Agreement For Crime Free Housing Addendum

It may seem obvious to state that criminal activity isn’t permitted in rental units, but most standard leases have nothing to say on the subject. While the Criminal Code of Canada is obviously still in play, landlords can also add conditions allowing them to evict tenants based on evidence of criminal activity rather than waiting for a conviction. In this case, they may want to include an Agreement For Crime Free Housing Addendum so that they don’t become entangled in criminal issues as a result of their tenant’s activity.

This addendum makes clear that any criminal activity on the part of the tenant or any guests is grounds for a Notice To End Tenancy, based on evidence rather than a criminal conviction. It also generally states that the addendum itself will supersede the Residential Tenancy Agreement in the case of conflicting terms. While no landlord wants to even think about criminal activity occurring within their rental property, it’s wise to plan for the worst-case scenario and an Agreement For Crime Free Housing Addendum does just that.

6. Suite Painting And Wallpapering Addendum

Tenants often think they can paint or wallpaper their unit at will, which is usually not the case. Making sure a suite has a reasonably fresh coat of paint is the landlord’s responsibility before move-in, and any painting following that needs direct approval from the landlord unless it is professionally done in the exact same colour as was originally there.

A Suite Painting and Wallpapering Addendum puts this in writing, stating that the tenant must have written permission before altering the paint colour of the unit, and must return it to its original state or a state suitable to the landlord before the tenancy ends. This addendum also typically makes clear that the tenant is responsible for any costs for painting and wallpapering the unit, should approval be given. Including these conditions is important for landlords, as most standard leases in Canada contain nothing about painting a unit. If a landlord doesn’t want to be surprised by bright yellow walls the next time they enter the suite, it’s a good idea to include a Suite Painting and Wallpapering Addendum.

7. Tenant Insurance Addendum

Tenant’s insurance is always a welcome sight for landlords, as it helps them ensure that they’ll receive compensation in the event of a tenant causing serious damage to their unit. It also protects tenants themselves against any damage to their personal belongings and any injuries to them or others that may occur within the rental property. While it is usually considered a bonus, some landlords may choose to make it a mandatory condition for tenancy, or strongly recommend it and lay out the potential consequences of not having a policy.

A Tenant Insurance Addendum does just that, making it clear exactly what the tenant could potentially be liable for and stressing the financial burden that can come with not having tenant’s insurance. It will also usually have the tenant agree that any injuries or damage that occur are not the fault of the landlord, except if they’re caused by the landlord’s own negligence. Encouraging renters to insure themselves is never a bad idea, and having this laid out in plain language serves to protect landlords in the event of a tenant trying to sue them for damages later on.

Other common addendums

In addition to the most frequently used addendums outlined above (which, as we’ve mentioned, are all available as templates right here on liv.rent!), there are a number of other addendums landlords frequently use to add detail to their original lease agreements. It’s worth noting that landlords can include almost anything in an addendum, so long as it’s reasonable and within residential tenancy laws for their province, so this list is by no means exhaustive. Let’s look at some of the other type of addendums you may see or use:

Lost Or Damaged Keys Addendum

If a landlord collects a key deposit from their tenants at the time of signing the lease, they’ll want to include this in a separate addendum. The addendum states the amount collected, the conditions for its return, and any additional rules surrounding keys, such as having them copied, lending them to unauthorized individuals, etc.

Additional Occupants Addendum

To ensure that only the tenants on the lease will be staying in the unit, a landlord may want to include an addendum regarding additional occupants. This simply states that only the specified renters are allowed to occupy the unit, and that having additional occupants is grounds for termination of the lease agreement.

Appliance Care Addendum

Maintaining appliances within the unit is generally a landlord’s responsibility, except when repairs are needed due to the tenant’s misuse of the appliance. An Appliance Care Addendum puts this in writing, stating that a tenant must arrange and pay for repair when it is caused by improper use on their part.

Legally Required Disclosure Addendum

Things like lead-based paint, asbestos, or mould must be disclosed to tenants at the time of signing. Usually, this can be included directly in the original lease, but an addendum will suffice should you leave it out.

Option To Purchase Addendum

Landlords can include an addendum that gives renters the option to purchase the rental property at the end of their lease. This is usually a detailed document that outlines how the transfer of property will occur, the price, and other stipulations.

Pet Addendum

Most standard leases include the option to include a pet deposit, and landlords can insist on a pet-free unit altogether, but they can also include an addendum that sets out specific conditions regarding the type and quantity of pets allowed, and other rules regarding their behaviour within the rental property.

How to create lease addendums on liv.rent

Now that we’ve gone over the many types of lease addendums available to landlords, let’s discuss how you can easily apply these to your own rental process. In Part 1 of our series on lease addendums, we gave a basic overview of how to create your own addenda, and where you could find templates online. Thankfully, you won’t have to look far.

Using liv.rent, landlords can easily create their own addendums right within the platform, upload their own existing addendums, as well as access and include a variety of standard addendum templates we’ve created for you. These can be edited to your specific needs and included alongside your lease agreement when it’s time for a tenant to digitally sign contracts. This is a fantastic way for landlords to add detail to their original lease agreements and further protect themselves against the many issues that can arise during a tenancy. Normally, creating your own lease addendums requires time and a legal expert’s advice to ensure everything is in the right place, but we’re here to help streamline the process by giving landlords access to a variety of common addenda right within the liv.rent platform.

Watch our How-To Video for more information on how to use liv.rent to create and sign digital contracts and lease addendums.

Rethink The Way You Rent

Not on liv.rent yet? Experience the ease of digital applications & contracts, verified tenants & landlords, virtual tours and more – all on one platform. Sign up for free or download the app.

Subscribe to receive the latest tenant & landlord tips and get notified about changes in the Canadian rental market.

>> Stay up-to-date on the average rent in Vancouver, Toronto and Montreal: Rent Reports.

The post Understanding Lease Addendums Part 2: Common Addendums And How To Use Them appeared first on liv.rent blog.