Hi everybody! My name is Matisse and I work here at liv.rent as the Marketing Manager. I rent out three properties and use liv.rent to manage them and find my tenants. Recently, I successfully rented out a 3 bed, 3 bath listing in Vancouver in less than 10 days from the listing to the contract being signed. During this time, I received more than 90 inquiries and 50 applications for my apartment. 

I’ll be going through exactly what I did and how you can use the features available within liv.rent to simplify the tenant search and screening process and rent out your apartment fast.

How can I find a tenant faster?

Like most landlords, I’m extremely busy and always looking for ways to do more on the go. My favourite thing about liv.rent is that I can do everything on my phone and cut out a lot of the time that’s usually wasted during the rental process. This allows me to find qualified renters faster, with less time and energy spent on my end.

To break it down, my flow essentially consisted of four simple steps:

1. Share your listing to multiple sites to reach more tenants
2. Use liv.rent as my rental hub
3. Screen candidates using liv.rent
4. Send video tours and book time slots

I’ll be going over what each of those steps looks like and how to rent out an apartment fast using liv.rent.

Share your listing to reach more tenants

To reach more qualified tenants, it’s important to cast a wide net. Thankfully, liv.rent makes it easy to advertise your listing on multiple sites so that you can reach as many interested renters as possible.

This was relatively easy for me as I’m part of a lot of different Facebook groups, but it also led to a barrage of messages from tenants. I received 150+ inquiries in total, which was great for getting leads, but I needed a way to filter out the really interested candidates.

If you’ve used Facebook Marketplace in the past, you know that about 95% of the messages you receive are the standard “Hi, is this still available?”. I didn’t have time to go through and reply to every single message, so instead I directed all interested applicants to my liv.rent listing and communicated there. This is essentially your first screening step as it eliminates the candidates who aren’t committed, while also organizing all your communications into one convenient location.

Use liv.rent as your rental hub

Once my listing was up and running, I started receiving messages on Facebook Messenger instantly. Whenever this happened, I would direct the candidate to message me and apply on liv.rent. This is important because I don’t want to continue any communication on Facebook – it’s a better way for me to organize my chats and keep all the communication and documents in one place. 

No matter where you post or advertise your listing to, you want to direct all your leads back to liv.rent (I call it my rental hub) and tell them to apply there. From there, I received over 50+ applications which was quite overwhelming. So, what I ended up doing was going through each application and short-listing or favouriting my top applicants. 

Screen tenants and create a short-list using liv.rent

Once I have a good number of applicants on liv.rent, my next task is filtering out any renters who don’t seem 100% interested in moving forward with my listing, and also any renters who don’t fit my requirements. I’m looking for someone who will take care of my unit, respectful of noise levels, and of course, can pay their rent on time. 

With this in mind, I created a tenant screening flow using liv.rent to help me save time and streamline my entire rental process. I work full-time and I really didn’t want to waste my energy on anyone who either wasn’t qualified or wasn’t seriously interested in renting my unit. 

Normally the Trust Score is the first thing that I check when looking for new tenants. Students, particularly international students who apply, may not have a credit history in Canada. In this case, I would defer to their submitted statements to see if they are employed, if they have an income, or are otherwise able to pay for rent. I also made sure to call the references listed on their application to better understand who they are as a renter. 

Send video tours and book showing time slots

After I narrowed down my top applicants to about 15, I sent the remaining candidates a link to my video tour using liv.rent and asked them to book a showing if they were still interested in the apartment. I created some options for time slots for my listing and let them know that they could go ahead and book one that was still open. 

When all was said and done, I ended up with about 10 tenants who booked a viewing – my pool of high-intent renters who I knew were seriously interested and fit all my requirements. I was able to rent out this listing in just about 10 days – I could have rented it out faster if I wanted to, but I chose to do my due diligence and go through more applicants to ensure I was totally satisfied with who I chose to rent to. 

I rented my suite out to 3 international students and I was able to use the built-in contract and pre-vetted addendums to quickly and easily get all the paperwork in order.

My tips for renting out an apartment

To summarize, let’s recap a few of the most important tips and features that helped me streamline the rental process using liv.rent and ultimately rent my apartment faster:

• List on multiple sites using built-in sharing features
• Direct all of your communications to your rental hub on liv.rent
• Use liv.rent features to screen and short-list potential tenants
• Send video tours and conduct showings
• Create contracts and addendums using liv.rent

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 Landlord Success Story: How To Rent Out An Apartment In 10 Days appeared first on liv.rent blog.

The numbers

Background

The landlord

• Number of listings managed: 1
• Rental platforms used previously: Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist
• Management software used currently: liv.rent
• Employment status: Employed full-time
• Primary concerns: Safety, saving time, finding a suitable match

The landlord in this case was renting out a two-bedroom partial house in Vancouver’s Riley Park-Little Mountain neighbourhood, seeking a source of passive income without the stress of troublesome tenants. The listing was originally posted to Facebook Marketplace, as well as liv.rent’s own Facebook Group.

In the posting, the landlord expressed that she would prefer a family or young professionals, and that her main priority was having responsible tenants who she could trust to pay rent on time and take care of the unit.

“I was so grateful to learn about liv.rent. My colleagues already knew about it, but I had no idea how much help it would be!“

The tenants

• Budget: $2,200
• Areas of interest: Cambie Village, Mount Pleasant, Point Grey/U.B.C.
• Reason for moving: Relocating for work opportunity
• Employment status: Employed full-time
• Primary concerns: Safety, budget, securing a home before arriving in Canada

A family of renters reached out to liv.rent’s support team, looking for a place to rent in Vancouver for under $2,200 per month. These tenants were moving to Canada from abroad, and had been continually inquiring to two-bedroom units near the University of British Columbia with few results to show for it.

Though their budget was far below the city-wide average rental rates, our team of Rental Experts accepted the challenge and promised they’d do all they could to find a suitable property. The tenants were almost set to depart for Vancouver, and needed a place as soon as possible. The family was relocating for a work opportunity, with the husband/father having previously worked in a globally-renowned university.

How they did it

A perfect match

While researching listings for potential outreach, liv.rent’s client success team came across a two-bedroom partial house for rent in Vancouver for a lower-than-average monthly rent price. Shared to liv.rent’s Facebook Group, the listing had only been available for a short time but had already been saved by a number of interested renters. Recalling that we had recently spoken to a family of tenants whose preferences aligned nearly perfectly with this listing, we contacted the landlord by phone, leaving a voicemail to let them know that a family of qualified renters was interested in the unit, highlighting that they had already verified their key information for the landlord’s peace of mind. liv.rent isn’t a placement agency, but we always try to assist in situations such as this one where there’s an opportunity to connect like-minded landlords and tenants.

The landlord returned our call almost immediately, sympathizing with the renters’ situation and curious to learn more about their suitability as tenants. After the landlord expressed frustration with the typical rental process and the number of time-wasting replies on other sites, our Rental Experts explained how liv.rent could simplify their renting with built-in tenant screening, marketing, digital contracts & rent payments, and other automation features.

Getting verified

While still on the line with our support representative, the landlord created her free Essentials account. She then filled out her listing’s details using liv.rent’s pre-loaded template, attaching photos of different angles of the unit, as well as a pre-recorded video tour since the tenants were renting from abroad. She proceeded through the verification processes, uploading a picture of her photo ID and land title documents.

The unit itself was a two-bedroom, one-bathroom partial house with a private entrance – and best of all, it was located in a family-friendly neighbourhood with easy public transit routes to U.B.C., perfect for the young family.

In just over 15 minutes, our team had successfully verified the landlord’s account and address, and her listing was ready to be shared! Using the easy built-in sharing features, the landlord was able to invite the tenant to apply directly, starting a conversation over liv.rent’s instant chat to streamline communication.

Simplifying the tenant screening process

After reviewing their application and asking the prospective tenants some preliminary screening questions, the landlord felt ready to continue with the rental process. Although the renters didn’t yet have a credit history in Canada, the Trust Score and liv.rent’s identity & income verification processes gave the landlord peace of mind to proceed. As the tenants were currently in Latin America, both parties had to work around a 4-hour time difference. Using liv.rent’s instant chat though, they were able to find a time slot that worked for everyone and arranged for a Zoom interview.

Virtual tours make renting from abroad a breeze

During a half-hour video call, the landlord asked a series of questions to get to know the renters better, answering any questions they had as well. While still on the call, the landlord performed a video walk-through of the property, showing the tenants each room as while as the exterior of the unit and the surrounding neighbourhood. The tenants were thrilled with what they’d seen, and the landlord was satisfied that she’d found the perfect tenants for her unit.

Making it official with digital contracts & rent payments

With both parties in agreement, the landlord created a lease agreement using liv.rent’s auto-filled lease templates, generated in seconds using the information they’d already entered onto the platform. Next, the landlord sent a Payment Request for the rent deposit through liv.rent, which the tenant promptly and securely paid directly on the platform.

As easy as that – the lease agreement was complete and both the landlord and their new tenant had found a great match in under 24 hours from the original listing being posted.

How liv.rent helped

From start to finish, this case study shows how liv.rent’s digital tools were key to this landlord renting out their listing in 24 hours, ensuring both parties were able to proceed safely and easily. Renting online can normally pose a number of threats: the tenants might not be who they say they are, their documents may not be valid, or they might not be as interested as they say they are. With liv.rent, the guesswork was taken out of the equation as the tenants had already taken the time to verify their paperwork – showing that they were a.) interested, and b.) qualified to rent.

Once posting their listing on the liv.rent platform, the rental process took mere hours, as both parties were able to do everything they needed in one convenient place. With tenant screening features built right into the platform in the form of the Trust Score and liv.rent’s verification processes, the landlord was able to easily gauge the renters’ qualification in just minutes, rather than waiting for a traditional credit check. Then, using digital contracts and rent payments, the remainder of the rental process took less than an hour.

Since there was a time difference involved and the renters weren’t able to see the unit in person before signing a lease, liv.rent’s support for up to 20 photos, as well as video uploads, was integral to properly preview the property. The instant chat feature also played a big role in ensuring streamlined communication throughout, rather than constantly waiting for emails to send or communicating across different messaging apps.

“liv.rent was a game-changer. From verifying my listing to creating & signing a lease – everything was so easy. I’m never going back!“

Takeaways from this case

While 24 hours is definitely on the lower end of the time it takes to rent out a unit, there are three key things landlords can take away from this case study on renting out their listing:

1. With the right tools, renting online can be both safe & easy — Many landlords are wary of tenants renting from abroad, preferring face-to-face interactions over digital ones. This case showed how with liv.rent, landlords and tenants can establish a similar connection through mutual verification, instant chat, and video uploads/tours.
2. The right tenants are worth making an effort for — Though their listing was originally posted to Facebook Marketplace, this landlord took advantage of liv.rent’s features in order to make communicating with these prospective renters easier. Doing this allowed them to make better-informed decisions about who they were renting to, ultimately leading to a perfect match and a happy, long-lasting tenancy.
3. Mutual trust is key to successful renting — The primary factor in this case study for renting out a listing in 24 hours was trust. Since both parties were absolutely sure that the other was trustworthy and a suitable match, the rental process was able to proceed much faster than usual.

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 How a Vancouver landlord rented out their listing in under 24 hours with liv.rent appeared first on liv.rent blog.

Our Spotlight Series highlights the experiences of Metro Vancouver property managers and tenants. Each post explores their property management approach and challenges and, more specifically, how they are using and benefitting from the liv.rent platform.

Eagleson Properties

Eagleson Properties Ltd. is a vibrant, boutique property management brokerage providing quality service to investment owners in the Lower Mainland (Greater Vancouver). With over 10 years of property management experience, they take the service they provide seriously, all the while maintaining a fun and lighthearted spirit and friendly approach to their clients.

Tell us about your property management experience

We have worked with a full range of properties and clients – from very high-end, furnished homes catering to high profile tenants seeking rentals in the $10,000+/ month range, all the way to the modest $600/ month basement bachelor units.

We’ve been fortunate to work with some of the best tenants and, unfortunately, also with tenants through successful arbitration, who had taken advantage of their Landlords in the worst ways. However, arbitration is always the last resort. We truly believe good property management starts with finding good tenants.

We also recognize many tenants feel their needs have been ignored or disrespected; many feel they are treated solely as a source of revenue while not receiving the level of care and attention they expect. Keep in mind, an owner may hold the title on the property, however, it is the tenant who makes it a home.

How many properties do you have or manage?

We currently manage 258 units. These are focused mainly in Vancouver in the Mount Pleasant, Fairview and Kitsilano neighbourhoods.

Do you manage properties alone or have a team?

We work as an amazing team! We have team members dedicated to finance, leasing, maintenance as well as to supporting the day-to-day operations of the business. Our team is the best!

Biggest headaches associated with being a landlord/property manager

This is a tough question. There can be a multitude of frustrations in this business – anything from trying to bridge relationships between disgruntled neighbours (think noise complaints) to gently communicating how the ‘unique’ features of a property may actually hinder the potential rental rate to a proud owner. Both have their challenges.

What do you look for in a tenant? Are there specific sections you look at in an application first?

Generally, we look for signs of stability. We always want to find a good, long-term tenant for our clients. That said, we have never discounted an application from a tenant who has a disjointed rental history due to travel etc. We also try very hard to give priority to tenants with pets whenever a pet-friendly property becomes available. We understand how difficult it can be for these folks to find suitable housing. Lastly, we take very seriously our ability to contribute to the housing situation

How has liv.rent addressed some of your pain points/made your life easier? What are your favourite features?

As Property Managers, we want to know a little more about the applicants beyond the standard information provided on applications. This allows us to make sure we are finding not only someone who can pay the rent but someone who will be a good fit in the building community. Ideally, a rental application should be like an employment application and include a cover letter.  Sometimes tenants will come to a showing with a little booklet about themselves with their application – we appreciate this but it is rare.

liv.rent provides us with the tenant profile which includes additional information which is awesome! It has eliminated the need for us to ask for more information, shortening the application process.

Another of our favourite features is the matching feature – When we get a notification of a ‘suggested tenant’, it allows us to wade through the sea and go directly to those who are pre-qualified.

Do you prioritize applicants who have 100% complete profiles?

Definitely!​ We like tenants who have taken the time and effort into providing all the information we typically seek. Here’s a helpful hint: potential tenants who just send an email with “Is this still available?” with no name, no contact information, do not get priority. We encourage applicants to complete their liv.rent profile for the best results and service.

Do you have any suggestions or feedback for the liv.rent team?

Branded messaging is important to us, as well as increased efficiency. It would be great if we could store crafted auto-responses we could send to applicants at the touch of a button when a property is no longer available, or an application is rejected. This way we could ensure consistent messaging that aligns with our company values, without having to type communications out each time (or copy and paste). Additionally, it would be great if we could have branded application forms for potential applicants to complete directly through liv.rent.

What are some of your favourite listings on liv.rent?

We love to peruse high-end properties. So many of our favourite listings are of West Vancouver homes, with pools and panoramic views of the city and ocean. These homes are gorgeous!

Here are some of our current, available listings:

This spectacular, fully furnished 3-bedroom, 3 bathroom single-family home, with extra room on the ground floor, is perched on the North Vancouver mountain. It is turn-key ready with everything you could possibly need to make yourself at home including a hot tube and incredible panoramic views.

Enjoy living near luxury shops, galleries and amenities like Meinhardt’s grocery, Anthropologie, Small Victory Cafe and more. This unfurnished, 3 bed, 2.5 bath luxury home on the edge Shaughnessy.

Perfect for students, spacious 2 bed, 1 bath home with hardwood floors throughout located on UBC campus.

Sign up for liv.rent and inquire with Eagleson Properties today by clicking through any of the links above!

Go digital with you property management and experience the ease of liv.rent yet? Try your hand managing properties with liv.rent.

Send, sign and export digital applications and contracts  – click here to sign up now!

Download the liv.rent app – available in the App Store and the  Google Play Store.

The post Property Manager Spotlight – Eagleson Properties appeared first on liv.rent blog.

W Brothers is a Vancouver-based property management company providing professional property evaluation, tenant selection and property management services since 2013. W Brothers is currently managing over $300 million worth of real estate and have rented more than 500 luxury homes in the Metro Vancouver Area since their inception.

They recently started using liv.rent exclusively to help manage properties and are excited by the simplicity and functionality available in the mobile app and web versions.

Tell us about your property management experience

We have 6 years of experience managing all varieties of properties around the lower mainland and take care to ensure properties are maintained and the very best tenants are selected.

How many properties do you have or manage?

We are currently managing over 200 properties.  They range from studio suites to luxury waterfront properties in West Vancouver.

Do you manage properties alone or have a team?

Our team is comprised of 4 agents, 1 administrator and an accountant. Together we strive to provide the best customer service experience possible.

Biggest headaches associated with being a landlord

For us, finding the right tenant is always the key. So the biggest challenge (or headache) is conducting our due diligence when selecting a tenant. We always run extensive reference checks so we are confident we’ve made the right decision. This is time consuming but absolutely necessary to ensure our relationships with our clients (and tenants) remain positive.

What do you look for in a tenant? Specifically, are there specific sections you look at in an application first?

Tenant and property match-up is very important. The first step is to know and understand your tenant. For us, it is always important to find out as much as we can about the tenant, their requirements, their expectations and their credentials. Then, we conduct background checks that include employment history, previous landlord reviews etc. It is also key that we meet the tenant in person. Since we will be dealing with the prospective tenant for 12-36 months, having a good rapport with them is important. If someone is good on paper but you don’t have a good interpersonal relationship, we would think twice before making the decision to grant them the tenancy.

How has liv.rent addressed some of your pain points/made your life easier? What are your favourite features?

Liv.rent has helped us assess applicants more easily thanks to the Trust Score. We really appreciate the general overview of the tenants provided by the app. This way, before conducting a showing, we already have some background information on the potential tenant.

The chatting feature and pre-application features are very useful. Every time we post a new listing, we have potential tenants messaging our team through the liv.rent chat feature. In addition, posting a property on liv.rent is SO SIMPLE and looks very professional.

(Check out our post on the latest Trust Score Updates)

Do you ever reach out to your “Suggested Tenants” through the app encouraging them to apply?

We haven’t been using this feature as much since we have lots of traffic from the potential tenant directly every time we post a listing. We will use it in the future if a listing doesn’t elicit as much attention.

(Check out our post: What are Suggested Tenants?)

Do you prioritize applicants who have 100% complete profiles?

Yes, a good profile always encourages our agents to prioritize the tenant since this shows they are keen and conscientious. At the same time, it is easier for us to do the screening process as well. I like to deal with organized and proactive tenants and having a complete profile demonstrates this to us as a landlord.

Any other features you would like to see in liv.rent?

We are generally very happy though maybe it would help to allow more than one applicant into a listing to help address a roommate situation.

What are some of your favourite listings on liv.rent?

We have plenty!

Sign up for liv.rent and inquire with W Brothers Rentals today by clicking through any of the links below!

W Brothers LIV.RENT Listings:

Surrey – Spectacular, 2 bedroom 2 bath home in the Elgin House which features beautiful outdoor pool and jacuzzi, fitness centre and basketball court!

Yaletown at its best! 1 bed, 1 bath home,  floor to ceiling windows, gourmet kitchen with bosch appliances and building amenities that include pool and squash courts.

Vancouver, Marpole – Modern, 2 bed, 2 bath home featuring contemporary cabinetry, integrated appliances, wood floors, close to all Granville Street amenities.

Check out our post on New Landlord Web Features and learn how easy it is to manage your properties, applications and agreements on line, or in the liv.rent app!

Haven’t tried liv.rent yet? Experience digital contracts, instant chatting, and lead generation all in one place. Click here to sign up now!

Download the liv.rent app – available in the  App Store and the  Google Play Store.

The post Property Manager Spotlight – W Brothers appeared first on liv.rent blog.

Welcome to our new Spotlight Series highlighting the experiences of some Metro Vancouver property managers and tenants. Each post will explore their property management approach and challenges and, more specifically, how they are using and benefitting from the liv.rent platform.

Luxury Rental Suites

Luxury Rental Suites, a subsidiary of Century 21, is a Vancouver-based property management team specializing in luxury furnished and unfurnished rentals throughout the lower mainland area. With over 20 years of combined sales, property management and real estate experience, Luxury Rental Suites goes above and beyond to assist landlords with tenant placement and property management needs.

They’ve recently started using liv.rent to help manage properties and are excited by the simplicity and functionality available in the app and in the web version.

Tell us about your property management experience

We are an experienced team! Both Lily and Nan have been in the property management business for over 10 years now.  All of our agents have experience in either sales, leasing, property management or all of the above. We are committed professionals able to help any client with their property management needs.

How many properties do you have or manage?

We currently manage 70 properties, co-manage 200 and do tenant placements for multiple others (over 500).

Do you manage properties alone or have a team?

We have a team of property managers, a coordinator, and an administrator who help the management team with accounting and showings.

Luxury Rental Suites Property Management Team

Biggest headaches associated with being a landlord

That’s easy -100%, it is repairs.  We have a dedicated team to ensure we address all the issues in a timely manner. This team includes a general contractor, handyman, electrician, appliance technician, cleaners, etc.  In order to keep good tenants, and ensure the integrity of the property,  it is imperative that we respond effectively to repair requests.

What do you look for in a tenant? Specifically, are there specific sections you look at in an application first?

We look at numerous factors including income, rent to income ratio, social media presence, and employment record to name a few.  We base our decisions on all of these factors combined, not one specific item. We carefully consider all sections of an application and don’t weigh one over the other; they are considered together.

How has liv.rent addressed some of your pain points/made your life easier? What are your favourite features?

Liv.rent has helped us assess applicants easier.

The Trust Score is an intelligent rating system designed to help determine whether a tenant qualifies for an apartment or home and allows landlords to compare apples to apples. The score is based on a number of key factors like

Income and Employer Verification,past court and bank records; all taken from documents that tenants upload. This way, it allows landlords to easily pre-screen applicants.

(Check out our posts: What is a liv.score and Improving your liv.score for more information)

Do you ever reach out to your “Suggested Tenants” through the app encouraging them to apply?

I have not yet, but I certainly will do.

(Check out our post: What are Suggested Tenants?)

Do you prioritize applicants who have 100% complete profiles?

Yes. A complete profile demonstrates diligence and interest which, for us, suggests a conscientious tenant.

What are some of your favourite listings on Liv.rent?

We have plenty!

Sign up for liv.rent and inquire with Luxury Rentals today by clicking through any of the links below!

Contemporary, West End Perfection, furnished 2 bed/2 bath

Beautifully appointed, modern and centrally located West End apartment, 15 minutes away on foot from both downtown and the beach!

(Feature image at top of post from same property)

Brand new, spacious, Cambie Village 2 bed/3 bath townhome

Beautiful, brand new home steps away from vibrant Cambie Village, Main St, Mt Pleasant Park, Canada Line and more.

1 bed/1bath, furnished, funky Main Street, Pied-a-terre

Ultra modern, beautifully furnished. loft-like space with polished concrete floors close to the best of Main Street and Olympic Village.  Rent it furnished or unfurnished. Walk 15 minutes to the Olympic Village Canada Line or 15 minutes east to the VCC Clark Station (Expo Line).

Immaculate, furnished, Robson Street 1 bed/1 bath home

Downtown living at its best – steps from Yaletown nightlife, Canucks’ games, and the city’s best restaurants!

Bright, modern 2 bed/1 bath home in hip Fraserhood area

Enjoy living in this bright, contemporary home walking distance to Earnest Ice Cream, Prado Cafe, Batard bakery, Nammos and more.

Check out our post on New Landlord Web Features and learn how easy it is to manage your properties, applications and agreements on line, or in the liv.rent app!

Haven’t tried liv.rent yet? Try your hand managing properties using liv.rent, click here to sign up now!

Download the liv.rent app – available in the  App Store and the  Google Play Store.

The post Property Manager Spotlight – Luxury Rental Suites appeared first on liv.rent blog.