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Become a Certified Community RentSmart Educator.
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We have created a directory for COVID-19 resources and updates
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RentSmart Announcement with Regard to COVID-19
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Our newest initiative, aimed to increase access to housing for youth and families in Victoria and Lower Mainland -
RentSmart combines education, certification and support for successful tenancies
RentSmart helps:
RentSmart is grounded in a housing stability and prevention framework.
Learn more by watching the video/webinar.
RentSmart is grounded in a housing stability and prevention framework.
Learn more by watching the video/webinar.
RentSmart has been proven to work. We measure our impact in a number of ways.
Course intake and
evaluation forms
Tracking support
issues and solutions
Educator Feedback
Annual Graduate Survey
Annual Educator Survey
Annual Report
Graduate
Thank you! This information was very helpful!
I feel more confident after taking this course!
I looked forward to each and every lesson.
– Graduate
Graduate
This class was very helpful for me and my boyfriend.
Now we know our rights and how to deal with renting.
I am a first time renter so this class was great.
– Graduate
Graduate
RentSmart is an eye-opening program for all people who are unaware of
the rules of the landlord and tenancy act. People who have taken this program
are surprised by the multifaceted aspects of renting. When you complete the
program you are provided with a certificate which can be used as a reference.
Anyone up for release within the next year could benefit from taking this program.
—Graduate
Graduate
The RentSmart course was great! It provided me with the
tools and knowledge to find a good rental property. I learned
about my rights and responsibilities as a tenant, and landlord
responsibilities and expectations were also covered. I now
know how to be a fantastic tenant and use effective
communication with property owners.
— Graduate
Graduate
RentSmart was excellent! What was truly incredible was the facilitator
who made time for me outside of class to sit with me and go over the
program material. I needed these one-to-one tutorials as my brain injury
makes it difficult to grasp information in a classroom setting. Through
the program, I learned about my rights as a tenant and the laws that apply
to renting. I benefited further by learning how to budget money and how
to prepare and set-up for my future rental.”
– Graduate
Graduate
“I liked the program. The course made clear about
my rights/responsibilities and landlords rights as well.”
– Graduate
Graduate
This course was awesome, I’ve enjoyed it so much
– I will be going to the fire safety store to purchase
a ladder and fire extinguisher.”
– Graduate
Graduate
“As a result of taking this course I will do
everything differently. I moved in as I started
this course and used all of the info provided.”
– Graduate
Educator
“I have been working with a client of mine for awhile and he and his
partner have been struggling to secure stable housing. He was thrilled
to attend this course, and stated that it was something that he was
complete and learn from because it was going to be the first things
he’s completed ever in his life. He worked hard and was committed
each week and had a huge sense of accomplishment the last day
when he received his certificate and letter knowing that he was
successful and accomplished his goal.”
– Educator
Graduate
I learned a lot during the RentSmart program, from how to keep a running
record during inspection to the common rental rates in the Victoria area.
In addition, I formed a clearer picture of what I can afford in the local area.
I recommended this program for anyone entering the rental market.
– Graduate
Graduate
“I am more confident and knowledgeable and more of
a proud renter. The course helped me understand things
from the landlord’s perspective and in turn I became a
better tenant. Thank you so much this course
taught me a lot and definitely changed my life.”
– Graduate
Educator
“One of our RentSmart youth graduates got housing today. We
are thrilled for him. The Independent Living Worker accompanied
him to the viewing but he phoned apartments and property
management companies on his own, completed the application
and setup the viewing appointment on his own. (We are proud).
He said the course gave him the confidence he needed to do it!”
– Educator
Educator
“Mid-way through the youth RentSmart group, there is already a tangible
success directly related to program participation. One group participant,
who has been couch surfing for several months, has managed to secure
market housing before the course has even come to a close. Using her
RentSmart knowledge and the reputation of the RentSmart program,
she met a landlord and viewed a bachelor suite armed with knowledge
and confidence. While that particular suite rented before she had a
chance to complete the paperwork, the landlord reached out to her
about another suite he had available. He indicated that she had made
a great impression and that he really wanted her as a tenant knowing
that she was enrolled in the RentSmart course. Using what she has
learned so far, she successfully secured her tenancy and has begun
to look into renter’s insurance.”
– Educator
Educator
“During the course I wasn’t certain of the impact it (the
RentSmart course) was having but the week following the
course during a community kitchen, two of the youth who
took the course were recommending it to others at the
community kitchen. They said that is was fun and they
learned a lot that they didn’t know.”
– Educator
Educator
“I always have a great time co-facilitating the RentSmart Basics.
I’m really thankful for the team that created this course. As our
regions previous Landlord and Tenant Advisor I was really
resistant to this course at first, because I know the Residential
Tenancies Act very well and thought I had little else to learn.
The RentSmart Train the Trainer taught me how to teach a
pretty dry and dull topic in a funand interactive way.”
– Educator
Graduate
“RentSmart taught me everything I know about housing.”
– Graduate
Landlord
“Participants feel empowered when given the knowledge and
skills of the many components that RentSmart offers. Participants
are engaged to attempt to meet their own basic housing and social
needs. Their increased knowledge of tenant/landlord rights and
responsibilities motivate them to confidently seek housing both
inside/outside of their home communities. To move forward with
healthy expectations and the feeling of being able to have a positive
impact on their own futures, to function as valued tenants
and/or homeowners.”
– Landlord
Landlord
“I for sure have seen ready to rent empower community members!
They don’t realize how little they know about living off reserve until
taking the course. When we live on reserve our whole lives moving off
is a complete culture shock because finally we are held accountable for
our actions meaning we HAVE to pay rent in order to have a home there
is little flexibility for us, and also we have to think of our finances and
budget our money properly so the members think ‘wow I need a full
time job and so does my mate in order to make this work’ so taking the
course is somewhat of a stepping stone on to bigger and better things,
like getting a job or going back to school so that they can get a
good job to afford housing.”
– Landlord
Landlord
“As a landlord of apartment rentals one of the key things I use to vet potential tenants
is their credit history. In my experience, if they pay their bills on time, generally they end up being
good (if not always quiet) tenants. Other criteria we use are employment history, former landlord
and personal recommendations etc. However, I can’t rely on credit history when there is no credit record and
this often happens when applicants are new to the country/province – be it recent immigration or arrival
to complete courses at university. In this instance I would find it useful if the applicant had completed the
RentSmart program. A completed RentSmart program would help indicate an applicant’s serious
attitude towards finding rental housing and also make an application stand out from others. “
– Landlord
Graduate
“When I first moved into my new apartment , my new landlord was telling me
what they take off from my damage deposit when I move after taking the course
I was able to inform her what she could take off and not. She is pretty cool
about and she didn’t know. I’m very happy I took the course.”
– Graduate
Graduate
“RentSmart helped me to be more knowledgeable when dealing with landlords
and what to know and expect when entering into a new rental situation.”
– Graduate
Graduate
“I happy that I’ve taken this course, very helpful knowledge of the program and enjoyed taking.
It gave me so much in housing and moving forward into a new home. Thank you”
– Graduate
Graduate
“Helped a lot with knowing what i am supposed to take care of as a tenant, and what the landlords responsibilities are.”
– Graduate
Graduate
“Helped me get to top of list for housing as it helped me and my family become as one and helped us get our own home.”
– Graduate
Graduate
“Rent smart helped a lot with getting a place I didn’t have any references before rent smart But the landlord
knowing I took responsibility to smart helped me secure the place I’m living in now.”
– Graduate
Graduate
“RentSmart has and is teaching me about my rights as a tenant & my managers rights. My RentSmart certificate
has gotten me into my place I am in now; in less then a month! I have my RentSmart everywhere when I see my manager.”
– Graduate