How RentSmart works

RentSmart is designed with three core objectives:

1. Empower tenants: Provide tenants with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to maintain safe and stable housing.
2. Deliver quality experiences: Ensure a high-quality educational experience that is current, relevant, and practical.
3. Expand capacity: Use a “Train the Trainer” model to enable community educators across Canada to deliver tenant education.

The “Train the Trainer” model

Certified RentSmart Community Educators are given comprehensive training and ongoing support, including access to an online educator dashboard, to manage courses and track participant progress.

Flexible delivery and certification

The RentSmart Certificate Program is offered to both tenants and landlords, covering important topics like:

• Tenant and landlord rights and responsibilities
• Budgeting for housing
• Property maintenance
• Conflict resolution

Courses can be delivered in-person or virtually to meet community needs. Upon completion, tenants earn a RentSmart Certificate, which is recognized by many landlords as a reference, and can enhance their chances of securing stable housing.

RentSmart ensures that tenant education is sustainable, impactful, and widely accessible, fostering long-term housing stability.

Be a part of housing stability for your community and join our network of Community Educators!

Frequently asked questions

Read the frequently asked questions for Community Educators here and Learners here.

FAQ for Community Educators

How do I become a Certified Community Educator?

Register and complete the RentSmart Community Educator training course. You can find upcoming courses here.

What are the responsibilities of Certified Community Educators?

Community Educators are responsible for facilitating engaging and inclusive learning sessions, creating a safe and supportive environment for learners. They adapt the curriculum provided by the Centre to meet diverse needs, empower learners to build confidence in their tenancy knowledge, and recognize the value of their life experiences. Educators also connect learners with community resources, promote awareness of housing issues, and provide feedback to improve the program.

Who is this course for?

The RentSmart Community Educator courses are ideal for social service agencies or non-profit housing providers, and other organizations that support individuals needing housing support and guidance.

What are the requirements to deliver the RentSmart Certification Course?

Once an individual completes the RentSmart Community Educator Course, they become certified to teach the RentSmart Certification course. Certified Community Educators must pay an annual subscription fee to gain access to the dashboard and all course materials.

What support will I receive as a RentSmart subscriber?

Through our subscription model, we can provide ongoing support to help you deliver the program confidently. This includes access to marketing materials, evaluation forms, and a course management system at your fingertips on the Educator Dashboard – that will boost your confidence to start delivering the RentSmart training right away!

I am interested in the training but not sure if I will deliver courses. Is this a fit for me?

While not everyone who completes the RentSmart Community Educator training goes on to deliver courses, nearly all participants find it valuable for supporting successful tenancies, understanding prevention strategies, practising facilitation skills, and enhancing their professional toolbox.

Is the annual subscription fee for the organization or educator?

The annual subscription is a fee per individual educators, making it a valuable investment for professional development and access to exclusive resources. Organizations can pay for their employees’ subscription fees, supporting their education and enhancing their skills and impact.

When does my subscription expire?

The subscription is for one year from the start date of your subscription. You will receive an email notification at your registered email address regarding your account expiry. Additionally, you can check your Educator Dashboard, the expiry date indicated for you. If your account is set to expire in 6 months or less, a countdown will be displayed, showing the amount of time left.

FAQ for Learners

How long is the RentSmart Certificate course?

The RentSmart Certificate is a 6 module, 12-hours in-person curriculum course.

What is the benefit of the RentSmart Certificate?

The RentSmart Graduate Certificate is widely recognized amongst landlords and can serve as a valuable reference on housing applications. It demonstrates that the holder has completed 12 hours of training on how to be a successful tenant. Landlords can easily verify the RentSmart Certificate through the RentSmart website.