Safety Guide

Renting, buying and leasing, safely

HOMES & SPACES · SAFETY GUIDE

See the place. Know who’s behind it. Then sign.

Everyone on Homes & Spaces passes a one-time photo-ID check through Stripe: advertisers before a listing goes up, and you before you contact one. It confirms the person, not the property.

I’m

Who’s behind this listing?

$2,450 / month2-bed condo · Port Moody

ID verifiedBC registered companyLicence verified

Role Property managerExample listing

ID verified: A government photo ID, confirmed through Stripe, for every advertiser and everyone who contacts one.
BC registered company: The company’s name matched in BC Registries.
Licence verified: An Admin checked the licence number on the BCFSA public register.
Role: What the advertiser says they are: the owner, a manager or an agent. It’s their word; the badges are the checks.

No badge means not checked. A badge shows only when the check passed.

Before any money moves

0 of 6

I’ve seen the exact unit, in person, with the person renting itPhotos and a video call aren’t a viewing.TRAC guide ↗
Their Role fits, and they can rent it: the owner, a manager or an agentThe listing shows their Role. A property manager should hold a BCFSA licence.BCFSA search ↗
We have a written tenancy agreementSigned by you both, with a copy for you.
The security deposit is no more than half a month’s rentA pet damage deposit: half again, at most.B.C. rules ↗
No one has asked me for an application feeB.C. landlords can’t charge one.B.C. rules ↗
I’m paying in a way that leaves a record, with a receiptNever cash to someone you can’t find again.

Not yet: 6 to go before you send anything.

Red flags

Rent well under similar places nearbyThe lure. Compare it with the other listings.
Photos you’ve seen on another listingScammers copy real ads. Search the photos.
Can’t view it: away, overseas, “the keys are in the mail”No viewing, no money.
A deposit or a fee before you’ve seen it or signedThat is where the money goes.
“Three others want it today”Hurry is how checks get skipped.
Gift cards, crypto or a wireMoney you can’t get back.

B.C. rules that protect you

A security deposit can be no more than half of the first month’s rent.
A pet damage deposit: also no more than half, however many pets.
Landlords can’t charge a fee to accept, review or process an application.
The deposit is paid within 30 days of signing the tenancy agreement.

Source: Province of British Columbia, residential tenancy deposits and fees

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