The Municipality of Chatham-Kent and the Chatham-Kent Landlord Association have partnered to deliver, market, and promote RentSmart – a tenant and landlord education program. This partnership, the first of its kind in Canada, aims to increase successful tenancies, improve landlord and tenant relationships and decrease evictions.
In 2018, Chatham-Kent Employment & Social Services became one of the first municipalities in Ontario to begin offering RentSmart tenant education to individuals receiving housing stability services through the Chatham-Kent Shelter Solutions program, as well as, the community at large.
Shortly after, the Chatham-Kent Landlord Association, which includes over 1,600 rental units, initiated discussions with Employment & Social Services to explore a RentSmart program partnership.
Tenants want a safe, suitable, and affordable home to rent. Landlords want tenants to pay rent on time, be good neighbors, and take care of their property.
RentSmart offers education and support services to tenants and landlords with one goal: Successful Tenancies.
“The RentSmart model is designed to build a common understanding between tenants and landlords. Everyone wins with a successful tenancy – renters, landlords and the community”, stated Gordon Milak, president of the Chatham-Kent Landlord Association.
For tenants, the certificate curriculum is an interactive education, focused on developing reliable tenants by increasing knowledge, preventing damages and evictions and increasing successful tenancies. Upon completion of the RentSmart Certificate course, participants earn the RentSmart Certificate of Completion.
The RentSmart Landlord curriculum delivers professional development courses to landlords, tenant managers, support workers, and property managers.
This course builds knowledge, skills, and capacity in housing tenants who may be experiencing life transitions, best practices in being a landlord, strategies for successful tenancies, and how to access support to address issues if they arise.
As of March 2019, the Chatham-Kent Landlord Association has adopted RentSmart Landlord education as a requirement for membership.
The CK RentSmart Municipal – CK Landlord Association Partnership supports Chatham-Kent’s Housing & Homelessness Plan priorities to engage with and build better relationships with local landlords and to increase housing stability throughout the community.
For more information and to register for RentSmart
RentSmart for Tenants
www.chatham-kent.ca | 519-351-1228 ext. 2409 | ckrentsmart@chatham-kent.ca
RentSmart for Landlords
www.chathamapartments.ca | cklandlordassoc@gmail.com
