Partner & Realtor FAQs

Your Rent-to-Own Partner
Help Centre

Whether you're a realtor, mortgage broker, or community partner, we’re here to support your success. This Help Centre answers your most common questions about our rent-to-own referral program in Alberta — including how to qualify clients, earn full commission, understand down payments, and guide buyers through our rent-to-own process. Explore the FAQs below to learn how Alberta House Partners helps you turn “no” into “new homeowners.”

FAQ Topics
Rent-to-Own Program Basics
4
Home Shopping & Budgeting
4
Partner & Client Eligibility
4
Marketing & Referral Support
4

Rent-to-Own Program Basics

4 questions in this section

1. What exactly is Alberta House Partners’ rent-to-own program, and how does it differ from traditional rent-to-own models?

A Homeownership Path for All Albertans

Alberta House Partners’ rent-to-own program is a modern, flexible homeownership solution built for Albertans who can’t yet qualify for a traditional mortgage — including those with bad credit, no credit history, self-employed income, or limited down payment savings. Whether you're a newcomer, freelancer, or rebuilding your financial profile, our program bridges the gap between renting and owning.

How It Works

We purchase the home of the client’s choice, and they rent it while building toward ownership. Throughout the lease period, a portion of their monthly rent is credited toward the future down payment. When the term ends, they have the exclusive right to buy back the home at a pre-agreed price.

Key Differences From Traditional Rent-to-Own Programs

  • Fixed Buyback Pricing: The future purchase price is locked in at the start, offering price protection and transparency.
  • No Bank Pre-Approval Required: Clients don’t need to qualify with a bank upfront, making this ideal for non-traditional income earners.
  • Legal Protection: Every deal includes legal agreements that are structured and reviewed to protect the client.
  • Partner-Focused Payouts: Realtors and brokers receive full commissions upfront — paid at the time of home purchase, not delayed.
  • Equity-Building Path: Monthly payments help clients build rent credits and savings toward homeownership.

Why It Works

Unlike outdated rent-to-own models that often involve vague terms or limited inventory, Alberta House Partners empowers the client to choose a home they truly love, anywhere in Alberta — from Toronto and Calgary to Vancouver, Ottawa, and Winnipeg. It’s a transparent, scalable, and client-first model that also provides clear incentives for realtors and referral partners.

2. How long is the typical rent-to-own term with Alberta House Partners?

Standard term duration:
Most rent-to-own agreements through Alberta House Partners range from 2 to 3 years, depending on the client’s readiness, income stability, and credit rebuilding timeline. This timeframe is designed to allow clients to save for a mortgage down payment, improve their credit score, and build financial eligibility for a traditional loan.

Flexibility for your clients: As a realtor or partner, you’ll find that this flexible timeline accommodates clients who are self-employed, new to Alberta, or recovering from past financial issues. You can confidently refer leads knowing the program adapts to a wide range of situations without bank-level rigidity.

Partner advantage: You don’t have to wait for 2–3 years to get paid. Commission is paid out upfront—when we buy the home—not when the client eventually qualifies for a mortgage.

3. How are property taxes, maintenance, and insurance handled during the rent-to-own period?

Who pays what:
Alberta House Partners handles property taxes and building insurance throughout the rent-to-own term, ensuring the home stays protected under ownership. The tenant-buyer is responsible for tenant insurance (content & liability) and general upkeep, similar to standard renting conditions.

Clear responsibilities for your clients:
Tenants are encouraged to treat the property as if it were their own—keeping it clean, well-maintained, and in good condition. However, major structural issues or capital repairs are covered by us as the legal owner.

Why this matters to you: As a partner or realtor, you can assure your clients that they won’t face surprise property tax bills or get overwhelmed with legal ownership responsibilities during the term. This reduces fallouts, builds trust, and makes the transition smoother—especially for first-time buyers.

4. How is the final buyback price determined at the end of the term?

Fixed pricing model: At the start of every deal, Alberta House Partners and the client agree on a fixed buyback price, based on the home’s current value plus a modest, pre-agreed appreciation rate. This removes uncertainty and gives your client a clear roadmap toward ownership from day one.

No surprises or market shocks: Even if the housing market fluctuates, the client’s purchase price remains locked in. This can be a huge selling point for your leads, especially in volatile real estate markets like Ontario, Alberta, and British Columbia.

Why this builds confidence: Traditional rent-to-own models often lack pricing transparency, leading to distrust. With CHP, you can pitch a clearly structured, legally transparent program where clients know exactly what they’re working toward—and you earn your commission with peace of mind.

Partner & Client Eligibility

4 questions in this section

1. Who is eligible to become a referral partner with Alberta House Partners?

Open to realtors, brokers, and professionals across Alberta. Anyone with a strong network of renters, aspiring homeowners, or clients struggling to qualify for a mortgage can become a referral partner. This includes

  • Licensed real estate agents
  • Mortgage brokers
  • Credit repair consultants
  • Financial advisors
  • Property managers
  • Community leaders
  • Influencers or content creators in the housing space

There are no exclusivity requirements, no upfront costs, and no quotas. If you have clients who could benefit from a flexible rent-to-own program in Alberta, you’re welcome to join.

2. Do I need to be a licensed real estate agent or mortgage broker to refer clients?

No license required.
While many of our referral partners are licensed professionals, Alberta House Partners’ program is also open to unlicensed individuals who work with buyers or tenants. If you're in a position to educate people about rent-to-own homes in Alberta and can refer interested leads, you can participate.

Who qualifies as a non-licensed partner?

  • Credit counselors
  • Leasing agents
  • Tenant placement companies
  • Influencers and bloggers in real estate or finance
  • Community organizers or newcomers support staff

Whether you’re full-time in real estate or simply connected to aspiring homeowners, we make it easy to join and earn.

3. What kinds of clients are a good fit for the rent-to-own program?

Clients who want to buy but can’t qualify for a mortgage today. This includes individuals who are financially stable but fall outside traditional lending guidelines. The best-fit clients are:

  • Renters with stable income but low or no credit
  • Newcomers to Alberta without credit history
  • Self-employed or gig workers without T4s
  • Clients with bankruptcy history but strong income now
  • Buyers who don’t yet have a 20% down payment

As a referral partner, you’ll have a large pool of clients who are often underserved by banks and traditional brokers — and this program gives them a second chance at homeownership.

Home Shopping & Budgeting

4 questions in this section

1. How do I help clients find a rent-to-own home once they’re approved?

You can guide the home search just like a traditional purchase. Once your referred client is pre-approved by Alberta House Partners, they’ll receive a customized budget outlining the maximum home price they qualify for. From there, they can begin shopping for a home — and as their referral partner, you’re welcome to assist them every step of the way.

Here’s how you can help:

  • Send MLS listings that fit within their approved rent-to-own budget
  • Coordinate viewings or walkthroughs, if you're a licensed realtor
  • Ensure homes meet the program’s eligibility criteria (move-in ready, within service areas)

We also provide home qualification guidelines so you know exactly what types of properties work best.

2. Can clients choose any home on the market, or are there restrictions?

Clients have freedom — within program guidelines.
Alberta House Partners allows approved clients to choose nearly any move-in ready
home listed for sale in their eligible province, but there are a few basic criteria:

  • Home must be within their approved budget
  • Must be in a supported region (e.g., cities of Alberta)
  • Must be in livable, insurable condition (no major renovations required)
  • Detached, semi-detached, townhomes, and select condos are allowed

Homes outside these criteria may still be considered but will undergo additional review. This makes the experience feel like a real purchase, not a limited rental catalog.

3. Are MLS listings eligible for the Alberta House Partners program?

Yes — most MLS-listed homes are fully eligible.
We encourage clients and their partner agents to search the MLS system when selecting a property. This ensures:

  • Clear market visibility
  • Access to accurate pricing data
  • Streamlined offer processes with listing agents

As a realtor or partner, you can treat this like a standard home purchase — just with Alberta House Partners acting as the buyer on your client’s behalf.

Can I refer clients with bad credit, no credit, or self-employment income?

Yes — those are the ideal candidates. Alberta House Partners is specifically built for buyers who don’t meet bank criteria. Whether your client is self-employed, has a bruised credit score, or is new to the country without any credit at all — they can still qualify for our rent-to-own homes in Ontario, Alberta, BC, and beyond.

We focus on overall readiness, not just a credit number.

  • We assess income stability
  • We verify rent payment history
  • We review savings and financial behavior

This gives your clients a real shot at becoming homeowners, even when the bank says no.

Marketing & Referral Support

4 questions in this section

1. What marketing tools or assets do I get when I join as a partner?

Partners receive access to a full marketing toolkit. Once you’re onboarded as a Alberta House Partners referral partner, you’ll receive:

  • Pre-designed flyers, brochures, and social media graphics
  • Professionally written email templates
  • Client-facing explainer videos
  • Lead capture forms and customized referral tracking tools
  • A downloadable partner guide with talking points and key benefits

These assets make it easy for you to promote the program professionally — even if you don’t have a full marketing team behind you.

2. Can I use Alberta House Partners branding in my social media or website?

Yes, with guidelines. Partners are welcome to use the Alberta House Partners name, logo, and visual assets to promote the rent-to-own program — as long as brand usage aligns with our provided guidelines

You’ll receive:

  • High-resolution logos
  • Brand colors and fonts
  • Do’s and Don’ts on messaging
  • Examples of approved content

This helps ensure brand consistency and protects both your reputation and ours.

3. Do you provide co-branded materials or white-labeled content for promotion?

Yes — custom assets are available for active partners. If you’d like to add your own logo and contact information to our flyers, guides, or videos, we can provide:

You’ll receive:

  • Co-branded marketing kits
  • White-label presentations for workshops or webinars
  • Editable social media posts tailored to your audience

This is especially helpful for mortgage brokers, realtors, and agency partners looking to integrate our offer into their sales flow seamlessly.

4. How can I explain the rent-to-own program to clients who are skeptical?

We provide talking points, proof, and testimonials. Clients who are new to rent-to-own may have concerns — especially if they've heard of shady past programs. We arm you with:

  • A clear breakdown of how our rent-to-own model works
  • Comparison charts showing how we differ from competitors
  • Video testimonials from real clients who’ve bought homes through our program
  • Legal documentation summaries for added trust

We’ve built our reputation on transparency and credibility, which makes your job easier when presenting to leads.

Living in Your Rent-to-Own Home

3 questions in this section

1. What are my responsibilities as a tenant?

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2. Can I make modifications to the home?

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3. Who handles maintenance and repairs?

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Rent To Own Blogs

Blog 1
Buying Homes for Newcomers in Alberta

Starting a new life in Alberta comes with countless decisions—but one of the biggest is finding a place to call your own. For many newcomers, buying a home is both a dream and a challenge.

Learn More
Blog 2
How to Buy a Home When Self-Employed

Being your own boss comes with freedom, flexibility—and financial complexity. If you're self-employed in Alberta, getting approved for a mortgage or buying a home can feel like a maze of paperwork and extra hurdles.

Learn More
Blog 3
What is Rent-to-Own?

Rent-to-own is a unique path to homeownership designed for Albertans who aren't quite mortgage-ready but want to take steps toward owning a home.

Learn More
View All Rent to Own Blogs Alberta
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Homeownership Journey?

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today and start building equity while you rent.