Archie MontroseIf you look up the best cities to live in the world, we have no doubt that Vancouver will pop up. The city is known for its exceptional quality of life, so we won’t be surprised if you’re looking into moving to Canada’s best city (we’re not biased!).
Real estate prices, though, are tough, but our best advice? Cut down the cost of living by renting a room and finding a friendly roommate to share the expenses with.
Room rentals in Vancouver are super common, and finding roommates is made easier thanks to room rental platforms. We narrowed down the best there is in Vancouver, so you don’t have to!
How much do room rentals cost in Vancouver?
Room rentals in Vancouver will set you back around $1,200 to $3,500 per month. Some listings may allow hourly rentals at $60 per hour.
Factors that influence price variation are unit size, location, amenities, furnishings, and duration of lease.
How We Chose
1. Zumper
People who usually book short-term room rentals may have heard of Zumper, especially if they live in Vancouver. The rental platform claims to be the largest privately owned real estate provider, with over 7 million users each month.
Accessible on both iOS and Android devices, the app boasts a user-friendly interface with versatile search filters.
Property owners benefit from Zumper’s complimentary renter screening, powered by TransUnion, offering thorough credit and background checks.
On the other hand, people looking for room rentals in Vancouver can easily search for specific room requirements like pet-friendliness, number of rooms, en suite bathrooms, fully furnished properties, and more. Listings are updated daily too!
Prospective tenants can lease rooms monthly or long-term, while property owners efficiently manage the process through the app—from collecting applications to finalizing contracts, ensuring a user-friendly experience for all.
Pros
- Listings are updated daily
- The application is very simple to navigate
Cons
- Complaints about rental price ambiguity
Application process incurs a fee of approximately $30 per submission, making it not ideal for those exploring multiple properties simultaneously
Customer Reviews
Accurate pricing and swift responses
“I have used many apps to find an apartment and this one is by far the best. Quick response time from owners and properties. Also the prices listed are almost always the actual price. The app is also straightforward and user friendly. Nice work Zumper!”
-A Google User, Google Play Reviews
Well-designed application
“Well designed app by all metrics, along with a very good list of results when a search is made. Consistently outperforms other similar apps or websites. I found 75% more housing listings than I would have because their search algorithm is amazing.”
-Mr. Thom, Google Play Review
2. Kijiji
Kijiji is like a marketplace for people to buy and sell pre-loved or new items and property across all over Canada. Its room rental platform, however, has been a reliable real estate source for both property owners and tenants since 2005.
Kijiji is mostly popular among Vancouver students, but it also offers listings suitable for families.
Its notable features include its extensive room rental database and virtual tours. Prospective tenants can experience the units as if they were physically present, not just relying on photos.
Property owners are also allowed to list short-term room rentals with flexible rates for durations from hours to days.
The platform features mainly newly renovated or new listings with verified owner profiles for user safety.
Pros
- Best for student housing
- Most listings are newly renovated or new units
Cons
- Lots of ads
- Updated app version is often buggy
Customer Reviews
Great listing database
“You can find anything and everything you are looking for. Great way to find things in your local area and all of Canada. Options to break down into categories, such as price and distance, plus more. Very easy to navigate and can set ads to your “favourites” option and come back to them later. I have an absolutely positive experience with Kijiji.”
-A Google User, Google Play Review
Super helpful for small communities
“Super helpful, especially for a small community!!”
-Ms. Andrea D, google Play Review
3. Nestpick
If you are very particular about the neighbourhood and community you’re moving into in Vancouver, Nestpick might be the ideal room rental platform for you.
The platform is best suited for potential tenants who only have a short time before their potential move-in date because most if not all, listings on Nestpick are fully furnished and ready for occupancy.
Experienced property owners can use Nestpick to connect with a wide range of potential tenants, from students to large families, from other partner rental sites. That way, you won’t have to go through the whole application and verification process multiple times and pay hefty fees.
Nestpick enables users to tailor their searches, such as filtering by proximity to shopping malls or cafes.
Pros
- You can filter out listings based on neighbourhood preferences
- Best for people with close move-in dates
Cons
- Pricey listings
- Limited properties available in Vancouver
Customer Reviews
Responsive customer service
“Smooth process and responsive customer service. Seeking information and requests were very quick. Once the process was underway it was also clear how it would be managed and they did not miss any detail in paperwork and handing the keys.
The flat itself was as advertised with all its details, clean and ready for us.
Recommended!”
-Mr. Nassim AbiGhanem, TrustPilot
Room looks just as advertised
“Gina at Nestpick made getting our summer student housing easy and hassle free! Our room is as advertised and the building itself is in good condition and there is always someone at the front door so we feel secure. Definitely recommend for student summer housing!”
-Ms.Brittney Shkil, TrustPilot
4. liv.rent
Address: 1601 Bayshore Dr. Suite 1A, Vancouver, BC V6G 2V4, Canada (Google Maps)
Contact Details: +16045933020
Operating Hours: Monday to Friday, 9:00 am to 5:30 pm (Physical office hours)
Liv.rent is one of the most popular rental platforms in Canada. It caters to both short-term and long-term rentals, with lots of pet-friendly options available.
Liv.rent ensures reliable listings through a comprehensive verification process, including background checks, rent and credit reports, and land titles.
Renters must submit official documents like income statements and valid IDs for registration and verification. While the security checks are exhaustive, they guarantee a secure, legitimate platform, protecting users and listings from scams.
Liv.rent offers a user-friendly interface with extensive filters for easy navigation. The platform facilitates virtual discussions and contract signing between owners and renters, rendering all contracts signed digitally on liv.rent as legally binding.
To add to the convenience, various payment solutions are accepted––including Bitcoin!
Pros
- All listings undergo a strict verification and registration process
- Allows digital contract signing
Cons
- May request for a lot of personal information from users
- Strict verification process may lead to users getting flagged and rejected
Customer Reviews
Best for newbie landlords
“The credit history check and contract agreement process were awesome. Their website is very user-friendly. I highly recommend newbie landlords to use their services.”
-Mr. YuChing Lin, Google Review
Seamless rental process and excellent customer service
“This was the first time I used liv.rent and it was amazing. It was very seamless and allowed me to get a sense of the person applying to be a tenant. The customer
service was excellent. I can’t imagine ever going back to other rental sites. Leanne was amazing and walked me through many processes that were new to me. The ability to vet suitable renters and produce contracts that reflect your specific unit was incredible.”
-Mr. Carl Meadows, Google Review
