How to lease your rental property faster

Every vacant month is lost income. The good news: most of what makes a rental lease quickly is in your control.

1. Price it right from day one

Look at similar units nearby, matched on size, bedrooms, condition, parking and what's included. Pricing slightly high and reducing later usually costs more than pricing right. If you're unsure, opening the listing to offers lets the market tell you, with renters able to offer above asking.

2. Photos do most of the selling

• Shoot in daylight with lights on.
• Clear the counters and floors.
• Lead with the best room, usually the living area or kitchen.
• Include the bathroom, bedrooms, any outdoor space and the building amenities.
• Shoot horizontally, at chest height.

3. Write a listing that answers questions

Renters scan for the same things. Put them up top:

• Monthly rent, and what's included
• Availability date and minimum lease term
• Bedrooms, bathrooms and square footage
• Laundry, parking, storage and pets
• The nearest subway or streetcar

Then add two or three sentences about what makes the place nice to live in.

4. Respond fast

Most of the best applicants are looking at several places. Responding the same day, and offering viewing times quickly, puts you ahead.

5. Make applying easy, and complete

The biggest time sink is chasing documents. On Leap every applicant arrives with income, employment, references and, if you require it, a soft credit summary. You review them side by side, ask questions in the app, and approve with one tap.

6. Decide quickly and fairly

Set your criteria before you list, review applications against them, and follow your province's human rights and tenancy rules (here's how it works in Ontario). Good applicants don't wait long.

7. Use the Standard Lease

Use the lease your province requires, such as the Ontario Standard Lease or Quebec's mandatory lease form. Having it ready means you can sign the same week.

List your place on Leap. It takes about five minutes.