FAQs

Happipad is a Canadian social enterprise dedicated to addressing Canada’s affordable housing crisis. Happipad connects hosts with compatible renters for home sharing. It offers a safe, reliable and intuitive platform for hosts to rent out their spare rooms and for renters to find affordable housing solutions.

Unlike traditional rental platforms that focus solely on long-term leases or short-term vacation rentals, Happipad caters to individuals seeking a more flexible, personalized and community-oriented housing experience with a strong emphasis on safety and trust. Happipad offers an ideal solution that bridges the gap between short-term and long-term rentals allowing renters to secure accommodations for a duration ranging from a minimum of 1 month up to 1 year with the option to renew. Whether you’re a student, newcomer, professional or digital nomad, seeking a temporary home during a work assignment, a transitional period, or an extended stay, Happipad provides the perfect middle ground for a flexible and tailored housing experience.

Hosts and renters create profiles on Happipad, specifying their preferences and requirements. The platform uses matching preferences to suggest potential matches based on compatibility. Users can then connect, communicate, send and receive applications to find the perfect home-sharing match. Happipad also takes care of the rental agreement and payment process.

Happipad operates in various cities in Canada. Please check our Find Homes or Contact our customer care team to see if Happipad is available in your area.

Happipad is a Canadian social enterprise dedicated to addressing Canada’s affordable housing crisis. Happipad connects hosts with compatible renters for home sharing. It offers a safe, reliable and intuitive platform for hosts to rent out their spare rooms and for renters to find affordable housing solutions.

Registering and creating a profile on Happipad is FREE for both hosts and renters. However, once a contract is signed, there is an 8% service fee deducted from the monthly rent – paid by the renter; in addition to a one-time $100 placement fee taken out from the host’s first month’s rent. Please refer to our pricing page or contact our customer care team for more information.

Note: These fees do not apply to residents in Nova Scotia. Our services are entirely FREE for residents in Nova Scotia. 

We accept all major payment providers to allow flexibility and convenience for our users. We also accept e-Transfer and direct bank deposit payments.

The duration of a home-sharing arrangement can vary depending on the needs and preferences of hosts and renters. The duration is typically agreed upon between the host and renter; however, there is a minimum 30-day stay for rentals. We typically see 4-8 month contracts for students and 8-12 month contracts for young working professionals.

We hope for every shared living experience to be enjoyable for both, hosts and renters. However, if a problem arises that you are unable to deal with on your own, Happipad will provide support to help you resolve the problem. We believe in helping you maintain a happy household to prevent conflicts from escalating.

It’s really simple to reach our customer care team! Just visit our website and go to contact. We are available to assist you with any questions, concerns, or technical issues you may have.

Canada HomeShare – our home share partner – is an intergenerational housing solution. Together with Happipad, we work to match older adult home providers with students and other older adults to create mutually beneficial living solutions. Our work aims to support aging in place for older adults while providing safe and affordable housing solutions for post-secondary students and other older adults.

Canada HomeShare has established a dynamic partnership with the non-profit tech platform, Happipad. Serving as the seamless application overseeing all aspects of matching, payments, and interactions, Happipad brings efficiency to the forefront. Meanwhile, Canada HomeShare takes the lead in introducing participants and collaborators to the program’s invaluable benefits through the guidance of expert leaders in the field. By actively developing data based on user experiences, Canada HomeShare goes above and beyond, offering not only education but also an array of home-sharing resources to enhance the overall experience for all involved.

You must be over the legal age of 18 to rent a room with Happipad.

• Visit our Happipad platform on your device.
• Click on “Find Homes” button at the top.
• Enter your desired location, such as a city or specific neighbourhood, in the search bar.
• Set any additional filters or preferences you have, such as move-in date, rent budget, or bath.
• Browse through the available room listings that match your search criteria. You can view details about each listing, including photos, descriptions, features, house rules, and any additional information provided by the host.
• If you find a potential match, reach out to the host or send a booking request directly through the platform.
• You can also explore multiple listings and compare them before making a decision. Renters can send out up to 7 different booking requests at a time.

• Go to https://app.happipad.com and register by clicking on “I’m a renter” button.
• Complete your renter registration.
• Login using your registration email and password.
• Create a profile and make sure to complete your profile information and verification documents. This helps us better serve you listings that match your profile and ensure the safety of all users.
• Add your photo to the profile.
• Don’t forget to verify your email used for registration and creating your profile.

• When you are on the Happipad dashboard, click on “FIND HOMES”.
• Based on your profile information provided, this will populate with listings that you can scroll through and click on any that are of interest.
• Listings will open in a new window with more information about the host and the listing, along with the booking calendar and the option to message to the host.

• To book, Login to your Happipad account. If you don’t have an account yet, go to https://app.happipad.com where you can create one by clicking on “I’m a renter” button and completing your renter registration.
• Choose your move-in and move-out dates, and send your booking request to the host. Renters can send up to 7 different booking requests at a time.
• The host will review your application. Monitor your account and email for notifications on your application.
• If a match is made, the host will you send you a contract to sign.
• Sign the contract and complete your payment to secure the contract.
• Follow the host’s instructions for further communication and or move-in instructions if applicable.

We highly recommend the host and renter connect prior to signing a contract. This can be done either virtually or in-person to learn more about each other and set the right expectations for your Happipad stay. You may have a conversation around the house rules and expectations, what a typical household routine and dynamics are, what furnishings the home has, and what each person enjoys doing in their spare time.

Monthly rent is paid through the Happipad platform. The funds are then paid directly to the host.

Happipad offers a significantly lower service fee compared to most competitors in the market. Our monthly fee of just 8% covers ongoing services throughout the entire rental period, including contract creation, automated rent payments, background screening, and conflict resolution ensuring a seamless and worry-free home-sharing experience.

Note: This service fee is not applicable to our Nova Scotia partnership program.

Extra rent charges to the renter beyond what is outlined in the living agreement are not permitted. However, renters are responsible for the additional cost of any goods and services not outlined in the living arrangement agreement.

On the move-out day, the renter must complete Renter- End of stay feedback and the host must complete Host – End of stay feedback and Move-out Inspection forms. After all 3 forms have been completed and submitted, and if the host does not file a damage claim, the security deposit will be processed on the same day or the next business day during weekends.

Happipad focuses on home sharing through spare rooms as this promotes a sense of community and companionship. Renting out entire homes is not currently supported on the platform.

As a host, your main goal is to create a warm and comfy space for your renter.

Typical Happipad renters are independent university or college students, relocating working professionals, single parents, digital nomads or older adults. Many are moving from different cities or even countries.

Happipad is a Canadian social enterprise dedicated to addressing Canada’s affordable housing crisis. Happipad connects hosts with compatible renters for home sharing. It offers a safe, reliable and intuitive platform for hosts to rent out their spare rooms and for renters to find affordable housing solutions.

Our hosts are responsible for providing a fully furnished and equipped living space, ensuring that renters have everything they need during their stay. Renters usually only need to bring their personal belongings, as the necessary amenities and furnishings are already provided.

No. It is not required in our contract to prepare meals or provide rides to your renter. All renters are over 18 years of age and are assumed to be independent. We always encourage you to find time to connect in your own ways, such as sharing a meal once in a while, shopping together, or having coffee.

Yes. As a host, you will be able to set the dates of availability for your room.

Hosts are able to view renters’ profiles to see the current budgets for renters in your area which is a good place to understand renters’ budgets. Happipad takes pride in offering relatively affordable options in the rental market.
Things to keep in mind when determining a monthly price: utilities, furnishings, amount of private space, private or shared washroom, location of the home, proximity to bus stops and other amenities.
If you are offering your room to a couple, prices are usually increased by 10-25% for double occupancy. Rooms with shared bathrooms are usually priced at $100-200 less than rooms with private washrooms.

We highly recommend the host and renter connect prior to signing a contract. This can be done either virtually or in-person to learn more about each other and set the right expectations for your Happipad stay. You may have a conversation around the house rules and expectations, what a typical household routine and dynamics are, what furnishings the home has, and what each person enjoys to do in their spare time.

At Happipad, we understand that insurance coverage is an important consideration for both hosts and renters. Hosts are responsible for carrying home and contents insurance. Most standard policies will allow hosts to have renters in their homes, however, you must inform your insurance provider. We highly recommend that hosts check with their insurance company to determine the specifics of their coverage, as it may vary depending on the insurance provider.

Happipad offers a significantly lower service fee compared to most competitors in the market. Our one-time fee of $100 deducted from the first month’s rent payment covers ongoing services throughout the entire rental period, including contract creation, automated rent payments, background screening, and conflict resolution ensuring a seamless and worry-free home-sharing experience.

Note: This service fee does not apply to our Nova Scotia and Drumheller partnership programs.

• Click “Generate Contract” on the renter applicant of your choice
• A pop-up will appear
• Here, you can adjust the price/dates if needed
• Click “Generate Contract” again
• Here you can review the full contract (don’t worry, you’ll have access to it later too)
• Sign with your cursor
• Send to your renter

When the renter signs the contract, you will hear from us directly with the final steps. Once the renter pays a deposit (half a month’s rent), the contract is secured.

Hosts are responsible for reviewing all house rules and expectations when a renter moves in. You should be very clear and detailed when explaining. Renters come from diverse backgrounds and some come from different countries and may require additional explanation.

Happipad is currently offered at no cost to residents in Nova Scotia as a result of a two-year partnership established with the province of Nova Scotia.

During this partnership period, hosts can register for free, and our typical one-time host fee is waived.

Additionally, renters in the Drumheller region and Nova Scotia enjoy a waiver of the 5% monthly service fee. While there is a one-time background screening fee for renters amounting to $20.95 CAD, this fee is fully reimbursed if the renter commits to renting through the Happipad program. To illustrate, if a renter secures a room for $700 through Happipad, the 5% monthly service fee is waived, and the initial rent payment for the first month would be $679.05 CAD ($700 CAD – $20.95 CAD). The monthly rent payment will go back to $700 CAD for the months to follow.

For rental listings in Halifax, all rental listings within the Halifax Regional Municipality must be registered with the government database AND have a maintenance plan completed.

1. Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM) rental registry Application.
2. Maintenance plan.

• Visit https://app.happipad.com/
• Choose a registration type.
• Fill out your details and follow the steps to complete your registration.

Compatibility of the people living together is the key to creating a quality home-sharing arrangement. Each user’s profile on Happipad includes information such as lifestyle, hobbies, background, and personality. When a host receives an application from a renter, they will see the renters’s profile to help them decide. Similarly, the renter can review the host’s profile before proceeding to apply.

Email verification is our process for confirming that our hosts and renters actually control the email addresses they provide to us. Verifying your email address helps us confirm that you truly own your email address and allows us to better serve you if you need any support.

When signing up for a Happipad account, you will be sent a link via email to verify your email address. Simply click on the verification button in the automated email.

1. Login to your profile > My Account.
2. A new widow will open, go to Account Settings.
3. In the email field, enter your new email.
4. Click Save Changes.

Don’t forget to verify your new email address by clicking on the verification link sent to your new email inbox.

Happipad prioritizes the safety and security of our hosts and renters. We have tools in place to assist in verifying the identity of our users. We require every listing host and booking renter to be verified and complete their background check. Additionally, Happipad encourages users to leave reviews and ratings for each other based on their experiences. Please visit our page here for more information about our screening and verification process.

Registering on our platform does not mean your profile is complete. You will need to complete your profile information and documents required before being able to use our platform services. You will also need to verify the email address associated with your profile.

1. Valid government-issued identification such as a passport or driver’s license (front and back).
2. Photo of yourself (selfie) holding your chosen identification document with the identification numbers visible.
3. Recent copy of a utility bill – to confirm your home address.
4. Void cheque or direct deposit form for monthly payment.

For renters, we require two documents for the verification page on their profile:

• Login to your Happipad account by visiting: https://app.happipad.com/login
• Navigate to the “Applications” tab.
• Locate your application and click on “Review Contract”
• Take a moment to double-check the dates and the price mentioned.
• Click on “Review Contract” again to access the legal agreement.
• Carefully review the contract’s contents.
• At the bottom of the document, use your cursor to sign electronically.

Happipad creates a legally binding contract for every host and renter when you accept a renter application. The contract will include all the house rules, terms and expectations outlined in your room listing. Hosts are responsible for establishing their own house rules not limited to cleaning, quiet hours, use of spaces, visitor policies and more.

All rental terms with Happipad are monthly fixed-term placements with a defined start and end date. You have the option to extend or shorten the rental term if required. The living arrangement will automatically end on the specified end date of the contract, requiring the renter to vacate the property. If you don’t feel your renter is a good fit for your home, you have the option to mutually end the living arrangement early.

Yes, Happipad collects a security deposit of a half month’s rent. This money is held in trust by Happipad throughout the living arrangement, and redistributed after move-out. The Host will be required to submit a Move-out Inspection and Host – End of stay feedback, with the opportunity to create a damage claim if needed. The Host has 30 days from the end of the contract to file a claim.

Failure to pay your security deposit on time with result in cancelling your contract. You may still re-apply for the room, but the host has to generate and send you a new contract.

Happipad does not report hosts rental income to Canada Revenue Agency (CRA). It is up to the individual hosts to decide if they report this. We sent an account statement to the host at the end of the year upon request.

In case you need to change your contract date, discuss this with your renter or host and inform them. Let them know that your circumstances have changed. Contact our customer care regarding your new dates and they will assist with your request.

• More than 30 days before the start: If a host cancels, the renter receives a full refund. If a renter cancels, the renter receives a refund, minus the admin fee.
• Less than 30 days before the start: if a host cancels, the renter receives a full refund. If the renter cancels, the deposit is paid to the host, minus the admin fee.

Happipad is a Canadian social enterprise dedicated to addressing Canada’s affordable housing crisis. Happipad connects hosts with compatible renters for home sharing. It offers a safe, reliable and intuitive platform for hosts to rent out their spare rooms and for renters to find affordable housing solutions.

The duration of a home-sharing arrangement can vary depending on the needs and preferences of hosts and renters. The duration is typically agreed upon between the parties involved; however, there is a minimum 30-day stay for rentals. We typically see 4-8 month contracts for students and 8-12 month contracts for young working professionals.