Meet Virginia, a seasoned host from Drumheller with over 25 years of experience in home-sharing. She recently used Happipad to rent out her spare rooms. In this interview, she shares how Happipad has helped ease her financial burden, provided a sense of community, and contributed to addressing the local housing crisis. From easy registration to enhanced security features, Virginia explains why she believes Happipad is a valuable platform for hosts and renters alike, and how it’s playing a crucial role in making affordable housing accessible. Here’s her take on what makes Happipad different from other rental platforms.

How has renting out a room through Happipad impacted you as a host, both financially and personally?

• Eases financial burden of high utilities, helps pay the mortgage, upkeep, and renovations
• I feel like I’m being able to pay it forward to assist people beginning as well as continuing their careers, allowing them to gain valuable experience in their fields, and maintaining our economy

How easy was it to get started on the Happipad platform, and how would you describe your experience managing your rental(s)?

Easy to get started with profiles on the platform. The tick boxes give great direction in what is being offered or not to help with finding suitable matches. The platform puts lifestyle and rental together, like a cross between online dating and online vacation rentals, but for longer terms.

What do you think makes Happipad different from other rental platforms, especially in terms of security and support?

The security and personal check helps verify that the person is legit, and not taking on someone else’s identity, as well as ease some of the vulnerability felt with living with new people in your home.

Have you noticed any changes in the community or local housing situation due to room rentals like yours?

I’ve noticed fewer work trucks at hotels as many trades workers have had to use hotels as their main option. In addition, some are now no longer need to commute and can stay in a closer community to their projects, thus helping the environment and local economy.

What do you think about the security and affordability that Happipad provides, both for hosts and renters?

Both the host and renter know that the person they’re living with is not a scam, giving more confidence in a potentially vulnerable situation in the home.

For renters, it helps save money with room rental vs hotel rental, in addition, it is a home they’re living in and is often more comfortable with more amenities. For hosts and renters, it helps expand their community and feeling of belonging.

For hosts, it is an all-encompassing platform with advertising, screening, and matching, and eliminates the awkwardness of collecting funds from the renter. In addition, using a third party for the financial aspect also ensures security for the renter, that the damage deposit is secure.

Would you recommend Happipad to other potential hosts? Why or why not?

Yes, it is an all-encompassing tool with great potential. It makes the screening and contracts easy and takes the burden of the money talk and collection. I’ve been sharing my home with others for the past 25 years and it makes the process easy to navigate and makes home sharing successful.

How do you think Happipad is contributing to solving the housing crisis?

It is a valuable resource to make functional matches, meet needs, and provide assistance to those needing affordable homes to live by providing creative options.