Approximately five million Canadian households rent their homes*; rental payments on credit reports could help millions showcase responsible payment behaviour, marking a major step forward in financial inclusion.
TransUnion and Zenbase today announced a partnership to expand the availability of rental payment information within the credit reporting ecosystem, giving renters a new way to strengthen their TransUnion credit reports and broaden access to greater financial opportunities. Rental payment information will now appear on TransUnion credit reports as a dedicated category – separate from traditional credit obligations – so that timely rent payments help improve credit files without being treated as debt. This will help Canadians showcase their responsible payment behaviour beyond traditional measures.
TransUnion has long championed financial inclusion by helping Canadians gain expanded access to credit – an important pathway to building wealth – and remains a strong proponent of reporting information that more fully reflects a consumer’s payment history. By ingesting rental payment data and treating this information as distinct from traditional credit obligations, these payments will help strengthen credit reports without being classified as debt.
Through its direct integration with property management systems, Zenbase enables property managers to activate rent reporting with no added processes or administrative overhead. This facilitates the delivery of v rental data to TransUnion, while allowing residents to be recognized for their rent payment history.
“At TransUnion, we believe every Canadian should have the opportunity to build and showcase their credit history,” said Juan Sebastian D’Achiardi, Regional President, TransUnion Canada. “By partnering with Zenbase, we’re integrating rental data that helps demonstrate financial reliability. This rental information is kept outside the core credit file and treated separately, giving lenders valuable insights to make more informed decisions, while helping renters showcase consistent payment behaviour and improve access to financial opportunities, adequately reflecting rent for what it is and not classifying it as a traditional credit obligation.”
“At Zenbase, our mission is to improve the financial health of renters by turning their largest monthly expense into an opportunity to build credit,” said Koray Can Oztekin, CEO of Zenbase. “Now with TransUnion accepting our rental data, we’re giving residents the recognition they deserve for their responsible payment history to build credit, unlock capital, and participate fully in the economy.”
About TransUnion (NYSE: TRU)
TransUnion is a global information and insights company with over 13,000 associates operating in more than 30 countries, including Canada, where we’re the credit bureau of choice for the financial services ecosystem and most of Canada’s largest banks. We make trust possible by ensuring each person is reliably represented in the marketplace. We do this by providing an actionable view of consumers, stewarded with care.
Through our acquisitions and technology investments we have developed innovative solutions that extend beyond our strong foundation in core credit into areas such as marketing, fraud, risk and advanced analytics. As a result, consumers and businesses can transact with confidence and achieve great things. We call this Information for Good® — and it leads to economic opportunity, great experiences and personal empowerment for millions of people around the world.
For more information visit: www.transunion.ca
About Zenbase
Zenbase is a Canadian financial health platform delivering the country’s only automated rent reporting and flexible rent payment solution. Guided by ESG principles, Zenbase is committed to advancing economic inclusion by empowering renters to take control of their financial futures.
For most Canadians, rent is typically the largest monthly expense, yet it doesn’t contribute to building credit. Rent is also due on a fixed schedule, often misaligned with irregular pay cycles, unexpected expenses, and changing financial priorities. Zenbase addresses these challenges by turning rent into a tool for financial progress and flexibility.
Today, Zenbase is available in more than 200,000 homes across Canada, supporting a healthier and more inclusive financial ecosystem. Learn more at myzenbase.com.
* Statistics Canada. Household characteristics. 2021 Census of Population. November 15, 2023.
Wyse Meter Solutions, Canada’s leading submetering and billing provider, has partnered with financial health solutions expert Zenbase to make it easier for residents to report Wyse submetered utilities and rent payments directly to credit bureaus, thus strengthening credit profiles.
“Wyse has always believed that our submetering and billing services should add value to the lives of our clients and their residents,” said Peter R.J. Mills, Wyse CEO. “At its heart, this partnership is about ESG and social impact. By recognizing rent and utilities payments, we’re expanding access, reducing inequities, and giving more Canadians the opportunity to participate fully in the financial system.”
This partnership offers residents tangible financial advantages, including:
“For too long, everyday expenses like rent and utilities have gone unrecognized in credit building,” said Koray Can Oztekin, Zenbase Founder and CEO. “This partnership with Wyse gives residents a new way to benefit from their rent and utilities payments, turning everyday financial responsibilities into long-term financial opportunity.”
ABOUT WYSE METER SOLUTIONS
Founded in 2006, Wyse Meter Solutions entered the Canadian utility industry to offer a superior submetering experience to building developers, owners, managers, and residents. Since those early days, Wyse has become a leader in innovative solutions and programs with a bold goal of helping clients reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 7.5 billion grams of CO2 by 2025.
ABOUT ZENBASE
Zenbase, a proud Canadian company partnering with leading Canadian businesses, is a financial wellness platform dedicated to making life more affordable. By offering innovative products like rent and utility reporting, Zenbase empowers residents to improve their credit and achieve greater financial stability. Learn more at www.myzenbase.com.