For Vicki C., rebuilding credit was not just about numbers. It was about rebuilding stability after a deeply personal loss.
Based in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Vicki had been renting with Avenue Living for the past three years. During that time, her home became a place of healing and transition following the passing of her husband two years ago. While she had previously maintained a strong credit history, unexpected outstanding bills in his name began to negatively affect her credit score.
Despite continuing to manage her finances responsibly, the situation made it difficult to move forward. Like many Canadians facing unexpected life events, she found herself searching for a practical way to steadily rebuild her credit and regain financial confidence.
Her introduction to Zenbase came through a combination of community visibility and trusted recommendations. Marketing materials around her building caught her attention, and mentions from property staff reinforced that this was a legitimate and helpful program available to residents.
Encouraged by what she learned, she decided to explore it further. The signup process was simple and easy to understand, which made her feel confident she was taking a positive step toward improving her financial future.
What appealed to her most was the idea that something she was already doing, paying her rent, could finally work in her favour when it came to rebuilding credit.
Once enrolled, she began to see steady progress.
Month after month, her credit score increased by approximately five points. Over time, those incremental improvements added up. Eventually, her score reached 625, a milestone that made something previously out of reach suddenly possible.
With the stronger credit profile she built through Zenbase, she was able to qualify for a mortgage and purchase her first home.
What began as a simple strategy to rebuild credit turned into a life-changing opportunity.
Beyond the score itself, Zenbase helped her become more intentional about her financial habits.
When her income structure changed and she began receiving monthly pay instead of bi-weekly payments, she adjusted her approach and switched to Zenbase to continue strengthening her credit-building strategy.
Rather than simply paying bills each month, she began to see her rent as a financial tool, something that could actively support her long-term goals.
While she did not need to contact the Zenbase team often, every interaction she had was positive.
She described the team as friendly, understanding, and supportive. The reminders she received helped her stay organized and confident about her payments.
On one occasion when she experienced an NSF situation, the Zenbase team helped resolve it quickly and without judgment. What could have been a stressful moment instead became a manageable one, reinforcing her confidence in the program.
Before Zenbase, her finances felt like something she was trying to recover from.
Today, they feel like something she is actively building.
She had heard about other credit-building options through Equifax, but Zenbase stood out because it was practical and aligned with her everyday life. Instead of adding another financial obligation, it transformed a payment she was already making into a tool for progress.
Her journey shows how consistent rent payments, when reported and supported properly, can become the foundation for rebuilding credit and unlocking major life milestones.
As she reflects on the experience, one thing stands out clearly:
“Zenbase helped me turn my rent into a tool for rebuilding my credit and that progress ultimately helped me qualify for a mortgage and buy my first home.”
UnitiiPM is a property management company that oversees all facets of multi-family property management across Western Canada. At UnitiiPM, their focus is on reimagining Alberta property ownership and enhancing the resident experience—ensuring that owning properties is seamless and stress-free.
This is achieved by exceeding resident expectations and fostering a strong sense of community at every property. For UnitiiPM, the resident experience is at the core of successful property management, ensuring that living in their communities is effortless and enjoyable.
As one of the fastest-growing property management companies in Canada, UnitiiPM manages a diverse portfolio of multi-family real estate across Calgary, Edmonton, and St. Albert. The company prides itself on delivering exceptional property management services that build lasting relationships with residents and clients alike.
In response to economic shifts and the growing focus on resident financial health, UnitiiPM explored services to make rent more manageable. Zenbase stood out as an ideal fit, aligning with UnitiiPM’s commitment to delivering a modern, supportive resident experience.
Zenbase provides residents with the flexibility to better manage rent payments while maintaining a positive rental experience. UnitiiPM recognized that more residents are allocating a significant portion of their income to rent, and that bi-weekly income schedules can make it difficult to have the full rent amount available on the 1st of the month.
Zenbase addresses this by allowing residents to split rent into smaller, more manageable payments throughout the month. In addition, Zenbase enables residents to build credit by reporting on-time rent payments to both Equifax and TransUnion—capabilities that would be difficult to deliver internally.
The decision to implement Zenbase was a proactive step to support residents who need greater flexibility while also helping them manage the impact of inflation. With Zenbase, UnitiiPM maintains its standard rent collection schedule while providing residents with a financial buffer and greater peace of mind.
“We were able to start offering Zenbase’s automated rent reporting and flexible rent payments in just a few days. There was no IT required and no impact to our existing processes. Residents have responded with tremendous interest, and we look forward to growing a strong partnership with Zenbase.”
— Lizaine Wheeler, President, UnitiiPM
UnitiiPM has seen a consistent positive trend in resident adoption of Zenbase since launching in 2024:
By integrating Zenbase across multiple touchpoints in the resident journey, UnitiiPM made adoption seamless and accessible. The ease of use has created a win-win: residents benefit from financial flexibility, while property teams benefit from a low-touch, high-impact solution.
Vicky-Marie Bonin, Director of Residential Services at UnitiiPM, notes that Zenbase is a “no-touch” service, requiring minimal operational involvement and significantly fewer support inquiries compared to other integrations.
“Partnering with Zenbase has given our residents more flexibility in how they pay rent, especially as many are managing bi-weekly pay cycles and rising costs. Between the split-payment option and credit-building tools, it’s an incredible value-add that we couldn’t offer on our own.
Working with the Zenbase team has also been exceptional—they’re responsive, proactive, and always quick to support us when needed.”
— Vicky-Marie Bonin, Director of Residential Services, UnitiiPM
Having Zenbase directly integrated with the PMS system is essential, as it fully automates the service. Zenbase also provides training and financial health webinars at no cost, making it easy for property teams to introduce and promote the solution to residents.
| Metric | Achievement |
|---|---|
| Rent Collection | Fastest collection rates observed in buildings with 8%+ Zenbase adoption |
| Portfolio | Full portfolio of 4,500 units offering Zenbase |
| Growth | 3% month-over-month increase in resident adoption |
| Competitive Edge | 2% higher adoption vs. market average for similar-sized PMCs |
Zenbase, Canada’s leading provider of resident-first financial health amenities, today announced a new partnership with Equium Group, a Calgary-based third-party property management company. Through this collaboration, Zenbase will introduce automated rent reporting and flexible rent payment solutions across purpose-built rental communities managed by Equium Group in Calgary, helping residents build long-term financial stability while enhancing the rental experience.
Founded in Calgary, Equium Group provides full-service multi-residential property management on behalf of institutional and private owners. The firm is known for its focus on operational excellence, strong governance, and a resident-first approach to managing rental communities across the city.
This partnership reflects Equium Group’s commitment to offering modern, value-added amenities that support both residents and ownership groups in Calgary’s evolving rental market.
By integrating Zenbase’s platform, residents in Equium-managed communities will gain access to two key benefits:
Automated Rent Reporting
Residents can have their on-time rent payments automatically reported to both major credit bureaus, allowing them to build and strengthen their credit profiles simply by paying rent.
Flexible Rent Payments
Residents can split their monthly rent into smaller, scheduled payments aligned with their pay cycles. This flexibility helps reduce financial strain, supports better cash-flow management, and lowers the risk of late or missed payments.
“Calgary is an important rental market, and Equium Group plays a key role in managing high-quality multi-residential housing across the city,” said Koray Can Oztekin, CEO of Zenbase. “Together, we’re bringing practical financial health tools to renters while supporting more predictable rent performance for owners and operators.”
“At Equium Group, our focus is delivering best-in-class property management services that create stable, well-run rental communities,” said Joanne Ferguson Senior Vice President, Asset Managementat at Equium Group. “Partnering with Zenbase allows us to extend that commitment by offering residents financial wellness tools that help them build credit and manage rent payments more comfortably.”
Zenbase’s platform integrates seamlessly with property management operations and has demonstrated measurable improvements in resident engagement, on-time rent performance, and overall portfolio stability.
About Zenbase
Zenbase, a financial health solution, offers Canada’s only dual rent reporting and most popular split rent payments. Being an ESG inspired company, we are committed to economic inclusion that fosters financial empowerment for renters. Our solutions improve the financial wellness of renters while improving operational efficiency for property managers. Rent is usually a person’s single largest monthly expense but it doesn’t build your credit. It’s also due on the 1st of the month but that doesn’t align with most people’s bi-monthly pay cycle. We’ve fixed these pain points to help level the playing field. Zenbase is available in over 250,000 homes across Canada. Learn more at myzenbase.com.
About Equium Group
Founded in Calgary in 2011, Equium Group is a fully integrated, award winning real estate organization specializing in condominium, residential and commercial real estate services. Equium Group’s current portfolio under management is valued in excess of 7 billion dollars across 25 million square feet. Equium Group was featured in numerous publications over the last seven consecutive years including Canada’s Fastest Growing Companies by Maclean’s Magazine, Canadian Business Magazine, The Financial Times and The Globe & Mail’s Report on Business Magazine.
Rebuilding Credit and Confidence in Vernon, BC
When she first came across Zenbase, she was not searching for a miracle. She was simply looking for a fair chance to rebuild.
Based in Vernon, BC, she had been renting with Skyline Living for over five years and always took pride in paying her rent on time. Financial responsibility was never the issue. The challenge came from a situation outside her control. She had co-signed a car loan for someone else, and when the primary borrower stopped making payments, her credit was negatively impacted.
Despite doing everything right personally, her credit score suffered. Like many Canadians, she felt stuck and frustrated that a single situation could undo years of responsible behaviour.
Her introduction to Zenbase came from a simple moment. She noticed posters in the elevator of her building. The message caught her attention, especially the idea that rent, something she was already paying reliably, could finally work in her favour when it came to building credit.
She decided to sign up for CreditBuilder to repair her credit profile and CustomRent to improve her cash flow and monthly budgeting. She had never been late on her rent before, and the ability to build credit while continuing her existing payment habits felt like a natural fit. The setup process was straightforward and easy to complete.
Once enrolled, the impact was both tangible and life-changing.
After setting up rent reporting through RentHistory and CreditBuilder, her credit score increased by 30 points and continued to rise by a few points each month. Over time, those consistent improvements made a meaningful difference. Thanks to the credit history built through CreditBuilder, she was able to qualify for a mortgage and successfully purchase her first home.
Using CustomRent also changed the way she viewed her household expenses. Breaking rent into smaller scheduled payments made budgeting easier, reduced stress around bill timing, and gave her a clearer sense of control over her finances.
Beyond the financial improvements, what stood out most was the human support behind the product. Her experience with the Zenbase team was consistently positive. Communication was clear, responses were timely, and she always felt treated with care and respect.
The difference between how she felt before using Zenbase and how she feels now is significant. Where there was once frustration and uncertainty, there is now confidence, stability, and pride in what she has achieved.
Her journey came full circle. What started as a tool to rebuild credit became a pathway to homeownership. She hopes Zenbase continues to be available to Canadians working toward their first home, proving that with the right support, everyday rent payments can open the door to bigger life milestones.
Zenbase, Canada’s leading provider of resident-first financial health amenities, today announced a strategic partnership with Equiton Living to bring industry leading rent reporting and flexible payment solutions to thousands of households across Canada. The collaboration underscores Zenbase’s mission to improve financial wellness for renters nationwide while supporting property operators in delivering more resident centric services.
Through this partnership, residents will gain access to Zenbase’s innovative financial tools designed to build credit, reduce financial stress, and support long-term stability.
Automated Rent Reporting
Residents can have their on time rent payments reported to both major credit bureaus, helping them build and strengthen their credit profiles simply by paying rent.
Flexible Rent Payments
Residents have the option to split their monthly rent into smaller, more manageable installments aligned with their pay schedules. This added flexibility reduces financial stress, helps households better manage cash flow, and lowers the risk of late fees or missed payments.
“Equiton Living stands out in the Canadian rental market for its long-term, resident first mindset, and we’re excited to have them using our platform” said Koray Can Oztekin, CEO of Zenbase
Zenbase’s platform integrates seamlessly with property management operations and has a history of measurable improvements in resident satisfaction, on‑time rental payments, and overall financial outcomes. With this new partnership, Zenbase continues to expand its national footprint and broaden access to essential financial health tools for Canadian renters.
About Zenbase
Zenbase, a financial health solution, offers Canada’s only dual rent reporting and most popular split rent payments. Being an ESG inspired company, we are committed to economic inclusion that fosters financial empowerment for renters. Our solutions improve the financial wellness of renters while improving operational efficiency for property managers. Rent is usually a person’s single largest monthly expense, but it doesn’t build your credit. It’s also due on the 1st of the month but that doesn’t align with most people’s bi-monthly pay cycle. We’ve fixed these pain points to help level the playing field. Zenbase is available in over 250,000 homes across Canada. Learn more at myzenbase.com.
About Equiton Living
Equiton Living is a privately owned, full‑service property management company dedicated to creating exceptional rental experiences. They place residents at the centre of every decision, delivering attentive care, responsive support, and ongoing improvements that elevate day‑to‑day living. Through thoughtful renovations, upgraded amenities, and a service first approach, Equiton Living continually looks for ways to make each home feel better, easier, and more comfortable.
Their team of trained, experienced professionals brings deep expertise in real estate and building operations. Their mission is simple: to create well managed, welcoming environments that people love to call home. Learn more at www.equitonliving.com
Zenbase, Canada’s leading provider of resident-first financial health amenities, has partnered with Ferguslea Properties, the proud owner and operator of Accora Village, Canada’s largest privately owned rental community located in Ottawa, ON. Through this partnership, Zenbase’s financial health platform is now available to residents across Accora Village, providing immediate access to automated rent reporting and flexible rent payment solutions.
The partnership reflects Ferguslea Properties’ continued investment in resident well-being and innovation at scale. With Zenbase, Accora Village residents can take advantage of powerful financial tools designed to reduce monthly financial stress and support long-term financial stability:
“Accora Village is one of Canada’s most significant rental communities, and Ferguslea Properties has consistently demonstrated leadership in delivering resident-centric innovation,” said Koray Can Oztekin, CEO of Zenbase. “With Zenbase now available, residents can immediately benefit from tools that help them manage expenses more confidently while building credit every month through rent.”
“At Ferguslea Properties, our focus is on creating a community where residents feel supported both inside and outside their homes,” said Lee Galka, Director of Marketing and Business Development at Ferguslea Properties. “Making Zenbase available at Accora Village allows us to offer practical, meaningful financial tools that improve everyday affordability and help residents strengthen their financial futures.”
Zenbase integrates seamlessly with property operations and has demonstrated measurable improvements in resident satisfaction, on-time rent payments, and financial resilience.
About Zenbase
Zenbase, a financial health solution, offers Canada’s only dual rent reporting and most popular split rent payments. Being an ESG inspired company, we are committed to economic inclusion that fosters financial empowerment for renters. Our solutions improve the financial wellness of renters while improving operational efficiency for property managers. Rent is usually a person’s single largest monthly expense, but it doesn’t build your credit. It’s also due on the 1st of the month but that doesn’t align with most people’s bi-monthly pay cycle. We’ve fixed these pain points to help level the playing field. Zenbase is available in over 250,000 homes across Canada. Learn more at myzenbase.com.
About Ferguslea Properties
Ferguslea Properties is the proud owner and operator of Accora Village, Canada’s largest privately-owned rental community. Located in Ottawa’s west end, the thriving community is 100 acres of tree lined streets, ideal for families, millennials and downsizers interested in an active and healthy lifestyle. Accora Village features 10 high-rise buildings, nearly 1000 Townhomes, Garden Homes and Executive Garden Homes, and the Accora Centre, a fully-equipped health and wellness recreational facility. Accora Village is an ideal place to live, explore and call home. Learn more or book a tour at accoravillage.com.
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.
The 2025 Canadian Multi-Residential Satisfaction Study, conducted by simplyDBS with insights from over 27,000 residents across the country, has uncovered a powerful truth: financial health amenities are no longer optional — they’re becoming essential for Canadian renters.
While traditional amenities like yoga or fitness classes may contribute to physical zen, today’s residents are just as focused on achieving financial zen. Renters are increasingly looking for tools that give them more control, flexibility, and opportunity when it comes to their financial health.
Splitting Rent Payments:
53% of renters have a preference to split rent into two payments during the month.
Building Credit with Rent:
76% of renters consider rent reporting to credit bureaus valuable in their housing journey.
These findings prove that renters aren’t just looking for a place to live — they’re looking for financial wellness tools that support long-term stability and success.
At Zenbase, we’ve built our mission around exactly that: empowering renters with tools that strengthen their financial health. Today, we’re proud to already serve over 150,000 homes across Canada, making these renter priorities a reality through:
Financial well-being is now a key driver of renter satisfaction and long-term retention. By offering financial health amenities, property managers can stay ahead of rising renter expectations, stand out in a competitive market, and advance their ESG objectives.
The data is clear: financial wellness tools aren’t just “perks.” They’re the new must-have amenities.
With Zenbase, property managers can deliver exactly what renters want — greater flexibility, stronger financial footing, and peace of mind.
Zenbase, Canada’s leading platform for flexible rent payments and credit-building, is proud to announce a new partnership with Zen Residential, a prominent multi-family real estate company operating across Alberta. This collaboration brings Zenbase’s CreditBuilder and CustomRent solutions to over 5,000 homes within Zen Residential’s growing portfolio, spanning Calgary, Edmonton, and surrounding communities.
Through this partnership, residents in Zen Residential communities now have access to financial tools designed to promote budgeting discipline and long-term credit growth:
“At Zenbase, our mission is to improve financial health through rent,” said Koray Can Oztekin, CEO and Founder of Zenbase. “By partnering with Zen Residential, we’re bringing our services to thousands of residents in Alberta, making rent work harder for them—both as a credit asset and as a tool for better financial planning to ensure on time rent payments.”
Zen Residential continues to expand its footprint in Alberta’s key markets, with a focus on high-quality, resident-centered communities. The integration of Zenbase into its portfolio reflects a shared commitment to financial empowerment and innovation in rental housing.
“Helping our residents achieve financial wellness is a key part of the value we strive to offer,” said AJ Slivinski, President of Zen Residential. “With Zenbase, we’re giving renters tools that align with their everyday financial needs—credit building, budgeting, and payment flexibility—while reinforcing our commitment to providing more than just a place to live.”
About Zenbase
Zenbase, a financial health solution, offers Canada’s only automated rent reporting and most popular split rent payments. Being an ESG inspired company, we are committed to economic inclusion that fosters financial empowerment for renters. Our solutions improve the financial wellness of renters while improving operational efficiency for property managers. Rent is usually a person’s single largest monthly expense but it doesn’t build your credit. It’s also due on the 1st of the month but that doesn’t align with most people’s bi-monthly pay cycle. We’ve fixed these pain points to help level the playing field. Zenbase is available in over 120,000 homes across Canada. Learn more at myzenbase.com.
About Zen Residential
Zen Residential is transforming property management in Alberta with a fresh, community-first approach. As a fully licensed, registered, and bonded Real Estate Brokerage, we specialize in Property and Asset Management, backed by over 30 years of experience.
Managing more than 5,000 residential units, we take pride in a personalized, hands-on strategy that supports each property’s long-term goals. Our senior team leads with strong values and a focus on quality care.
With 24/7 on-call maintenance, skilled trades, and proactive programs, Zen builds more than well-managed buildings—we build lasting communities. Learn more at zenrentals.ca.
Contacts
Zenbase Contact:
Philipp Postrehovsky: philipp@myzenbase.com
Zen Residential Contact:
Chris Hollinger: chrish@zenresidential.ca
