Unlock pricing trends, vacancy rates, price-to-rent ratios and more to make informed decisions about rental investments in LA, SF, Seattle, Miami and more

Unlock Insights into Major Rental Markets with Belong and BiggerPockets

Belong is making it easier for people to find financial freedom through real estate, while humanizing the rental experience, — in a market that has been long-dominated by major corporations and institutional investors. 

To kick-off this partnership, Belong worked with BiggerPockets to put together rental reports for three key markets:

California (SF Bay Area, Los Angeles and San Diego) 

Florida (Miami, Orlando, Tampa, Jacksonville)


In less than 10 minutes you can unlock pricing trends, vacancy rates, and more to make informed decisions about your rental properties. 

Check out the full reports on BiggerPockets here:

Is Seattle A Good Market For Real Estate Investing? Here’s The Latest Trends

The State Of Florida’s Rental Market: What The Data Means For Investors

We’ve included a brief highlight of what to expect from these reports. 

Disclaimer: The report data was accurate at the time of writing, with data collected between January and April 2023. Data collection and macroeconomic factors are subject to change without update. These reports are designed to provide information to assist your research and should not be considered financial advice. Please speak to a Belong consultant or a financial advisor before making any decisions on your rental property. 

What do investors need to know about the rental market in California?

There are few real estate markets with as many attractive cities as California. From the allure of luxury and lifestyle in Los Angeles to the tech scene of San Francisco, there’s a reason why California rents are often reported to be the highest in the nation. Yet these dramatic figures and bar graphs aren’t always a reflection of reality, incorporating everything from a studio apartment in Brentwood to a mansion in Beverly Hills. We wanted to provide you with a more accurate view of the rental income real people are earning, so this report delves into the average rent earned in the past 12 months on single-family homes and condos across Los Angeles, San Diego and San Francisco’s Bay Area. 

We also examine the rent earned month-by-month, alongside the number of applications to give a picture of the market peaks and patterns of rental demand. Hot markets can go cold or turn quickly due to the balance of supply and demand, so to optimize cash flow and achieve the best price for your rental, you need to have a strong pulse on the market and adapt quickly.

Watch the BiggerPockets video on achieving cash flow in California

What are the current rental market trends in Seattle?

Our next report heads north on the west coast, to the State of Washington, narrowing in on the city of Seattle, where real estate has appreciated by 137% over the past 10 years. This places the Seattle market in the top 10% for appreciation in the US.

But in 2022, Redfin reported that Seattle was the fastest-cooling market in the U.S. Is this providing the bargaining power that investors need to get into the Emerald City? Or are rocketing interest rates canceling out any savings from the market dip? As with the Californian report, the Seattle trends guide will look at real earnings and demand in the Seattle rental market in 2023, as well as macroeconomic factors to consider that may impact residential real estate. 

Watch the BiggerPockets video on Seattle's falling house prices here

Is Florida still an attractive market for real estate investors?

The land of sunshine and low taxes, Florida has long been an attractive state for real estate investors. With strong rental demand and no rent control laws, it was already a favorable state for landlords before the massive pandemic-fuelled migration and spike in home appreciation. But after years of reported rent hikes and affordability issues, is Florida still an attractive option for investors and renters? 

Our third and final report looks at housing appreciation, wage growth, and price-to-rent ratios in key markets across Florida including Miami, Orlando, Tampa and Jacksonville. 

Watch the BiggerPockets video on the fast-changing Florida housing market here

How real estate investors can keep a pulse on the rental market

Whether you’re new to real estate investing, dealing with a problematic property management company or burnt out on self-managing your rental home, BiggerPockets and Belong can help. 

BiggerPockets gets you battle-ready to invest in any market, even competitive ones like California, Miami, and Seattle. And when it comes to optimizing your rental pricing and day-to-day management of your home — Belong is upending the traditional property management model to deliver unique and innovative services to both homeowners and their residents. 

From not charging fees for the essentials to guaranteeing rent, Belong will partner with you to make owning a rental property worth it. And you'll never need to lift a finger. Learn more and find out if your home is eligible (even if you’re mid-lease!) at belong.com/homeowners.

Before renting out a house in Sacramento, find out how Belong is changing the entire rental experience for the homeowners and residents of Sacramento California

Sacramento Homeowners, Here's Why 2023 Is a Great Time To Rent Out Your Home with Belong

It’s time to roll out the welcome mat as we open our doors to California’s capital, Sacramento. Since our successful launch in San Francisco’s Bay Area, we’ve been hard at work behind the scenes. We’ve built up our capacity and expanded our network to bring our top-rated, industry-busting property services to homeowners in the City of Trees.

Finally, our latest launch has arrived. Belong is here and ready to take down all preconceived notions about what it means to own and manage a rental home in the historic and beautiful city of Sacramento, California. 

Why Sacramento deserves much better than even the best property management experience

Sacramento is an incredible place to rent and own a rental property, attracting plenty of job seekers, families and outdoor lovers. Yet when looking for a place to call home, most people have experienced first-hand how painful the traditional property management and the landlord-tenant relationship can be. It’s a long-held belief that this is a ‘zero-sum’ game; meaning landlords only benefit at the expense of their tenants. It’s accepted that Sacramento property management companies can hide fees, offer poor communication to both sides and only ever be contacted after 5pm in an emergency. 

It’s incredible how dysfunctional these relationships still are today. This is the type of experience Belong is already transforming across California. Across Los Angeles, San Diego and San Francisco, we’ve set about changing every aspect of renting that fails homeowners and residents (even binning the outdated terms landlord and tenant!). 

How Belong is changing renting in Sacramento

Belong is on a mission to create authentic belonging experiences for those who own much-loved homes, and those longing for that feeling. We’re changing what it means to rent a home by putting people first. It’s where hospitality meets consumer real estate — and it’s about redefining an entire industry.

Here are 11 ways that Belong is revolutionizing renting for homeowners in California:

Guaranteeing rent for homeowners, regardless of when it’s paid by residents



Providing real 24/7 concierge-level support for both homeowners and residents (not just logging maintenance emergencies)



Not charging hidden fees like setup costs and lease renewal charges



Providing cutting-edge marketing and video tours at no extra cost



Taking a human approach to placing the right long-term residents that match your home



Shielding owners from costly evictions if we ever place the wrong people



An app that puts everything at your fingertips — from documentation and cash flow insights to finance and insurance solutions 



Connecting you with the most expansive, vetted vendor network of more than 10,000 professionals that can handle everything from regular repairs to full renovations



Offering insurance solutions that protect you, your home, and your residents



Innovating financial solutions for managing cash-flow on your terms, letting you split the cost of repairs, maintenance, and even your placement fee



Using true market data in California and real-time interest from potential residents to maximize the value of your home


Know someone looking to rent out their home in Sacramento? We also have a referral program, where you can earn $1,000 by referring a qualified homeowner when they join Belong. 

The best way to rent out your Sacramento home

If you’re looking for an alternative to traditional property management, our full-service offering, Belong PRO has you covered. Our team will take care of all inspections, maintenance, and reconditioning on your home to get it ready to be loved by new residents. We’ll find and vet great people that will care for your home as you would. And we’ll treat them exceptionally well too, so that they stay longer, reducing vacancy.

Because we’re building modern and future-ready services, everything is handled right through your phone — from speaking with your dedicated concierge to managing rent, maintenance requests, financing and even insurance. Our app and services are always innovating to make sure everyone in our network receives a world-class experience. 

Think your Sacramento home belongs with us? Find out if you qualify here. 

Fire damage is a real risk to rental homes. Find out your responsibilities as a landlord in the event of fire and 9 tips to minimize risk of rental home fires

Reducing Fire Risks: 9 Tips for Landlords to Safeguard Rental Properties

From raging wildfires to kitchen mishaps, fires are a real risk for all rental homes. If disaster strikes, where does that leave you as the homeowner?

All landlords need to ensure their rental home is in a liveable condition. After a fire, that could mean arranging for urgent repairs or ending the lease.

It's hard to prevent house fires, but you can reduce your risk by knowing how to handle the situation. In this article, we will answer common questions on fire damage in rental homes and provide vital fire safety tips for landlords:

What happens to a lease if a rental home is damaged by fire?

Does landlords insurance cover damage from fire?

Do I need to pay relocation costs for tenants if my rental property is damaged by fire?

9 tips for reducing fire risks in a rental home

Disclaimer: We don’t enjoy using the word ‘landlord’. We refer to members in our network as homeowners and residents, not landlords and tenants, since we’re on a mission to upend and redefine the traditional landlord-tenant relationship. That said, this article is for people who are looking for answers with more common industry terms like ‘landlords’ and ‘tenants’, so in some instances we have had to stick to the old moniker for owners of rental homes. This article provides a guide for homeowners, but should not replace legal advice. Fires create emotional and unique situations, so speak to a professional about your exact situation in the event of a fire.

After a fire, landlord responsibilities vary depending on the extent of the damage. Common issues include:

The nature of the damage also impacts your lease. Here is an overview of three common scenarios:

If you own a rental home that has minor damage from a fire:

Minor damage would be something that could be repaired reasonably quickly (1-3 months) and has not destroyed a significant amount of the property. 

Residents will still owe rent and either remain in place or move out temporarily while repairs are completed

You will need to arrange for repairs urgently

Depending on the situation, you may need to negotiate a rent pause or reduction while repairs are carried out

If the home becomes uninhabitable, residents may take steps to end the lease

If you own a rental home that has been partially damaged from a fire:

Partial damage from fire is not total destruction of the home, but would likely leave parts of the home not fit for use until repairs have been completed. Partial damage generally applies to damage that would take six months or less to remedy. 

Either party can end the lease with notice if the home is not in a habitable condition, even partially

Residents may opt to end the lease or request to move back in when the home has been restored to a livable condition

Rent will not be due from the time the home was deemed uninhabitable, until repairs have been completed

You will not owe any relocation costs for residents regardless of which option they choose

If you own a rental home that has been destroyed by fire:

Severe property damage or total loss of the home will end a lease immediately as the home will no longer be fit for use as a rental.

In the event of total destruction or unsafe structural conditions, the lease will be terminated

You will have approximately 21 days to return the security deposit and any rent that has been paid to you in advance

Check with your insurer about compensation for loss of both property and rental income

Homeowners rely on insurance to cover losses on their homes. Homeowners insurance only covers owner-occupied homes, so you will need dedicated landlords insurance for any rented home.

Particularly if your house is on the West Coast where fires are a real and present danger, it’s important to take out a policy that has the right coverage for both accidental fires and wildfire damage.

Depending on the policy you have, most landlords' insurance can provide compensation for:

Replacement of damaged belongings (yours, not the resident)

It’s important to note that coverage generally applies to losses from accidental damage, such as a natural disaster. If it’s found that the fire was lit by you or the resident, or if you failed to maintain the home’s wiring and a fault caused the fire — restrictions and exclusions may apply. If you are at fault due to negligence, the insurance policy may still protect you from medical costs and legal fees if you are sued.

Residents need to have their own coverage to protect their belongings. This is why Belong insists that everyone in our network has insurance coverage for peace of mind and financial security.

This question often comes up after a fire because the residents will usually need to move out after a fire.

Most state laws, including Washington and California, stipulate that landlords are not required to pay relocation costs if their home is damaged by:

This means if your rental home is damaged by a wildfire, criminal arson, or the resident accidentally sets the kitchen alight — you won’t need to front up costs to move the resident out while repairs are made.

Landlord negligence is another factor. Say for example your residents notified you of faulty wiring and you didn't have it fixed. If it sparks a fire, you could be liable. In a scenario like this, seek advice from a lawyer immediately. The resident may pursue legal action to recover damages and relocation costs.

It's also worth noting that some lease agreements have specific clauses on relocation costs, so check the fine print. If your lease agreement includes relocation or accommodation for natural disasters, residents will be able to ask you to cover these costs.

What smart home technology attracts renters? Discover what tech renters want most and five options to get the most bang for buck in your rental home pricing.

What Smart Home Tech Do Renters Want Most in 2023?

Renters appreciate smart home technology in their living spaces as much as homeowners. What was once seen as an optional luxury has fast become something we interact with daily, making our homes more comfortable or efficient. This has made the technology more accessible for everyone, including people who live in rental homes. 

A 2022 survey from Rent.com found that 82% of renters want at least one smart device or system in their home. Expectations aren't wild either — 41% say 1-2 devices would be their preference.

Of course, as the homeowner there are pros and cons to investing in smart home tech. You don’t want to be forking out for products and installation unless you can be certain that 

a) it will offer a return on your investment and 

b) that it won’t cause more trouble than it’s worth! 

Let’s look at the pros and cons of tech in rental homes. Then we'll dive into five options that attract renters to help your home achieve strong interest and long-term love on the rental market.

What are the benefits of smart home technology in rentals?

What are the drawbacks of smart home technology in rentals?

What smart home products do renters want most?

1. Smart home devices can provide energy and cost savings for your residents 

The biggest drawcard for residents is smart home features that will save them money in the long run. Technology such as smart thermostats and automated lighting systems can save energy and reduce utility bills for residents. Offering lower running costs is a good incentive for spending a little more on rent, knowing there will be savings on the cost of living. 

2. Smart home devices can improve security on your rental house

Improving the security of your rental home can be hugely beneficial to both you and your residents. For starters, landlords have a legal duty to provide a safe and habitable home for their tenants, which includes taking reasonable steps to minimize the risk of crime taking place on their property. Investing in smart devices that can reduce crime will not only make your residents feel safer, it could also reduce your liability for criminal activity and even lower your insurance premiums. 

3. Remote monitoring lets you take quick action to protect your rental home

There are now smart home products on the market that can alert homeowners to problems before they become emergencies, for example:

Smart smoke alarms that detect carbon monoxide levels, allowing you to evacuate residents if levels are dangerous

Water sensors that alert of leaks to avoid flooding and excessive damage to your home

Doorbells with video and/or motion sensor cameras can notify of any unauthorized access to the property when it's vacant. If you do notice suspicious activity on your property, you can alert the police. 

1. Investing in smart home devices may not be worth the upfront investment

If technology won’t increase the perceived value of your home, you won’t be able to pass on any costs in your rent. The more you spend, the more it will eat into your rental home cash flow, so it’s important to consider what people really want/need before spending money. 

2. Not all smart home technology will be compatible with your resident’s devices

Like any technology, you get what you pay for. You might find a great bargain on Amazon, but if that budget knockoff from China isn’t compatible with the devices your residents use, it won’t add any value to your rental home. A frustrating user experience won’t do anything to endear people to staying in your home. 

3. Connected rental homes can create privacy concerns for residents

It’s important not to install filming devices within a rental home that you can view residents on, as this is a violation of their privacy and quiet enjoyment of the home. There’s also the possibility of having a connected device hacked — providing unauthorized access to your rental home. Do your research on how secure technology is before investing in any devices. 

Read more: The Dos and Don’ts of Home Security in a Rental Property

4. Network outages could lead to distressed phone calls

Smart home technology relies on stable internet connections and regular software updates. Network outages or device malfunctions have the potential to cause chaos if your residents can’t control them until the issues are resolved. The last thing you want to do is add ‘tech support’ to your long list of jobs as a rental homeowner, especially if you’re also managing the property yourself. This is another reason not to invest in products that are too cheap/unreliable and to make sure essentials such as locks can also be accessed manually. 

What smart home products are the best investment for a rental home?

So when it comes to smart home technology, what is or isn’t worth investing in for a rental home? Here are five smart home products that make the most sense for rental homes.

When it comes to tech that renters want, smart thermostats top the list. The rent.com survey showed that if renters could choose one smart home device, a thermostat would be it. Smart thermostats have the potential to save energy and utility costs for residents and are fairly inexpensive as far as devices go. 

Some new thermostats such as the Google Nest also offer HVAC monitoring, alerting homeowners when filters need changing or there’s a repair issue to address.  

2. Smart smoke and carbon monoxide detectors

This might not be high on the most-wanted list, but smoke detectors are legally required for all homes. Upgrading to a smart smoke detector in your rental gives you the benefit of being able to receive alerts during emergency situations and monitor carbon monoxide levels. It’s important to remember that your home won’t always be occupied, so being able to know of fire danger when the home is vacant could save you thousands of dollars in damages. 

Video doorbells can be a great entry point for security cameras, without the privacy concerns or expense of monitoring an entire home. You can allow residents to control them when your home is occupied and take over to monitor the home when it’s vacant. They can be a good security option to monitor for parcel theft or unauthorized access via the front door. 

Renters who need a place to both live and work will pay a premium for great work zones and it will avoid disgruntled WFH’ers leaving due to poor coverage and connectivity. 

While not a ‘smart home device’ per say, don’t overlook the importance of having spaces that can be connected easily for modern professionals who work from home. This could be as simple as ensuring there are enough outlets for laptops, to buying a wifi extender such as Amazon’s eero or Google’s Mesh wifi. 

Belong used data compiled by the Eviction Lab at Princeton University to compare how eviction levels changed in 11 major U.S. cities in 2022.

How eviction levels have grown in 11 major cities

In 2022, a handful of large U.S. cities saw landlords remove renters from homes at rates that surpass the typical pre-COVID-19-pandemic rate, according to a new report from the Eviction Lab at Princeton University.

Belong used data compiled by the Eviction Lab to compare how eviction levels changed in 11 major U.S. cities in 2022. The cities are sorted by the change in eviction filings relative to the historical average from 2021 to 2022. Not every U.S. city was considered in this analysis due to the lack of comprehensive, current data. It looks at a geographically diverse cross-section of cities with populations of 1 million or more and should not be viewed as a comprehensive ranking.

Unlike other kinds of housing data real estate agents and other professionals consult and trade daily, eviction data is not easy to obtain. Historically, the data has resided with thousands of local governments where evictions occur. There are few places where that data has been made readily available online until now.

Through its data collection, the Eviction Lab gives the American public a peek into a part of public life that has not always been made public—tracking eviction filings in 34 cities with the help of organizations on the ground in those communities. An eviction filing is the legal document created when a landlord files a case in court to have a tenant removed from their property.

Eviction rates rose in all 32 cities tracked by the Eviction Lab in 2022. The eviction rate in this analysis refers to the number of evictions per 100 rental properties in a given area. In all, landlords in these places filed about 970,000 eviction cases, up 79% compared to the year before.

The increase comes after a period of unprecedented federal housing protections for renters.

The pandemic did something no economic catastrophe in recent history has—it convinced legislators to enact sweeping national policies that materially lowered the rate of evictions.

For roughly 1.5 years, the country maintained the strongest safeguards for keeping renters housed in recent history. In September 2020, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention imposed a federal eviction moratorium, which was essentially a ban on evictions under most circumstances, including failure to pay rent, as a measure to protect public health by preventing the spread of COVID-19. The disease spreads more quickly when people are forced to live in close quarters or share housing with friends, family, or strangers at a homeless shelter or other group housing.

The federal government also allocated billions in rental assistance dollars for tenants as part of the bailout packages passed to help Americans weather the economic effects of the pandemic.

Those measures, however, were temporary and elicited concern from landlords who said it tied their hands when trying to remove problematic tenants. Proponents argued that with so much aid money being made available, there was no need to remove tenants. But only the most progressively aligned members of Congress were willing to continue pushing for a continuation of the policy, which began under former President Donald Trump's administration but was struck down by the Supreme Court in August 2021.

Housing advocates warned that a wave of evictions would emerge as localities rescinded their respective eviction moratoriums following the Supreme Court decision. That wave, however, failed to materialize in the final months of 2021.

Still, data from select cities in 2022 shows evictions did surge in some places shortly thereafter.

And economic conditions continue to become more difficult following the initial few waves of COVID-19 infection in the U.S. Historic inflation reared its head in late 2021 and has burned through Americans' purchasing power in the years since—with housing costs rising particularly sharply.

Las Vegas; Minneapolis; and Austin, Texas have seen eviction filing rates increase the most of the large cities analyzed. The cities that have seen rates grow most steeply are also housing markets that were incredibly popular amid the hot pandemic housing market. Some of those markets have seen home prices drop since late 2022 after property values climbed unnaturally high in just two years.

Learn more about how our Seattle property management team can help you build financial freedom by getting rental payments on time every time.

- Eviction filings, 2022: 67.7% of historical average (16.7 percentage-point growth from 2021)

One year after the federal eviction ban fell, Cleveland City Council passed a new law making it so that tenants can avoid being removed from a property if they pay the full past-due balance on their unit before a court hearing. The law also allows them to continue living in the unit while awaiting disbursement of rental aid if they've been granted any assistance. Distribution of rental assistance has been slow in some parts of the country, causing frustration for landlords and tenants alike.

- Eviction filings, 2022: 103.2% of historical average (25.3 percentage-point growth from 2021)

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a new affordable housing bill into law in March 2023, which critics have argued won't help renters. The law drew condemnation from tenants' rights groups along the Florida Gulf Coast for banning the local government's ability to impose rent control. The state has consistently been one of the fastest-growing in terms of population—a trend that only continued as property values skyrocketed over the pandemic.

- Eviction filings, 2022: 48.0% of historical average (29.3 percentage-point growth from 2021)

After a brief moment of panic in 2020 as New York City became the epicenter of COVID-19 spread on the East Coast, living costs have increased in New York at a breakneck pace. Throughout 2022, renters were getting hit with rent increases that amounted to 20% to 30% more than the year prior. These hikes spurred lawmakers this year to consider enacting new rent control laws that would keep landlords from hiking rental rates more than 3% and would affect an estimated 1 in 2 renters in the state.

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- Eviction filings, 2022: 67.3% of historical average (35.1 percentage-point growth from 2021)

A recently released research report from Cornell University looked at studies in Philadelphia and other comparably populated cities and found a link between communities that had higher eviction rates and increases in crime as well as lower voter participation in elections.

The city's eviction diversion program was highlighted in recent years as a model for other cities, having helped prevent unnecessary evictions of residents. Recent reporting has found thousands of Philadelphia residents spend more than half of their income on rent alone.

- Eviction filings, 2022: 106.2% of historical average (36.7 percentage-point growth from 2021)

Nashville's workforce has benefitted from a surge in new residents moving there in recent years as Americans sought lower costs of living and took advantage of their newfound flexible work freedoms. At the same time, housing costs have risen in the metro area, prompting the city council to consider a bill that would create a new online affordable housing tracking dashboard.

Explore a comprehensive property management blog that covers tips, trends, and stories related to long-term renting, home renovation, and more.

- Eviction filings, 2022: 105.6% of historical average (40.8 percentage-point growth from 2021)

Discover how eviction rates have surged in 11 major cities across the United States, according to data compiled by the Eviction Lab at Princeton University. Our analysis highlights the changes in eviction levels in 2022 and the impact on the local housing market and tenants.

Eviction Trends in 11 Major US Cities: An Analysis by Eviction Lab at Princeton University

What you need to know about homeowners vs landlords insurance (and why you need both!)

Homeowners Insurance vs. Landlord Insurance: What Policy Do You Need?

Did you know that homeowners insurance only offers protection for owner-occupied properties? That means if you move out and put your home on the rental market, you could find yourself no longer covered and liable for expensive costs should anything happen to the property. 

It’s a common misconception that homeowners insurance is enough to cover all homeowners. After all, we ourselves prefer to refer to our landlords as ‘homeowners’ because that’s what you are. However, for the purpose of this article we need to make an important distinction between owner-occupied homes and landlords with tenant-occupied homes. 

Let’s take a look at what homeowners insurance and landlords insurance provides — and how Belong can simplify the whole process. 

What’s the difference between homeowners insurance and landlords insurance? 

While both insurance products are designed for homeowners and policy coverage will vary based on the provider you choose, there is a clear distinction. ‘Homeowners Insurance’ offers coverage for owner-occupied residential property while ‘Landlords Insurance’ offers coverage for tenant-occupied residential property. 

The main reason for this difference in coverage is that homeowners require insurance for their physical property, whereas landlords also need coverage for liability and damages that could arise from their residents in place. 

If you are a homeowner and have a secondary home on the rental market, you will need both types of insurance — one for your home residence and the other for your rental home. 

What does landlords insurance include that homeowners insurance doesn’t?

Like homeowners insurance, landlords insurance will protect the main structure of your home from disaster such as fire or storm. Depending on policy, you may be required to pay an additional fee for optional extras such as flood coverage or earthquake damage. Homeowners insurance usually includes contents insurance too, covering all your personal belongings within the home. 

For landlords insurance, unless you have a furnished rental, you won’t need to cover the contents as they don’t belong to you. The other key difference with a landlord policy is the liability coverage offered. For example, if a tenant is injured while living in your home (like tripping over a crack in the driveway or scalding themselves on a faulty hot water system), you could be responsible for their medical costs and will want to be insured for any liability. 

Accidents happen and even good residents can cause accidental damage to homes. Landlords policies will cover damage to your home as a result of the resident and some will also cover for loss of rent if the property becomes unlivable, helping to insulate your cash flow against this risk. 

Why does Belong insist on landlords insurance?

Everything Belong does is designed to act in the best interest of our community members — both homeowners and residents. 

When you join the Belong network as a homeowner, you’ll be required to have a landlords insurance policy, either through our network or a provider of your choice. This ensures you are protected as a homeowner and that property damage can be taken care of to keep a roof over the head of your resident. 

For additional peace of mind, we have the same requirement for your residents, with renters insurance a requirement of all tenants we place. 

How does Belong simplify landlords insurance for homeowners?

Finding the right policy can be a cumbersome process. Not all insurance companies offer both homeowners and landlords insurance policies. Those that do might insist that you hold both with them, even if their products aren’t the best fit. Let’s not even get started on navigating those awful websites and still needing to spend ages on the phone relaying a million pieces of information to sign up. 

Like all outdated processes that are broken within the rental and property management industry, Belong is taking this on to simplify how homeowners get insurance to protect their rental home. 

When you join Belong and have your home loved by us, you have the option to purchase a dedicated landlord insurance policy that protects your home, meets our requirements — and could save you time and money. We can have you signed up and fully covered in an instant, it’s all done within your Belong account. You can either pay the premium upfront, or have the option to split the payments into 12 installments. You’ll receive your monthly guaranteed rent, minus the repayment — so you won’t need to think about it again or set aside money for it in your household budget. 

Ready to let someone else take on the load of managing your rental home?

Simplifying protection of your asset is just one of the many ways Belong is making it easier than ever for individuals to achieve financial freedom with a rental home. 

To see if your home is eligible and learn about how Belong is helping more people have a successful rental property without lifting a finger, check out our dedicated homeowners page.

Do you need homeowners or landlords insurance? What's the difference? If you own a rental home, here's what you need to know about insurance (you need both!)

What are the financing options for investment properties? Learn more about conventional loans, hard money and home equity options for buying a rental home.

2023 Guide to Financing Options That Help Your Rental Home Cashflow

Not all debt is bad. The right debt has the potential to increase your wealth long-term — like a mortgage or using the equity in your home as a down payment on a rental investment home. The right finance can also help you maximize your cash flow and appreciation of the home by funding renovations and sought-after amenities. 

But before you start shopping for loans, it’s a good idea to get up to speed on your options. 

For instance, did you know that most banks don’t offer conventional bank mortgages for second or investment homes but instead offer a specific investment property loan? Or that you can’t access government-insured loans to buy a rental property unless you are an owner-occupier within the duplex/multifamily complex? The use of the home plays a role in applying for finance, so consider speaking to a broker about your intentions and options. 

The main goal is to ensure your rental home can achieve positive cash flow. This means keeping repayments, interest rates, and ongoing costs below what you can earn in rental income. It could also mean borrowing money to fund improvements that will yield more rental income and make the home more profitable in the long-term.

This article covers the following FAQs on rental home financing:

Can I get a conventional loan to finance a rental property?

What is a jumbo loan and do I need one for a rental home?

Can I finance a rental property with an FHA loan or special program loan?

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