Where do you advertise it—and how do you get the right people to actually book a viewing?
Finding a tenant starts with two things:
Put the property where renters are looking, then give them a reason to stop and look at yours.
For the properties I manage, I normally use a combination of four channels.
1. Your Own Facebook Network
This one is often overlooked.
Some landlords don't want to post a rental on their personal Facebook because they don't want friends, family or coworkers knowing about their rental property.
I understand that.
But your own network can also be a valuable—and free—source of referrals.
You may not know someone looking for a home, but one of your friends might.
A simple post such as:
“2-bedroom legal basement suite available in SE Calgary. If you know someone looking, please feel free to share.”
can sometimes reach the right person through someone you already know.
And it costs nothing.
2. Facebook Marketplace & Rental Groups
Facebook Marketplace is one of the places I regularly use for rentals, along with local rental and community groups.
The advantage is reach.
The disadvantage is that there are a lot of listings competing for attention.
In busy Facebook groups, your post can quickly move down as new properties are added.
For some listings, I have also put a small advertising budget behind the Marketplace/Facebook listing to increase visibility rather than relying entirely on free organic reach.
The key is not simply posting everywhere.
The listing itself still has to make someone stop scrolling.
3. RentFaster
RentFaster is another platform I use because it is focused specifically on rental housing.
People visiting a dedicated rental platform are already there for one reason:
They're looking for a place to live.
That makes it useful alongside broader platforms such as Facebook.
Check the platform's current listing options and fees when you're ready to advertise.
4. Kijiji
Kijiji is another channel landlords can consider to increase exposure.
Again, listing options and fees can change, so check the current platform when posting.
I don't necessarily expect one website to find every tenant.
The goal is to give a good property enough exposure in the places where the right renter may be looking.
But Where You Advertise Is Only Half the Job
You can put a property on four different platforms and still get poor results if the listing doesn't attract attention.
This is where presentation matters.
Start With Good Photos
The photos are usually the first thing a renter sees.
I want a rental to look:
Bright - Clean - Organized - Inviting.
Before taking photos:
Open the blinds.
Turn on the lights.
Clear the counters.
Remove unnecessary personal items.
Clean the kitchen and bathrooms.
Make the beds if the property is furnished.
Show the rooms from angles that help people understand the space.
You don't need to make the property look like a luxury show home.
But you should make it look like:
“I could live here.”
Give Tenants the Information They Actually Want
The listing description doesn't need to be an essay.
But don't make prospective tenants message you for every basic detail either.
I normally want the listing to clearly explain:
Monthly rent
Utilities
Available date
Bedrooms and bathrooms
Parking
Pet policy
Furnished or unfurnished
Laundry
Transit
Nearby shopping/schools where relevant
Lease term
Insurance
Etc…
For example, if the property is near a CTrain station, tell them.
If there is in-suite laundry, tell them.
If utilities are shared 60/40 between the main floor and basement, make that clear.
The easier the listing is to understand, the easier it is for someone to decide:
“Yes, this property could work for me. I'd like to see it.”
Don't Forget the Headline
Instead of:
“Basement for Rent”
something like:
“Spacious 2-Bedroom Legal Basement Suite | Private Entrance + In-Suite Laundry | SE Calgary”
immediately tells the renter why they may want to click.
Clear usually works better than clever.
Clara's Perspective
When I market a rental, I'm not trying to generate the largest number of messages possible.
I want the right people to:
See the property → understand what is being offered → like what they see → book a viewing.
That starts with choosing the right places to advertise.
But good photos, a clean property and a clear description are what turn that exposure into actual interest.
Once someone views the property and wants to apply, that's when the next important step begins: tenant screening.
Need Help Marketing Your Calgary Rental?
If your property is ready but you don't want to manage the listing, advertising, inquiries and tenant-placement process yourself, Clara offers tenant-placement and full property-management services for Calgary landlords.
Clara Nguyen — REALTOR® | Licensed Property Manager
CIR REALTY
claranguyen@cirrealty.ca
778-836-2495
claranguyen-homes.ca
Common Questions
Where should I advertise my Calgary rental property?
I prefer using more than one channel. Your personal network, Facebook Marketplace/groups, RentFaster and Kijiji can all provide exposure to different renters.
Do professional rental photos matter?
They don't necessarily have to be professionally photographed, but they should be bright, clean, accurate and show the property clearly. Poor photos can make a good rental easy to overlook.
What information should a rental listing include?
At minimum, clearly state the rent, utilities, availability, bedrooms/bathrooms, parking, pet policy, laundry, lease term and other features that matter to the target tenant.
Note: This article reflects Clara's personal experience and perspective from marketing and managing rental properties. Advertising platforms, fees and market conditions can change. Landlords should also ensure their advertising and tenant-selection practices comply with applicable Alberta human-rights, privacy and tenancy requirements. This content is general information and is not legal advice for a specific situation.
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