Vanmates Arvostelua 11

When we started planning our move to Vancouver, we quickly realized how competitive the rental market is.
Vanmates guided us step by step and taught us how the Canadian housing search process actually works. Without that knowledge we probably would have made many mistakes.
Because we have a small child, going to multiple apartment viewings would have been exhausting, especially right after arriving in a new country.
Thanks to their relocation service, our family home was secured before our flight, which made the move far less stressful.

My homestay experience in Vancouver was very memorable.

Before arriving, Vanmates gave me several options so I could choose the host family that suited me best. This made me feel comfortable from the beginning.

During my stay there was a small issue related to house rules, but I was able to consult with the Vanmates team and receive helpful guidance. They supported both sides and helped solve the situation smoothly.

Overall I felt well supported throughout my stay.

Vanmates has been very accomodating during my time in Canada. The people I have met have been nothing but kind and inviting. They have graciously offered space for events where I have met with lots of people.

I used their relocation service because I wanted to decide a place to live before the move. They gave me a list of places based on my preferences. The list had every detail so it was helpful for me to choose. They also did a viewing for me and inspected really carefully. I really appreciate their service!

My experience with VANMATES was extremely disappointing and unprofessional.

On the contract start date, I went to the designated location, but the key had not been arranged at all. I was forced to wait for nearly two hours. When a staff member finally arrived, they could barely communicate in English, which made resolving the situation even more difficult.

Before moving in, I was told that the key to my room would already be inside. In reality, the lock system was completely outdated and insecure. It was an old analog lock, and from the inside, the room could only be secured with a simple chain. This was unacceptable from a security standpoint.

Additionally, the move-out conditions were unilaterally imposed. The move-out date was set earlier than the actual contract end date, and the move-out time was dictated without proper agreement or flexibility.

Considering the high rent, the overall quality was shockingly poor. The interior condition, level of cleanliness, security, and customer support were all far below what would be reasonable for the price.

I cannot recommend VANMATES to anyone looking for a reliable or professional rental service.

We had plenty of problems. If something breaks, they take forever to fix it, and when they do, they buy the cheapest, lowest-quality item on the market. We had electrical issues for some time, and Vanmates handled the situation terribly. They hired an inept electrician and didn't offer anything to make our stay more bearable or comfortable.

Vanmates Customer Service is terrible when things go wrong.

I recommend avoiding this company. Don't trust google reviews

Don't believe the pictures of the room and common areas. They make it look clean but it's not. Beddings were different from the pictures and the pillows and sheets smelled bad. After wash, they got better, so probably they didn't even wash them or change them. Shared kitchenwares were like a garbage.
I didn’t expect the house to be this bad, especially since I booked it through a housing company.
If the house is this bad, the rent should be way cheaper.
You can live in a condo in downtown with the same price.
Think twice before you book the room.

Once the situation no longer suited them, communication effectively disappeared. Messages went unanswered, or responses—when they came—were dismissive and unprofessional. In my situation, I was only able to recover my funds several months later by initiating a chargeback through American Express.

For those new to Canada, it is important to be aware of your legal rights. If a deposit is not refunded within 15 days after proper notice has been given, you may be eligible to file a claim with the Residential Tenancy Branch (RTB). In certain cases, this can lead to compensation of up to twice the original deposit. (Some claims may be filed retroactively for up to two years; please verify the exact conditions on the official RTB website.)

Before signing any agreement, carefully review all terms and conditions. If anything seems unclear or unreasonable, it is wise to seek a second opinion using resources such as ChatGPT to ensure you fully understand what you are committing to.

The room was a mess, holes on the walls, dirty floor, stains on the bed linen. It smelled and was completely different from the pictures.
The kitchen was small, and no way could support a house of six people. I had to move out as soon as I arrived.

They lie to you about their services, they do not do proper inspections so you are often left in unsafe housing situations, once caught they will lie about their actions, they are horrible to lgbt tenants, they do not have any accomodations for the disabled. They frequently move people into adjacent rooms within the same unit without telling the current residents. They move new tenants into rooms with unwashed bedlinen and unswept floors. The property managers are often unreachable and very condescending.

I booked with Vanmates to find accommodation in Vancouver.
They were super helpful with the booking, but once I arrived the room was horrible: damaged furniture, holes on the walls, and the room had a locked door to the communal house bathroom with a gap between the door and the floor large enough to fit a hand through. You could smell and hear it anytime someone used the bathroom.
I didn't stay the day. I contacted them to find a replacement and they ignored me for days. When I asked for reimbursement, they were resistant. The first person I spoke to yelled at me, and it was only once I threatened legal action that he passed my case to their legal team. Their legal team was unprofessional, and I had to submit a complaint with BC Tenancy Branch for them to reimburse me.
You're better off renting an AirBnB for a few weeks while you look for a place in person.