Individual Renter - User Guide

Your complete rental search and tenancy management dashboard.

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Overview

The Individual Renter role gives you everything you need to search for rentals, apply for a lease, move in, pay and track rent, and manage your tenancy — from first search to move-out day.

Renting is its own workspace, separate from buying. If you are renting, all of your rental activity lives in the Renter dashboard; your buyer tools (Document Readiness Assessment, mortgage calculators, lender activity) live in the Buyer workspace, which you can switch to from the sidebar.

When you log in, you land on your Home screen. Use the sidebar on the left to navigate between sections.

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Your Dashboard - Home Screen

Your home screen adapts to where you are in your rental journey:

• Searching - a search bar and recommended rentals across your home country and the wider Caribbean
• Application in progress - the applications you have waiting on a landlord's response
• Move-in coming up - your signed lease and move-in checklist
• You are renting - your current lease with rent, term, location, and status

At a glance you'll also find:

• Profile nudge banner - prompts to add your home country and residency status
• Recommended rentals - active rental listings matched to your search and home country
• Saved rentals - rentals you've bookmarked, shown as cards with photos
• Current lease widget - rent amount, term, location, and landlord, with quick links to pay rent, report maintenance, set up utilities, and review renewal options
• Move-in checklist - what to set up before you arrive (utilities, co-sign documents, first month + deposit)
• Buyer workspace bridge - a card that points you to the buyer tools if you also want to buy

What You Can Do

• Search rentals - use the search bar to find rentals by address, city, or title, with filters for price, beds, and country. This helps you find places to live across the Caribbean.

• Track your rental stage - see which stage you're in (searching, applying, move-in, active). This helps you know what to do next.

• View your current lease - see rent, term, location, and your landlord at a glance. This helps you stay on top of your tenancy.

Using the Home Screen Effectively

• Set your home country and residency status when prompted - your home-country badge and default search filter depend on them
• Check your dashboard regularly for new recommended rentals
• Use the quick links to jump straight to applications, maintenance, calendar, and messages

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Getting Started

Follow these steps to get your Individual Renter account set up and ready to find your next place.

Step 1: Sign Up

Navigate to the estateTT sign-up page and select "Individual Renter" as your role. Enter your email address, create a password, and provide your basic information. You'll receive a confirmation email to verify your account.

Step 2: Complete Your Profile

After logging in, the platform prompts you to complete your profile. Add your personal details, contact information, home country, and residency status. Your home country powers your home-country badge and the default country filter on rental searches.

Step 3: Browse Rentals

Search rentals from the home screen search bar, or browse the full rental directory on the public site (/properties?listing_type=rent). Use filters to narrow by price, beds, and country, and save rentals you like.

Step 4: Tour and Apply

Request a tour for a place you're serious about (tracked in Tours and shown on your Calendar once confirmed). Submit your rental application with your move-in date, lease term, and number of occupants.

Step 5: Review Documents and Sign

Once your application is approved, the landlord finalizes the lease documents. They appear under My Leases for you to review and acknowledge before the lease is finalized.

Step 6: Move In

Use the Move-in checklist to complete co-sign documents and arrange your first month's rent and deposit with your landlord.

Step 7: Pay Rent

Rent is paid directly to your landlord — estateTT does not collect or process rent payments. Use Payments to record your rent payments and keep your payment history in one place; your landlord confirms them through the platform.

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Sidebar Navigation

Note: My Leases shows a badge for pending and active leases. Maintenance shows a badge for open service requests. Messages shows a badge for unread messages. Settings shows a dot when your profile needs an update.

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My Leases - Lease Applications

Go to: My Leases in the sidebar (the document icon - shows a badge for pending and active leases)

My Leases is where you manage your rental applications and lease documents. Every place you have applied to rent appears here with the landlord's response and what comes next.

What You Can Do

• Track application status - see each application as Pending, Under review, Approved, or Declined. This helps you understand where you are in the process.

• Review application details - see move-in date, lease term, occupants, monthly rent, and landlord for each application. This helps you stay organized across multiple applications.

• Review and acknowledge documents - when your landlord finalizes documents for your lease, they appear in a "Documents to review" banner. Open and acknowledge each document to finalize the lease. This helps keep the lease moving.

• Message the landlord - jump straight to messaging from any application. This helps you resolve questions quickly.

Using My Leases Effectively

• Check application status regularly to stay informed about your progress
• Review lease documents carefully before acknowledging them
• Respond promptly to requests for additional information
• Use the filter cards (All, Pending, Under review, Approved, Declined) to sort your applications

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Payments - Rent Payments

Go to: Payments in the sidebar (the document icon)

Payments is where you track your rent payment records for your current lease — rent records, renter-submitted payment reports, and landlord confirmations.

Important: estateTT does not collect or process rent payments. Rent is paid directly to your landlord. Use this section to record your payments and keep a verified payment history in one place.

What You Can Do

• Record a payment - submit a payment report when you pay your rent. This helps you keep an accurate history.

• View landlord confirmations - see which payments your landlord has confirmed. This helps you avoid disputes about what was paid.

• Track payment history - review your full rent payment history for the current lease. This helps you stay on top of your obligations.

Using Payments Effectively

• Record each payment as soon as you make it
• Confirm with your landlord through the platform when needed
• Keep payment records handy - they stay with your lease

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Utilities - Utility Setup

Go to: Utilities in the sidebar (the droplet icon)

Utilities is where you set up utility accounts for your rental address. The available providers follow your property's jurisdiction.

What You Can Do

• Set up utilities - connect electricity, water, and other utility accounts for your address. This helps you get connected before you move in.

• View providers - see the utility providers available in your property's jurisdiction. This helps you choose the right provider.

• Track account status - keep your utility accounts and statuses in one place. This helps you manage them throughout your tenancy.

Using Utilities Effectively

• Set up utilities before move-in day to avoid gaps in service
• Use the lease-specific view to connect the correct address
• Keep provider account details handy for renewals and move-out

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Move-in - Move-in Checklist

Go to: Move-in in the sidebar (the clipboard-check icon)

Move-in is where you complete the checklist for your upcoming lease — from co-sign documents to your first month's rent and deposit.

What You Can Do

• View the move-in checklist - see everything required before you arrive. This helps you avoid last-minute scrambling.

• Complete co-sign documents - handle any co-sign documents as part of your move-in. This helps finalize your lease.

• Arrange first month + deposit - coordinate your first month's rent and deposit with your landlord. This gets your tenancy started.

Using Move-in Effectively

• Start the checklist as soon as your lease is signed
• Complete documents before your move-in date
• Contact your landlord through Messages if anything is unclear

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Renewals - Lease Renewal Options

Go to: Renewals in the sidebar (the refresh icon)

Renewals is where you review renewal proposals from your landlord, compare them with your current lease, and respond — with the record of what was proposed kept intact. Notice periods follow the property's jurisdiction.

What You Can Do

• Review proposals - see the landlord's proposed rent, term, and dates alongside your current lease. This helps you make an informed decision.

• Accept or decline - respond to a proposal directly from the page. This keeps the process moving without losing the record.

• Counter the proposal - send a counter offer with your proposed rent and notes. This helps you negotiate on record.

Using Renewals Effectively

• Compare proposed terms against your current lease before responding
• Use counters to negotiate instead of starting over
• Check the jurisdiction notice context shown for your property

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Move-out - Moving Out

Go to: Move-out in the sidebar (the door icon)

Move-out is where you manage the end of your tenancy, with records shared between you and your landlord.

What You Can Do

• Start a move-out record - begin the move-out process for your lease. This helps both sides prepare.

• Track landlord records - see your landlord's move-out records and responses. This keeps the process transparent.

Using Move-out Effectively

• Start the process early - jurisdiction notice periods may apply
• Keep records of everything shared through the platform
• Coordinate the final walkthrough and deposit return with your landlord

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Maintenance - Maintenance Requests

Go to: Maintenance in the sidebar (the wrench icon - shows a badge for open service requests)

Maintenance is where you report an issue at your property and track it from open to resolved. Your landlord sees the same list.

What You Can Do

• Report an issue - file a maintenance request for your current residence. This helps get problems fixed quickly.

• Track status - follow your request from open through resolution. This keeps you informed.

• See shared visibility - your landlord sees the same list you do. This keeps communication aligned.

Using Maintenance Effectively

• Report issues promptly with as much detail as possible
• Monitor status updates as work progresses
• Follow up through Messages if a request stalls

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Calendar - Your Schedule

Go to: Calendar in the sidebar (the calendar icon)

Calendar is where you see your rental-related events in a month view — tours, lease start and end dates, and rent due dates.

What You Can Do

• View monthly events - see tours, lease dates, and rent due dates at a glance. This helps you plan around your tenancy.

• Track key dates - lease start and end dates and rent due dates stay visible. This helps you avoid missing obligations.

Using Calendar Effectively

• Check your calendar regularly during lease transitions
• Use rent due dates to stay ahead of payment records

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Tours - Property Tours

Go to: Tours in the sidebar (the home icon)

Tours is where you manage your property tour appointments — requests, confirmations, and reschedules.

What You Can Do

• Request tours - request a tour of a rental you're interested in. This helps you see a place before applying.

• Track appointment status - follow each tour from requested through confirmed. This helps you know what to expect.

• Manage appointment details - view or update tour details as needed. This keeps your schedule accurate.

Using Tours Effectively

• Request tours early - listings can go quickly
• Check the Calendar to see confirmed tours
• Confirm or adjust tours through Messages with the landlord or agent

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Saved - Saved Rentals

Go to: Saved in the sidebar (the home icon)

Saved is where you see the rental listings you've bookmarked.

What You Can Do

• View saved rentals - see your bookmarked rental properties as cards with photos and key details. This helps you quickly revisit places you like.

• Return to listings - jump back to any saved rental to apply or request a tour. This keeps your shortlist within reach.

Using Saved Effectively

• Save places you're considering before you apply
• Review your saved list regularly - availability changes fast

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Services - Service Providers

Go to: Services in the sidebar (the wrench icon)

Services is where you find service providers available in your area, matched to your property's jurisdiction.

What You Can Do

• Browse providers - see service providers available for your location. This helps you find help when you need it.

• Request services - submit service requests that are tracked in the platform. This helps you manage them from one place.

Using Services Effectively

• Book services early for move-in and move-out
• Track open requests through the sidebar badge

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Messages - Communication Hub

Go to: Messages in the sidebar (the speech bubble icon - shows a red badge when you have unread messages)

Messages is where you communicate with your landlord, agents, and service providers through the platform. All rental-related conversations stay in one place for the length of the lease.

What You Can Do

• Message your landlord - ask questions about applications, documents, or your tenancy. This ensures clear, timely communication.

• Keep a record - all platform conversations are preserved. This helps both sides stay accountable.

Using Messages Effectively

• Use platform messaging instead of external channels for rental matters
• Check for unread messages regularly - they often contain time-sensitive requests

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Settings - Account Settings

Go to: Settings in the sidebar (the gear icon - shows a dot when your profile needs an update)

Settings is where you manage your profile, contact details, home country, and residency status. The country you set here ships with your home-country badge and default search filter.

What You Can Do

• Update your profile - manage your name, contact details, and photo. This keeps your information current.

• Set your home country - choose the country used for your home-country badge and default search filter. This personalizes your experience.

• Set residency status - provide your residency status as prompted. This helps landlords review your applications.

Using Settings Effectively

• Keep your profile complete - a complete profile helps your applications stand out
• Update your home country if you move between markets

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Buyer Workspace - Renting vs Buying

Go to: Buyer workspace in the sidebar (the home icon)

Renting and buying are separate workspaces. If you also want to buy, switch to the Buyer workspace to access the Document Readiness Assessment, mortgage calculator, lender activity, and the full purchase workflow. A bridge card on your renter home screen also points you there.

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Workflow: Renting Your Home Step by Step

1. Search and save - use the home screen search bar or browse the rental directory, and save places you like
2. Request a tour - book a tour through the property or Tours section, and confirm it on your Calendar
3. Apply - submit your application with move-in date, term, and occupants, then track it in My Leases
4. Review documents - acknowledge landlord-finalized documents to move the lease forward
5. Move in - complete the Move-in checklist, including co-sign documents and first month + deposit
6. Pay rent - pay your landlord directly and record each payment in Payments
7. Manage your tenancy - use Maintenance, Utilities, and Services as needed
8. Renew or move out - review renewal proposals in Renewals, or manage the end of your tenancy in Move-out

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Troubleshooting

No rentals showing on my home screen? Widen your search filters or browse the full rental directory at /properties?listing_type=rent.

Application says "Pending" for a long time? The landlord hasn't responded yet. Check Messages and consider a polite follow-up.

A document needs reviewing? Open the "Documents to review" banner in My Leases and acknowledge each document to finalize the lease.

Rent payment not showing as confirmed? Record the payment in Payments and confirm with your landlord — they confirm payments through the platform.

No renewal proposals? Renewal offers only appear when your landlord creates one. Watch Renewals and discuss timing with your landlord.

Profile dot won't go away? Complete your profile in Settings, including your home country and residency status.

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Need Help?

Click the Help button on any page, or email support@estatett.com