How Generations Experience the IDEAL Framework
Baby Boomers, Gen X, Millennials, and Gen Z all move through the same five IDEAL pillars – Identify, Data, Engage, Assess, and Lease – but they do not experience them in the same way.
This research page explains how each generation behaves across the pillars in Canadian rental housing, where misunderstandings appear, and how a single IDEAL system can still serve everyone fairly.
01 · Why Generations Matter in IDEAL
A Baby Boomer landlord who bought a house in the 1990s sees risk and trust very differently from a Gen Z student renting their first basement suite. Yet both must pass through the same five pillars: Identify, Data, Engage, Assess, Lease.
Understanding these generational patterns helps landlords, property managers, and policymakers design systems that are fair and accessible, without creating a separate process for every age group.
02 · Quick Pillar Reference
IDEAL is the backbone. Generational behaviour is how different age groups move along that backbone.
- Identify: How people prove who they are and avoid fraud.
- Data: What information they expect to see and trust.
- Engage: How they prefer to communicate and how conflict is handled.
- Assess: How they judge “good fit” and risk.
- Lease: How they sign, pay, and manage the ongoing relationship.
For full pillar definitions, see the deep-dive pages in the 5 Pillars section.
03 · Baby Boomers (1946–1964)
Many Baby Boomers are long-time owners or long-term renters. They are comfortable with paperwork, in-person meetings, and traditional banking, and many have strong credit and pension or wage income.
| Pillar | Typical Behaviours |
|---|---|
| Identify | Prefer to show original ID in person and sign on paper. As landlords, often want to physically see documents. As tenants, expect ID to be checked but may be cautious about fully digital identity systems. |
| Data | Trusts official records: bank statements, employer letters, government documents. Uses online listings but still likes printed copies and clear verbal explanations. |
| Engage | Uses phone and email as main channels; texts for quick notes. Less likely to rely on app-only messaging as the primary tool. |
| Assess | As landlords: value stable income, good references, and strong credit; often call previous landlords/employers. As tenants: expect their long history and reliability to be recognized. |
| Lease | Likes clear, detailed leases and often prefers paper copies. Increasingly open to digital signing if it is simple and explained step-by-step. |
04 · Generation X (1965–1980)
Gen X bridges the analog and digital worlds. Many are raising children, supporting aging parents, and managing mortgages or rent at the same time.
| Pillar | Typical Behaviours |
|---|---|
| Identify | Comfortable scanning ID and using secure portals. Still likes at least one real conversation – by phone or in person – before major decisions. |
| Data | Compares multiple sources: official documents, online reviews, and advice from trusted people. Wants summaries but will read details when stakes are high. |
| Engage | Uses email and text naturally; expects reasonable response times. Becomes frustrated when messages are ignored across channels. |
| Assess | As landlords: often use credit checks and some online screening tools, then add personal judgment. As tenants: aware that their credit may not be perfect, so they build trust by explaining context. |
| Lease | Often seek 1–2 year leases for stability. Want clear rules about rent increases, repairs, and who pays for what. |
05 · Millennials (1981–1996)
Millennials are now the largest renter group in many cities. Many face high rent-to-income ratios, student loans, and unstable housing markets, but they are very comfortable with apps and digital tools.
| Pillar | Typical Behaviours |
|---|---|
| Identify | Expect digital identity checks and e-signatures as normal. Used to uploading ID and documents through secure platforms. |
| Data | Rely heavily on online listings, photos, virtual tours, and rating sites. Compare rent, commute, and neighbourhood data before applying. |
| Engage | Prefer text and in-app messaging; long delays damage trust quickly. Want written summaries of important decisions to avoid misunderstandings. |
| Assess | Worry about rejection due to debt or credit scores. Want clear criteria and appreciate explanations when they are declined or approved. |
| Lease | Expect digital lease signing and online payments as standard. Prefer shorter or more flexible terms due to job and housing volatility. |
06 · Generation Z & Alpha (1997–2012+)
The youngest renters are “mobile-first.” Many are students or early-career workers with thin credit files, limited savings, and strong comfort with technology and social media.
| Pillar | Typical Behaviours |
|---|---|
| Identify | Expect fast identity verification on a smartphone. May rarely carry physical documents; rely on digital wallets and cloud storage. |
| Data | Want real-time data on rents, vacancies, and neighbourhoods. Trust peer reviews, social proof, and screenshots more than printed brochures. |
| Engage | Prefer chat, DMs, and app notifications; many feel anxious about long phone calls with strangers. Need clear expectations about response times and channels. |
| Assess | Often have short or thin credit histories and higher delinquency risk as a group. Frequently need co-signers or guarantors and fear being locked out by rigid automated systems. |
| Lease | Favour short-term, flexible, or co-living arrangements. Expect fully digital payments, instant receipts, and mobile access to records. |
07 · Cross-Generational Insights
Across all ages, people want to feel respected, informed, and treated fairly. The differences are mainly about how they prove identity, receive information, communicate, and manage risk.
- Older generations tend to trust paper, personal relationships, and long histories.
- Younger generations tend to trust well-designed digital systems and transparent dashboards.
- Everyone benefits when expectations, criteria, and processes are visible and consistent.
08 · Practical Applications for Landlords & PMs
You can use these patterns to adjust how you present IDEAL to different age groups, without changing your core compliance and fairness standards.
08 · Practical Applications for Landlords and Property Managers
You can use these patterns to adjust how you present IDEAL to different age groups, without changing your core compliance and fairness standards.
For Identity Verification (IDENTIFY)
- Offer multiple verification methods: in-person ID check, digital ID scan, or video verification—let users choose based on comfort level.
- For older users: explain why digital ID checks are secure and provide step-by-step instructions or phone support.
- For younger users: ensure mobile-friendly ID upload with instant feedback on document quality.
- Use trusted third-party verification services that are recognized across age groups (e.g., government-backed digital ID).
- Never require only one method—accessibility means offering choice while maintaining security standards.
For Data Management (DATA)
- Provide data in multiple formats: online dashboards for tech-comfortable users, plus downloadable/printable summaries for those who prefer paper.
- For older users: send written summaries of key data (rent history, payment records) by mail or email on request.
- For younger users: provide real-time mobile access to all records, payment receipts, and inspection photos.
- Maintain one central, secure data source that both landlords and tenants can access with proper permissions.
- Explain data privacy practices clearly—all generations worry about how their information is used, just in different ways.
For Communication (ENGAGE)
- Offer both phone and digital options, and let people choose their main channel.
- Provide written follow-up after important phone calls so everyone has a record.
- For older users: explain digital tools step-by-step and give printable summaries.
- For younger users: use clear, short written messages with links to full details.
For Screening (ASSESS)
- Share screening criteria in advance so all generations know how decisions are made.
- Distinguish between "no credit file" (e.g., new grads) and "poor credit behaviour."
- Allow guarantors or extra documentation for thin-credit applicants within the same rules.
For Leasing (LEASE)
- Use plain language and, where possible, translated summaries for newcomers and seniors.
- Provide digital access to leases and receipts, plus an option to print for those who prefer paper.
- Use rent-to-credit tools so on-time payment builds history for all generations.
This page is educational only and does not replace legal advice. Always refer to your local tenancy laws and professional counsel when designing policies.