The IDEAL Framework for Trust in Renting
A research-backed system to rebuild trust in rentals through one clear, shared process for landlords and tenants.
IDEAL stands for Identify, Data, Engage, Assess, Lease – five connected pillars designed to make renting safer, clearer, and more accountable.
Developed by Jimmy Ng, Founder of the IDEAL Framework Lab (2022–present), the IDEAL Framework combines behavioral economics, systems design, and real tribunal and court evidence from across Canada to address the rental trust crisis.
About This Research
The IDEAL Framework was conceived in 2022 in response to post-COVID rental disruption. It is maintained by the IDEAL Framework Lab and built from a Canada-focused but globally relevant analysis of rental fraud, disputes, and trust breakdowns.
The work draws on real court files, tribunal decisions, property-management records, and lived experience in the field. It is an ongoing research project that continues to evolve through case studies, field testing, and collaboration with property managers, landlords, and tenant advocates.
IDEAL does not replace local law or legal advice. Instead, it provides a practical, step-by-step process that helps both sides stay within the rules while reducing avoidable mistakes and disputes.
Who Is IDEAL For?
Property Managers & Landlords
Reduce screening errors, prevent fraud, and set clearer expectations using verified identity, centralized records, and structured communication standards.
Tenants & Renters
Protect yourself from scams, understand what to expect at each step, and engage with landlords using transparent, documented processes instead of ad-hoc promises.
Researchers & Policymakers
Explore a systems-based approach to rebuilding trust in rentals. The pillars are grounded in real cases and can inform standards, policy design, and technology requirements.
The Five Pillars of IDEAL = Trust
Each letter in IDEAL is a step. Together, they form one continuous rail from first contact to the end of a tenancy.
Go Deeper with IDEAL
To understand the full research behind IDEAL and how different age groups experience trust in rentals, explore:
IDEAL Explained – why the framework was created, the evidence behind it, and how each pillar addresses failures in today’s rental systems.
Generational Behaviour Research – how Baby Boomers, Gen X, Millennials, and Gen Z experience each pillar, and how one process can serve all of them.