CALLED TO RENT
Frequently Asked Questions
Straight answers about how Called to Rent works for homeowners and renters.
Why do senior missionaries struggle with what to do with their home?
Senior couples usually fund their own missions, which can last many months. Selling under time pressure, leaving a house empty, or managing tenants from overseas all carry real costs and stress — enough that some delay or decline serving. Called to Rent exists so you can list with mission dates, match with applicants who understand the timeline, and keep the home cared for without selling.
How is Called to Rent different from a property manager?
Property managers run day-to-day operations for a fee. Called to Rent is a marketplace: you list the home, we review the listing, renters apply with references, and you decide whom to contact. You remain the landlord on the lease; we provide matching, tools, and resources (including a mission cost estimator on the Resources page).
Is Called to Rent part of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints?
No. Called to Rent is an independent platform. We are not affiliated with, sponsored by, or endorsed by the Church. Official mission openings and costs are always confirmed on Church senior missionary websites.
Can rent from my home help pay for a senior mission?
Often yes. Senior assignment costs vary widely by location (commonly in a broad range around $1,900–$5,200+ per month per couple on the Church’s opportunity search — always verify for your call). Rent minus HOA, insurance, and other carry costs can offset a large share of that. Use the free estimator on our Resources page for a rough plan, then confirm numbers with the senior missionary portal and a tax professional.
Is Called to Rent a party to my lease?
No. We're a listing and matching platform only. Once you connect with a homeowner or renter, the lease is a direct agreement between the two of you. Use a written lease — see our Resources page for templates — and carry appropriate insurance.
How are listings reviewed before going live?
Every listing is manually reviewed before it's published, usually within a day or two. We check for complete information, photos, and obvious duplicates at the same address. You'll get an email when your listing is approved or if we need a small fix.
Can the same home be listed more than once?
No. Each homeowner can only have one listing per address, and our admin review flags duplicate addresses across accounts. You can list up to five different homes total.
What should I include in my listing?
Be specific: photos, care expectations (yard, pool, mail, etc.), how utilities work and whether they stay in your name, smoke/pet rules, parking, an early-return plan if mission dates change, and whether you'll run a background check. The more complete your listing, the fewer back-and-forth questions you'll get.
What is an early return plan?
Mission timelines can shift. Your early return plan explains what happens if you come home sooner than expected — notice periods, whether the renter can stay through the original date, or how the lease would be adjusted. Clear expectations here prevent hard feelings later.
How do utilities work?
You choose whether utilities are included in rent, paid separately by the renter, or split. You can also note whether accounts stay in your name (common when missionaries leave the country) and how reimbursement works. Renters can ask clarifying questions on their application if anything is unclear.
How do match alerts work?
Renters can set search preferences under Account — areas, max rent, bedrooms, dates, smoke-free or pet-free requirements. When a matching home goes live, you'll get an alert on your Alerts page and an email. Homeowners are also notified when renters match their newly approved listing.
What happens when I apply for a home?
Your application goes directly to the homeowner with your contact info, household details, two references, and optional questions about the listing. It's an introduction, not a binding lease. The owner reviews applications and reaches out if it looks like a fit.
Should homeowners call references?
Yes — we strongly recommend it. Call both references and ask about cleanliness, how they maintained prior homes, reliability with rent, and whether they'd rent to them again. If you require a background check, arrange it directly with the applicant's consent. Called to Rent does not run background checks for you.
What happens to my listing once my mission ends?
Listings automatically move to expired status after your return date so outdated homes don't linger. Edit and re-save before then if your dates change.
How do I take my listing down after I find a renter?
On My Listings, choose Mark as rented next to an active home. That sets the listing to rented (filled) so it no longer appears on Browse Homes. Applicants who haven't heard back are notified that the home is filled. You can also mark a home as filled from the applications page with Found a renter. After a listing has been live for about three months, we'll email and alert you to ask if you've rented it yet — with a one-click link to mark it rented.
Can renters list a home too?
Yes. Your account isn't locked to one role — you can list a home and browse or save homes from the same account.
Do I have to charge market-rate rent?
That's up to you, but many homeowners price a bit below market since renters here commit to the full mission timeline and often handle yard, pool, or pet care. If you want top-dollar market rent with no other considerations, a general rental site may be a better fit.
Is my contact information public?
No. Your email and phone stay private until you choose to reach out through an application. Street addresses appear on listings for location reference, similar to Zillow.
What if my listing is denied?
You'll see the reason on My Listings and get an email. Edit the listing, fix what was noted, and save — it automatically goes back into the review queue.