RentZero careers

In 2018, Chris Vargas gave a lecture to Nick Ribera’s Entrepreneurship class at the University of Notre Dame. Excited by Chris’ story, Nick went up at the end to thank Chris and exchange emails. Fast forward 18 months and Nick’s first job landed him in Reno, Nevada, the city that Chris owns several multifamily properties.

Chris has been buying and operating multifamily properties for 14 years. He has firsthand experience with the rent problem as a property owner, and how challenging it has become. Nick noticed the same problem, from a different perspective as a renter. After multiple coffee meetings, Chris and Nick came up with an idea to solve this problem: a mobile app for renters that helps them earn money, get things done and (as an extra bonus) creates a stronger sense of community and connection. They noticed there were many apps providing ways renters could spend money but (literally) none that helped renters make money. This felt like an incredible opportunity.

RentZero was born. The vision for RentZero is giving renters simple, fun ways to earn money and reduce their rent. Our unique insight is that apartment communities are not just places to live. They are natural marketplaces that thrive on trust, community and connection. There are also many assets that are ‘illiquid’ and waiting to become monetized: unused parking spaces. Unused storage. Unused bedrooms (for neighbors). Professional skills taught neighbor-to-neighbor. Tasks and jobs that are ideally suited for neighbor-to-neighbor. RentZero has a social aspect as it strengthens social connections between neighbors by giving them a platform to communicate and do business with one another.

RentZero secured its first property manager customer and plans to launch at two Reno properties in the Fall ‘22. RentZero will validate product market fit, expand to additional properties from this property manager, and then expand to other property managers nationwide, and eventually globally.