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Entrepreneur
5 days ago
- Business
- Entrepreneur
The Founder Changing Renting Forever: The Rise of Piñata
With Piñata, Liu isn't just building a company; rather, she is building a movement designed to fundamentally change what it means to be a renter, with a mission to harmonize the relationship between landlord and tenant by using common sense and smart technology to create a win-win dynamic. Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own. You're reading Entrepreneur Asia Pacific, an international franchise of Entrepreneur Media. Lily Liu, a Taiwanese-American serial entrepreneur, has been an innovator in govtech and financial empowerment throughout her entire career. Liu's current venture as the co-founder and CEO of Piñata, the nation's premier rewards and credit-building program for renters, is just the latest in a string of ambitious pursuits that define her career trajectory to date. With Piñata, Liu isn't just building a company; rather, she is building a movement designed to fundamentally change what it means to be a renter, with a mission to harmonize the relationship between landlord and tenant by using common sense and smart technology to create a win-win dynamic. Piñata's premise is deceptively simple: leverage cutting-edge fintech, exclusive partnerships with the 3 major credit bureaus, and the power of targeted rewards to incentivize actions by doing things like early lease renewal that turn ordinary tenants into super renters. In other words, using behavior psychology to create win-wins that move the needle for both renters and landlords, alike. With millions of renters and thousands of property management companies already on the platform, the 'Powered by Piñata Network' is just getting started. Piñata has grown exponentially from recent partnerships with best-in-class management systems like MRI Software and AppFolio, giving them a clear line of sight to over 10 million rental units, reaching 15 million renters, the equivalent of roughly 35% of the U.S. rental market. With this far-reaching approach, Piñata is proving that rent can be more than a sunk cost; it can be the starting point for credit, wealth, and dignity for renters all over the country. Liu's entrepreneurial journey is deeply rooted in her personal story. Growing up in a tightly knit family of Taiwanese immigrants, working hard and understanding the value of entrepreneurial moxy has defined Lily's work philosophy ever since. This ethos of grit and savvy combined with a deep sense of mission, has allowed Lily to thrive where others have not. This includes her time at Carnegie Mellon University, where she pursued a Bachelor's and Master's degree in Public Policy and Management from the H. John Heinz III School, where she still found time to set up a free tutoring program for low-income middle school students in Pittsburgh. And if that's not enough, Lily even conducted a public surveillance art project that captured the balance between safety and privacy in urban living. Following her graduation from Carnegie Mellon, Liu was just one of three applicants selected from hundreds to join the City of Long Beach Management Rotational Program, where she acquired skills in public works as well as large-scale IT infrastructure programs. Shortly thereafter, her acumen and analytical rigor took her to New York City, where she became the youngest analyst at the Department of Education under Mayor Bloomberg's administration. While she was there, Lily assisted in managing a $20 billion budget that involved sophisticated financial planning, navigating a complex bureaucracy, and even negotiating contracts with the teachers' unions. Her time at the Bloomberg administration not only taught her how to build and manage complex civic systems, but it also exposed her to the profound inefficiencies and structural inadequacies of government at scale. This inherent problem ultimately led to Liu's very first venture, a govtech startup she called PublicStuff, which essentially provided a streamlined mobile-first platform that allowed citizens to report and track service requests such as filling a pothole to garbage collection. Her timing was impeccable and Public Stuff quickly spread across more than 250 municipalities throughout the United States. In 2013, Liu was named one of Forbes' 30 under 30 Entrepreneurs and in 2015 Forbes ranked PublicStuff 85 on the list of America's most promising companies. After enjoying explosive growth, Public Stuff was acquired by Accela, the premier government in the cloud company, which was then later acquired by Berkshire Partners. With PublicStuff an unequivocal success yet moving squarely in the rearview, Lily gave herself time to recalibrate on a worldwide surf safari with the twin goals of exploring the world and getting herself ready for her next entrepreneurial venture. In 2020, Liu's focus shifted to the U.S. rental market, an industry that historically offers almost zero financial benefit to its primary customers: renters. Unlike homeowners with mortgages, renters' payments are traditionally ignored by the credit bureaus, which essentially means that people are not getting the credit they deserve (literally). That's why Liu created Piñata with a clear mission to rethink rent with a bunch of Why's. Why shouldn't renters be rewarded? Why shouldn't they get the credit they deserve? Why shouldn't payment be effortless and help build long-term financial stability? After putting together a stellar team and vigilantly focusing on building a world-class product, Piñata is now poised to transform what it means to be a renter. The outcomes speak for themselves. Piñata users, on average, see an increase in their credit score by 60 points, with some users experiencing increases of over 100. These improvements mean access to better interest rates, credit card eligibility, auto loans, and even mortgages for many users. One of Piñata's greatest strengths is its dual impact; delivering tangible benefits to renters while also helping landlords boost tenant satisfaction, improve on-time payments, and increase retention rates. This win-win model fueled Piñata's rapid growth, all while staying true to its mission of expanding accessibility. Piñata offers a fully free version, while its premium service is only $5 per month, cheaper than your daily cup of coffee. Premium members unlock features such as retroactive rent reporting for 24 months, customized financial content, special giveaways, and faster reward earning. Piñata App Liu stresses that at the heart of Piñata's mission, affordability is key: "This isn't a product for the financial elite. This is a product for the people who've been left out of financial systems for too long. That's who we're building for." State governments are also starting to appreciate the value of Piñata's mission. California's Assembly Bill 2747 recently went into effect this year, requiring landlords with 15 or more rental units to give their tenants the option to report rent payments to credit agencies. This legislation, designed to enhance renters' access to credit, is a paradigm shift in housing policy that is quickly being adopted by many other states. Piñata provides landlords with a dynamic system that automatically reports to all three credit bureaus while complying with all legal requirements. This level of regulatory compliance is a breakthrough for all California renters and helps validate Piñata as a preeminent solution in the proptech space. "AB 2747 is a victory for Los Angeles renters and landlords. Piñata is elated to assist in meeting this moment," said Liu. "We're not just checking compliance boxes; we're constructing strategies to increase inclusion into the financial ecosystem." With a surge of users in California, Liu has continued to scale Piñata with other major partners, like DoorLoop and Venn. DoorLoop, a leading property management platform backed by over $100M in Series B funding, now integrates Piñata's rent reporting tools directly into its system. Venn, another top resident experience platform, expands Piñata's impact even further. Together, these partnerships unlock powerful perks for renters, like rewards and credit-building, simply by paying rent on time. For property managers, it means higher retention, faster payments, and stronger portfolio performance. "These partnerships are about more than convenience; they're about creating a new standard in property management," Liu noted. "We're making rent work harder for everyone involved." Behind these partnerships and new regulations is Piñata's influence on an individual's life. Houston resident and Piñata user, Kai Osbourne, recounts his financial troubles as a lifelong renter, stating, "Since using Piñata, my credit score has jumped over 100 points. I was able to buy my first brand-new car." Another Piñata user, Ashleigh Maya, enjoyed a lift in her car loan interest to 0% after her credit score skyrocketed from 680 to 805. These are the kind of real-life impacts Liu envisioned when creating Piñata. Among the many faces of male-dominated venture capitalism and tech startups, Liu is an oddity. As a mother and a woman of color, she showcases proven results with permanent changes through her diverse leadership and empathy. "When someone tells you that your product helped them buy a car, or get out of debt, or rent a better home for their kids; those are the moments you realize this isn't just tech," she said. "It's life-changing," Liu said. Piñata has a majority women-led team and prioritizes policies on fair pay and hiring without regard to gender. Liu stated, "I am creating the company that I would have liked to see while I was starting out." Liu explained, "We are not here to follow the old rules; we are here to create new ones." Her work doesn't come from a place of disruption for disruption's sake; it comes from a place of care, equity, and service. Through Piñata, she's redefining what renting means in America and granting millions the opportunity to alter their financial narratives. "If we can rewire the system to recognize rent as a creditworthy expense, we change lives," Liu said. "That's what drives us every day." As the rental and financial landscapes continue to evolve, Liu's leadership struck at precisely the right moment in history. Her vision is not only timely, it's essential. She's championing a future where financial inclusion is baked into everyday systems and where renters are no longer sidelined in conversations about credit, equity, and upward mobility. In an era defined by widening wealth gaps and economic uncertainty, Liu's work offers something rare and powerful: hope, backed by real results.
Daily Telegraph
16-07-2025
- General
- Daily Telegraph
Horror conditions inside Sydney sharehouse exposed
A Sydney renter has shared her experience of the conditions she claims she lived through in a sharehouse via a video posted to TikTok. The renter claimed in the video that the property in the inner west suburb of Petersham had unaddressed bug infestation throughout the house and a window that could be opened from the outside. The home also allegedly featured a random shipping container in the backyard. MORE: Aus man forced to live in mould-infested hellhole The creator said she spent $240 a week on rent, the least out of the sharehouse's nine tenants. 'I paid the least as well, they would change the prices for each room, some people were paying 350!' she said. The video also showed an outdoor 'shared living room' that was essentially an alleyway, and a shower with pretty lacklustre water pressure. The creator also said that only two toilets were available for the nine tenants. MORE: Homeowner's insane $2m demand for driveway Commenters were appalled by the state of the home, with one user commenting 'Sydney is probably the worst place to live in Aus (sic)'. Another said: 'Saving this for whenever someone bothers me about living with my parents'. Others urged the user to seek out better options. 'You don't need to live in the city. Go outer like western suburbs you will find something more cleaner and descent,' one comment said. Many users urged the poster to take action, with one user commenting 'I would lodge a complaint with NSW Fair Trade for unliveable conditions'. Other users were not surprised by the conditions, with one commenting: 'That's exactly what $240 will get you in Sydney.' It is understood the poster no longer lives at the sharehouse and filmed the video before she left. 'I genuinely wanted to report the living conditions … but I had no idea where to start,' she commented. 'I've also moved out now so not sure there's much I can do now.' MORE: Wild sum Aussie renters are losing each year
News.com.au
16-07-2025
- General
- News.com.au
Horror conditions inside Sydney sharehouse exposed
A Sydney renter has shared her experience of the conditions she claims she lived through in a sharehouse via a video posted to TikTok. The renter claimed in the video that the property in the inner west suburb of Petersham was 'unsafe' and 'unliveable', with an unaddressed bug infestation throughout the house and a window that could be opened from the outside. The home also allegedly featured a random shipping container in the backyard. The creator said she spent $240 a week on rent, the least out of the sharehouse's nine tenants. 'I paid the least as well, they would change the prices for each room, some people were paying 350!' she said. The video also showed an outdoor 'shared living room' that was essentially an alleyway, and a shower with pretty lacklustre water pressure. The creator also said that only two toilets were available for the nine tenants. Commenters were appalled by the state of the home, with one user commenting 'Sydney is probably the worst place to live in Aus (sic)'. Another said: 'Saving this for whenever someone bothers me about living with my parents'. Other urged the user to seek out better options. 'You don't need to live in the city. Go outer like western suburbs you will find something more cleaner and descent,' one comment said. Some questions Many users urged the poster to take action, with one user commenting 'I would lodge a complaint with NSW Fair Trade for unliveable conditions'. Other users were not surprised by the conditions, with one commenting: 'That's exactly what $240 will get you in Sydney.' It is understood the poster no longer lives at the sharehouse and filmed the video before she left. 'I genuinely wanted to report the living conditions ... but I had no idea where to start,' she commented. 'I've also moved out now so not sure there's much I can do now.'
Yahoo
23-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Toronto renter left briefly in the dark as landlord didn't pay for power
A Toronto renter had his power cut off Wednesday afternoon because of a misunderstanding with his landlord about who should pay for the service. Alex Atkinson was surprised to find a hydro technician knocking on his door in North York last week to say his electricity bill was not getting paid and that he would return the following week to disconnect the power if the problem was not solved. Atkinson says he called his landlord, who said they would fix the issue, but on Wednesday afternoon, the technician showed up at Atkinson's house again and disconnected his power. "In our lease, utilities go through the landlord," Atkinson told CBC News. "And now we're finding out with the notices from Enbridge and Toronto Hydro that our utilities are disconnected." Atkinson says the problem started when his original landlord sold the property in February 2024, and the new landlord didn't transfer the utilities. Since then, he and the other tenants have been getting notices from utility vendors that payment has not been made. His rental agreement, obtained by CBC News, shows that the landlord is responsible for paying utility vendors, such as Toronto Hydro, Enbridge Gas, and garbage. It says Atkinson is responsible for covering 70 per cent of the utility costs, which are included in his monthly rent. The other 30 per cent is covered by the basement tenant. The landlord and property manager are responsible for making the actual payment, says the rental agreement. Atkinson says he shouldn't be the one to call the service providers to make sure the bills are getting paid. "I want to not be in a scenario where I have to call these vendors and say, 'Hey, did this landlord keep the account up to date?" He said. "I want to have confidence that my services are going to be available. I don't think that's a lot to ask." The property management called Atkinson, while he was speaking with CBC News, to tell him the issue had been handled, but moving forward, the tenants would be responsible for making utility payments. Atkinson told CBC News on Thursday that his power has been restored. In an email to CBC News, the landlord said he never "disputed" with the renter about who should pay the bills. "Each party thought someone else was doing it. We have no issues with our tenants. They are wonderful people and have been great, and always pay rent on time," said Dov Zwebner. Zwebner says he will be more "diligent" moving forward. "What happened with the hydro was a classic case of too many cooks in the kitchen and a change in internal property management staff managing this file, and it fell through the cracks, and unfortunately, it came to this point," he said. Paralegal Denise Ranger, who represents landlords and tenants in Ontario, says landlords are obligated to provide vital services to tenants, such as electricity, water, and gas. She says that if Atkinson wasn't able to resolve his issue as quickly as he did, he could have elevated the situation to the Landlord and Tenant Board. "The landlords could be facing fines, and it could put the tenant in a position of being able to file an application for a loss of services or a loss of vital services, and those are very serious," she told CBC News.
Yahoo
18-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Renter Agrees to Store 'a Few Things' at Their Home for Aunt. Then She Showed Up with a Moving Truck
A renter is upset with their aunt after she showed up with a moving truck full of belongings to be stored The tenant had agreed to store "a few things" for their family member, who they feel took advantage of their kindness They put their foot down and didn't end up storing the itemsA renter is calling out their aunt after she showed up with a truckful of belongings, expecting to have them stored for her. The tenant took to Reddit to air their grievances with their family member. 'My aunt asked if she could 'store a few things' at my place,' the original poster (OP) writes. 'She showed up with a moving truck.' The OP claims their aunt reached out earlier in the week asking to store a 'few boxes' in their apartment — nothing out of the ordinary. ''Nothing big,' she said. Just a couple things while she figured stuff out,' the OP claims. 'I said, sure. I didn't think twice about it,' they wrote. 'Then a full moving truck pulled up in front of my building.' According to the OP, the aunt brought furniture, a bed, a dining room table and dozens of boxes. She walked around 'liked she owned the place' then 'started telling me where to put stuff.' Upset with her behavior, the OP allegedly confronted their aunt telling her, 'You asked to leave a few things, not move in.' In the moment, the renter recalls they could sense their aunt's judgement through. She claimed they were being difficult about 'extra space [they weren't] using anyway.' The OP then told the movers to stop unloading items. In the end, the tenant told their aunt they wouldn't be able to store any of her belongings. 'I said to her, 'I pay rent here. I'm not free storage and didn't sign up for a surprise roommate,'' the OP writes. is now available in the Apple App Store! Download it now for the most binge-worthy celeb content, exclusive video clips, astrology updates and more! The post garnered over five thousand upvotes and over 150 comments in just 8 hours. Reddit users were quick to share their thoughts on the familial spat. One user wrote: 'Honestly, these kind [of] people who do this know exactly what they're doing. It's not confusion, it's manipulation dressed up in Ikea boxes.' Some responded with humor: 'These days there are companies that actually rent storage lockers. Amazing she hadn't heard about them,' another user wrote. Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. Another commenter alleges they had a similar experience with their brother-in-law. He had brought over some of his 'crap' to store for a 'little while, until he got into another apartment.' A year later, the homeowner was cleaning parts of the house and realized the 'junk' was still there. 'I was furious so I dragged it all out to the driveway and called him to come and get it because we're not his damn storage unit,' the commenter claims. 'I also told him that if it got rained on (this was in Houston) then it's all going out with the trash.' Read the original article on People
