removed cron job that made rentals active. Now whether or not the rental is active is determined on the fly

backend/jobs/rentalStatusJob.js

@@ -1,101 +0,0 @@
-const cron = require("node-cron");
-const { Rental } = require("../models");
-const { Op } = require("sequelize");
-const logger = require("../utils/logger");
-
-const statusUpdateSchedule = "*/15 * * * *"; // Run every 15 minutes
-
-class RentalStatusJob {
-  static startScheduledStatusUpdates() {
-    console.log("Starting automated rental status updates...");
-
-    const statusJob = cron.schedule(
-      statusUpdateSchedule,
-      async () => {
-        try {
-          await this.activateStartedRentals();
-        } catch (error) {
-          logger.error("Error in scheduled rental status update", {
-            error: error.message,
-            stack: error.stack
-          });
-        }
-      },
-      {
-        scheduled: false,
-        timezone: "America/New_York",
-      }
-    );
-
-    // Start the job
-    statusJob.start();
-
-    console.log("Rental status job scheduled:");
-    console.log("- Status updates every 15 minutes: " + statusUpdateSchedule);
-
-    return {
-      statusJob,
-
-      stop() {
-        statusJob.stop();
-        console.log("Rental status job stopped");
-      },
-
-      getStatus() {
-        return {
-          statusJobRunning: statusJob.getStatus() === "scheduled",
-        };
-      },
-    };
-  }
-
-  static async activateStartedRentals() {
-    try {
-      const now = new Date();
-
-      // Find all confirmed rentals where start time has arrived
-      const rentalsToActivate = await Rental.findAll({
-        where: {
-          status: "confirmed",
-          startDateTime: {
-            [Op.lte]: now,
-          },
-        },
-      });
-
-      if (rentalsToActivate.length === 0) {
-        return { activated: 0 };
-      }
-
-      // Update all matching rentals to active status
-      const rentalIds = rentalsToActivate.map((r) => r.id);
-      const [updateCount] = await Rental.update(
-        { status: "active" },
-        {
-          where: {
-            id: {
-              [Op.in]: rentalIds,
-            },
-          },
-        }
-      );
-
-      logger.info("Activated started rentals", {
-        count: updateCount,
-        rentalIds: rentalIds,
-      });
-
-      console.log(`Activated ${updateCount} rentals that have started`);
-
-      return { activated: updateCount, rentalIds };
-    } catch (error) {
-      logger.error("Error activating started rentals", {
-        error: error.message,
-        stack: error.stack,
-      });
-      throw error;
-    }
-  }
-}
-
-module.exports = RentalStatusJob;

backend/routes/rentals.js

@@ -14,8 +14,24 @@ const emailServices = require("../services/email");
 const logger = require("../utils/logger");
 const { validateS3Keys } = require("../utils/s3KeyValidator");
 const { IMAGE_LIMITS } = require("../config/imageLimits");
+const { isActive, getEffectiveStatus } = require("../utils/rentalStatus");
 const router = express.Router();
 
+// Helper to add displayStatus to rental response
+const addDisplayStatus = (rental) => {
+  if (!rental) return rental;
+  const rentalJson = rental.toJSON ? rental.toJSON() : rental;
+  return {
+    ...rentalJson,
+    displayStatus: getEffectiveStatus(rentalJson),
+  };
+};
+
+// Helper to add displayStatus to array of rentals
+const addDisplayStatusToArray = (rentals) => {
+  return rentals.map(addDisplayStatus);
+};
+
 // Helper function to check and update review visibility
 const checkAndUpdateReviewVisibility = async (rental) => {
   const now = new Date();
@@ -75,7 +91,7 @@ router.get("/renting", authenticateToken, async (req, res) => {
       order: [["createdAt", "DESC"]],
     });
 
-    res.json(rentals);
+    res.json(addDisplayStatusToArray(rentals));
   } catch (error) {
     const reqLogger = logger.withRequestId(req.id);
     reqLogger.error("Error in renting route", {
@@ -103,7 +119,7 @@ router.get("/owning", authenticateToken, async (req, res) => {
       order: [["createdAt", "DESC"]],
     });
 
-    res.json(rentals);
+    res.json(addDisplayStatusToArray(rentals));
   } catch (error) {
     const reqLogger = logger.withRequestId(req.id);
     reqLogger.error("Error in owning route", {
@@ -167,7 +183,7 @@ router.get("/:id", authenticateToken, async (req, res) => {
         .json({ error: "Unauthorized to view this rental" });
     }
 
-    res.json(rental);
+    res.json(addDisplayStatus(rental));
   } catch (error) {
     const reqLogger = logger.withRequestId(req.id);
     reqLogger.error("Error fetching rental", {
@@ -235,10 +251,11 @@ router.post("/", authenticateToken, requireVerifiedEmail, async (req, res) => {
     );
 
     // Check for overlapping rentals using datetime ranges
+    // Note: "active" rentals are stored as "confirmed" with startDateTime in the past
     const overlappingRental = await Rental.findOne({
       where: {
         itemId,
-        status: { [Op.in]: ["confirmed", "active"] },
+        status: "confirmed",
         [Op.or]: [
           {
             [Op.and]: [
@@ -875,7 +892,7 @@ router.post("/:id/mark-completed", authenticateToken, async (req, res) => {
         .json({ error: "Only owners can mark rentals as completed" });
     }
 
-    if (rental.status !== "active") {
+    if (!isActive(rental)) {
       return res.status(400).json({
         error: "Can only mark active rentals as completed",
       });
@@ -1197,7 +1214,7 @@ router.post("/:id/mark-return", authenticateToken, async (req, res, next) => {
         .json({ error: "Only the item owner can mark return status" });
     }
 
-    if (rental.status !== "active") {
+    if (!isActive(rental)) {
       return res.status(400).json({
         error: "Can only mark return status for active rentals",
       });

backend/server.js

@@ -32,7 +32,6 @@ const uploadRoutes = require("./routes/upload");
 const healthRoutes = require("./routes/health");
 
 const PayoutProcessor = require("./jobs/payoutProcessor");
-const RentalStatusJob = require("./jobs/rentalStatusJob");
 const ConditionCheckReminderJob = require("./jobs/conditionCheckReminder");
 const emailServices = require("./services/email");
 const s3Service = require("./services/s3Service");
@@ -230,10 +229,6 @@ sequelize
     const payoutJobs = PayoutProcessor.startScheduledPayouts();
     logger.info("Payout processor started");
 
-    // Start the rental status job
-    const rentalStatusJobs = RentalStatusJob.startScheduledStatusUpdates();
-    logger.info("Rental status job started");
-
     // Start the condition check reminder job
     const conditionCheckJobs =
       ConditionCheckReminderJob.startScheduledReminders();

backend/services/conditionCheckService.js

@@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
 const { ConditionCheck, Rental, User } = require("../models");
 const { Op } = require("sequelize");
+const { isActive } = require("../utils/rentalStatus");
 
 class ConditionCheckService {
   /**
@@ -70,7 +71,7 @@ class ConditionCheckService {
         canSubmit =
           now >= timeWindow.start &&
           now <= timeWindow.end &&
-          rental.status === "active";
+          isActive(rental);
         break;
 
       case "rental_end_renter":
@@ -80,7 +81,7 @@ class ConditionCheckService {
         canSubmit =
           now >= timeWindow.start &&
           now <= timeWindow.end &&
-          rental.status === "active";
+          isActive(rental);
         break;
 
       case "post_rental_owner":

backend/services/damageAssessmentService.js

@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 const { Rental, Item, ConditionCheck, User } = require("../models");
 const LateReturnService = require("./lateReturnService");
 const emailServices = require("./email");
+const { isActive } = require("../utils/rentalStatus");
 
 class DamageAssessmentService {
   /**
@@ -34,7 +35,7 @@ class DamageAssessmentService {
       throw new Error("Only the item owner can report damage");
     }
 
-    if (rental.status !== "active") {
+    if (!isActive(rental)) {
       throw new Error("Can only assess damage for active rentals");
     }
 

backend/services/lateReturnService.js

@@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
 const { Rental, Item, User } = require("../models");
 const emailServices = require("./email");
+const { isActive } = require("../utils/rentalStatus");
 
 class LateReturnService {
   /**
@@ -71,7 +72,7 @@ class LateReturnService {
       throw new Error("Rental not found");
     }
 
-    if (rental.status !== "active") {
+    if (!isActive(rental)) {
       throw new Error("Can only process late returns for active rentals");
     }
 

backend/services/refundService.js

@@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
 const { Rental } = require("../models");
 const StripeService = require("./stripeService");
+const { isActive } = require("../utils/rentalStatus");
 
 class RefundService {
   /**
@@ -69,8 +70,8 @@ class RefundService {
       };
     }
 
-    // Check if rental is active
+    // Check if rental is active (computed from confirmed + start time passed)
-    if (rental.status === "active") {
+    if (isActive(rental)) {
       return {
         canCancel: false,
         reason: "Cannot cancel active rental",

backend/tests/unit/routes/rentals.test.js

@@ -790,11 +790,15 @@ describe('Rentals Routes', () => {
   });
 
   describe('POST /:id/mark-completed', () => {
+    // Active status is computed: confirmed + startDateTime in the past
+    const pastDate = new Date();
+    pastDate.setHours(pastDate.getHours() - 1); // 1 hour ago
     const mockRental = {
       id: 1,
       ownerId: 1,
       renterId: 2,
-      status: 'active',
+      status: 'confirmed',
+      startDateTime: pastDate,
       update: jest.fn(),
     };
 
@@ -837,7 +841,7 @@ describe('Rentals Routes', () => {
 
       expect(response.status).toBe(400);
       expect(response.body).toEqual({
-        error: 'Can only mark active or confirmed rentals as completed',
+        error: 'Can only mark active rentals as completed',
       });
     });
   });

backend/tests/unit/services/conditionCheckService.test.js

@@ -10,6 +10,7 @@ describe('ConditionCheckService', () => {
 
   describe('submitConditionCheck', () => {
     // Set rental dates relative to current time for valid time window
+    // Active status is computed: confirmed + startDateTime in the past
     const now = new Date();
     const mockRental = {
       id: 'rental-123',
@@ -17,7 +18,7 @@ describe('ConditionCheckService', () => {
       renterId: 'renter-789',
       startDateTime: new Date(now.getTime() - 1000 * 60 * 60), // 1 hour ago
       endDateTime: new Date(now.getTime() + 1000 * 60 * 60 * 24), // 24 hours from now
-      status: 'active'
+      status: 'confirmed' // Will be computed as "active" since startDateTime is in the past
     };
 
     const mockPhotos = ['/uploads/photo1.jpg', '/uploads/photo2.jpg'];

backend/tests/unit/services/damageAssessmentService.test.js

@@ -27,11 +27,15 @@ describe('DamageAssessmentService', () => {
 
     beforeEach(() => {
       // Reset mockRental for each test to avoid state pollution
+      // Active status is computed: confirmed + startDateTime in the past
+      const pastDate = new Date();
+      pastDate.setHours(pastDate.getHours() - 1); // 1 hour ago
       mockRental = {
         id: 'rental-123',
         ownerId: 'owner-789',
         renterId: 'renter-456',
-        status: 'active',
+        status: 'confirmed',
+        startDateTime: pastDate,
         item: { name: 'Test Camera', dailyRate: 100 },
         update: jest.fn().mockResolvedValue({
           id: 'rental-123',

backend/tests/unit/services/lateReturnService.test.js

@@ -91,9 +91,11 @@ describe('LateReturnService', () => {
     let mockRental;
 
     beforeEach(() => {
+      // Active status is computed: confirmed + startDateTime in the past
       mockRental = {
         id: '123',
-        status: 'active',
+        status: 'confirmed',
+        startDateTime: new Date('2023-05-01T08:00:00Z'), // In the past
         endDateTime: new Date('2023-06-01T10:00:00Z'),
         item: { pricePerHour: 10, name: 'Test Item' },
         renterId: 'renter-123',

backend/tests/unit/services/refundService.test.js

@@ -229,8 +229,11 @@ describe('RefundService', () => {
         });
       });
 
-      it('should reject cancellation for active rental', () => {
+      it('should reject cancellation for active rental (computed from confirmed + past start)', () => {
-        const rental = { ...baseRental, status: 'active' };
+        // Active status is now computed: confirmed + startDateTime in the past
+        const pastDate = new Date();
+        pastDate.setHours(pastDate.getHours() - 1); // 1 hour ago
+        const rental = { ...baseRental, status: 'confirmed', startDateTime: pastDate };
         const result = RefundService.validateCancellationEligibility(rental, 100);
 
         expect(result).toEqual({

backend/utils/rentalStatus.js

@@ -0,0 +1,41 @@
+/**
+ * Utility functions for computing rental status on-the-fly.
+ * The "active" status is computed based on timestamps rather than stored in the database.
+ * A rental is considered "active" when it has status "confirmed" and startDateTime has passed.
+ */
+
+/**
+ * Returns the effective/display status of a rental.
+ * If the rental is "confirmed" and the start time has passed, returns "active".
+ * Otherwise returns the stored status.
+ * @param {Object} rental - The rental object with status and startDateTime
+ * @returns {string} The effective status
+ */
+function getEffectiveStatus(rental) {
+  const now = new Date();
+  if (
+    rental.status === "confirmed" &&
+    new Date(rental.startDateTime) <= now
+  ) {
+    return "active";
+  }
+  return rental.status;
+}
+
+/**
+ * Checks if a rental is currently active.
+ * A rental is active when it's confirmed and the start time has passed.
+ * @param {Object} rental - The rental object with status and startDateTime
+ * @returns {boolean} True if the rental is currently active
+ */
+function isActive(rental) {
+  const now = new Date();
+  return (
+    rental.status === "confirmed" && new Date(rental.startDateTime) <= now
+  );
+}
+
+module.exports = {
+  getEffectiveStatus,
+  isActive,
+};

frontend/src/components/RentalCancellationModal.tsx

@@ -41,11 +41,13 @@ const RentalCancellationModal: React.FC<RentalCancellationModalProps> = ({
       setError(null);
 
       // Check if rental status allows cancellation before making API call
-      if (rental.status !== "pending" && rental.status !== "confirmed") {
+      // Use displayStatus as it includes computed "active" status
+      const effectiveStatus = rental.displayStatus || rental.status;
+      if (effectiveStatus !== "pending" && effectiveStatus !== "confirmed") {
         let errorMessage = "This rental cannot be cancelled";
-        if (rental.status === "active") {
+        if (effectiveStatus === "active") {
           errorMessage = "Cannot cancel rental - the rental period has already started";
-        } else if (rental.status === "completed") {
+        } else if (effectiveStatus === "completed") {
           errorMessage = "Cannot cancel rental - the rental has already been completed";
         } else if (rental.status === "cancelled") {
           errorMessage = "This rental has already been cancelled";

frontend/src/pages/Owning.tsx

@@ -318,13 +318,16 @@ const Owning: React.FC = () => {
   };
 
   // Filter owner rentals - exclude cancelled (shown in Rental History)
+  // Use displayStatus for filtering/sorting as it includes computed "active" status
   const allOwnerRentals = ownerRentals
-    .filter((r) => ["pending", "confirmed", "active"].includes(r.status))
+    .filter((r) => ["pending", "confirmed", "active"].includes(r.displayStatus || r.status))
     .sort((a, b) => {
       const statusOrder = { pending: 0, confirmed: 1, active: 2 };
+      const aStatus = a.displayStatus || a.status;
+      const bStatus = b.displayStatus || b.status;
       return (
-        statusOrder[a.status as keyof typeof statusOrder] -
+        statusOrder[aStatus as keyof typeof statusOrder] -
-        statusOrder[b.status as keyof typeof statusOrder]
+        statusOrder[bStatus as keyof typeof statusOrder]
       );
     });
 
@@ -401,17 +404,17 @@ const Owning: React.FC = () => {
                     <div className="mb-2">
                       <span
                         className={`badge ${
-                          rental.status === "active"
+                          (rental.displayStatus || rental.status) === "active"
                             ? "bg-success"
-                            : rental.status === "pending"
+                            : (rental.displayStatus || rental.status) === "pending"
                             ? "bg-warning"
-                            : rental.status === "confirmed"
+                            : (rental.displayStatus || rental.status) === "confirmed"
                             ? "bg-info"
                             : "bg-danger"
                         }`}
                       >
-                        {rental.status.charAt(0).toUpperCase() +
+                        {(rental.displayStatus || rental.status).charAt(0).toUpperCase() +
-                          rental.status.slice(1)}
+                          (rental.displayStatus || rental.status).slice(1)}
                       </span>
                     </div>
 
@@ -512,7 +515,7 @@ const Owning: React.FC = () => {
                             </button>
                           </>
                         )}
-                        {rental.status === "confirmed" && (
+                        {(rental.displayStatus || rental.status) === "confirmed" && (
                           <button
                             className="btn btn-sm btn-outline-danger"
                             onClick={() => handleCancelClick(rental)}
@@ -520,7 +523,7 @@ const Owning: React.FC = () => {
                             Cancel
                           </button>
                         )}
-                        {rental.status === "active" && (
+                        {(rental.displayStatus || rental.status) === "active" && (
                           <button
                             className="btn btn-sm btn-success"
                             onClick={() => handleCompleteClick(rental)}

frontend/src/pages/Renting.tsx

@@ -182,8 +182,9 @@ const Renting: React.FC = () => {
   };
 
   // Filter rentals - show only active rentals (declined go to history)
+  // Use displayStatus for filtering as it includes computed "active" status
   const renterActiveRentals = rentals.filter((r) =>
-    ["pending", "confirmed", "active"].includes(r.status)
+    ["pending", "confirmed", "active"].includes(r.displayStatus || r.status)
   );
 
   if (loading) {
@@ -268,25 +269,25 @@ const Renting: React.FC = () => {
                     <div className="mb-2">
                       <span
                         className={`badge ${
-                          rental.status === "active"
+                          (rental.displayStatus || rental.status) === "active"
                             ? "bg-success"
-                            : rental.status === "pending"
+                            : (rental.displayStatus || rental.status) === "pending"
                             ? "bg-warning"
-                            : rental.status === "confirmed"
+                            : (rental.displayStatus || rental.status) === "confirmed"
                             ? "bg-info"
-                            : rental.status === "declined"
+                            : (rental.displayStatus || rental.status) === "declined"
                             ? "bg-secondary"
                             : "bg-danger"
                         }`}
                       >
-                        {rental.status === "pending"
+                        {(rental.displayStatus || rental.status) === "pending"
                           ? "Awaiting Owner Approval"
-                          : rental.status === "confirmed"
+                          : (rental.displayStatus || rental.status) === "confirmed"
                           ? "Confirmed & Paid"
-                          : rental.status === "declined"
+                          : (rental.displayStatus || rental.status) === "declined"
                           ? "Declined by Owner"
-                          : rental.status.charAt(0).toUpperCase() +
+                          : (rental.displayStatus || rental.status).charAt(0).toUpperCase() +
-                            rental.status.slice(1)}
+                            (rental.displayStatus || rental.status).slice(1)}
                       </span>
                     </div>
 
@@ -362,8 +363,8 @@ const Renting: React.FC = () => {
 
                     <div className="d-flex flex-column gap-2 mt-3">
                       <div className="d-flex gap-2">
-                        {(rental.status === "pending" ||
+                        {((rental.displayStatus || rental.status) === "pending" ||
-                          rental.status === "confirmed") && (
+                          (rental.displayStatus || rental.status) === "confirmed") && (
                           <button
                             className="btn btn-sm btn-danger"
                             onClick={() => handleCancelClick(rental)}
@@ -371,7 +372,7 @@ const Renting: React.FC = () => {
                             Cancel
                           </button>
                         )}
-                        {rental.status === "active" &&
+                        {(rental.displayStatus || rental.status) === "active" &&
                           !rental.itemRating &&
                           !rental.itemReviewSubmittedAt && (
                             <button

frontend/src/types/index.ts

@@ -106,6 +106,18 @@ export interface Item {
   updatedAt: string;
 }
 
+export type RentalStatus =
+  | "pending"
+  | "confirmed"
+  | "declined"
+  | "active"
+  | "completed"
+  | "cancelled"
+  | "returned_late"
+  | "returned_late_and_damaged"
+  | "damaged"
+  | "lost";
+
 export interface Rental {
   id: string;
   itemId: string;
@@ -117,17 +129,9 @@ export interface Rental {
   // Fee tracking fields
   platformFee?: number;
   payoutAmount?: number;
-  status:
+  status: RentalStatus;
-    | "pending"
+  // Computed status (includes "active" when confirmed + start time passed)
-    | "confirmed"
+  displayStatus?: RentalStatus;
-    | "declined"
-    | "active"
-    | "completed"
-    | "cancelled"
-    | "returned_late"
-    | "returned_late_and_damaged"
-    | "damaged"
-    | "lost";
   paymentStatus: "pending" | "paid" | "refunded";
   // Refund tracking fields
   refundAmount?: number;