Launched in November 2016, Letproof.com is a new platform for UK landlords and tenants to make contact directly. It is a do it yourself type platform following the footsteps of industry disruptors like Airbnb to offer a unique and transparent option that keeps the user in control.
Landlords upload their property details and tenants create a profile, with the option of completing a credit check, and search for their ideal property. The beauty for landlords is that they can schedule when their property will next be available allowing for future and short term lets. Landlords pay a daily rate from 10 pence day and only pay while they’re advertising their property. For tenants, it’s free.
Letproof.com is the brainchild of Andrew Seymour who has experienced first hand the challenges that face landlords today in the UK. Simply, his vision is to create a cheaper, simpler and less competitive letting market, without the need for expensive and inflexible agents. He said; ‘We’ve seen how people search online is changing, and our solution is the answer to the problems currently facing the property rental process such as too many high fees, too many agents and middlemen, lack of flexibility and lengthy time consuming processes.’
Landlords could be forgiven for thinking that the Government is against them right now, as costs go up and legislation makes buy to let an increasingly less attractive option. A cost effective option, that puts them back in control could play a part in easing the current strife of UK landlords.
For tenants, Letproof.com offers advanced search features and nicely displayed property pages, with the ability to message the landlord of your chosen property to arrange a viewing.
Tenancy agreements, inventories, and deposits are handled between the two parties, but Letproof.com offer support, advice and templates. Essentially, Letproof.com are providing the match and the introduction, and want to continue to grow to become a thriving online property hub and community.
It’s still early days for this new tech start-up, and the challenge of taking on the letting industry is a big one. However, with the buzz around PropTech and the growing desire of consumer for flexibility and transparency from brands, many industry experts agree a change is due. The Letproof.com team are bursting with ideas for the future and ways that the platform can be developed to become a truly one stop shop for letting. The focus currently is generating awareness and building up users on the site. With new marketing campaigns planned for 2017 this is an exciting brand to watch out for.
