PropTech: Zoopla, Landmark and Houzen reveal new innovations

Zoopla is beefing up its customer relationship management programme with the appointment of RAPP UK to evolve the portal’s data infrastructure and capabilities.

Adam Knight, head of CRM at Zoopla, says: “We have rapidly identified CRM as an area of important business growth, both short and long term. But to unlock that growth, we needed to re-tool and evolve our mar-tech environment significantly. 

“We had to find a partner that could deliver deep expertise in data and marketing science, combined with pragmatic delivery skills that could be shaped around our operational style and cadence. RAPP UK’s skills and approach meant it was a no-brainer for us.”

Meanwhile Landmark Estate Agency Services has launched a new version of its Metropix floor plan drawing tool for agents. 

The firm says it’s made drawing plans faster, whether working on a desktop or mobile device.

Thirteen million plans have been drawn on Metropix since 2005 and Landmark managing director Ben Robinson says: “We … focused on launching a new and improved version that responds to the feedback and wishes of our users.  It’s faster, easier and intuitive. For example, if you want to add stairs, you simply drag and drop and Metropix automatically includes it on the plan, removing the need to manually finesse the workings.”

And Build To Rent PropTech supplier Houzen claims to have created a way to use tenant demographic data to benefit investors, operators and tenants.

“This allows us to match the demographic criteria of tenants with the right properties in real time. This means that we can fill buildings faster, which benefits operators and investors. It also means that tenants are likely to stay for longer, as they are better suited to their homes and the local area” claims Houzen founder Saurabh Saxena. 

Houzen's data analysis means it can predict the length of stay against specific demographic choices, using advanced statistics for the local area such as East London. For example, the company estimates that entrepreneurs who are looking for yoga nearby could stay in the building for 20 months, while those who have a balcony/outdoor space could stay up to 22 months. 

Similarly, parents who find a school nearby could average a tenancy length of up to 22 months, while those looking for a pet friendly development could stay for an average of 20 months.  

There are currently 36,410 BTR units under construction and 74,366 with planning permission, according to the British Property Federation.