Make landlords centre of lettings to close 'digital g...

A new whitepaper argues that landlords and tenants aren't getting what they want from the rental market. It says landlords need to be made the centre of the lettings process instead of the property.

'How to improve the UK lettings market with technology and service' has been published by PropTech supplier Herddle.

The firm quotes Shelter research which suggests that fewer than half of tenants are happy with the way their letting agent handles the process of renting.

The same report from the housing charity also found that only 28% of tenants believe the services provided by a property management company are adequate.

Herddle says there is a 'digital gap' in the lettings market as agents and property professionals are 'failing to implement the digital services users need'.

The firm - which offers a system bringing together all parties involved in a rental transaction - says that to close the digital gap, the industry needs to blend the best of traditional customer service and the most useful aspects of technology.

It draws comparisons to online banking, which it suggests is now used by 69% of people.

"Landlords and tenants aren’t getting what they want from the property lettings system. But with the number of renters set to rise they both deserve better," says Corey Cummins, Herddle's chief executive.

"The industry needs better customer service, enabled by technology. Why can’t tenants access all of their documents online? How come landlords don’t get client accounts or tax certificates? Better digital, backed by people, can achieve all this."

"Let’s make the landlord the centre of the whole process, not the property, and give them a complete online service supported by human input."

Herddle says it provides landlords with an oversight of finances, agents with a smoother customer service offering and tenants with more transparency.

You can download its whitepaper here.