A European lettings portal has launched in the UK aimed at globe-trotting students and young professionals.
Rotterdam-based HousingAnywhere, which specialises in mid- to long-term rentals, now covers London, Manchester and Birmingham where potential tenants will be matched with accommodation providers such as private landlords, serviced apartments, co-living and Purpose Built Student Accommodation.
The platform only offers online viewings and allows tenants – 70% of whom come from abroad and stay for between four and 12 months – to book months ahead. The portal is different to established websites like Rightmove, which only allow letting agents to upload properties to their listings.
Ideal tenant
On HousingAnywhere, landlords set their preferences for an ideal tenant who, when they reserve accommodation, pays one month rent in advance, which HousingAnywhere guarantees.
Contracts are drafted and signed by landlords and tenants, who both agree on conditions such as giving notice, and the firm transfers payment 48 hours after they move in.
Creating an account, listing a property and responding to messages is free, and a one-time commission fee – 25% of a month’s rent – is only applied when a property is successfully booked.
“The process of listing an accommodation also includes certain steps to verify the property owner’s identity in order to offer a safe online experience for both tenants and landlords,” regional manager Martijn De Graaf (pictured) tells LandlordZONE.
“HousingAnywhere has a secure booking payment system to ensure the tenant’s payment is safe if a listing is not as advertised.”
De Graaf adds that once it has established the model in the first three cities, the firm will focus on extending its reach throughout the UK.
Read more about property portals.
