A lettings industry start-up is preparing to launch a service that will offer letting agents an opportunity to side-step Rightmove.

Propiti says it wants to help the lettings industry return to a closer relationship with potential and future tenants rather than the increasing ‘digitalisation’ created by the rise of the big property portals.

Founded by financial services software engineer Alan Reid (pictured) in partnership with a friend who works for a well-known estate agency, it aims to create a ‘living list’ of tenants in each lettings market around the UK.

Tenants will be invited to post their property and location requirements into a database that agents can then match with their listings, meaning agents will have a living list of tenants looking for homes in their area.

Inspiration

“The inspiration for Propiti came during my own house hunting experience, during which I became tired of firing off multiple emails to lettings agents in order to see what properties were available,” says Reid.

“It became clear that, what home hunters really need is one place where they can post their detailed requirements for their next home and then see if agents have properties that match that.”

His platform is to soft-launch in Hertfordshire, Essex and Cornwall and, once it is up and running, look for backers to take it national and finance a marketing campaign to raise consumer awareness.

Reid says his tech could also later to be used to help tenants or agents connect with trusted plumbers, builders and electricians.

Read more about lettings proptech.