Agents join short-lets brigade

Lavanda, the ‘super short-term’ rental platform, has launched Lavanda AGENT, enabling estate agents to tap into the super short-term rental market, monetising vacant property awaiting sale or long-term rental. It helps estate agents to increase revenue streams and better engage their market.

Agents may now offer a fully compliant super short-term rental product to landlords between tenants and sellers awaiting a buyer, without cost or hassle. The platform also provides agent partners with a new source of commission.

To ensure optimum monetisation, Lavanda leverages deep industry data and analytics, allowing agents to generate a super short term rental valuation in seconds.

There are also full furnishing services (for unfurnished properties), professional vetting, hotel-style housekeeping, in-person meet and greet and a 24/7 concierge service. Properties are marketed across all major super short-term rental platforms including Airbnb, Booking.com, HomeAway, Expedia.

Initially rolling out in the London area, in the next 12 months the platform is set to be available in all major UK cities.

Guy Westlake, CEO and co-founder of Lavanda, said, “Our mission is to unlock value by bridging the gap between the residential property industry and the rapidly evolving super short-term rental market. The slow sales market has led to homes sitting empty and not facilitating a quick sale can also damage the agent’s reputation with their client. Lavanda AGENT solves this specific pain point, powering growth and profitability in our partners, whilst enabling them to delight their customers with a new, value-added service offering, unlocking tens of thousands of pounds in additional income.”

Lavanda recently raised £1.5 million in funding from investors including Sir Terry Leahy, former CEO of Tesco, Kenny Bruce, co-founder of PurpleBricks, and Harry Hill, founder of Rightmove. www.lavanda.co.uk