Countrywide, Connells and Zoopla sign up to online lettings software deal

Countrywide is to lead a group including Connells and Zoopla in a partnership with the proptech company Fixflo, currently best known for its online lettings repair software. 

In a separate additional arrangement, a range of new software products from Fixflo are to be marketed and distributed through Zoopla.

The link up will see Countrywide, Connells and ZPG work with the start-up on what Fixflo calls “a variety of initiatives including the further development of its residential and commercial property block management solutions.” 

Since its launch in May 2013 Fixflo has grown to supply repairs software to more than 1,300 letting agency branches across the UK and has customers internationally including Australia and the US. The partnership announced will mean Fixflo products will be available to over 250,000 homes across the UK. 

Rajeev Nayyar, founder and managing director of Fixflo, says: “These strategic partnerships with leaders across the UK property market give us the research and development capabilities we need to deliver on an ambitious range of products to benefit our customers in an increasingly competitive market.” 

Fixflo currently provides an online picture-based system that allows tenants to report repairs in their rented properties to their landlord or property manager. Fixflo guides tenants through a series of pictures to identify a problem without any need for technical knowledge. It operates in 40 languages. 

Last week Countrywide’s chief executive Alison Platt told Estate Agent Today that her group was imminently announcing a tie-up with two tech companies involved in the lettings sector, although the arrangement may extend beyond online rental products. 

Platt, who describes Fixflo as “one of Europe’s leading proptech businesses,” says today’s deal “is a clear indication of our commitment to delivering the Countrywide group’s wider digital strategy ... focussed on ensuring we provide our customers with the best digital tools available in order to bring people and property together more effectively and help our customers meet their needs.” 

She continues: “Our role as lead partner is a great example of how a strategic partnership between Countrywide and an agile start-up can deliver excellent results for both our customers and our business.” 

It is believed that Countrywide is likely to announce a substantial involvement in another proptech start-up in the near future.