Independent agencies wooed to handle Build To Rent tenants

A platform which works with independent lettings agents and Build To Rent operators says it is linking them to provide mutual business benefit - the kind that until now has been left to large corporate agencies. 

Houzen says its platform lists BTR schemes and tenant-vacancies provided by developers with which it partners, thus helping local agents through the supply of what it describes as “premium instructions.”

It currently operates only in London but has now announced expansion to Manchester imminently - it already has links with one BTR scheme there - and then, within 18 months, it plans to operate in Birmingham, Edinburgh, Liverpool and Dublin too.

Saurabh Saxena, an ex-banker who now runs Houzen, says: “There’s no doubt that these are tricky times for estate agents and many of those suffering are the smaller, independent agencies where daily admin can reduce the time spent closing deals. 

“Finding new instructions is part of that admin. By significantly reducing the time needed for that task, we are providing agents with more time to focus on what they do best, as well as opening up premium instructions like never before. We look forward to working with even more agents across the UK over the coming months.”

Houzen says its team has “significant investment and banking experience” and pledges to do for new BTR lettings instructions “what Rightmove did for applicants back in 2000.”